Tokyo Photographer

Hundreds of hikers were seen climbing towards the summit of Mountain Fuji, in Fujiyoshida, on Friday, the first day of the Yoshida trail opening for the climbing season. The trail was opened with COVID-19 preventive measures in place, with the climbers having their temperature checked. Those who passed the check were given a yellow wristband. Hikers expressed their joy for the opening of the trail. "Mt. Fuji's opening day, so I was looking forward to it and prepared to climb Mt. Fuji. Well, it's a beautiful day today, so I'm going to enjoy climbing all the way to the top," hiker Masao Sugiyama said. "I hope that the coronavirus will end soon and we will be able to get back to a life where we can take off our mask. Well, it hasn't ended yet, but I can climb like this, so I'm just taking measures. I am very happy to be able to climb," stated Maeda, another hiker. The climbing season of Mountain Fuji lasts from July 1 to September 10. Yoshida trail was opened last year for the first time since COVID-19 pandemic started, however this year a lot more hikers are expected. | Video Ruptly

A dozen people participated in a Shinto ritual whereby they bathed in icy waters at Teppou-zu Inari Shrine in Tokyo on Sunday to pray for the end of the pandemic. Three women dressed in robes, and nine men covered in loin clothes chanted and clapped before taking the icy dip. "I hope that soon the world and coronavirus pandemic calm down and everyone will be able to move freely," said a participant Yoshiko Shibada after the 'Misogi' ritual which refers to the Shinto tradition of washing the whole body for purification. The event which is held on the second Sunday of each year had the added them of 'warding off epidemics' this year. | Video Ruptly