This article introduces medical information and practical health management tips you should know when traveling from Japan to Nepal.

Because sanitary conditions in Nepal are poor, self-management is essential when you go out. When visiting Nepal for work or tourism, dress for the local climate and take care with food and drinks.

Climate in Nepal

Nepal has a subtropical climate divided into a dry season and a rainy season.

・Rainy season: June to September

During the long rainy season, it does not rain every day, so carrying a folding umbrella and a light long-sleeved layer is generally enough when you go out. Rainfall also varies by region within Nepal; if you visit Pokhara or the Chitwan area, which receive more rain than Kathmandu, take rain precautions when going out.

・Dry season: October to May

There is a large temperature difference between morning/evening and midday, and December through February is the coldest period. When the sun is out during the day, temperatures can be comfortable enough for short sleeves, but mornings and evenings drop much lower, so layering and removing clothing frequently is a good way to help prevent colds.

Indoors in Nepali buildings also get very cold at this time of year, and many places have no heating, so cold-weather protection is necessary. Bringing a hat or scarf can help prevent headaches caused by the cold.

In Nepal, mountaineering gear can be purchased inexpensively, so you can also put together clothing suited to the local climate on site.

Food

Nepali meals are dishes that use spices generously. Restaurant food tends to use more oil and spices than home cooking, and snacks also contain quite a lot of oil and sugar.

Many dishes are strongly spicy, so if you are not used to that flavor, watch out for stomach pain.

Nepalis also have a custom of casually inviting guests into their homes and serving meals. With Nepali-style hospitality, it can be hard to decline overly generous service, and you may end up eating a lot of unfamiliar food.

If you are invited to a meal at a Nepali home, manage the situation thoughtfully so you can enjoy the food deliciously and healthily without being overwhelmed by their hospitality.

Drink Mineral Water

Because water quality in Nepal is poor, tap water is not safe to drink. Locals boil or filter water before drinking, but if you are not used to it, do not push yourself—we recommend buying and drinking mineral water.

If someone offers you water while you are out, ask what kind of water it is before drinking.

In particular, pathogens are more likely to appear in the rainy season, and conditions such as cholera, pathogenic E. coli, giardia, typhoid, dysentery, and hepatitis A and E tend to become more common then, so take special care with drinking water.

Wear a Mask Against Dust

Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is dusty due to a construction boom and exhaust fumes, so a mask and sunglasses to protect your throat and eyes are essentials. If you wear contact lenses, it is better to switch to glasses when going out.

Especially in periods without rain, the air is dry and dust is severe—black leather shoes can turn completely white in no time. If you need to go out in clean formal wear, taxi travel from place to place is preferable; otherwise, go out in clothes you do not mind getting dirty.

Watch Out for Mosquitoes

In Nepal, be careful of mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis. If you visit Chitwan or the Terai region, where mosquitoes are more common, bring insect repellent and long sleeves and pants.

Watch Out for Stray Dogs

There are many stray dogs in Nepal, so be careful when passing near them. Stray dogs in Nepal can be aggressive and may suddenly bite, so stay alert.

Many Places Are Unsanitary

Even if the hotel where you stay in Nepal is clean, once you step outside, most places are not sanitary. In public restrooms and restaurant toilets, facilities often do not work properly or are not clean.

In Nepal there is also no custom of using toilet paper, so it is a good idea to carry toilet paper when you go out.

Sanitation is often poorly managed on transportation, in restaurants, in public places, and on the roads in Nepal, and that alone can build up stress for some people, so it is best to act within your own limits.

Bring Familiar Items

In Nepal, you can generally buy most everyday necessities. However, quality is lower, so unless you do not mind buying locally, it is better to bring personal items you are used to using.

Using poor-quality products can also lower your mood. For a short trip, travel with familiar items.

Vaccinations

When entering Nepal, no vaccinations are required.

Vaccinations are also available at local medical facilities.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/toko/medi/vaccine/pdfs/nepal.pdf

*Medical facilities in Nepal where vaccinations are available ↑↑

Hospitals in Kathmandu

These are recommended hospitals if you become unwell while traveling in Nepal.

● CIWEC Clinic Travel Medicine Center

http://ciwec-clinic.com/

Internal medicine / dentistry / pediatrics. Frequently used by embassy staff. Medical interpreters available. Consultation fees are high, so using overseas travel insurance is recommended. 24-hour reception available in emergencies.

●T.U. Teaching Hospital

http://tuth.org.np/

General hospital. One of the better-equipped hospitals in Kathmandu. 24-hour emergency reception available.

●Grande International Hospital

https://www.grandehospital.com/

General hospital. Affiliated with Samitivej in Bangkok. 24-hour emergency reception available. Medical interpreters available.

●Norvic Hospital

http://www.norvichospital.com/

Internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and neurosurgery. 24-hour emergency outpatient care. Pediatric emergencies also accepted.

●Mediciti

https://www.nepalmediciti.com/

General hospital. 24-hour emergency reception available.

●Family Health Clinic

Dentistry and oral surgery. A physician who speaks Japanese provides care.

*Medical facilities that can perform PCR testing

Grande International／CIWEC／HAMS／Mediciti／Star Hospital／Norvic

If you test positive, you will isolate at home or in a facility provided by the Government of Nepal.

Summary

Because sanitary conditions in Nepal are poor, self-management is especially necessary when going out. Acting the same way locals do can make you ill, so know your own limits and act accordingly. If you do fall ill and need a hospital, facilities that are used to treating foreigners tend to have better hygiene and medical equipment than hospitals used mainly by locals, which can give you greater peace of mind.

To avoid needing a hospital whenever possible, we also recommend managing your health in line with Nepal’s environment.