Preparation is essential when travelling
We all prepare what we need suited to the purpose of a trip but if luggage is too cumbersome it becomes a burden to carry around. Furthermore, we have to be careful because there are restrictions on articles that can be taken on to planes. Be that as it may, trips abroad require more everyday necessities, clothes and travel goods, etc. than domestic trips which take up more space in your luggage and it is a near impossible task to squeeze everything into your bag or suitcase.
It is a good idea to prepare your luggage well and in a concise manner so that you don’t feel inconvenienced when you are travelling.
Packing by theme
What kind of luggage you take will depend on the length, purpose and style of the trip. You should consider what you want to do on your trip and the themes that should have the highest priority and then carefully choose what you will need to take and which kind of bag you will need. It is possible to buy almost any essential item so if there is something you are not sure about, it is better to leave it out of your luggage so that you can keep in to a minimum.
In addition, 3 points to remember when choosing a bag for the hold are: durability, security (luggage that can be locked, etc.), and weight. A 4th point to consider is “mobility” for negotiating airports and stations.
Hand Luggage and Hold Luggage
As it is normal to take an international flight for foreign travel, two sets of luggage should be prepared: luggage that is checked in at the airport and luggage that you take on to the plane with you.
In general, luggage should be divided into two bags: one with valuables and things you will need on the plane and a large bag (such as a small or large suitcase) containing things you will need after you arrive at your destination. The former is “hand luggage” that you carry on to the plane with you and the latter is “ hold luggage” that you hand over to the airline company when you check in at the airport which is put in the hold of the plane.
●Hand Luggage
“Hand luggage” is anything you wear or carry on board with you and is defined as 1 bag for taking on to the plane and “personal effects”.
“Personal effects” are defined as essential items that you are wearing or need to carry with you all the time such as passports, wallets, handbags, hats, coats, umbrellas, and walking sticks as well as other articles that you will use while you are on the plane such as cameras, video cameras, binoculars, reading material, mobile audio players, food for infants (only when travelling with an infant) and personal computers. These are unconditional “hand luggage” items and there is no problem taking them on board with you.
You are not permitted to bring the following items into Japan: beef jerky and sausages, fruit and walnuts in their shells, etc. so be careful not to take these on the plane with you.
Items that are not permitted to be brought in to Japan
※ Restrictions on Liquids
You are not permitted to take more than 100ml of any liquid (toothpaste, hair gel, aerosols, sprays, etc.) on to a plane. You will be asked to dispose of these at the security checkpoint so please put these items in the hold luggage that you check with the airline company. However, the following items are permitted.
- ・ Liquids in containers of less than 100ml in a re-sealable clear plastic zipper bag of less than 1 litre volume
If there is plenty of room in the bag - ・ Medical supplies (prescriptions, etc. and explanations of why they are necessary while on board the plane may be requested), baby milk / baby food, food for special diets, etc.
●Hold Luggage
There are also restrictions on “hold luggage” checked with to airlines.
The standards for “hold luggage” in economy class are a total weight of no more than 20kg per passenger and no more than 30kg per passenger in business class notwithstanding the number of luggage items. As you will no doubt have more luggage on the way home after having bought souvenirs, space should be left in your luggage for this purpose.
Counterfeit brand products, in the same way as with hand luggage, violate customs tariff laws and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora so be sure not to include them in your luggage.
Essentials and Useful Items
●Essentials
24-hour convenience stores stocking most common articles such as food, drinks, toiletries, cosmetics and other daily necessities can be found everywhere in Japan. However, in the areas around onsen resorts in the heart of the mountains, there are many cases in which there are no conveniences stores. In order to prepare for all eventualities, it is advisable to check that you have all essentials with you before you arrive.
