Traveling to Japan With Food Allergies
Food allergies don’t have to stop you from traveling. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, careful preparation and communication will
help make your trip safe and enjoyable. This guide provides some helpful tips while traveling to Japan as well as more information onunderstanding food labels and dining out at restaurants.

Medication

Bring a kit with all your medications, including extra epinephrine auto-injectors. Food Allergy Forum (FAF) also recommends carrying abilingual list of symptoms and instructions, “When to Inject Epinephrine,” created by the Japanese Society of Pediatric Allergy and ClinicalImmunology. In an emergency situation, it is especially difficult to communicate the specific symptoms of anaphylaxis. By carrying thisbilingual list, you will be able to point at the exact symptom you are experiencing, resulting in timely and appropriate medical care. A copy ofthe bilingual list is included in this document. Be sure to bring extra copies with you and keep your list in a place where others can find it. It is
important that you and your travel companions understand what to do in case of an emergency.
Ask your doctor to write prescriptions that you can carry with you. EpiPen® is the only epinephrine auto-injector available in Japan, so
be sure to consult your doctor if you are using a different kind.
Understand policies for carrying medication on board the aircraft. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism,
which handles airport security in Japan, you are allowed to carry your epinephrine in the aircraft cabin. However, you may need to show theprinted label that identifies the medication. It is recommended that you also show the prescription label from the pharmacy. You should also
have your doctor complete a Travel Plan that confirms your food allergy and travel requirements. A Japanese/English version of the Travel
Plan of the International Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Alliance is included in this document.

Emergencies
ADMINISTER EPINEPHRINE AND DIAL 1-1-9
Always keep your epinephrine with you and easily accessible. Let your travel companions know about your allergies so they know what to doin case of an emergency and where your auto-injectors are located.
In the event of an emergency, administer epinephrine immediately. It is critical not to delay epinephrine. After administering epinephrine,
contact emergency services by calling 1-1-9 to request ambulance transport to a hospital emergency department. Not all ambulances areequipped with epinephrine, so be sure to inform the dispatcher that epinephrine may be needed. It is important to remain at the hospital forseveral hours for observation because symptoms may return. Please follow the hospital’s instructions.
Familiarize yourself with the local emergency services phone number and dialing procedures. For example, some hotels may have specificprocedures for dialing 1-1-9 from your room. Be aware of your location so that you can give the dispatcher specific information. Also,
familiarize yourself with where the nearest emergency department is located. To find an emergency department near where you will be
traveling, please visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Medical Information Center website at: himawari.metro.tokyo.jp/qq/qq13enmnlt.asp.
Emergency translation services are available. Another medical care resource for visitors is the AMDA International Medical Information
Center at eng.amda-imic.com.
Keep in mind that you may want to purchase travel insurance prior to coming to Japan. Emergency care can be costly, and you should be
able to access funds while abroad.

Understanding Japanese Food Labels
Reading food labels on packaged food is an important part of managing food allergies and avoiding your allergen. In Japan, the Consumer
Affairs Agency (CAA) has designated 7 food allergens that manufacturers are legally obligated to indicate on the labels when they areincluded as ingredients. These are egg, milk, wheat, peanut, buckwheat, shrimp and crab. Although they must be indicated on the label
when they are included in a product, it should be noted that they can be displayed in a number of different ways. In addition, the CAA has
recommended to manufacturers that 20 additional foods be displayed on labels: abalone, squid, salmon roe, salmon, mackerel, beef, pork,chicken, sesame, walnut, cashew nut, apple, banana, orange, kiwi fruit, peach, soybean, matsutake mushroom, yam and gelatin.
Please be aware the above mentioned allergens are the most common in Japan, and that they differ from other countries. Since labelling
regulations may be entirely different, if in doubt, we advise you to ask around. Following is a bilingual list of the 7 food allergens that require©2016, Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)

labeling. Because labelling obligations apply only to packaged
food, it may be helpful to carry this list with you when
shopping or dining out.

Snacks and Meals
It is recommended that you travel with non-perishable foodthat is safe for you to eat in case you are unable to findallergen-free food while traveling. Snack bars that are free ofyour allergen are a good option. If you plan on staying in ahotel, most rooms have a refrigerator. Rest houses (forbackpackers) are often equipped with a kitchen andmicrowave. You may be able to purchase some of the same
products in Japan as you can back home, but remember thatthe same product manufactured in different countries cancontain different ingredients.

Dining Out at Restaurants
When you are dining out with food allergies, planning ahead isimportant. Consider choosing chain restaurants. Each
restaurant is likely to use the same ingredients and prepare
foods the same way, and a growing number are allergyaware. Before you go to the restaurant, there are some steps
you can take to see if a particular restaurant is a good choicefor you. Many restaurants have websites and post their menus
online for you to review ahead of time. You can also call therestaurant and ask to speak to the chef or manager about
your food allergies, menu items and meal preparation. We recommend calling during off-peak hours.
Communication between restaurants and customers with food allergies is essential to a safe dining experience. The restaurant manager andwait staff should know about your food allergy. Remind a manager or the head waiter about your allergies before you are seated. In addition
to asking questions about the ingredients and preparation methods, carry a “chef card” that outlines the foods you must avoid. Present thecard to the chef or manager for review.
Chef cards can be downloaded in English and nine other languages (including Japanese) at foodallergy.org/diningout.
When selecting your meal, keep it simple. If you have to ask complicated questions about the items on a menu, ordering simple fare may bethe safest. Be sure to ask what is in your dish and how is it prepared. It is important that the restaurant understands what you are allergic toand takes steps to avoid cross-contact. You may want to speak to the manager and the chef, just to be sure.
Remember, never be embarrassed if you feel you are not communicating effectively. If a member of the wait staff doesn’t seem tounderstand your situation, always trust your instincts and seek out another staff member or manager. Sometimes, the safest choice is toavoid eating, and find a safe meal somewhere else.

Resources
Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan: see Japanese/English version attached below
Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Medical Information Center: himawari.metro.tokyo.jp/qq/qq13enmnlt.asp
AMDA International Medical Information Center: eng.amda-imic.com
Reading Food Labels: foodallergy.org/foodlabels
International Travel Plan: see Japanese/English version attached below©2016, Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)