Sendai street shines bright despite pandemic

NHK -- Dec 19

The coronavirus hasn't stopped a street in the city of Sendai, northeastern Japan, from becoming a dazzling winter wonderland.

The annual Sendai Pageant of Starlight began at 7 p.m. on Friday, when hundreds of thousands of LED lights attached to the street's zelkova trees were switched on.

Due to the pandemic, a ceremony to turn the lights on was canceled this year, along with a parade and other events. The illuminations will also run for longer than usual to prevent overcrowding.

The event runs every day through December 31st, and then the first two weekends of January, plus the 11th.