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How Has Japan Been Affected by Coronavirus? | Top 5 Japanese Hotel Chains Revealed | Patreon Vlog (Patreon)

Published:
2020-02-23 06:33:49
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

Hey guys,
I hope you're all having a great weekend so far.

So this week's Patreon Vlog is now available to watch and the main topic of discussion is unsurprisingly how the Coronavirus has affected Japan so far, given I know quite a few of you have trips to Japan booked so far and have been anxiously keeping an eye on the apocalyptic news.

Watch Patreon Vlog
► https://youtu.be/5IaPbQISG94

I do find myself switching between two frames of mind throughout the day - I'll wake up and read Twitter, then immerse myself in the global headlines and quickly feel an overwhelming sense of dread, that I'll catch the disease if I leave my apartment and be toast by the end of the week.

But then I leave my apartment and travel around Tokyo or Sapporo, see that for the most part it's business as usual and realise the world isn't over just yet.  The news is very good at profiting from terror so be careful which headlines you read - and whilst I certainly wouldn't set foot on the Chinese mainland right now, I do believe Japan is better prepared to handle the situation. My thoughts go out to those across China who've been personally affected by the disease, particularly everyone quarantined in Wuhan.

Obviously, I am no expert on contagious diseases though and things could suddenly flip on their head, but if you are planning a trip to Japan do stay up to date on the news and the situation. If you've already got your trip locked in and you're ready to go though, hopefully the vlog will put your mind at ease.

(*Also note, the number of infected has increased since I filmed this video yesterday).

Coronavirus aside, this week I review my top 5  favourite Japanese hotel chains and reveal the amusing reason the robot hotel fired half of its robot workforce. I also talk about upcoming videos and share with you the long awaited moment Pete received his Certified Japanophile Certificate!

Later today we also have a brand new video featuring Ryotaro and I, where weirdly I look like I've suddenly put on loads of weight. Interestingly, the night before shooting I ate a huge pizza and I swear to god the huge quantities of salt in the pizza blew my face up like a balloon. Does anybody else ever get that? Or do I have some sort of pizza allergy? HELP ME.

The amazing news is we're planning to launch the Abroad in Japan website - soundboard and all - around Tuesday. I'll be sure to let you know when it goes live, but for now enjoy the rest of your weekend and if you have any questions on anything in the vlog, fire away in the comments below!

Ah! And here are the articles referenced in the video:

Kyoto launches 'empty tourism' campaign amid coronavirus outbreak
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/coronavirus-japan-kyoto-empty-tourism-campaign-hnk-intl/index.html

Coronavirus: Japanese man pushes train emergency button ‘after passenger without mask coughs’
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/coronavirus-japan-train-emergency-stop-cough-no-mask-latest-a9350736.html

Influenza wave drastically wanes in Japan amid new coronavirus spread
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200220/p2g/00m/0fe/104000c

Files

Previews only

How Japan's Been Affected by Coronavirus | Top 5 Japanese Hotel Chains Revealed | Patreon Vlog

Coronavirus, Japanese Hotels and a happy Pete Donaldson.

Comments

Alev Akkor

Omg I’m so glad Pete liked it. I was quite tempted to write Donald Peterson though.

Eels

Surely a bunch of friends are visiting you in April this year because you’re turning 30? Make the most of it! What better opportunity to exploit your friends than that.

abroadinjapan
>>32809573

I wish it were for that reason but you've made an excellent point. I shall certainly exploit them with the constant phrase "...but it's my birthday!" for the entirety of April, hehe.

Anonymous

Just a note on why there might have been a drop in common flu cases, it's probably not due to masks, it's more likely due to use of hand sanitizer and less travel/commuting. Stay safe! :)

Anonymous

I am actually extremely anxious when it comes to that virus. I wanted to travel for 6 months to japan this year, but this virus seems to be extremely dangerous and might even survive the summer since it was able to spread in several hot countries like Singapore and Australia... Summer will slow down infection but certainly not stop it. The heat only causes the virus to die on surfaces, but coughed/sneezed/breathed out viruses still survive and are infectious

Nynke de Haas
>>32810153

Oh that makes so much sense! Amd edit: that's also basically what Chris said...

Anonymous

I voted for all 3, for some reason you could select them all. However, both 1 & 2 are great concepts I'd like to hear you opinion on. Why not answer both in one video?

Nynke de Haas

On the hotels: if you're after a relatively soft bed so you can sleep comfortably on your side, MyStays is the best bet I've seen in Japan! Mitsui Garden always feels luxurious with their in-house onsen and design even though the beds aren't as soft. And I've been avoiding APA in spite of their apparently comfy beds because, as Chris has mentioned on the podcast, the owner is a racist nationalist.

Chantal Ward

Top 5 Ryokan! I don’t know if they have ryokan chains or anything, but I was hoping to see at least one traditional Japanese style hotel on the list of your recommended. Also, for anyone who wants more information on the Covid19 virus (what the Coronavirus is now being called), you can check out Doctor Mike’s videos on YouTube. I know it might seem a little weird to trust a YouTube doctor (though he’s also a doctor in real life), but he gives some great advice and information about the virus itself and it’s ability to spread in his Wednesday Checkup series. Also, all of his information comes from reputable sources like the WHO (not the band). The news media are fear mongers, so it’s nice to have someone break down the threat in a calm, logical, informed manner. Keep in mind he’s stationed in the US, so statistics he uses come from there, but all of the rest of the information is sound. I highly recommend anyone who’s worried to check out his videos. He has about 3 on the virus so far. #AlertNotAnxious

abroadinjapan
>>32812059

Oh god yeah! How did I forget about the shady nationalist owner in my review. I’ll have to bring it up in the next video.

