“Hi Mom, I’m in Japan”: Navigating Anaphylactic Food Allergies Across the World

“Hi Mom, I’m in Japan”: Navigating Anaphylactic Food Allergies Across the World

“Hi Mom, I’m in Japan”: Navigating Anaphylactic Food Allergies Across the World.

My phone buzzed and there it was. Just 6 words that sent my heart into a familiar, frantic rhythm.

If you are a food allergy parent, you know exactly what that rhythm feels like. It’s the split second where your brain spirals thru a checklist of worst case scenarios. Because when your child has severe, anaphylactic food allergies to:

• Peanuts
• Tree Nuts
• Legumes
• Shellfish
• Soy &
• Dairy & Meat Intolerances

A casual, unexpected text about traveling to the other side of the World isn’t just news, it’s a real world, high stakes adventure!

Japan with Food Allergies

Japan is a dream destination for many people.

Their spectacular culture, historic temples, the energy of Tokyo & the beauty of Kyoto. Oh and Japanese food is legendary too.

However, for my daughter Katie, who manages multiple anaphalactic food allergies, it can feel like a minefield to this Mom 6,000 miles away!

But Katie was up for the Adventure & has decided to make this trip solo.

Of course, with her specific food allergies, where soy is the foundation of many sauces, fish and shellfish are omnipresent and communicating the severity of cross contamination/cross contact in a completely different language is a massive hurdle.

Yes, even for my daughter, the Food Allergy Olympic hurdles champion! 🙂

From Only Vacationing at Disney World to Seeing the World

So incredible has been our 24- year Food Allergy Life.

From only vacationing at Disney World for YEARS after Katie was 1st diagnosed with Food Allergies to her now traveling all over the World solo at 24 years old. (For more inspiration, Katie’s Solo Trip to India here & Dubai with Multiple Food Allergies here.)

If you don’t know our Food Allergy story, see Disney World with Food Allergies.

So, you can see why my initial feeling of panic comes naturally.

Although, as I took a deep breath and stared at my phone, my initial feelings of panicking turned into something else…immense pride!

Born from An Anaphylactic Reaction to Helping Thousands of People

Living on this edge of anxiety is exactly why I started my travel consulting company, An Easy Journey, LLC. 8 years ago.

I wanted to share everything we have learned firsthand for the past 20+ years, to help others explore the World more safely if they also have food allergies.

Over almost a decade, our company has helped 1,000’s of people travel all over the USA and World with 0 food allergy reactions. Not a guarantee but proof that we take food allergies very seriously & our food allergy strategies absolutely work.

Today, this mission has grown even bigger.

An Easy Journey, LLC. has expanded to train corporations and educational facilities, advocating for food allergy safety and inclusion while helping organizations mitigate their corporate risk.

As most people are shocked to learn: there is a massive, underserved global community of 85 million people living with food allergies and this number is unfortunately, growing exponentially. 

And we are dedicated to ensuring that all of them, including my daughter Katie, are able to enjoy a safe seat at the table, no matter where in the World that may be!

Inspiring for Your Travels with Food Allergies

Food allergy parents spend their kids entire childhoods building a safety net:

• teaching them how to read food labels
• advocate for themselves
• reminding them to always carry their Epi-pens/allergy medication

But the point of this isn’t to keep our kids fearful at home, but to allow them the confidence (& safe strategies) to travel the world!

Here is how Katie prepared for her solo trip to Japan.

Which could scare most food allergy adults and how we, as food allergy parents, can learn to let go even when they’re 6,000 miles away!

“Hi Mom, I’m in Japan”: Navigating Anaphylactic Food Allergies Across the World

I want to be honest: Traveling to Japan with multiple anaphylactic food allergies requires significant preparation pre-trip.

As we know, this is NOT the trip to show up & try to wing it!

Every meal involves planning, communication, backup options & flexibility.

Absolutely, there are moments of stress & a few times Katie’s only able to eat her brought from home, safe allergy-friendly snacks & fruit picked up locally. But Japan is filled with incredible kindness & moments of connection that makes this trip absolutely worth it!

Because airline food is not safe for Katie, she brings onboard the 14-hour flight, our “handy-dandy backpack cooler” with insulated Hydrapeak containers for her safe, food allergy friendly meals. For more on what we actually bring onboard flights/trains/long travel days, see Travel Day Meals with Food Allergies.

And bring in luggage, more safe food allergy friendly foods like: granola bars from MadeGood, snacks from YumEarth & homemade trail mix with EnjoyLife chocolate chips – #top9free. Super helpful for Katie’s snowboarding days!

