Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [657]
Tickets & Reservations
Tickets for most journeys can be bought from train station vending machines or ticket counters/reservation offices. For reservations of complicated tickets, larger train stations have midori-no-madoguchi. Major travel agencies in Japan also sell reserved-seat tickets, and you can buy shinkansen tickets through JAL offices overseas if you will be flying JAL to Japan.
On futsū services, there are no reserved seats. On the faster tokkyū and shinkansen services you can choose to travel reserved or unreserved. However, if you travel unreserved, there’s always the risk of not getting a seat and having to stand, possibly for the entire trip. This is a particular danger at weekends, peak travel seasons and on holidays. Reserved-seat tickets can be bought any time from a month in advance to the day of departure.
Information and tickets can be obtained from travel agencies, of which there are a great number in Japan. Nearly every train station of any size will have at least one travel agency in the station building to handle all sorts of bookings in addition to train services. Japan Travel Bureau (JTB) is the big daddy of Japanese travel agencies. However, for most train tickets and long-distance bus reservations, you don’t need to go through a travel agency – just go to the ticket counters or midori-no-madoguchi of any major train station.
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Health
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CONTENTS
Before You Go
Insurance
Recommended Vaccinations
Internet Resources
Further Reading
In Transit
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Jet Lag & Motion Sickness
In Japan
Availability & Cost of Health Care
Infectious Diseases
Traveller’s Diarrhoea
Environmental Hazards
Women’s Health
Travelling with Children
Traditional Medicine
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Japan is a wealthy industrialised country with a high standard of medical care, although quality can vary, depending on where you go. Food and water sanitation is generally good, though there is a slight risk of disease transmission through eating certain raw or undercooked foods. There is a low risk of catching an insect-borne disease such as Japanese encephalitis, Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis in specific areas at certain times of the year. Medical care is reasonably priced, but ensure you have adequate travel insurance.
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BEFORE YOU GO
Prevention is the key to staying healthy while abroad. A little planning before departure, particularly for pre-existing illnesses, will save trouble later. See your dentist before a long trip, carry a spare pair of contact lenses and glasses, and take your optical prescription with you. Bring medications in their original, clearly labelled containers. A signed and dated letter from your physician describing your medical conditions and medications, including generic names, is also a good idea. If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to have a physician’s letter documenting their medical necessity. If you have a heart condition, bring a copy of a recent electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG). If you take any regular medication, carry extra supplies in case of loss or theft – it may be difficult to get exactly the same medications in Japan. In particular it can be difficult to get oral contraceptives.
Although medical care in most of Japan is quite reasonable, it is still wise to carry a basic medical kit suitable for treating minor ailments. Recommended items include simple painkillers, antiseptic and dressings for minor wounds, insect repellent, sunscreen, antihistamine tablets and adequate supplies of your personal medications.
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INSURANCE
Even if you are fit and healthy, don’t travel