Shibuya empty: this is what Tokyo’s most iconic zebra crossing looks like during confinement

The COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted extensive human and material damage. It led to the collapse of numerous hospitals, prompting governments worldwide to halt commercial activities in order to curb the virus’s spread. Many countries even resorted to declaring a state of emergency across their territories to gain better control over the situation. Examples of such measures can be observed in Italy, Spain, and more recently, Japan.

As of May 31, the 126 million residents of Japan are required to remain confined within their homes to ensure their safety. Consequently, numerous shops have had to temporarily close, and the borders have been shut to the millions of tourists who typically visit the country annually.

To assess the effects of the quarantine in Japan, the Nippon Wandering TV network has created a couple of videos, which have been uploaded to their YouTube channel. These videos are particularly striking as they depict Tokyo as nearly deserted. One of the videos provides a specific comparison between how certain areas looked in 2016 and their current appearance.

It’s truly striking to witness the transformation of the world’s most renowned crossing, the Shibuya crossing, into a sparsely traversed space due to the ongoing health crisis. Ordinarily, this iconic location is graced by the presence of approximately 3,000 pedestrians each time its green light signals their way. However, in the footage provided, it’s evident that the number of individuals crossing has dwindled to fewer than 100.

Furthermore, the video not only captures the subdued activity at the Shibuya crossing but also highlights the stark contrast in the daily influx of tourists that used to grace the streets of the Japanese capital. The drastic and necessary measures implemented as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic have wrought a significant change in the city’s landscape, one that diverges dramatically from the familiar bustling scenes we were accustomed to. This visual documentation underscores the profound impact that unforeseen events can have on the vibrant rhythm of urban life, serving as a poignant reminder of the challenges humanity can face and overcome.