This was supposed to be our year to visit Japan. It’s a country that Jon has wanted to visit for a long time and I’m always up for anything – so we made it a priority.
For Christmas, without advanced planning, we gave each other Japan-related gifts: travel guides, bento boxes, Japanese cookbooks. While those have all gone to good use in the past 3 months, it’s unlikely, given the current events in Japan, that we will actually take that trip this year.
I thought this would be the response from all travelers right now. But when I got together with Pam from Nerd’s Eye View and Debbie from DeliciousBaby last week, Pam mentioned her dismay with friends who are leaving on their long-planned journey to Japan. Pam’s (rightly) concerned for their health and safety. And while they plan on traveling to the southern part of the country, they will have to fly through Tokyo and stay there for at least a couple of days.
Debbie pointed out that her travel list was so long that if a destination got bumped, there were plenty of other places to choose from. That’s what Jon and I believe. While we can easily deal with rolling blackouts, erratic train service and other inconveniences, the radiation threat is just a little more than I would want to take on. I’m concerned about the effects in Seattle, let alone Tokyo, and there are just too many other places to visit to risk heading into what could be a truly dangerous situation.
But not everyone agrees with this. In the U.S. State Department Travel Warning for Japan, the government has recommended that Americans within 50 miles of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant evacuate or seal themselves in their homes if they aren’t able to leave. At this time, there’s no suggestion that Americans defer travel to Japan or even Tokyo (where water, milk and some vegetables have tested positive for radiation).
Like Pam’s friends, there are those who believe that as long as they stay away from certain areas in Japan, they will be OK. And they could very well be right – though we may not be certain of that for another 20 or 30 years.
I’ve always been able to consider at a destination with more objectivity than what the media and government shove down my throat. Travel warnings tend to be issued for an entire country when an issue flares up in one small location. Perhaps it’s our collective ignorance of geography that keeps us away from Spain if there’s a bombing in one city or India if we hear of a train wreck in some small village.
But I suppose that the unknown of what’s happening in Japan has me sufficiently spooked. While the earthquake and tsunami damage was quite isolated and would not have kept me away from the country, the ongoing spread of radiation (which has now reached Massachusetts!) has me concerned. I’m also not confident in how truly accurate the information is that’s being shared by both the Japanese and U.S. governments. And I wonder what the U.S. travel warning would read if this had happened in Russia, Pakistan or some other country where our government wasn’t so sensitive to the relationship. I’m fairly confident it would be a far stronger warning to avoid travel to Japan.
What about you? Would you travel to Japan right now?
Travel Well!
adventureswithben says
I’m taking a wait and see approach. There is still a lot of uncertainty at the moment.
The Dropout says
The guy who sits next to me at work is in Japan right now, with three of his mates. He was originally traveling as part of a group of eight, to see three concerts near Tokyo. His thinking was that if he delayed, he’d miss the concerts, so he wouldn’t enjoy the trip anyway.
He spoke to many colleagues and friends in Japan before deciding to go.
I have another two friends, a newly married couple, who move to Japan NEXT WEDNESDAY for work. They’ve decided to proceed.
I have another two friends who were supposed to go to Japan next week. They’ve both cancelled because of radiation fears.
I have another friend who’s lived in Japan for nearly 15 years, has a Japanese wife and three kids. They flew out of the country about three days after the tsunami. (Then got stuck in floods in Australia, ironically.)
In my safe no-trip-booked zone, I think I’d go, but it’s a whole other matter when you’ve shelled out money for a trip … and have a baby to consider. It’s a dilemma. You just have to decide for yourself.
Beth says
The Dropout – Lots of conflicting choices from your friends! It’s gotta be a hard decision if you have shelled out a lot of money.
The Dropout says
Yeah… we’re in Singapore and before March 11 Japan was the flavour of the month here.
Love your site, by the way!
Lisa says
Beth, I think I’d be willing to go to the Southern portions of Japan. Japan is somewhere I’ve been interested in for a while. Yes, the radiation is absolutely a concern and I would be watching that in order to make travel plans. I think being there for a limited amount of time (a vacation) and supporting the country would weigh in heavily for me.
Laurel says
Japan isn’t at the top of my list to be fair, and while I would like to support the recovery efforts, I would be too scared of the radiation to risk it as well at this point. Hope I am able to make a small contribution in other ways.
