Planning Your Trip to Tokyo - Tokyo - page 54

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Healthy Travels to You
The following government websites offer up-to-date health-related travel advice:
Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/tips/travelwell.html
Canada: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php
U.K.: www.nhs.uk/Healthcareabroad/Pages/Healthcareabroad.aspx
U.S.: www.cdc.gov/travel

local English-speaking doctors and also
posts the latest developments in global
outbreaks. Otherwise, if you can't find a
doctor who can help you right away, try
the local hospital. Many have walk-in clin-
ics for cases that are not life-threatening.

Doctors and hospitals generally do not
accept credit cards and require immediate
cash payment for health services. See “Fast
Facts: Tokyo,” in chapter 12 for Tokyo
hospitals, medical clinics, and emergency
numbers (p. 306).

6 SAFETY

Tokyo is one of the safest cities in the
world. In all the years I've lived and
worked in Tokyo, I've never had even one
fearful encounter, and I never hesitate to
walk anywhere any time of the night or
day. If you lose something, say on a sub-
way or in a park, chances are good that
you'll get it back.
That being said, however, crime—espe-
cially pickpocketing—is on the increase,

and there are precautions you should
always take when traveling: Stay alert and
be aware of your immediate surroundings.
Be especially careful with cameras, purses,
and wallets, particularly in crowded sub-
ways, department stores, or tourist attrac-
tions (such as the retail district around
Tsukiji Market). Some Japanese caution
women against walking through parks
alone at night.

3

7 SPECIALIZED TRAVEL RESOURCES

In addition to the destination-specific
resources listed below, please visit From-
mers. com for additional specialized trave l
resources.

com/tokyobars.htm. Otherwise, the best
bet for getting up to speed on the current
Tokyo gay and lesbian scene is to head to
Ni-chome and stop by one of the estab-
lishments listed in chapter 10 (p. 264).
TRAVELERS WITH
DISABILITIES
Tokyo can be a nightmare for travelers
with disabilities. City sidewalks can be so
jam-packed that getting around on
crutches or in a wheelchair is exceedingly
difficult.

GAY & LESBIAN
TRAVELERS
While there are many gay and lesbian
establishments in Tokyo (concentrated
mostly in Shinjuku's Ni-chome district),
the gay community in Japan is not a vocal
one, and in any case, information in Eng-
lish is hard to come by. A useful website
for gay club listings is www.utopia-asia.