carolynk

My husband and I are scheduled to leave for Tokyo on May 8th. The plan was to spend 7 days there, taking side trips to Kamakura and Nikko, spend a night in Hakone, then go on to Kyoto and Nara. We had pretty much decided to pull the plug on the trip, and I've started planning a last-minute trip to Paris instead. But I'm torn. I think now that the Kyoto part would still work, but I'm just not sure about Tokyo. I keep hearing about rolling blackouts, reduced transportation, lights off at night, even food shortages. And of course there's the question of radiation--most people on the streets are wearing masks. This wouldn't be the Tokyo we wanted to see. We probably won't be able to visit more than once; it makes sense to me to reschedule for next year.

I guess my question is--does anyone have a sense of what Tokyo is like for a tourist now? (I realize nobody can predict 6 weeks out--but that's not very far away.)

okoshi2002

Mara I think your plans are sensible . Thanks for the links to keep abreast of the train schedules.
We will continue to follow the developments daily. By April 1 we hope to have a better idea of where things stand. Unless new set backs occur we plan to leave April 7 as planned.

What the Japanese people need is not pity. Nor do they want to be shunned or avoided, all of which unfortunately occur in times of tragedy or loss. We can be present amongst them, quietly and with dignity, and share in their difficult moments, even if only as a transient visitor can.

Bowsprit

Japan, as one of the richest countries in the world, does not rely on tourist dollars to support their economy. You want to support their economy now, buy a car for yourself and everyone in your family. The argument that tourist dollars would somehow be needed at this time is weak.

I'm having a bit of a hard time comparing this cascade of disasters in Japan to the tragedy of 9/11 in New York City. 9/11 was an absolute disaster on Every level, but the area of damage in the City was contained and it was a 'singular' event contained within a specific area of Manhattan. I am Not diminishing, in any way, the importance of 9/11 but simply referring to obvious geographic differences.

In any event, most people stayed away from the city for awhile that fall and let the appropriate mediators do what they needed to do to get things up and running again as quickly as possible. People weren't 'shunning' New York, they were getting the heck out of the way so others could do the job right. Japan's situation is fragile and very unstable. It isn't the right time to go there.

As I said, my husband's May trip was cancelled and his August trip has now been cancelled. The truth of the situation in Japan is beyond my understanding and scope, apparently, but common sense should prevail. I can't imagine that using up consumables, taking up space, requiring the citizens of Japan to cater to a visitor's needs in any way would be a way to show support to a country absolutely plunged in tragedy.

Again, prayers to all those affected by this ongoing disaster.

TravelinGertie

"Japan, as one of the richest countries in the world, does not rely on tourist dollars to support their economy. You want to support their economy now, buy a car for yourself and everyone in your family. The argument that tourist dollars would somehow be needed at this time is weak."

I think the owners of many family-run businesses like ryokans and restaurants near the popular tourist sights would beg to differ with you on the idea they don't need your dollar now. While I agree, it might be best to at least keep a weather eye on the situation if your travel wasn't planned for a couple of months or so yet, my understanding from a number of friends in various parts of Japan is as follows:

Wouldn't recommend ground or ocean travel north of Tokyo right now in any scenario except if you are an aid worker. Wouldn't mind if the foreign media went home, either. Tokyo has some inconveniences due to the 1/8th reduction of total available power currently experienced. Warmer spring weather is expected to bring a reduction of blackouts for spring, if only slightly, and perhaps the other two plants currently offline in the earthquake zone will be able to get back online. Even if not, some experts think blackouts might even cease to be necessary soon until the hot weather of June, July and August entice people to start up their A/C.

If travel is necessary but can be confined to western Japan (Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, etc) then so be it. With all the stress and upheaval, I hate to say this, but I would think hard whether travel to see an 84 year old mother might be termed necessary travel, especially if you could visit with her in Kyoto. This is a bit different than going and expecting to be catered to.

emmagus

TravlinGertie, In our case, my 84 year old mother in law specifically asked us repeatedly NOT to come as I mentioned above. 1. She lives South of Tokyo but is having food shortages and people are scrambling for the basics. What stores are open, the shelves are still bare. Neighbors are finding ways to get food and share it and we would be bringing four people to her house. 2. While the train service has been restored she still has rolling black outs of 4-6 hours daily. 3. She is experiencing two aftershocks per day. 4. Finally, she said she had no desire to go to Kyoto this year as she felt it was inappropriate to be touring when so many who are suffering (she is Japanese....this does not pertain to those who are visiting from abroad). Believe me, we were VERY torn about cancelling this trip as she is getting older and we were all very excited to see each other again. Our kids are growing fast.

The reason I compare it to 9/11 is that it was an unprecedented disaster in a first world country and tourist destination. While there were no food shortages or power shortages after 9/11, the city was in grief and shock and most of us were also frightened (as I imagine those in Tokyo are feeling). Every airplane flying overhead made us cringe as I understand all the aftershocks are making Japanese nervous. Loud bangs on the subways made some people cry. I am not sure if a tourist would notice the fear we felt and as I said, it didn't bother any of us to have tourists here. And they were here once airline restrictions were lifted--especially from Europe to shop because the dollar was so weak. (The souvenir hawkers and hole gapers still bug me at ground zero!)

hawaiiantraveler

bowsprit, What troubles me about what you wrote is the misrepresentation of the facts. In case you have forgotten, 9/11 was not only an attack on NYC. There was an attack on the Pentagon in Washington DC and the first defensive battle of the war took place over the skies of PA which ended on the Pennsylvania fields. How dare you forget and make such lite of the day in order to try and prove your point. I guess the left winged media in the US did their job.....

