Cancel trip to Japan?
 

The tragedy in Japan is overwhelming and it is so hard to think of something so self absorbed as whether or not we should cancel our trip for next month! We were planning on being in Tokyo and Kyoto and my instinct is to try to cancel except that my 84 year old mother in law has been so excited about us coming to visit and we haven't been in two years.

I am getting a little pressure from hotels to let them know if we are coming or not. I just can't think of a vacation.

Is anyone else in this position and how are you making a decision whether to go or not? I guess it is still a wait and see.

Right now (that is, this week) is pretty certainly not the time to be visiting Japan, as much as one would want to show support for the country. There's a significant issue with electricity usage in the Tokyo region: many train services have been canceled today (Monday), and it's very possible that the power company (Tepco) will stage rolling blackouts. Whether or not they do depends on how much power usage can be cut back, and when additional power sources can be brought online. Very much a day-to-day situation.

Power blackouts are much more serious in Tokyo than in most places. A power blackout means no elevators (for most buildings), and no water in many buildings.

Tough decision. Of course you want to see family. They want to see you. Maybe it feels even more urgent now that this disaster has happened.

While well outside of the damage zone, we are still feeling the effects in subtle ways. Gas stations were crowded with people filling up as word of rationing got out. Power issues are serious, with Tokyo Electric customers on rolling blackouts starting today. Other electric companies have urged us to cut our own use, prompting factory closures, reduced store hours, and residents conserving as they are able. Transportation in Tokyo is running but on altered schedules. Going north out of Tokyo is tough going and only possible by airplane or helicoptr or car using secondary roads only.

Kyoto is business as usual so far, but not sure if power cuts will expand to the Kansai area as well.

There is a feeling of deep loss, sorrow and helplessness among people in unharmed Kanazawa - it is tough to go on with everyday life knowing that just a little ways away there is complete and utter devastation. The TV shows nothing other than quake and tsunami info. Most people have family or friends who have been affected. It feels wrong somehow to do something fun.

There is also the warning that came yesterday. It said that seismologists predict a 70% chance of another quake of magnitude 7 or greater within 72 hours, and if that occurs almost surely will be followed by tsunami again. Aftershocks are continuing, at any rate, and are expected to be severe for a month. The nuclear power plant crisis is still unfolding, with this morning reports indicating that efforts to cool the fukushimi Daiichi number 3 reactor have not succeeded yet and last night they warned of possible explosion from that reactor, too. In addition, two other nuclear plants are reported to be experiencing cooling failure, but I formation on the extent or seriousness is scant. At any rate, the first plant emergency is being handled seriously, with 200,000 people evacuated, 150 people being treated for radiation exposure (as of now), and iodine pills ready for distribution.

So - if you decide to make the trip, perhaps make it one of visiting with family and enjoying each other rather than sightseeing.

emmagus, I would be inclined to postpone. Is your mother in law mobile enough to travel? Perhaps you could bring her and another relative, or caregiver, to wherever you are?

Kim, I really value your personal observations. Take good care of yourselves!

I left Japan just a few days ago, and I am following the story with much sadness and I'd like to thank KimJapan for her update on the situation.

I can't help but wonder how power cuts will affect subways and trains in Tokyo that so many communters rely on.

emmagus, it's a tough call, as you're not travelling until April I'd wait a little while and see how things unfold before choosing what to do.

In Tokyo, commuters have been advised to not take the train. However, that is the main form of transport for most people, and as such, the stations have been packed with people waiting for trains that are running on much reduced schedules. This is shown on local news.

Rolling blackouts have been postponed for this morning as conservation efforts were enough to keep demand below supply. But, that doesn't mean they won't implement the blackout plan as early as this afternoon. It is expected for the power shortage to be quite long term, with initial rolling blackout plan covering the time until the end of April.

I'm up in the air also as I am supposed to leave in a little over two weeks - even though I am going straight to Kyoto via shinkansen and then to Kyushu for a week (the volcano there has erupted again as well...) I will end up in Tokyo for a couple of days - that will be almost the middle of April. My airline is allowing a change with no fee as long as you leave by May 10 - of course the period from about 4/29 to 5/5 is Golden Week so I don't think I want to travel then either....oy.....

Kim thank you so very much for your information. It really helps us understand what is happening. Perhaps you should start a new post with the topic of your updates. It has been many years since I was in Japan but it holds a very special place in my heart. The images we are seeing of the devistation are very sobering that is for sure. Take care & thank you again.

Mara - have you thought about flying in/out of Osaka instead of Tokyo, and staying in in the
southern areas?

Guys, I'm struggling with this very issue myself. Initially we thought since we're mostly going to southern areas, that this wouldn't be a big deal--but now reading about the nuclear concerns and what seems to be a chain reaction-type cycle unfolding, I'm seriously wondering if we need to change our planned April 8th trip.

