Voices
in
Japan

poll

Ignore the coronavirus hysteria – now's the perfect time to visit Japan because airfares are cheap, there are less crowds and the chance of being infected with the virus is low. Do you agree?

30 Comments
© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

30 Comments
Login to comment

Very bad idea. Separation, isolation and great care are the only solutions to delaying the virus coming to you.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Whether Japan is hit by corona or not, sitting on a plane, breathing in everybody else's air is not a good idea at this time, I think.

Far better than a subway in rush hour

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It’s a good time to switch to domestic travel and support your own travel industry which will be struggling to survive soon.

This is a unique time to see your own backyard in peace and quiet without hordes of international tourists. Grab the chance while you can, including in Japan. .

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Living your life in fear is no way to live. Be smart, wash your hands often, where a mask if you think that you need to, but don't buy in to all the fear-mongering going on in most media outlets. I read a news article that said 85% of those infected do not even know it. They are not sick or showing any symptoms. Bottom line, just be smart and use common sense.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

While there might be fewer people... Question is, are the attractions open?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

WilliBMar. 9  06:32 pm JST If you trust the airplane to get here..... recirculated air shared with 200 other people...

" . . . 200 other people . . . "

Where are you flying from that you're on a plane bound for Japan with only 200 passengers?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Yeah, and any money you save on hotels and transport domestically you will lose in the conversion from any currency in the world to the yen based on what it was a couple of weeks ago. Plus, get ready for a quarantining when you get home.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Whether Japan is hit by corona or not, sitting on a plane, breathing in everybody else's air is not a good idea at this time, I think.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Now is not the time for any kind of international travel, and not just Japan, unless you absolutely have to. Airports, airplanes, crowds all are risky locations right now. With travel restrictions going into effect you can easily go somewhere but may not be able to get back as planned.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

No recirculated air in planes !

Only fresh air that go through engine at high temperature.

Then the circulztion inside cabin is from top to bottol so vertically, never vertically.

Hence you never get to hardly smell any fart from neighbours.

Of course if too close, anything can happen while walking in plane, same as in a public space.

I would fear a quarantine from nowhere travelling now. Being a father of 3, I take my responsibilities.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

WilliB.... The air in a plane is drawn through the engine.... no virus at 40,000ft. The recirculated air is filtered. The filtering system on modern aircraft is the same system found in operating theatres.

Take some alcohol wipes to clean your tray and monitor controls and hope the person next to you isn’t coughing..... You should be fine!

3 ( +6 / -3 )

I don’t think it is getting much less crowded. Only about 10-20% reduction to Tokyo trains at the moment, so risk of infections is still high. Lack of culture for hand-washing is also problematic.

Furthermore, unlike China and Korea who is actively testing, Japan is actively suppressing testing and access to healthcare so no one knows the situation here.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I've got a screwed up immune system so that's going to be a hard no from me...

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Flights are the same price

5 ( +5 / -0 )

If you trust the airplane to get here..... recirculated air shared with 200 other people...

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

With so little testing being done with little transparency on the matter, why come here, plus the Yen is being so wrong.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Of course I can imagine it being nice,.... Shibuya crossing with 1/10th of the people, great discounts, restaurants usually fully booked now offering tables and even discounts.

But the problem is the traveling part... coming back from Japan, many countries now impose restrictions.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

fewer is countable, less is sizeable. fewer people, fewer tourists, less hysteria

7 ( +8 / -1 )

It could go both ways for you. You can have a great time because there's less people. However, just prepare yourself for a lengthy questioning and potential quarantine session when you do go back to your home country.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

First, it's not necessarily economical; at least airfare is expensive while the yen is surging against other major currencies. With new restrictions in place, some international visitors will be screened upon entry and asked for week-long self-quarantine. Many local shops and sightseeing spots may remain closed or shorten business hours. Sudden event cancellation are now common.

If those attractions are not part of your travelling plans, or if you are ready to accept contingencies, visiting Japan is still a good destination choice. My preference and recommendation are deep countrysides.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

That won't be cheaper if your flights/trains/hotel reservations/etc get cancelled last minute and your options for rescheduling are limited.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

I would probably avoid airplanes and airports right now, as they are probably higher risk than most places. However, if you are already in Japan, now might be a good time to go to places that are usually too full of tourists to enjoy, like Kyoto.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Well, you won't get travel insurance that covers rescheduling and you may get quarantined, on the way in or the way out. Countries are changing their restrictions without warning. Also, imagine if you developed just cold symptoms during your trip.

If you want to take photos at major travel sites in Japan like the Golden Temple with few people in them, or pictures of trains where everyone is wearing a mask, go ahead.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

i might agree with those things but it,s still risky. and it,s not worth it. unless you already bought the tickets a few months ago or something, then sure, go ahead. but deciding to visit Japan now because it,s a little cheaper and less people? nah.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Sure, if you don't get sick on the way to Japan and you bought your Yen long before the Yen went soaring straight up. For some currencies like the dollar in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Yen has shot up as much as 10.2% in value and up around 6.3% for the US dollar. That's gonna sting if you buy Yen now or use a credit card.

Once you get into Japan, you might find a lot of places will be running on shorten hours or out right closed. Then there's the fear that if you look 'foreign from one of those countries', you will be turned away. I'd say it a risky move on the hopes of saying a few Yen here and there. As far as avoiding the crowds in some parts of Japan because the tourists are there now, yeah, that might be worth worth it but at what cost in the end?

I say no overall.

20 ( +23 / -3 )

Maybe in Japan is safe but it is more likely to get infected at the airport or on the plane.

26 ( +34 / -8 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites