Coming of Age day in Japan under Covid – in pictures

Young adults gathered in Japan to celebrate reaching 20, the age at which they can drink alcohol, smoke and get married without parental approval, although many events were cancelled due to coronavirus fears

Main image: Attendance at the events was limited in order to facilitate the observance of social distancing. Photograph: Issei Kato/Reuters

  • Women arrive for the Coming of Age ceremony in Yokohama in suburban Tokyo. Coming of Age day is a Japanese holiday held every January to celebrate those who have reached 20, the official age of adulthood in Japan
    Pinterest
    Women in kimonos

  • A participant wearing traditional clothes is taken through a body temperature scanner before being allowed to enter the event hall in Yokohama
    Pinterest
    Passing through body scanner

  • Social distancing is maintained inside the Yokohama Arena
    Pinterest
    Spaced-out audience

  • A record rise in Covid-19 cases and a month-long state of emergency in and around Tokyo has led many local authorities to scrap or postpone the festivities
    Pinterest
    Masked crowds

  • A 20-year-old has her temperature checked at the Todoroki Arena in Kawasaki
    Pinterest
    Temperature checking station

  • The celebrations at Todoroki Arena in Kawasaki
    Pinterest
    Rows of people

  • At Yokohama Arena, women wore ornate kimonos, fluffy white stoles and masks, while the men were dressed mainly in suits
    Pinterest
    Women wearing fur stoles and kimonos

  • The arena’s capacity was limited to 5,000. Four separate ceremonies were held there and at another Yokohama venue
    Pinterest
    Gaggle of women

  • Participants were told to keep their distance and speak quietly to avoid spreading coronavirus
    Pinterest
    Masked women

  • Twenty-year-olds pose for portraits in Yokohama
    Pinterest
    Eight portraits

  • Police officers restrain an overexcited adult outside the ceremony in Yokohama
    Pinterest
    Police officers restrain someone

  • Women leave the celebration at Todoroki Arena in Kawasaki
    Pinterest
    Women leave the celebration

  • Women take a masked selfie in Yokohama
    Pinterest
    Women take a masked selfie

  • Police officers detain a young man who is under the influence of alcohol in Yokohama
    Pinterest
    Mob of police officers surround man

  • The prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, has urged young people to abide by the state of emergency, which asks residents to avoid non-essential outings and requests that restaurants and bars close early. Last week he said more than half of recent new infections in greater Tokyo were among the under-30s
    Pinterest
    Dusk falls as guests leave
Topics