Prior to the Omicron surge, we rented a machiya house in Kyoto along the Kamo river for a couple of weeks. With a regular routine of a morning walk/run, work with a view of the river, and afternoon walk – I was refreshed while also productive. We need to do more workations or long-stay vacations.

During our stay almost 80% of Japan was fully vaccinated and averaged about 100-200 daily cases nationwide. Even then, rarely did you see someone without a mask indoor or outdoors.