Questions about the coronavirus, and how Covid-19 is affecting Japan travel"
At Boutique Japan, we have been monitoring the situation extremely closely, and lately have been answering a lot of questions about visiting Japan (and travel in general) in light of the circumstances.
Along with our personal explorations of Japan, we are also in constant contact with our various colleagues and friends throughout the country, including guides, local experts, hotel and ryokan staff, transport providers, and many others.
Having answered countless questions from travelers over the past several weeks, we know different people get their news and information from a variety of sources. As you think about and plan your travels, we hope you find the information below clear and helpful. Additionally, for those of you staying closer to home we’ve included a short list of great Japanese books and films to keep you inspired!
This post was last updated on Saturday, March 14th, 2020.

The coronavirus is sometimes compared to seasonal influenza, and both pose serious public health challenges (naturally, Covid-19 is of more urgent concern at the moment). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Most people who become infected [with Covid-19] experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others.”
While the coronavirus is a serious concern, the WHO generally appears to advise against travel restrictions on the whole, except in certain scenarios....