Hello Everyone,

Tentatively, my husband and I will be visiting Japan for the very first time, August 27 - September 6. This will be somewhat of a business/leisure trip. Both my husband and I will be going, along with my boss and his family, and another executive and his wife. We are very fortunate to have this opportunity and are looking forward to it very much.

Couple of questions regarding travel preparation:

Do we need to get any type of shots before we go? We are going to Nagoya, Kyoto, and maybe Tokyo. I am concerned about Hepatitis and SARS. We are 39 and 40, and relatively healthy. I have been reading CDC's website, but it is a bit overwhelming with information. From what I read, I don't have to be concerned about this. Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.

We have never traveled internationally before, is there anything we need to know or prepare before we go?

Also, I have heard Japan is extremely expensive. How true is this? How much is the bullet from Nagoya to Toyko?

Thank you for your help and suggestions!

No shots necessary. I'd bet most of Japan is a cleaner than where you live. And I bet you don't take shots to go to New York City, Toronto or London, right?

One way fare on the fastest Shikansen Nozomi from Nagoya to Tokyo is just over 10,980 yen. About $100 for 366km of travel. If you go by distance, that's a lot cheaper than Acela Express between NY and Boston or Washington. [Of course, if you go by time on train, that's a different measure.]

Japan is no longer a very expensive country to travel in.

Like rkkwan said, no shots are necessary. Would be good to get a tetanus shot if you haven't had one. I only say this because if you do it now, then in the future it should be easy to remember when you last had the shot: Aug '05, before your first international trip. No need to be concerned about hepatitis or SARS. However, I am not a doctor nor do I play one on tv.

You are going to need a passport, of course, but no visa (assuming that you have a US passport). Your other concerns are how you would access cash when you are there (how much does your bank or credit union charge, or credit card cash advance fees and currency exchange fees). With your itinerary you should have no problem paying for lodging and things with credit cards.

Another concern to consider is medical insurance and other kinds of insurance.

In the front sections of guide books like Fodors Japan or Frommers, and probably on their websites, they give info on money, medical, and other matters.

It is not extremely expensive in Japan, but it is a bit expensive especially for lodging.

Depending on your actual itinerary it may be worthwhile to get a Japan Rail Pass, but probably not. If all of you would be travelling together then the green car might be worthwhile as it would be easier to book seats together for a group of over 6 people like yours.

Thank you both very much for your suggestions and information. I will look into the guides for more.

Hi

My wife and I went to Japan in May this year. I have posted a trip report with some pictures from our trip on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com Maybe you can find some useful information there. Get in touch if you have any questions or comments.

Regards
Gard

While it may not be necessary that any inoculations are required for travel by US citizens to Japan - it's a good idea for travel anywhere, even in your homecountry to be current with your inoculations. Most adults need to be up to date and Tetanus and Hep A would be suggested as you can have need of these anywhere - even in your local home town. Both inoculations (though Hep-A requires two, the second shot given 6-mo to 1-yr after the first) are good for 10-years and will serve you well for further travel. It just makes good sense.

Sandi is so right! While no immunizations are required to travel to Japan, take this as an opportunity to make sure your routine immunizations are up to date. Everyone should be up to date on their diptheria-tetanus, but many people (especially in the US) are not. It has now become a quality of medical care measure whether people are up to date on this immunization. Hep A is also wise, even for staying home.

Once you have those routine shots, when you next want to travel it will feel less daunting if you need to add a typhoid immunization or some other shot.