The Cricket Temple is just down the road from the Moss Temple, so we wanted to stop by. It is called the Cricket Temple because crickets can be heard year round. Everyone can get one wish at the exit, and it is considered a good idea to return and give thanks if the wish comes true. The sign on the post said that because of coronavirus, they were grouping people to enter on the hour.
About 50 or more people were gathered on the stairs waiting for the opening. Will and I stood apart to keep our 6 feet. When they got in, the Japanese went into a small room for a 30 minute (or longer) lesson. We were given the wrapped sweet and allowed to explore the garden freely rather than listen to the lecture. I cannot imagine that the crowded room was a good idea in the time of Coronavirus!
In fact, I am seriously worried about Japan and coronavirus. One of the reasons they have low levels is that they have not been testing. Not only are there events like at the Temple, but they still are having graduations during the last weeks of March. Some employers ask people to take their temperature every day before coming to work. People stay home if they have a fever, but otherwise go to work. Now the cherry blossoms are out. In DC they literally used garbage trucks to block off the roads so that people would not get near the Tidal Basin to view the cherry blossoms. In Tokyo, residents have been asked to stay home this weekend -- but the first thing everyone did on hearing this was to run to crowded grocery stores. And it remains to be seen if they will be avoiding going to see cherry blossoms.
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