Japan with Our Food Allergies

For Katie, soy is 1 of the most challenging food allergens to avoid in Japan as soy is in:

• Broths
• Marinades
• Seasonings
• Soy & Teryiaki sauces
• Tofu
• Miso
• Cooking oils
• Processed foods

Even dishes that initially appear “safe” often contain hidden soy ingredients.

Shellfish is another challenge as broths and flavor bases often use fish & shellfish as a flavor enhancer.

So that she can cook some meals, Katie rents an AirBnB with a kitchen & is able to pickup ingredients.

Especially helpful arriving into Tokyo allows for big city grocery shopping!

What Helps Keep a Food Allergic Person Safer in Japan

Food allergy translation cards is a non-negotiable in our travel strategies. Our code AnEasyJourney will save you 10% & our small, woman owned business really thanks you, Select Wisely brand shown above!

Always place the translation cards at your place setting in restaurants as an added visual reminder that you are the person with food allergies.

Also, having some pre-vetted restaurants that you have spoken with ahead of your trip, especially on early trip days when can be tired/jet-lag.

One of the biggest surprises for Katie is Japanese convenience stores like 7-11 are a very helpful place to get food allergy friendly foods.

Really!

And much of the food here has labels in English or can use a translation app to see ingredients.

Pro tip: ask younger people who often speak English, to review ingredient labels as another data point. This is in addition to reading & understanding the ingredients.

Emotional Side of Food Allergy Travel

I think many people often underestimate how emotionally exhausting traveling with food allergies can be.

You are always calculating risk, evaluating trust from strangers, & thinking ahead.

There are moments when it can feel isolating watching others enjoy spontaneous food experiences that simply aren’t possible for Katie (& others who are food allergic).

But these kind of trips bring incredible confidence & empowerment!

One of the comments I hear Katie saying often is:

the people of Japan are so kind. They truly want to make your meal safe & memorable. I can’t wait to return!

Japan may not be the easiest destination for people like Katie, who have multiple anaphylactic food allergies. But is absolutely worth the extra effort!

Because as a long time food allergy advocate, I don’t want food allergies to define the life Katie (& all others)  live, only going to “safe” destinations.

I want everyone to be able to experience:

• Fun & Adventure
• Incredible Cultures
• True Connections

If you are considering a trip to Japan with food allergies, our Travel Consulting Company, An Easy Journey, LLC. helps 1,000’s of people travel all over USA & World for past 8 years, with 0 food allergy reactions.

Japan is our #3 most popular destination to assist clients with for the past 5 years! So, we know Japan well.

Contact us here: An Easy Journey Travels.

And SUBSCRIBE to this blog so you never miss Travel adventures, Food Allergy-Friendly recipes, & More!

Katie’s Unforgettable & Safe Trip to Japan with Food Allergies – Trip Plan

Flight from Newark airport into Tokyo’s Narita airport. Tokyo AirBnB.

Touring Tokyo & Disney Sea (another blog post dedicated to this day! Very challenging to find safe food allergy-friendly food).

Train to Kyoto. Another AirBnB.

Travel to Niseko Moiwa Ski resort.

Back to Tokyo for 1 night before flight back to USA.

Food Allergy Friendly Places to Eat Out in Japan

These are places that Katie’s is able to eat out with her specific food allergies. YOU MUST ALWAYS vet for your food allergies as everyone is different & things can change.

• At Narita Airport, Terminal 2: Tsukiji Sushiko sushi restaurant (fish is ok for us).
• ANA Intercontinental Tokyo by IHG
• JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo – Minato City

Note: Many western hotels will only allow their guests to eat at their restaurants, especially in high tourist season. Email in advance, reconfirm when you arrive with chef/manager. When in doubt, don’t eat something.

• FRUITS MATCHA Mt Fuji Tsukiji Pancakes – near the train station
• EATLY Harajuku Shibuya Tokyo

Of course, there are many more places that are also food allergy friendly in Japan.

Loved this post: “Hi Mom, I’m in Japan”: Navigating Anaphylactic Food Allergies Across the World? The Journey is just getting started! 

We are just scratching the surface of how to travel to Japan with Food Allergies.

Hit the SUBSCRIBE button right now so you don’t miss a single upcoming travel tip, itinerary hack, or food allergy safe Guide!

Have questions about planning your own safe, food allergy getaway? Japan or somewhere else.

Come, join the conversation our Private Facebook Group Food Allergy Travels & Life where we answer ALL of YOUR specific Food Allergy questions personally so you can book your next trips with confidence!

For daily inspiration, behind-the-scenes travel reels, food allergy friendly recipes & real food allergy life, follow us on Instagram @AnEasyJourney!

Have you travelled to Japan with food allergies? Let us know your travel tips!

#aneasyjourney #foodallergytravelsandlife #foodallergies #Japantrip #foodallergytravel @MadeGood @YumEarth @EnjoyLife @JapanTourismBoard