[Japan] Is It Safe to Travel to Tokyo After Three Years Away?

After three years, returning to Tokyo feels like a lifetime away, and it's impossible not to get excited again~ Shibuya, Ginza, and Shinjuku are as lively as before, with many tourists on the streets. Before leaving, when I asked friends, 'Where do you most want to travel after the pandemic?', Japan came up most frequently. Indeed, Japan is a country worth visiting again and again, and it's worth coming in every season. After the pandemic, almost everyone in Japan still wears masks, so there's no need to worry too much about health issues; just take personal precautions.

Shibuya Crossing is always surrounded by bustling crowds, day or night. Shibuya's new landmark, Scramble Square, is currently the tallest building in Shibuya, and the SHIBUYA SKY observation deck on the rooftop is Tokyo's latest trendy photo spot.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Hachiko's birth. At Shibuya Scramble Square, you can also buy commemorative T-shirts, pens, bags, and other original Hachiko merchandise. Hachiko fans, don't miss it!

Ginza has always been a shopper's paradise. Although I haven't been here for nearly three years, it hasn't changed at all—still as bustling as ever, and some new commercial facilities even opened during the Tokyo Olympics.

Hibiya OKUROJI is a 300-meter-long space under the elevated railway connecting JR Yurakucho Station and Shimbashi Station. It's a complex space housing local gourmet food, bars, Japanese sweets, handmade leather goods, and many other Japanese artisan souvenir shops. This collection space under the century-old red brick arch viaduct has become Ginza's newest trendy spot.

For the first few days of this trip to Tokyo, I stayed in Shinjuku. Shinjuku is one of the areas I visit most often in Tokyo, as almost every brand I want to buy can be found here. Shinjuku has high-end department stores like Isetan and Takashimaya, as well as trendy and youthful stores like LUMINE and NEWoMan; electronics stores, drugstores, and second-hand shops are also abundant, making it a shopper's paradise.

On this trip to Shinjuku, I also finally visited the long-awaited giant 3D calico cat. In 2021, a 3D billboard was installed on a building near Shinjuku Lumine Est, displaying a very realistic giant calico cat that not only moves but also meows. It has become a must-visit trendy spot for Chinese people returning to Shinjuku.

Before this trip to Tokyo, I was a bit worried about health issues, but after arriving, I found the concern unnecessary. Tokyo's pandemic prevention measures are very scientific. At hotel restaurants, masks are required to enter; staff try to seat guests as far apart as possible; everyone receives disposable gloves for picking up food; some restaurants also provide disposable paper bags for storing masks, demonstrating meticulous scientific prevention down to the smallest details.

In indoor public spaces in Tokyo, hand sanitizer sprays are visible everywhere. At the entrances of some high-traffic shopping malls, several sanitizer sprays are placed, and everyone habitually sanitizes their hands upon entering. Hand dryers in restrooms are almost all turned off to prevent virus splashing.

In elevators, there are signs like these, and everyone tries to stand in the four corners to maintain social distance.

On this trip to Tokyo, I noticed many restaurants have these 'rainbow' signs at their entrances. Choosing such restaurants gives peace of mind.

Every time I come to Japan, I visit drugstores to buy common household and travel medicines, such as cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, eye drops, pain relievers, face masks, and plasters. I buy them all at once before returning home.

Cold medicine is a staple for home and travel. Recently, I was recommended a popular cold medicine in Japan: Shionogi Healthcare's Paburon PL Granules Pro, made by the same pharmaceutical company researching oral COVID-19 drugs—the Shionogi Group. It's a long-established pharmaceutical company, so once mentioned, I was intrigued and decided to buy several boxes in Tokyo.

This is a comprehensive pain-relieving cold medicine that contains active ingredients equivalent to medical prescriptions, offering professional efficacy against stubborn colds. It's very convenient for tourists like us, as going to a hospital in Japan for treatment and medication is troublesome. According to the instructions, it effectively treats cold symptoms such as sore throat, fever, and runny nose. Notably, scanning the QR code on the package provides multilingual information, including Chinese, for detailed and accurate product details.

Also, this pain reliever, New Sedes Tablets, suitable for adults and children over 7, is very popular in Japan. The Sedes brand has been sold for over 70 years and is usually placed in prominent positions on shelves. It contains a unique ACE formula that is gentle on the stomach and works quickly. Those prone to headaches can give it a try.

Vitamin C has 40 functions in the human body, including inhibiting spots and promoting collagen production. Especially during this period, boosting immunity is important, so daily intake of Vitamin C is crucial. This Hi-Na-Ru EX Pro is a Vitamin C supplement that also contains natural Vitamin E with antioxidant properties and Vitamin B2 for maintaining healthy skin function. It's very friendly for women, and with 240 tablets per bottle, it saves you from buying separate Vitamin E and B2 supplements—one bottle covers three major vitamins, perfect for frequent travelers like me.

Besides common medicines, personal disinfectant and protective supplies cannot be neglected. I also bought some in bulk. Foam hand sanitizer is suitable for disinfection anytime, even for children. The 45ml small bottle is perfect for carrying around.

This disinfectant spray also contains moisturizing ingredients, feels good on the skin, and doesn't dry it out. It can be sprayed on hands before meals, and the small bottle is convenient for travel.

Back at my Tokyo friend's home in the evening, I unboxed some items. The Paburon PL Granules Pro are quite fine, so swallowing shouldn't be an issue. The small sachets are easy to carry, especially for girls who love small bags. The instruction says to take 4 times a day, one sachet each time.

New Sedes Tablets are taken 3 times a day, with 80 tablets per box. I often carry a few blister packs with me on trips and take one for relief when I haven't slept well and have a headache.

Hi-Na-Ru EX Pro are chewable tablets that look like yuzu-flavored candy, sweet and sour. They can be chewed or swallowed with water.

My Tokyo friend said this 'prevention package' is easy to remember, a 'red-yellow-blue' combo haha~

I heard that early cherry blossoms have already bloomed in Tokyo. With cherry blossom season starting across Japan in March, many friends are eager to head to Japan to enjoy the flowers. Let's welcome a brand new cherry blossom season in 2023!