Is it safe to travel to Japan now?

The worst affected prefecture in Japan is Ishikawa, the two major cities of Tokyo and Osaka are not much affected and tourists here are still safe.

The 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck off the west coast of Japan on January 1, with its epicenter in Ishikawa Prefecture, damaged hundreds of buildings and killed more than 60 people. Here are some things to know when traveling to Japan after the earthquake, according to advice from American travel experts.

The gate of Keta Shrine in Kanazawa city, Ishikawa prefecture, collapsed during the earthquake. Photo: Reuters — The gate of Keta Shrine in Kanazawa city, Ishikawa prefecture, collapsed during the earthquake. Photo: *Reuters*

Which areas are unsafe?

Travel to affected areas such as Niigata, Toyama, and Ishikawa is considered unsafe. More than 155 large and small earthquakes occurred across Japan on New Year's Day, the strongest of which was in Ishikawa at 7.6 magnitude, causing damage to roads and traffic congestion.

Is it safe to go to Tokyo after the earthquake?

Tokyo is 300km from the west coast where the quake struck. Some buildings in the capital shook from the aftershocks, but the city is actually on the east coast. As a result, experts are not advising against visiting the Japanese capital.

However, on the afternoon of January 2, a passenger plane collided with a coast guard aircraft at Tokyo Haneda Airport. It is still unclear how the accident will affect airport operations.

Should I go to Osaka?

After Tokyo, Osaka is the favorite destination for international tourists when coming to Japan. The city is about 350 km from the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture, at the eastern end of the Sea of Japan, opposite the island at the epicenter. "No one is advising you not to go to Osaka at this time," said travel experts.

Where does the earthquake affect?

The worst affected area was the Noto Peninsula on the coast of Ishikawa Prefecture, where at least 15 people were killed in the city of Wajima. More than 100 buildings in the city were damaged. Asachi-dori Street, an area known for its wooden buildings, was the hardest hit.

Nanao City was also affected. According to the UK Foreign Office website, the affected areas include the coastal areas of Ishikawa, Yamagata, Niigata, Toyama, Fukui, Hyogo, Hokkaido, Aomori, Akita, Kyoto, Tottori and Shimane, along with the Iki & Tsushima islands.

Will Japan have a tsunami?

Japan experienced a small tsunami after the earthquake on January 1, but the tsunami warning was lifted yesterday morning. The latest forecast from the Meteorological Agency shows a slight change in sea levels and the warning is set at the lowest level.

What should I do if I still want to go to Japan at this time?

Travel insurance should cover issues such as trip cancellations due to natural disasters. If you are in an affected area, you should follow the instructions from local authorities and stay informed.

Are flights cancelled?

As of the evening of January 1, Japan's two largest airlines, All Nippon Airways, had canceled 15 flights and Japan Airlines had canceled nine. According to Japan News, all flights at Noto Airport were canceled yesterday.

Anh Minh (According to Time Out )

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