This would be tough to re-plan given that we have to go those 2 weeks, but I suppose with some serious planning we could figure out a Plan B.

I guess my question is: given the choice (and even 2 or 3 weeks down the line) would you look for a Plan B?

I'd look for a plan B. Not as a sure thing, but we just don't know how this is all going to unfold. A second reactor at the same location as the first exploded this morning, but they say the container for the radioactive material is probably intact as readings for radioactivity around the plant have not increased.

More than the nuclear problem, though, which is 300 km north of Tokyo, is the overall damage to the power grid. Even Kanazawa, on the west coast, undamaged, uses power generated by 3 nuclear plants operated by Hokuriku Electric that are in the quake zone and are shut down. The whole country has been urged to conserve in every way possible. It's completely uncharted territory, no one knows what will happen.

It could be all improving from now, but it wouldn't take much to send things into a downward spiral again. A big aftershock, continued trouble at the power plants (it will be days or weeks before they have that under control), even bad weather...those things could all impact how things are panning out.

Today, Tokyo is pretty much a mess. The power cuts have reportedly started, but even here, local news stations are broadcasting sometimes conflicting information...one channel says power is cut in section 3, another says not but will be cut on schedule for section 4...

I'm inclined to think Tokyo will be OK, provided there is not another quake of significant magnitude. There is about 48 hours left on the 72 hour clock they gave for the 70% chance of a quake of magnitude 7 or higher occurring. It is also unknown where that anticipated quake might occur, so everyone has been urged to be prepared, regardless of location. Japan is, after all, sitting on multiple major faults.

2 weeks might make a lot of difference...but right now things just aren't going so well here. Even though areas like Kyoto haven't been affected directly, and life is going on as usual in unaffected areas, it feels a bit strange to me. Many, many people have friends or family members who were in the damage zone. It just feels almost wrong to go about normal daily life while relatively nearby people who survived the initial quake and tsunami are now struggling for basics like food and water. I'm just amazed at how very similar it is all looking to 2004. Japan is more developed and better prepared supposedly than Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka... but is having similar trouble getting aid to those who need it - the areas hardest hit and most in need of help are impossible to access.

I don't know what to tell you, except that from the perspective of being somewhere unscathed yet so close, it's weird, and a little scary. I also have no idea about things like food shortages and gas rationing, transportation schedule cuts...all of those things are happening now on a limited scale in addition to power cuts, and all of those things are local to damaged areas. But, when I bought gas yesterday, there were many doing the same, and the price had jumped ¥10/liter from the last time I had bought it a week before. We've been advised to stock non-perishable food like rice and canned goods.

There is just no telling what will happen. The full scale of damage is not yet known.

I am following this thread with interest as we have plans to go mid-April for a week to Tokyo and Kyoto.

I keep telling myself "it will be better by then" but now I'm starting to wonder. Since we bought a vacation package and our travel dates are inflexible, I think it would be a total loss if we could not go. But I have not called yet to see our options, choosing to "wait and see" right now.

I would wait and see. There is no knowing what is going to happen even in an hour right now. That's the trouble. There are way too many "what ifs" in the equation to make any sort of prediction. All I can tell you is how it is now, and what those around me are saying and feeling. No one is very happy at this time, understandably. But people are naturally pretty resilient and Japanese have a good portion of both "endure" and "do your best" in them.

Wait and see what happens, but have a plan B just in case.

Unfortunately my mother in law will not fly any longer. And I cannot ask two 7 year old boys to sit in her house for 10 days and yet sight seeing feels inappropriate.

I do understand the feeling of numbness and shock because I am in NY and was here for the WTC. And that was not nearly as devastating as what Japan is going through right now (although terrifying). But oddly, even though we were all numb, life returned to "normal" in a couple weeks.

My main worry now is the radiation with my children. I guess we just have to give it another week.

Although I'm lucky enough to have visited Japan last year, and have no plans to go back this year, I'm following this thread with interest. Many thanks to KimJapan for her updates, and much sympathy to everyone in Japan. As KimJapan says, no matter how developed and well-prepared a country is, nature can make all the planning moot. We don't realize how fragile life is until something like this happens.

The source for the most complete and up-to-the-minute English-language information is probably the streaming NHK news, which is live and dubbed, at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nhk-world-tv

lcuy - my airline(AA) flies to NRT or Haneda from JFK - I would have to change in Tokyo.....
Thanks for your reports, KJ!
rizzuto - I've been watching that online constantly.....

Thanks Kim for the updates and mood information. Being on an island here we know the feeling when a tragedy happens in another neighborhood. Everyone's psyche are affected,the fortunate feel an impassioned guilt. Hopefully the news and mood will be more positive soon. So glad you and your family are safe.

rizz, have been glued to that site.

