General Information on Travel to Japan after Disaster on March 11

Information on Travel to Japan (May 30, 2011)

After two months since strong earthquake and powerful tsunami struck the Northern coast of Japan, the situation has largely returned to normal except some parts of Northern Japan (Tohoku) including the area within a 60km radius of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility. Visits to areas except some parts of Tohoku areas can be made trouble free. In particular, as repeatedly reported, western parts of Japan including Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Okinawa and many more cities have not been affected. In response to improving situation, many countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore have announced that there are no significant travel concerns in Japan as of today. However, we would like to advise you to obtain up-to-date information as a precautious measure. For travel information, please refer to the website of Japan National Tourism Organization and of your country’s embassy in Japan.

The number of foreign tourists in Japan has decreased sharply after March 11th. In April 2011, international visitors to Japan fell 62.5% year-on-year. Japanese domestic travels have recovered more quickly and many Japanese are planning to spend their summer vacations in Japan.

Information on Travel to Japan (April 22, 2011)

Northern part of Japan (Tohoku, Northern part of Honshu mainland): The area facing Pacific Ocean was damaged by strong earthquake and tsunami, with ongoing issue of damaged nuclear power plants. On April 21, the government has declared the 20-kilometre evacuation area around the radiation-spewing Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant off-limits zone. Also residents living within 30 kilometres from there are advised to evacuate from the area.  Tohoku bullet trains are partially in operation as of April 22. It is expected that the following routes will be restored: Ichinoseki-Morioka by April 23, Fukushima-Sendai by April 25, and Sendai-Ichinoseki by April 30.

Tokyo : The situation in Tokyo has been improved, and it is similar to prequake lifestyle. Product shortage such as gas, toilet paper, mineral water has been recovered as distribution and transport systems is restored. The assortment at stores is equivalent to prequake condition. There are no scheduled blackouts in Tokyo and surroundings, however, to avoid sudden blackouts we are advised to save electricity all the time. There might be some reductions of number of trains running, and some neons might be off in the entertainment districts. 

Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant is located 250 kilometres from Tokyo. Most companies in Tokyo stay in business. Most international business travelers to Tokyo are surprised to see how normal Tokyo is now, as they had thought that life in Tokyo is more inconvenient.  Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea were closed for safety reasons after earthquake on March 11. On April 15, Tokyo Disneyland re-started operation. Tokyo Disney Sea is expected to resume from April 28.

Other Regions (Hokkaido, Central Japan: Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Takayama, Western Japan:Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Matsue, and Southern Japan: Kyushu, Fukuoka, and Okinawa islands): These regions are not affected by the earthquake and nuclear power plant damages. Sightseeing spots and transportations are operated as scheduled.

Travel Advice by Foreign Governments

Over 50 nations urged their citizens to leave Japan or to refrain from visiting Japan followed by March 11 earthquake and tsunami. However, many nations have eased these warnings. Here are some examples.

-The French government announced that living in Tokyo does not present a health risk, and effectively withdrew its advisory to stay away from Japan. Also, the embassy advised French nationals to refrain from traveling to Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures, saying the situation at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, crippled by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, remains unstable.

-The British government started advising its citizens to remain outside a 60-kilometre radius of the Fukushima nuclear power plant, rather than the previous 80-kilometer radius. The British Embassy in Tokyo has stopped distributing iodine tablets.

-On April 14, 2011, travel alert replaces the travel warning for Japan dated March 31 by the US government. The assessment of technical and subject matter experts across United States Government agencies is that while the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi plant remains serious and dynamic, the health and safety risks to areas beyond the 50 mile evacuation zone, and particularly to Tokyo, Nagoya (Aichi Prefecture), Yokohama (Kanagawa Prefecture) nearby U.S. military facilities and the prefectures of Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Gunma, Iwate, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shizuoka, Tochigi, and Yamanashi, and those portions of Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures which are outside a 50 mile radius of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant are low and do not pose significant risks to U.S. citizens.

-The Russian Foreign Ministry lifted the order on April 18, with the result of radiation levels in Tokyo which were half those in Moscow, researched by the Federal Medical-Biological Agency.

Michi Travel Japan fully understands that safety of our customers is our top priority. We are pleased to create your custom itinerary or private tours in light of updated conditions. If you are interested, please contact us.  For latest information, please refer to Japan National Tourism Organization.   