Also stating that Japan,or any other developed country for that matter,does not rely on tourist dollars is naive and simply not true.

okoshi2002

As another noted here earlier, whether you go to Japan or cancel depends on where you plan to be and what the nature of the trip is.

A company trip being canceled in May and August can mean something entirely different and not have anything to do with travel conditions.

Clearly there are high emotions about whether to go or not- what I would like are facts to base this decision on.

mrwunrfl

Japan doesn't rely on tourist money as much as other countries do. That is true, but some Japanese rely on tourists more than other Japanese.

Buying a Toyota for $25,000 does help Japan's economy. A Toyota worker might spend some fraction of that money at a ryokan - or other Japanese business (for food, shoes, fuel, etc.).

But 30000 yen spent by a foreign tourist at a ryokan gets money directly into the hands of a ryokan owner who depends on foreign tourists. Same for other tourist oriented businesss (and indirectly to the businesses that rely on them).

Of course, it is not literaly handed over directly, hand to hand. You put it in the little dish and then the proprietor picks it up.

Bowsprit

Really, hawaiian? That's what you got out of my post? Read much?

Go, don't go. Whatever. But don't make it seem like you're going there to 'help' anyone. You're not helping anyone by going. The shops shouldn't be selling Anything to tourists; they should be making their shelved goods available for sale to their neighbors. Restraint would be best; stay home and stay out of the way for now.

My husband's company cancelled both trips because it was deemed unsafe to travel to Japan at this point. As I said, do what you wish. I'd like to say, 'Have a great time!' but that's just so inappropriate.

aprillilacs

I'm still going. Leaving May 11 for a 5-week stay. We did cancel the Tohoku part of our trip (substituted Kyoto and Miyajima), and are now flying from KIX to Hokkaido for the last 2 weeks of the trip rather than taking the train north. We're starting with a week in Tokyo.

I heard a report on "Marketplace" on NPR tonight that discussed the impact of the loss of tourism for some individual businesses highlighted in the report. Business down 98%; in one case the owner has laid off all his employees and is doing the work himself for now. I'm generally not a high-impact traveler, but I will be giving business to hotels, restaurants, and shops, which I hope will be helpful.

My only problem at this point is that the reservation firm Japanese Guest Houses for some reason canceled our reservations at 3 ryokans (in Kamakura, Takayama, and Shirakawa-go) despite our confirming with them that we wanted to keep them. It's a puzzle. Trying to get them to restore the reservations but haven't been able to get a response so far. Maybe tomorrow.

emd3

mrwunrfl, after all these yrs., I still love reading your posts..."Of course, it is not literally handed over directly, hand to hand. You put it in the little dish and then the proprietor picks it up."

Such a good understanding of Japan and how things are done.

mrwunrfl

thinkig about the years emd? you have ANOTHER hbd coming up soon, e, sooner than last year.

bowsprit, thanks for telling us what to do. I had been thinking about making a trip to Japan and your post has helped me decide. I will start planning by seeing if I can find the plans for the Kamogawa Odori are this year. Having seen the Miyako Odori in the company of two wonderful women, I wanted to see what kind of show the Pontocho hanamachi puts on. Your post, bowsprit, spoke to my stubborness and I already have a Toyota.

filmwill

Not quite sure what left wing or right wing has to do with this topic. Can we please avoid that kind of stuff in here?...this is what makes us different than the Lounge.

mrwunrfl

KimJapan, how/where are you?

KimJapan

I'm here in Kanazawa. Life marches on. Here we only see somber mood and that batteries and flashlights are sold out or close to it everywhere. Gasoline prices have increased. Other than that, Kanazawa is unaffected. We watch the news. Sometimes it's good - a 16 year old boy and his 80 year old grandmother rescued after 9 days trapped in the collapsed house that was shifted 100 meters by tsunami, luckily trapped in the kitchen with a few supplies accessible in the tipped over fridge. Both doing well.

KimJapan

And sometimes bad news...like reactor number 3 spewing smoke again forcing evacuation of workers again, and radioactive iodine detected in Tokyo tap water at a level acceptable for adults but not for infants so parents are being urged to not allow children to drink tap water. And 11 types of vegetables and milk from the affected area have too high levels of radiation....Poor farmers.

Bowsprit

KimJapan: Sorry for what you're going through. I hope things improve soon.

KimJapan

I'm not going through anything. But a lot of people sure are.

Bowsprit

Exactly.

hawaiiantraveler

Precisely!

Glad you are ok Kim, karma neh?

I have always wanted to see the Kamogawa Odori geisha but we were only there once in May and we were up north. My daughters have two Nissans.

April, I know that Kamakura, which is just outside of Tokyo, is affected with rolling electricity black outs which is why they may have canceled you. The problem of electricity in the Kanto area will be ongoing for a while and even predicted to get worse this summer before getting better so the less time there in that area is better for all concerned. As I know you know by your itinerary, Japan is a big country and there are other areas to visit. I wonder if anyone was asking people not to travel to LA or Orlando after 9/11? I think some here might have been....

One of the main reasons I love the Asia board is that it's members don't try to censor you like they do in the lounge.

Aloha!