Yes give it some time......time heals all....eventually even this.

Aloha!

I've just heard that the US State Department has issued a warning and is acting that non-emergency personnel avoid traveling to Japan, it looks like until April 1st.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...a/pa_5382.html

The US State Department issues warnings and alerts every time the temperature goes above 81 or below 44 for any country on the planet. They are covering their butts rather than providing reliable information.

lol, rizzuto.
The US State Dept. issued its first warning the day of the earthquake even before the nuclear plant issue occurred....and my trip ins. co. doesn't think it's a disaster unless my actual hotel is uninhabitable - isn't that cute....

I usually read the UK rather than the US travel warnings, they're much less alarmist. The Canadian and Australian ones are worth checking, too.

The US State Department aren't exactly intrepid when it comes to travel. They have a very narrow 'comfort zone'!
The UK advice tends to be relaxed and vague along the lines of 'keep calm and carry on' but I've been watching the BBC live news all weekend anyway.

I'd be surprised if Japan can bounce back from a disaster of this scale within months let alone weeks.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698

Thanks for your updates KimJapan. It must be very hard to be so close to this disaster (emotionally as well as physically).

We are now thinking about canceling our trip in April but will wait a week or so before making the final decision.

Thinking of everyone affected by the earthquake and tsunami and hoping that the seismic activity winds down asap.

I appreciate the updates by KJ and others. Terrible situation, beyond comprehension really. Japan is in my thoughts constantly.

We have been planning a 5-week May/June trip for several months. Two weeks ago we finalized all our plans and reservations in Tokyo, northern Honshu, and Hokkaido starting May 11 and bought a 2-week JR Pass. Five of those nights we had scheduled for stays in what is now the red area on japan-guide.com's "earthquake/tsunami effects" map.

We're pretty patient (love that British "keep calm and carry on" attitude) and usually take a wait-and-see approach. We flew to Europe during the Iceland volcano mess last summer and made out fine, with just a few adjustments. We're also very confident that Japan will be able to recover and rebuild, and we want to support people in their efforts. One way to do that will be to continue to travel to Japan. But given the unfolding situation and the difficulties people are facing in northern Honshu, we regretfully decided tonight to cancel the northern Honshu part of our trip (Morioka, Nyuto Onsen, Kakunodate, Hirosaki) and reroute to Kyoto instead, with perhaps a Miyajima overnight thrown in (been both places but wouldn't mind returning). Then we'll fly from KIX (or Hiroshima if we go to Miyajima) directly to Sapporo for our final two weeks in Hokkaido. I'm starting to work on the reservations now. We can still use the 2-week JR Pass for the time between leaving Tokyo and flying to Hokkaido. Hopefully in the two-month interval between now and then things will get sorted out a bit. The nuclear situation is worrisome.

Good luck and best wishes to everyone in Japan.

Just a quick update from us: after much thought and back and forth, we've decided to forgo our trip to Japan in early April to a later date (possibly next year?) I don't think any of us felt "right" (nuclear and other immediate dangers notwithstanding) about going to a place that's been so devastated from its core out.

Japan has been through hell and I'm sure the Japanese have so much to sort out and make sense of on their own right now. I can't imagine burdening them with the whole 'put on a happy face and let's do a tour' thing. All-in-all, it just felt wrong at the end of the day to try and make this happen--that it was more for us than anything else...and that just wasn't sitting right with any of us.

The silver lining (if there can be one in such a time of terrible tragedy) is that we're going to piggy-back on the in-laws planned pre-Japan trip in China and blow that out to a full 2 1/2 week vacation for all 4 of us. Thank God we have a good agent at this point doing all the legwork--I couldn't even imagine trying to re-jigger this whole trip in just over 2 weeks.

So lots of work ahead, planning/canceling/researching. I'm excited that we're able to preserve our vacation (wherever it may be) but so sad that such a horrific thing has devastated so many people and it leaves all of us feeling small and helpless.

KimJapan, how is Teaghan?

FW, the way things are unfolding this morning, I'd say you've made the right decision. It is not getting better, but seemingly worse. My friend's sister in Chiba reports no gasoline, transport systems running on 30 - 50% schedules, stores sold out of water and batteries among other things.

MrW, Teaghan is great. She's going to be starting second year of junior high in April. Right now, they've been studying earthquakes and volcanoes...how very timely. She is far less worried than we are at this point. It's a benefit of being a kid I guess.

Today, the feeling here in Kanazawa continues to be down. People, while going to school and work still, are not chipper at all. TV is still dedicated to disaster coverage.

otoh, of course I am saying this from NYC - but since most of my trip is in Kyushu - maybe people there would be more likely not to be as down...plus I am going to a resort area - Yufuin - tourism I would think is a big part of their business - so if a lot of folks cancel things will be worse for them...just a thought.
I sort of remember after 9/11 we were encouraged by the then mayor to go out and spend money to help the local merchants...