Laura Beaumont

I get that kind of puffy salt reaction in my hands, of all places, when I eat chips (or “crisps” as you might say). I hate that feeling... but I love snacks so it’s a price to pay, isn’t it? 😆 Love Pete’s reaction to the certificate. He needs a good frame for that one!

ShezInJapan

Do you or Pete know the hot springs, bath house chains, and ryokans that allow foreigners with tattoos??

John Horner

Thanks for the hotel chain breakdown and recommendations. I leave at the end of September, and I'm just finalizing the hotels with the wife, and the mystays looked like it was too good to be true, now I know. Thanks for the hot tip!

Rynnik Elddi

While I agree with Chris's assessment that now is probably a good time to visit Japan, the catch is that you yourself don't also come from one of the hot zones. Sadly, I come from one of those places (not China) where everyone here is wearing masks. If I were to book a flight to Japan now, they'd probably throw me into quarantine the moment I step foot on Narita or Haneda for two weeks, thus ruining whatever holiday plans I may have. So yes, it really sucks as I try to survive this situation like everyone else.

Rynnik Elddi

As an Asian, APA Hotel's bed size is just right for me. And depending on which hotel you're staying, some APA Hotels also provide a hotel bathhouse. But you'll have to check on their website to find out which one has a bathhouse, and the website is mainly in Japanese. (The English version doesn't provide much info)

Anonymous

Been absolutely pleased with the steady stream of content throughout 2020 so far Chris, as I know it’s a goal of yours for the year, you’re doing a great job so far. Cheers!

Anonymous

With the 2020 Olympics being in Tokyo, there are a lot of people excited to see Karate be a part of the games this year. Would you do a video about doing a karate class?

Adam Pierce

What do you think about family run inns in Japan? Are they worth going for instead of the big chains?

abroadinjapan
>>32823136

Sorry to hear that - and you're absolutely right, everyone's situation is different when it comes to making that decision. Especially if there's a risk you might end up in quarantine when leaving Japan and returning home, causing problems for work. I saw Australia put out an extra warning today for people travelling to South Korea and Japan

Argus9 (Jonathan)
>>32815014

Thanks, Chantal. My folks are freaking out at me about our upcoming trip, and they are chronic news watchers. I'll add Doctor Mike to my sources.

Argus9 (Jonathan)

Thanks for this, Chris. We've got a group member for our trip next month who is considering bowing out over the coronavirus, though we're providing her with all the FACTS and LOGIC we can so she makes an informed decision, not just out of fear. Her husband has also been speaking with me, and he's somewhere in the middle. He agrees that he thinks it's probably still safe, but he's uneasy with all the articles coming out. The CDC raising Japan to travel level 2 didn't help things. But it's good to hear the perspective of someone living there, and it sounds like things really haven't changed in your day to day. So long as Japan doesn't hit level 3 by the CDC - and I'm not expecting it to - I think we'll keep our plans. But I appreciate the constant insight into what's going on. Like you say, this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to avoid fighting crowds when visiting Japan.

abroadinjapan
>>32836744

Absolutely - although to be honest traditional inns (Ryokans) typically are family run inns! The best Ryokan chain in Japan is Hoshino Resorts - though they're a chain, they are easily some of the finest hotels/resorts in the country. https://www.hoshinoresorts.com/en/ Still the best one I've stayed in was a family run inn; it was the one from the first ever video I made with Ryotaro in Yonezawa, Yamagata! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u240yK8_fVM

abroadinjapan
>>32849994

I'll certainly keep an eye on it closely and post about any updates on Patreon. It sounds like while the situation is worsening in other parts of the world, it's fairly stable in Japan. The good news is, as Japan is a collectivist society, there's a huge stigma/taboo about going into work ill - as you lose face by potentially infecting your colleagues. It's hard to explain, but in short, getting a day off from work in Japan is never easy, but if you say "I'm sick" nobody ever hesitates to get in your way. It's the one time (or excuse) for avoiding work - no questions asked. That mentality combined with Japan's sterile nature should win the day!

Argus9 (Jonathan)
>>32849994

I'd appreciate that Chris, thanks. Yeah, I thought it was interesting how Flu cases are down dramatically this year because people are being so cautious. It must also be because of the reduced amount of tourists visiting during the flu season.

Anonymous

Hey Chris, thanks as always for the useful info. We’re heading to Japan for three weeks in April with our kids, and going from Tokyo as far west as Hiroshima and as far north as Sapporo. We booked our hotels months ago, but I am keeping an eye in case some of the more expensive ones lower their prices. 🤞 Loads of our friends and family are concerned and think we should cancel our trip, but we’re all super excited about visiting Japan, so unless they ban flights from the UK we’ll be there. You never know, maybe we’ll bump into you and your friends in an almost empty tourist hotspot. 😅🏯 We have that Londoner’s attitude of “If you lived your life in fear, you’d never leave your house.” 😏 We’re all fairly healthy individuals, so we’re not worried at all. If anything, it’s a good excuse to buy the kids some funky anime themed face masks which they’ll love. 😷 Thanks again for the video! Looking forward to the next one! 😁