Japan National Tourism Organization Updates Travel Advisory

Japan National Tourism Organization Updates Travel Advisory

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) said it is grateful for the warm support and thoughts from many people around the world after the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11. While rescue and recovery efforts continue in the severely struck Tohoku region, the capital city Tokyo has been recovering from a strong shock and the western part of Japan is unharmed.

Both Tokyo Narita and Haneda airports have been reopened, although public transportation in and around Tokyo has recovered only partially. Other popular destinations such as Kyoto, Osaka, Sapporo, Kanazawa and Hiroshima were not impacted by the earthquake.

The JNTO said Tohoku is the hardest hit region. With no recovery of public transportation systems and continuous aftershocks, it is extremely difficult to travel to this region. Due to the nuclear power plant accident after the earthquake, it is strongly advised to refrain from traveling to Fukushima as well as to follow the updates on the JNTO’s website.

In Tokyo and surrounding areas, despite the brief recovery of the public transportation networks, periodic blackouts have been imposed for power conservation, causing train delays and cancellations. Some hotels and other businesses have shortened their business hours and it is recommended to refer their updates in advance.

In other regions, Hokkaido, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu are unharmed, and tourism facilities and transportation service are operating as usual.