Today I found out, according to the travel agent who sold us our Singapore Vacations package to Tokyo, that we can cancel and get a refund without penalty. While I am shocked that this is possible, it is a big relief should we need to cancel.

We have about 10 days to wait and see if things change before we have to decide.

Kristina - you're going around Easter, right? Mid April? I would wait if I were you....that's a whole month away - things could get a lot better or worse - no one knows at this point. Plus as far as getting a refund, that should go without saying but unfortunately it doesn't - I remember you had some issues when you made the reservations so I guess it worked out... ;-)

I am so sorry your Japan trip won't happen, Billy. I figured you were going to fall in love with Japan, and looked forward to your report.

Don't blame you though...the reactor problems are becoming more and more troubling. Besides the (big) radiation issue, I'm wondering what will happen when all the people stuck in shelters relocate and actually want to start cooking, doing laundry, etc.

So, good call, and I'm glad you are able to slide over to China so easily.

Kristina, lucky you still have a bit of time to decide. Could you transfer the trip to Singapore or China if you end up taking a pass on Japan? Or will you just take the refund and go another time?

Also as a New Yorker who went through 9/11....I don't think tourists would resent you at all coming to Japan. (what I remember feeling resentful was ghoulish types coming to gawk!). But the situation is just escalating this morning and IT SEEMS scientists are concerned about widespread clouds of radioactive material. I am going to see what kind of refund we can get from our airline. I will wait a couple more days to cancel but can't risk exposing my kids to high doses of radioactivity. We feel terrible cancelling as my mother in law is 84 and it is not easy for us to always have the funds to get all four of us over there and pay for a nice vacation for her.

Yes, we were planning to go mid-april, but I would like to decide in the next week or so. I'm still having a hard time believing that we can just cancel for a refund with no penalty, but that's what the travel agent said in an email. True to form though, getting the specifics from him was like pulling teeth.

Lcuy, if we cancel, we probably won't go anywhere until summer, and then it's unlikely it will be to Japan unless we can find a similar good deal.

The news is certainly unnerving, but it's really hard to tell what is the truth. What is the government downplaying and on the other side, what's overblown media hysteria?

I too have been following this thread as our family has flights departing on March 25th, and all of our friends in Japan are advising us not to come. In fact, most expats with children in Tokyo have now left for an extended Spring break, albeit reluctantly and with heavy hearts.

Our problem is that despite the US travel advisory, so far United/Continental is only offering waivers through March 18. I have called the 1K line twice already and they thought it would have been extended by now, but it has not-any advice? At this point, we would lose 1000 dollars if we change or cancel our 4 tickets.

Thanks for any help...

Hi Everyone, Thanks for sharing your plans (and changes of plans). Here's our latest update on air travel to Japan, featuring some of your personal experiences:

http://www.fodors.com/news/story_4478.html

I am relieved to hear that about T, KimJapan. Gambatte,

CO has just extended the waiver to cover till March 31. UA hasn't yet.

So American will give us a one year voucher. I always worry with vouchers that somehow we won't be able to use them (which seems to happen). And frankly, if there is a nuclear meltdown, I don't want to go to Japan for a while with the kids. Which makes this decision to cancel so difficult because my 84 year old mother in law refuses to fly.

So if we cancel.....help..... I can't think straight. Where would be a good vacation with two 7 year olds in April? Italy? We never take vacations anymore. Which thread should I go to?

Well, it's 8:00 am March 16. Overnight a 6.2 quake in Shizuoka was felt here in Kanazawa. Many other smaller quakes are occurring all over, more than usual, which is unsettling. They are now saying that Friday's events are not the long predicted "big one" and that is still coming, maybe soon. Who knows.

This morning a second fire broke out at reactor number 4 of Fukushina Daiichi, but now there are only 50 workers left on site. The other 750 were evacuated already. All six reactors there are in some state of trouble.

The whole Tokyo area is starting to panic it seems. Store shelves are empty. Actually, here too, yesterday we had to go to four stores to find bread. Other items were not sold out. Today, I'm going to buy a stock of rice and flour.

Trying to keep perspective is challenging. A Japanese friend living in Kanazawa called me last night to ask what English news was reporting about radiation because she's not trusting what she's hearing. She's thinking about taking her kids to another country. She's usually very level-headed so I am surprised, and worried that perhaps I'm missing something. I don't know.

KimJapan - can you watch the Rachel Maddow show on your computer in Japan? (Try http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908...80660#42080660 ) I'm watching it in France (my hotel TV only has French-language channels) and she has been doing some very good information pieces on how the reactors worked, how they've probably failed, and the effects of radiation. I don't know what I would do if I were living in Japan right now.