Christy @ Ordinary Traveler says
Interesting thoughts about whether there would be a travel warning if this same thing had happened somewhere other than Japan. I’m not sure that I would travel to Japan right now, but I did not have a plan to go there anytime soon. It’s hard to say.
Beth says
Laurel – I had thought of volunteering when I first saw the devastation but obviously abandoned that thought when the reactors went haywire.
Darcey says
I wouldn’t go _right now_ — but I also certainly wouldn’t stop planning. Wait and see what the radiation situations are, and other health risks, and how the attitude of the country is, before making that trek.
Japan will need some of the economic income that comes from tourists, and as long as people don’t deliberately seek out places to engage in the tourism of death (something that’s all too common here in India because of the different way death is treated), or the tourism of tragedy, I don’t think there’s any reason not to. After tragedies, many people elect to stay home because they’re (sensibly) concerned with the way visiting will be perceived, and not recognizing the greater economic challenges that not having tourism will incur.
Grace says
Your concerns are very valid Beth. I wouldn’t risk the radiation or at least until we get more clarity about the situation. Although I think once things get a little less crazy the best thing to do is to continue to support Japan’s economy through tourism/travel.
Sarah says
I live in Shikoku, and life continues here as normal. You can fly into Osaka and still get to Kyoto, Hiroshima and all of the other wonders that West Japan offers, while avoiding the areas that you may feel unhappy about visiting. I have postponed a trip to Tokyo, because of the rolling blackouts, but feel quite safe here in the West. As with anything, you have to do what you think is best, Japan will still be here in years to come.
ayngelina says
I wouldn’t go today but maybe in a month after things have calmed down a bit.
Judith Kitzes says
“Perhaps it’s our collective ignorance of geography that keeps us away from Spain if there’s a bombing in one city or India if we hear of a train wreck in some small village.”
As the Radiation leaks into the upper atmosphere and spreads west, as it gets into food and water, as the Japanese government warns its citizens to take care especially feeding infants, I would not go to Japan right now. However, living in Los Angeles gives me plenty of concern about this significant health issue.
The earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand did not shut down the rest of New Zealand – but there was no nuclear reactor leakage, eitehr. Sarah makes a good point, though – West Japan is probably perfectly safe. Darcey also makes a good point about perceptions, however, the ultimate issues boil down to your (or any traveler’s) comfort level. I am not comfortable going through the full body scanners at the airport, let alone drinking water filled with radiation.
I would postpone, for sure. That said, I would not postpone a trip to India if a train down south were bombed; or a city in Spain attacked. I would still go to Jerusalem. Not the same thing at all.
Beth says
Judith – thanks for the input and glad to hear that you’d continue to travel when there’s a flare up in one area that really does not effect another part of a country.
Many Americans, fueled by media and our own government, believe that an entire country should be shunned when an issue arises in one (or more) specific areas. Mexico is battling that right now.
Beth says
Let’s hope that things DO calm down in a month, Ayngelina!
Kristina says
I’m going in about 2 weeks.
I’ve been “waiting and seeing” since March 11, and at this point, I’m going for 8 days to Tokyo or Kyoto.
I think the fears have been vastly overhyped in the media. I’m not concerned about the rolling blackouts because they don’t affect central Tokyo where we will be. I would not travel North of Tokyo, but I’m not afraid of the radiation concerns within Tokyo.
Other traveler’s reports I’ve read said at this point, in Tokyo, it’s hard to tell anything has happened except for the people on the streets collection donations for tsunami victims and for the lack of other tourists.
Finally, I feel very strongly that with tourism down 60% there, that if I’m comfortable with going I should. Some people say Japan is not a country which depends on tourism, but try telling that to the small restaurants and local shops which are on the verge of going out of business due to lack of visitors and locals who are staying home.
Jingjing says
I am heading to Japan this Thursday. I thought Tokyo is OK, if you go to facebbook, and look for Tokyto Radiation, you will find out everyday radiation rate. The number is from some one who lives in Tokyo.
I think if you go there just for a week, that will be fine.I will go to Tokyo, Izu, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka.