| Toiletries : | The majority of hotels provide the following: toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs and razors but it is better to bring these with you just in case they are not provided. It is also a good idea to bring travel-sized soap, shampoo and conditioner. Women in particular should pack the cosmetics, etc, that they normally use. If you bring a few of your own towels they can be useful in many different situations. |
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| Sanitary goods : | Pocket tissues and feminine hygiene products are essential. It is also a good idea to bring plasters and indigestion relief and painkiller medicine that you are used to taking. Ear cleaners and nail clippers are also useful. |
| Warm clothes : | Even in the hot summers, it may be cold inside buildings with air-conditioning. Body temperature can be regulated with a light cardigan that can be put on and taken off as necessary. |
| Documents : | In preparation for the eventuality of losing your passport while you are travelling, you should carry a copy of your passport, an official copy of your family register and copies of your passport photo. |
| Emergency Contact Details : | Problems are inherent to travelling. It is a good idea to take a note of emergency contact details so that you can act fast in cases of emergency. Emergency numbers for your own country that can be dialed from abroad should also be checked. |
| Credit card / Traveller’s Cheque Details : | You should take a note of your credit card and traveller’s cheque numbers. It is also a good idea to take a note of phone numbers for your card-issuing company or bank, etc. in case of emergencies. |
● Useful Items
Select useful items depending on schedule and route as they will broaden the scope of your activities while travelling and make your trip even more fun.
| Laundry products : | Even on trips of a few days, you will have dirty laundry. If you rinse and dry underwear or handkerchiefs, etc. when you stay at a hotel, you will be able to use them a number of times throughout your trip enabling you to reduce the amount of luggage that you have. A small amount of washing powder, a washing line and clothes pegs, etc. can come in handy. | |
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| Kitchen utensils : | In order to partake of fruit or canned goods, etc. that you buy on your trip, a fruit knife, can opener and bottle opener may be useful but caution should be exercised as recently controls for the Minor Offenses Act in Japan have been tightened and it is illegal to carry a knife without just cause. These items should be left in your hotel during the day when you are out. |  |
| Useful Flight Items : | There are many products on the market aimed at making long flights comfortable. The main products are eye masks, ear plugs, in-flight slippers and flight pillows, etc. | |
| Extra bag : | If you are sightseeing or taking a day trip and leaving most of your luggage in your hotel room then it is a good idea to have a shoulder bag or rucksack to take out with you. Furthermore, if you are going shopping it’s useful to take a few light shopping bags with you. | |
| Items to record your experiences : | Cameras and video cameras are standard but if you have enough room in your luggage, you could also bring a laptop computer. Many places such as McDonalds and major chain cafés have wireless hotspots and the number of onsen ryokan with wireless LAN facilities is increasing. This is extremely useful for searching for new travel information or transmitting information while you are travelling. It is also a nice idea to take a sketchbook with you to record your travel experiences in picture form. | |
Japanese Power Plugs and Outlets
●【Frequency】
Power supply frequencies are different all over the world. Incidentally, there are two frequencies in Japan: 60Hz (Hertz) in West Japan and 59Hz (Hertz) in East Japan. These frequencies cannot be converted even with a transformer. Caution should be exercised when purchasing electrical appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, microwaves and lighting using fluorescent bulbs in Japan as this frequency will pose a problem.
●【Voltage】
Household power supply in Japan is provided at a voltage of 100V. For this reason, electrical goods are usually made to correspond to 100V. However, few countries use a voltage of 100V, more common voltages being 110V - 130V or 220 - 240V. It will not be possible for you to use electrical goods from your own country in Japan. It is necessary to transform foreign voltages into the same 100V voltage as Japan. In order to do this, you will need a transformer.
●【Transformers】
Check the following when choosing a transformer!
(1) Differences between voltages to be transformed
The required transformer when using Japanese consumer electronics overseas is one that reduces overseas voltage (110V-240V) → Japanese specified voltage (100V) (down-transformer).
Conversely, in order to use electrical goods with overseas specifications in Japan, a Japanese voltage (100V) → overseas specified voltage (up-transformer) transformer is required.
(2) Dimensions of electricity consumption
If you are buying a transformer, you must check the required electricity consumption and choose a transformer that corresponds. The criterion for choosing a transformer is 1.5 – 2 times the electricity consumption. There are some transformers that have a higher current than the stated electricity consumption when turned on at first (3 – 5 seconds) so it is a good idea to have a certain leeway when choosing the corresponding electricity consumption.
(3) ifferences in outlets / power plugs
Japanese plugs are generally flat pin plugs so they can be used in such places as the US. However, a conversion plug is required when using overseas electrical goods in Japanese outlets as there are many different types of round pin or square pin plugs a in Europe or China, etc