Tokyo tour bus operation restarts as state of emergency lifted

Tokyo: Japan's major tour bus firm Hato Bus Co. resumed its operations on Monday following the lifting of a coronavirus state of emergency for the Tokyo area, allowing passengers to enjoy fresh air and cherry blossoms in full bloom from an open top bus.

The Japanese government on Sunday lifted the state of emergency for Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures, where restrictions had remained since early January, as the availability of hospital beds had improved in the region. "I have been working from home for a long time and had no chance to go out. So, (cherry blossoms) cheered me up very much," Masumi Ishii, a passenger, told Reuters after the tour.