Radiation safety second trip

Hi

I wrote a lengthy post about my recent trip to Japan and had a question at the end but it got pulled and I don't know why.

I'd like to visit Japan again (Tokyo, Osaka) and I have a question regarding the radiation. I recently came across an article from a Tokyo based doctor who said that the government is not being diligent with its efforts to protect people from radiation. I am going to be going sometime between now and the summer but I am a bit worried if there are radiation concerns. Does this mean even teh food is contaminated?

Can someone tell me if it is VERY hot in May in Tokyo? I was going to go back in March but after spending two weeks there I don't think I will have the money by March. I would like to see the cherry blossoms but it's hard to predict when they are going to flower, is that true?

The weather was nice when I went mid Nov and came back first week in December. I love the illumination in every city I went to. Is there alawys something special in Japan? If I go in May, is there any special displays in Tokyo or Osaka?

Thanks

I wrote a lengthy post about my recent trip to Japan and had a question at the end but it got pulled and I don't know why.

You wrote a community report or a question on the forum? What was the post about?

I am going to be going sometime between now and the summer but I am a bit worried if there are radiation concerns. Does this mean even teh food is contaminated?

There are no radiation concerns for regular travellers in Japan. You can't access any of the higher risk areas anyway.

Can someone tell me if it is VERY hot in May in Tokyo?

It's when it starts to get warm, but it usually isn't particularly hot in May.

I would like to see the cherry blossoms but it's hard to predict when they are going to flower, is that true?

They have a typical season, but it can vary year to year. Check out this page:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_when.html

I wrote about my trip and some of the things that I saw and didn't see. I was disappointed that I didn't get to go to the imperial palace, I was running late but when I hailed several cabs, asked them about the imperial palace and showed them a map of the grounds, no one knew what I was talking about.

Later, I learned that the imperial palace goes by a diff name.

According to an article I found, the radiation in Tokyo and Japan is very serious.http://www.naturalnews.com/046112_radiation_fukushima_tokyo.html

I was in Tokyo (not further north) just after the tsunami disaster occurred. I also took a short trip to Tokyo in January 2014. I'm going for awhile in a few months, too.

I'm not saying that the article may be untrue, but Natural News is described as "Its primary purpose is the promotion of alternative medicine and (often controversial) nutrition claims."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NaturalNews

That article is from an alarmist and fear-monger. I would give no credence to it and go on visiting any part of Japan that you're allowed to visit without fears. I do.

As others have pointed out, there's really very little to worry about for most visitors to Japan. I even remember seeing a recent BBC news piece about tours that are being run within the exclusion zone itself, to one of the towns abandoned in the wake of the disaster - something that's not likely to be permitted if things are as bad as sensationalists would have them. As your itinerary isn't likely to even come close to the exclusion zone, there's no reason to be overly concerned. Rest easy and enjoy your trip.

I was disappointed that I didn't get to go to the imperial palace, I was running late but when I hailed several cabs, asked them about the imperial palace and showed them a map of the grounds, no one knew what I was talking about.
Later, I learned that the imperial palace goes by a diff name.

If I may ask, which part of the Imperial Palace were you hoping to visit? The inner compound itself, which requires a permit...

https://animeaffairs.wordpress.com/2009/04/13/japan-2009-day-2-report-...

...or the East Gardens of the palace, which are open to the public?

https://animeaffairs.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/japan-2009-day-2-report-...

I try to be weary of sensationalists but I worry I might be wrong.

We registered for a tour of the imperial palace. We took a wrong stop on the subway, and when I entered the subway it didn't scan my card. When I got to the station I was delayed.

So sad

Also. Did a tour of Mt Fuji with Grayline. It was very rushed because of a traffic accident delayed us. We got the meal plan, but because we were running late, the food was already set up and cold. Buying when you got there proved to be advantageous.

Every year since the Great East Japan Earthquake I have visited the Sanriku Coast. I've been as far south as Sendai and as far north as Kesennuma. I've walked and touched the sands of Ishinomaki, Minamisanriku, Kesennuma, Matsushima and a few other places. I've even taken home little jars of sand from those places. I'll be heading to all those places again in three months as well as Rikuzentakata and Ofunato. I've done that every year and will continue to do so with absolutely no concern about any radiation there might be lingering about. I probably get more radiation from all the flights I take to and from Japan and those within Japan.

believing them or not believing them are both a religion.

Why do you get radiation from the flights??

Thanks everyone, I guess I should calm my anxiety about my next trip to Japan.

Someone told me it is very hot in July (which is when I will most likely return). In Canada it gets to maybe 30C and it's unbearable. In Japan it is worse, is this true?

Why do you get radiation from the flights?

if you come to Japan by airplane, you will get additional natural radiation exposure during the flight.
in a round flight between Tokyo and New York, you may get 0.1-0.2 mSv radiation exposure. and this amount corresponds to 1-2 month staying on ground(natural radiation exposure on ground).
if you are living in Canada, you may be exposed to higher radiation everyday on ground than those in Japan.(higher latitude, higher exposure)

about temperature in July.
it is true. very hot and high humidity.

"A religion" - I agree.

Here are some official info:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eq/eng/04_recovery.htm#measure
Airplane: Fig 1-2
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eq/eng/kankocho_e_1021.pdf
The above comparisons with sites might not be fair: not counting on the difference between natural and artificial radiation (my religion).

Areas that the government has admitted to try to clean-up
http://josen.env.go.jp/#map_on

Detailed map
http://ramap.jmc.or.jp/map/eng/

My religion - short-time visitors would be OK, especially older persons, in Tokyo.