What You Need to Know Before You Get Sick In Japan

During the winter months, Japan’s cold temperatures and wet conditions often result in people catching colds or Influenza and tourists are no exception. Norovirus can lead to gastroenteritis, vomiting and diarrhea and is highly infectious, with many people susceptible to contracting it during outbreaks on cruise ships, at restaurants or other public facilities.

A recent survey has shown that around 70% of foreign tourists in Japan had suffered some form of heat stroke, with symptoms including nausea, headaches and muscle weakness. It’s important to be careful of heatstroke during the hot and humid summer months from June to September and seek out hydration and shade at the first sign of symptoms.

Gastroenteritis is caused by a variety of different viruses and is prevalent during the autumn and winter months in Japan, with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea and fever. Infection is often a result of eating contaminated food and it’s important to maintain fluids to prevent dehydration, as well as ingest food little by little as you recover. Also, travelers should be aware that influenza is prevalent from December to February, so take the necessary precautions.

Japanese drugstores

One of the best ways to prevent getting ill on holidays is to visit one of Japan’s many drugstores and pick up products such as masks that prevent the infection of viruses.

If you prefer not to wear a mask, you can also find anti-virus sprays that help to prevent infections or pollen from adhering to the skin or hair. Look for Shiseido’s Ihada Aller Screen EX spray (around 1,000yen) that helps to protect against pollen and air pollutants for up to four hours or Fumakira Virus Ion De Black. Both can simply be sprayed towards the face to stop unwanted intrusions from getting into the eyes, nose and mouth.

anti-virus sprays

Shiseido’s Ihada Aller Screen EX spray

Regularly washing your hands is another simple thing you can do to prevent the contraction of infectious diseases. But even in the absence of water, you can “wash” your hands using disinfecting wet tissues or alcohol hand sanitizers, Lion Kirei Kire hand gel (around 400yen) that can be purchased at drugstores.

disinfecting wet tissues and alcohol hand sanitizers

If you’ve lost a significant amount of bodily fluid due to heatstroke or gastroenteritis, you can help the body to replenish with oral rehydration solutions to maintain the required balance of electrolytes and sugars. We recommend Otsuka OS-1 (around 200yen).

Otsuka OS-1

For additional medicine and information, please consult with the pharmacist on duty at the drug store and keep in mind that they may not be available at night for the purchase of some medication.

If drugstore medication is not helping to relieve your symptoms or you’re experiencing an emergency, you may need to visit a hospital to see a doctor directly. It’s a good idea to search online for a medical institution that specializes in foreign languages, as well as check with your travel insurance provider that you will be covered if you seek medical treatment at that particular institution.

Search Medical institutions

Tokyo

Tokyo

View All

Go here

Welcome Suica with JR Lines 1-Day Pass

¥1,500

Update date：2024/04/26

The Tokyo Station Hotel

1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo

• 
• 
• 
• 
•