Travelling to Japan while pregnant

Crossing halfway around the world when you're about to become a mother can be a challenge. Between first-trimester nausea, fatigue and heavy legs, some months of pregnancy don't necessarily lend themselves to long journeys.

• 1st trimester: intense fatigue, lower physical resistance, higher risk of miscarriage, nausea.
• 2nd trimester: renewed energy, reduced risks, better mobility.
• 3rd trimester: increased fatigue, reduced mobility, risk of premature delivery.

The second trimester is therefore ideal for a trip to Japan (4th, 5th and early 6th month of pregnancy). Please note that from the 7th month onwards, some airlines refuse boarding.

For a pleasant flight, we advise you to wear compression stockings, stand up regularly and inform the cabin crew of your condition so that they can assist you if necessary.

Once you're on the islands, don' t forget to use our airport welcome service to make your arrival easier. The takkyubinl uggage delivery service is also a good option if you don't want to carry your bags to your first accommodation.

What to eat in Japan when you're pregnant

Food is the one thing you need to be careful about. Generally speaking, you should avoid

• alcohol (even in small quantities, as in some Japanese beers and sake)
• Raw, marinated, smoked or undercooked meats
• Salads, raw vegetables, fruits and vegetables that have not been washed or peeled properly
• Raw or smoked fish and seafood
• Certain fish rich in mercury, even when cooked (such as tuna or swordfish)
• Cold cuts
• Raw or unpasteurized dairy products
• Soft or natural-rind cheeses
• Soya

In Japan, pasteurization may be indicated by the words パスチャライゼーション or 低温殺菌 (teion sakkin). However, this information does not always appear on the packaging. Stay safe!

What about sushi?

While you can eat many local specialties, such as tempura (fried vegetable fritters ) tempura (fried vegetable fritters), most cooked fish, miso soup and some grilled meats, you can also visit kaiten-zushi, or revolving sushi! Of course, raw fish is a no-no, but fortunately, these establishments offer several alternatives suitable for pregnant women. These include

• The sushi with cooked fish
• The ramen
• Fish tempura
• Vegetable maki

Not recommended? The Sushiro chain, which offers good value for money, the Kura Sushi chain, which offers many dishes without raw fish, and the Hama Sushi chain, which offers very attractive prices!

Watch out for the tea!

Land of green tea japan is home to a wide variety of teas. While most are safe to drink during pregnancy, there are a few contraindications to be aware of.

Teas to drink in moderation

• Hojicha: low in caffeine, easy to digest. Consume occasionally.
• Genmaicha: this blend of green tea and roasted rice contains a little caffeine. So limit yourself to an occasional cup.

Teas to avoid during pregnancy

• Sencha, Matcha and Gyokuro: these Japanese teas are unfortunately too high in caffeine to be consumed during pregnancy.

Hiroshima and Fukushima

It's a legitimate question: can we visit Hiroshima and Fukushima while pregnant? The answer is yes!

Today, Hiroshima presents no radiation risk. Levels have been returning to normal for several decades, and the city is fully inhabited and perfectly safe.

Fukushima is also accessible during pregnancy, as long as you stay in areas open to the public.

In Japan, pregnant women can use a maternity mark to obtain a seat on public transport more easily. The maternity mark gives access to priority seats at the end of carriages on local trains and at the entrance to city buses. Requesting a badge is free of charge and requires no proof of identity. It can be obtained from ticket offices at major JR and Shinkansen stations . Please note that not all passengers react to the sight of a badge! You may have to ask them to give up their seats if they are not eligible (disabled people, pregnant women, the elderly - these people usually wear a red priority badge).