This Covid-19 Safety Plan has been created after a comprehensive review of all aspects of our tours that may increase the risk of Covid-19 transmission. It includes practical measures to help reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection while traveling in Japan, as well as company guidelines for the handling of travellers who develop Covid-19 symptoms during a tour.
It is a condition of travel on our tours that all travellers follow the practices and recommendations in this safety plan to help protect not only themselves but also the other members of the group. If a tour escort decides that a traveller is wilfully not following the practices and recommendations in this safety plan, and/or that the actions of a traveller are putting the safety and wellbeing of fellow travellers at risk, the tour escort may prevent the relevant traveller from further participation in the tour. The safety and wellbeing of all our customers is our number one priority.
Collection of contact details
The following information must be supplied to us at least 30 days prior to departure. All personal information collected is managed in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
1. Flight Details
Arrival airport/date/time/flight number:
Departure airport/date/time/flight number:
2. Contact Details
Full Name:
Address:
Email Address:
Phone Number:
3. Emergency Contact (a person who is not traveling with you)
Full name:
Relationship:
Email address:
Phone number:
4. Travel Insurance
Insurance provider:
Policy number:
Contact number:
Travel insurance
It is a condition of travel on our tours that all travellers be adequately covered by travel insurance prior to departure. Insurance should cover personal accident and medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, baggage loss, and cancellation or curtailment of holiday. We strongly recommend Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage. Your insurance details must be supplied to us at least 30 days prior to departure.
General hygiene practices
To help reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19 and other infectious diseases, maintaining optimal general personal hygiene practices is of upmost importance. Some general hygiene practices to observe throughout the tour include:
* Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
* Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
* Avoid shaking hands and always wash or sanitize your hands after physical contact with others.
* Wear a face mask on public transport, in vehicles, in indoor spaces, and in any outdoor settings where physical distancing is not possible.
Physical distancing
Maintain 2 meters distance from other people whenever possible. Wear a face mask when this is not possible, such as on public transport, in vehicles, and in indoor spaces.
Hotels
All hotels, minshuku (local inns), and ryokan (traditional hotels) have been specially chosen for their superior quality and cleanliness. We use a combination of 3 and 4 star accommodation on all of our tours. Out of an abundance of caution, we recommend using disinfectant wipes to wipe down all high-touch surfaces in your hotel room upon check-in. High-touch surfaces include room keys, doorknobs, light switches, phones, tablets, touch screens, remote controls, keyboards, handles, toilets, and sinks. We also recommend opening the windows in your hotel room to increase ventilation, and declining housekeeping if we are staying in the same hotel for less than 3 nights.
Domestic travel
On our tours we often use Japan's excellent public transport system, including trains, subways, buses, water taxis, and of course the shinkansen (bullet train). We also use private vehicles so we can get to more remote places and enjoy unscheduled stops along the way. The following practices should be observed when using public transport and private vehicles.
* A face mask is to be worn whenever travelling on public transport and in private vehicles.
* Whenever practical, the use of private vehicles will be prioritized over public transport.
* When travelling in private vehicles the windows will be opened to increase ventilation.
Travellers who develop Covid-19 symptoms
Travellers who develop any of the Covid-19 symptoms mentioned below are required to advise the tour escort immediately. We will then assist with access to appropriate medical care as quickly as possible. We will follow the advice of local health authorities on whether a Covid-19 test is required, whether it is necessary to self-isolate or quarantine, and whether there is a risk to other travellers in the group. We will also offer support with interpreting services at hospitals or medical centers if required.
Covid-19 symptoms
Most common symptoms:
Fever, dry cough, tiredness
Less common symptoms:
Aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhea, headache, loss of taste or smell
Serious symptoms:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, loss of speech or movement
Travellers who test positive for Covid-19
Should a traveller test positive for Covid-19, health and safety protocols will be enacted. These include informing local health authorities, informing other members of the group about potential exposure, and sanitation protocols such as deep cleaning and disinfecting of accommodation and
transportation.
Please note that any expenses for testing, treatment, or self-isolation will need to be covered by the traveller and the traveller's travel insurer.
Travellers who test positive for Covid-19 up to 14 days after a tour has finished also need to contact us immediately so we can inform the other members of the group about potential exposure.
01 January 2023