Should I go to Japan?

[Jay Auskin]

I got back from Korea 2 1/2 weeks ago on a work trip, and was a little concerned more about flying/airports/etc. But yeah, quarantine was my fear. I really thought I was going to show "red" on those thermal imaging monitors coming through customs. The first day I get to our Korea office, and I'm in the lobby, a guy comes up to me with an electric thermometer and places it on my neck. Thankfully it didn't measure blood pressure at that moment!

If you're not paying for it, why not. Monitor the spread before you leave. It will definitely put a damper on things, but could still be fun.

[pmax]

Originally Posted by greglepore

Yeah, its more the quarantine that concerns me. I've got pets, and a horse that needs attention. I can cover that for a set period of time, but if it turned into an extended adventure, it'd be difficult.

Doggie and horsie day care.

It's just money. Why worry that much ?

[pdxfj]

Go for it. I've been to Japan 7 or 8 times in my life and it was always an amazing trip. I do remember the first time I went back in '87 the culture shock made me a bit ill. Little to no English on the signs and such at that time. So when you stepped off the plane, you were almost 100% illiterate.

Last trip was in '07 and there was enough English by that time I could get from Narita airport to the house in Tokyo without any assistance.

To me it would be worth the gamble as it's an amazing country to visit. Be sure to dress in a business casual style (no jeans). It will be more respectful. Comfortable shoes as you'll be walking all over the place.

There's a YouTube channel called "Paolo from Tokyo" who has some great videos on what to expect and how to prepare for a visit for the first timer.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by pdxfj

Go for it. I've been to Japan 7 or 8 times in my life and it was always an amazing trip. I do remember the first time I went back in '87 the culture shock made me a bit ill. Little to no English on the signs and such at that time. So when you stepped off the plane, you were almost 100% illiterate.

Last trip was in '07 and there was enough English by that time I could get from Narita airport to the house in Tokyo without any assistance.

Wow, that's hard for me to imagine. I think the last time that I was in Japan was Jan 1985. The first time was Jan 1978, IIRC. I'd love to go back, but I'm sure I'd hardly recognize the place.

[daniworks92]

As much as I like Japan. It wouldn't be wise to go there these times. They even considering canceling Tokyo Olympics because of the virus.

[Kraftwerk]

Been to Japan 3 times and each time I felt I would love to stay a little longer, often thinking of how to get back there one day. Today, I would find a free trip hard to refuse but the potential for catching corona virus (or even a really bad flu) would make it easy to refuse... tough call actually...I might just chance it...pretty sure this damn virus is already here in nyc, might receive better healthcare over there anyway..

[dan79brooklyn]

I live in West Japan. There have been a lot of cancellations of public events, but I don’t think you have to worry about Coronavirus. It’s a great country to experience. You can wear jeans.

[Cajundaddy]

It's a risk all things considered. Highly unlikely that you would catch the bug and become seriously ill but the clampdown quarantine is no joke. If one person on your flight tests positive, now you are the next Diamond Princess traveler stuck in quarantine hell on the 6 o'clock news.

I still have not been to Japan and would love to go. Don't wanna be part of this circus.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by dan79brooklyn

You can wear jeans.

For sure. I stick out like a sore thumb anyway, so wearing jeans in a sea of people wearing black dress clothes isn't that big of a deal.

The area of Japan I visit (Tokai in Ibaraki prefecture) is almost completely devoid of westerners.

[WPOZZZ]

I used to wear jeans all over Japan, and people steered clear of me. My ex told me it was because they thought I was yakuza. Ironically, her father was an oyabun.

[vash]

i was supposed to board a plane this Friday. Taipei, then Tokyo.

i tapped out. not because a i am overly cautious. i just didnt think it was going to be that fun. the CDC said to stay out of public transportation. in Tokyo?! okay, i suppose i could walk. and my info coming out of Tokyo was that they implemented widespread, mandatory work from home. does that mean, restaurants are closed? hotel staff? it was all very vague.

and then there was the possible quarantine. err..no thanks. that would SUCK!

overall, i believe the USA is gonna get it nevertheless. we cant even get people to stay home from work if they are sick. 14-21 days? not gonna happen. some people dont even have that kind of sick time.

[sugarwood]

No.

[Scott Douglas]

My daughter and son-in-law and their two kids live in Japan. I don't think I'll be going to see them anytime soon, and they won't be coming here either, at least not for another two years or so.
I'm hoping they don't get sick.

[Tidybuoy]

I think it's a "wait and see" situation.

My sister and her husband (both doctors) are going in a month. They are going to visit their son who lives there and teaches English - except they closed all schools today for a month. When I spoke to her last weekend, she didn't seem too concerned but I think she might be secretly a bit worried. It seems that Japan is one of the areas that is growing and I predict that my sister could have a change in plans as things develop. I'm gonna see her this weekend and I'll see if they have any more insight on this.

This is a pretty good website that shows the daily changes. It updates every day at about 4pm pacific.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

[greglepore]

I'm going to pass. I don't think I'll get sick, but I think I could get caught in an international panic. I'm not a seasoned traveler, so another time...

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

It's a risk all things considered. Highly unlikely that you would catch the bug and become seriously ill but the clampdown quarantine is no joke. If one person on your flight tests positive, now you are the next Diamond Princess traveler stuck in quarantine hell on the 6 o'clock news.

I still have not been to Japan and would love to go. Don't wanna be part of this circus.

It's been a LOOOONG time since I was in Japan, but the way that Japanese do things is usually very impressive. Being military, the military paid for movers to come and pack our household to send back to the US. The Japanese packed everything like it was a Faberge egg. Then compare that to the folks that packed our goods to go to Japan, they actually intentionally broke things to make them easier to ship and my parents were pretty sure that a few things didn't make it to Japan.

It probably wouldn't be fun to go and then get stuck in a quarantine situation, but if you had to be stuck in that situation ANYWHERE besides home, then Japan is the place to do it.

Originally Posted by greglepore

I'm going to pass. I don't think I'll get sick, but I think I could get caught in an international panic. I'm not a seasoned traveler, so another time...

Not a bad call. Not because I think you'd catch anything, but mostly because I think right now would be a huge pain in the azz time to travel.

[rusnak]

I just imagine it being like "The Lord of the Flies". Don't be the fat kid with glasses.