Information on Travel to Japan (April 14, 2011) 

Northern part of Japan (Tohoku, Northern part of Honshu mainland): The area facing Pacific Ocean was damaged by strong earthquake and tsunami, with ongoing issue of damaged nuclear power plants. Tohoku bullet trains will be operated regulary by the beginning of May.  The govenment has recently announced that the nuclear accident is equivalent to level 7.  Also residents living within 30 kilometres of Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant are advised to evacuate from the area. 

Tokyo : The city experienced strong earthquake on March 11, however there are no major damages.  There are no scheduled blackouts in Tokyo and surroundings, however, to avoid sudden black outs we are advised to save electricity all the time.  There might be some reductions of number of trains running, and some neons might be off in the entertainment districts.  Street lights are on so it is bright enough in the evening.  Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant is located 250 kilometres from Tokyo, and most of companies in Tokyo stay in business.  Foreign companies which temporarily moved to Western Japan to avoid earthquakes and radiation are returning to Tokyo for regular operations.

Other Regions (Hokkaido, Central Japan:  Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Takayama, Western Japan:Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Matsue, and Southern Japan: Kyushu, Fukuoka, and Okinawa islands): These regions are not affected by the earthquake and nuclear power plant damages. Sightseeing spots and transportations are operated as scheduled.

Michi Travel Japan fully understands that safety of our customers is our top priority. We are pleased to create your custom itinerary or private tours in light of updated conditions. If you are interested, please contact us.  For latest information, please refer to Japan National Tourism Organization.   

Recent life in Tokyo (April 8, 2011)

Beyond exit down the road, cherry blossoms await us.	Walking through tunnel of cherry blossoms

Recent life in Tokyo (April 6, 2011)

In Tokyo, with cherry blossoms getting in full bloom, people in Tokyo are beginning their new life.  Schools start new school year.  Children are playing in parks as usual. Though mood for voluntary self-restraint among Japanese will continue for some time as a way to show our solidarity when people suffer in Northen part of Japan, people in Tokyo also know it is also important that we do things just the way we did before.

Information on Travel to Japan (March 26, 2011)

Northern part of Japan (Tohoku, Northern part of Honshu mainland): The area facing Pacific Ocean was damaged by strong earthquake and tsunami, with ongoing issue of damaged nuclear power plants. Bullet trains in this region are currently suspended.  The govenment has advised residents living within 30 kilometeres of Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant to evacuate from the area.

Tokyo: The city experienced strong earthquake on March 11, however there are no major damages.  There are no scheduled blackouts in central Tokyo including major tourist areas such as Ginza, Asakusa, Shinjuku, Shibuya, etc.  For power conservation, there are scheduled blackouts only in suburb area of Tokyo.  There might be some reductions of the number of trains running, especially local trains.  Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant is located 250 kilometres from Tokyo, and most of companies in Tokyo stay in business.  Due to uncertainty, some foreign companices and embassies have tentatively relocated their Tokyo offices to western part of Japan.

Mt. Fuji, Hakone: The area did not experience major damages by earthquake; however, scheduled blackout might be arranged here as well, due to power shortage.

Other Regions (Hokkaido, Western Japan:Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Matsue, and Southern Japan: Kyushu, Fukuoka, and Okinawa islands): These regions are not affected by the earthquake and nuclear power plant damages. Sightseeing spots and transportations are operated as scheduled.

Michi Travel Japan fully understands that safety of our customers is our top priority. We are pleased to create your custom itinerary or private tours in light of updated conditions. If you are interested, please contact us.  For latest information, please refer to Japan National Tourism Organization.   

Our Prayers, Condolences, and Determination toward Recovery of Japan from Disaster (March 11, 2011)

We would like to extend our deepest condolences to those who lost their lives and convey our sympathies to the bereaved families and those who live in the area affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami which struck Japan on March 11, 2011. 

We have received many emails from our friends living abroad. We would like to thank you all for being thoughtful about Japan, caring about how we feel and sharing hopes with us.

There is no doubt that Japan will go through tough times. However, we are proud to let you know how determined many people are here in Japan to recover this country. Japanese people are coping with this tragedy calmly with a sense of solidarity.  All the staffs at Michi Travel Japan are safe and focus on what we should do now.

We hope that the days will soon come when nuclear concern will be dispelled, transportation will be back in normal, and we will say that you can visit Japan without concern. Let us emphasize that our fundamental strength and beauty of this country – unique culture, excellent food, scenic beauty and, above all, friendly and nice people - are unchanged.  We are looking forward to creating your memorable Japan holiday. 

Best regards,

Seiichi Chada

Michi Travel Japan