Travel in Japan during COVID-19: making prevention measures a priority

Travel right now is a scary thing, but after staying indoors for a few months and taking various precautions, many people are itching to get back out. Not only that, but businesses are really hurting while they try to stay open waiting for customers.

Over the past few months, things have been changing here in Japan as both people and businesses have been making adjustments to a life with COVID. Of course, the Japanese government has put out a number of guidelines and many businesses across Japan are really stepping up according to customer demands -- although some places still have some improvements to make. (For more information about the official guidelines and the current situation, I recommend the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare’s website.)

Travel may still seem daunting, but with the right precautions, it is 100% doable, and I found on recent travels in Japan that having the right prevention strategies allowed me to relax more than I honestly thought I would. I was able to relax and enjoy my trip.

"...having the right prevention strategies allowed me to relax more than I honestly thought I would. I was able to relax and enjoy my trip."

Last month, I went to Hiroshima,​ in western Japan,​ on a business trip. During this time, I tested out many tourism-related experiences and gave advice and feedback on many points, including COVID-19 prevention strategies.

All of my clients are smaller businesses in Japan that are geared towards travelers, and my company typically advises them on how to improve programs in order to attract more tourists. On this occasion it was a lot more COVID-19 prevention-related advice which I gave both in-person and in follow-up emails, to really drive the point home.

My company assists in selling the experiences on travel websites and as well as on our own. We have been making a point of listing the virus / COVID prevention strategies on the sites so that travelers in Japan are aware and can make educated decisions based on what they are comfortable with. ​

During my time in Hiroshima I noticed that there was a significant drop, as expected, in other travelers. At many destinations ​within the region​, I felt like I was the only tourist in the entire town.  That being said, most locals are still staying positive. Their passion for what they do is keeping them fighting strong.

"... many companies have been banding together to share advice and tips. It seems that everyone is trying to support one another rather than looking at it as a competition."

Many businesses are struggling, but they are not giving up on their future. Some of my clients had more than a 60% drop in sales since the coronavirus outbreak; I even had one client who said their clients were only foreign tourists, so now they have no tours booked at all. However, they are making the adaptations they can and asking for advice from other people in the travel industry.

One trend I have noticed lately is that many companies have been banding together to share advice and tips. It seems that everyone is trying to support one another rather than looking at it as a competition. 

While​ some businesses are still learning what adjustments to make, one experience especially excelled in their COVID-19 prevention strategies.

This particular program was a mask dyeing experience in a hip local shop, so it was indoors. The moment that I walked in the door, ​a young, kind staff member, of course, had me sanitize my hands. They also had me take my temperature. They require this not only from guests but staff members as well. After looking around, I noticed that the number of seats had been reduced, which means they are limiting the number of guests they allow for each experience. They previously could hold up to eight guests at a time, but they have now limited the number four, half the previous amount. Their building isn’t particularly large, but they are doing what they can do to maintain social distancing standards. They also created an option to book a private experience to prevent mingling with strangers for those who are particularly worried.

(Here is the mask I created! - Hiroshima)

Overall, I felt very safe during the experience -- plus, I thought it was cute that they have adjusted to the current situation and created a mask dyeing experience. Patterned masks seem to be trending right now, so I was happy to hop on board and create my own. They of course had other options, such as T-shirts and tenugui ​(Japanese hand towels)​, as well. Adjustments has also been made to try to maintain sales for customers that are still not comfortable participating in the shop; they created cute little DIY sets that people can take home!

(COVID prevention station, Hiroshima! It was right in front of the door!)

Another program that seemed to really have their prevention strategies down was an outdoor e-bike tour!

Just like the dyeing experience, management ensured that both guests and staff were sanitized and without a fever. They also provided me with a plastic mask, or mouth guard, for the ride. It was a lot cooler than a typical mask and definitely helped me from overheating. (It was mid-August, aka peak heat season in Japan, when I went.) Plus, since it was an outdoor tour and we were on bikes, I was able to maintain social distancing guidelines the entire ride. Even when we stopped so that the guide could explain different tourist spots, she maintained a safe distance.

(My guide took this picture while on her bike. As you can see we are pretty far apart and there are basically no other people!)

(Here is my sweet guide with a crane she made for me!)

That being said, some programs are still learning what it means to have good coronavirus prevention strategies. Many places are stopping at wearing masks and providing sanitizer.

However, most of the time, these businesses are looking to learn. This will improve with time as businesses continue to share experiences and find support. As I mentioned above, it seems that many people in the travel industry here in Japan are very open to banding together to help each other survive. (I participated in many water sports, which provide an obstacle to coronavirus prevention because masks get wet. However, in this instance, my group was very small or it was just me.) 

(Here is a picture of my shower climbing tour. Our group was a total of four people: me, my coworker, and two tour guides. Everyone kept on their masks up until we literally got in the water.)

In fact, after giving recommendations and ideas to many of the businesses I visited, many have upped their policies. I was able to confirm this with the regional Japanese staff that work in Hiroshima. For each region, we have a regional manager who works closely with our customers, so we can continue to support them. My company, as a whole, has been really pushing all of our programs to make COVID prevention a priority and when looking at other companies, it seems they have too.

Since some programs are still, unfortunately, lacking (again, some places stopped at only providing hand sanitizer at the door and requiring masks), it is important to call ahead and do your research on the programs, tours, and places you are interested in. Determine what you need to feel safe during a program and check to see if they match your personal guidelines. While travel is fun, it’s not worth risking your life, so please take the necessary precautions. 

"Determine what you need to feel safe during a program and check to see if they match your personal guidelines."

We can stay indoors and avoid COVID, but it’s surely only so long until many of us go crazy. Do your research, take the necessary precautions, and hopefully we can get back out into the world safely. It looks like the coronavirus is not going away any time soon, so for now, we just have to do what we can to find the new normal.

Author: ReishiiTravels

Watch our interview with ReishiiTravels on the City-Cost Japan YouTube channel