Meg Eisenbraun says
No, I would not go now. They have discovered plutonium leaking from one of the reactors, which means it could be cracked. And if – God forbid – an explosion plus wind change coincide, Tokyo would not be safe. Even the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan monitors the wind carefully as it serves as a platform for helicopters flying in humanitarian aid. When the wind shifts, they immediately reposition. Seven sailors in the helos flying the missions have registered exposure to radiation and had to be completely scrubbed down. Japan will be there in years to come. Why insist on going now now and gamble with your health or safety?
wandering educators says
i’d go – if i already had booked the tickets. otherwise, i’d wait a bit. i think that japan needs to funnel its resources toward helping, and not toward tourism at the moment…
Kent @ No vacation Required says
Interesting debate, Beth. On our flight over here to Prague, we were on Delta with a flight crew that normally does runs between Seattle and Japan. We talked about this very thing for a long time. Seems they were split. Many felt that it’s just too uncertain while others felt as though Japan needs tourists period.
Craig says
I know my Mum and sisters were meant to be flying into Tokyo in 2 weeks and they’ve cancelled that. They had to make the decision two weeks ago, and even less was known then than now — but I think they’d make the same decision today.
If I had tickets for now, I’d definitely consider going — but I’d do a lot more research before I jumped on that plane.
Mary Gallagher says
Tourism is a large part of every countries budget which I believe in supporting but in a situation that I would put myself at risk. Sometimes people take risks for themselves without realizing that if something happens to them their friends, family, business and others suffer terrible consequences.
The Travel Minister of Japan Tourism came out in a statement a few days ago basically telling tourists to stay home. I listed a good contact for up to date information below.
For visitors currently traveling in Japan, the Tokyo Headquarters of Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) provides around-the-clock information service at the Tourist Information Center (TIC):
TIC in Tokyo
Phone: +81-(0)3-3201-3331
Service in English, Chinese and Korean
The 24-hour service is available for the duration of current crisis
Please note that due to the intensive recovery effort and the situation of the nuclear power plant accident, travel information is updated frequently. Please refer to multiple sources for latest information.
I would not put myself at risk by traveling to Japan at this time. Nor would I want to get sick or injured there and become a burden in an already overloaded situation.
Wandering Scott says
I find myself in the same situation. I had been planning 2 weeks in Japan (Tokyo/Kyoto) as a birthday present to myself for the last 2 years and made the decision to cancel more on the thought that it would be potentially bad karma to be wandering about on “holiday” while there are so many people living a tragedy on more limited resources. Much to my family’s relief I made this decision before the nuclear issues grew to their current state of confusion. While I don’t buy into a lot of the media hype and knowing that Japan is probably one of the best nations able to recover from something like this – a disaster of this magnitude is not to be taken lightly. Luckily I was able to cancel everything without penalty. My sense of adventure and camera were drawing me in, my rationality seems to have won out. Any good suggestions for 10 days somewhere last minute? Flights this close are now exorbitant and I am competing with the Easter holiday crowds now. Japan will have to go back on the shelf for now.
Pete says
If you’re concerned about the minuscule amounts of radiation detected in the U.S. (about a billion times beneath levels that would be health threatening), then you shouldn’t bother traveling anywhere, at all. You’re exposed to way more radiation during a single 4 hour flight than any trace amounts that have reached the U.S. Not to mention the daily amount of radiation we’re exposed to on daily basis from electronic radiation. However, for one to have concerns regarding radiation levels in Japan is completely legitimate and understandable. The situation can become increasingly dire at any given moment, but currently travelers should not fear radiation in Tokyo, and points to the west and south.
Beth says
Pete – thanks for your note. I don’t know that levels in the US are “a billion times beneath levels that would be health threatening.” The truth is WE DON’T KNOW. And I do not trust government agencies to tell us the truth.
Just look back at recent history when the government said it was safe to be at Ground Zero in NYC after 9/11. Now it’s coming out that many of those folks who worked at the site are getting illnesses that are tracked back to the work site. And have we already forgotten Gulf War syndrome? The government said that troops were safe and in reality those who were downwind of chemical weapons depots have become ill.
I don’t mean to sound paranoid, but our government does not have a history of being up front when it comes to disasters. They tell us what will placate us so that there isn’t mass hysteria. I fear that we won’t know for another 10 years the terrible effects of this nuclear disaster…
Minnie says
I know this is an old post but just want to update the current situation here. As a Tokyo resident, I believe Tokyo and other cities outside of evacuation zones are safe to visit now. I agree with mink here:
http://tokyobnb.com/1/archives/07-2011/1.html