Travel Woes~

 

I’ll share tips based on a trip I took out of Japan to the Philippines, as well as how I’m preparing for my trip to Tokyo this month! I travel between Wakayama and Osaka every month, so I’m an expert at packing for travel haha. BUT with my upcoming Tokyo trip and my previous trip abroad, I’ve learned many new things that I want to share with you.

Traveling Around Japan: Suitcase and Packing

1)Daiso or any 100yen store!

 

This could be an entire article on its own, but you’ll definitely want these items to help with your trip. You can find these essentials at any 100-yen store, but I’ll focus on Daiso for this example.

The number one thing you need from Daiso is Compression Bags!

You need these! I use them every month when I travel back and forth to Tanabe :). I can fit seven days’ worth of clothes into two compression bags in my backpack! With a suitcase, you’ll be able to fit all your travel items as you journey around Japan for sure.

I’m going to call my friend out a little here! When we traveled in the Philippines, they didn’t know how to pack their belongings at all. I brought extra compression bags in case I went shopping, and I ended up giving my friend the extra bags, which saved so much space in their suitcase.

2)Clean me up!

 

While most Japanese hotels provide soaps, shampoos, and conditioners, it’s always a good idea to bring your own. I prefer traveling with my own products because you never know what’s in hotel toiletries, and it’s a relief if they don’t supply items (especially when you’re too tired or lazy to go to the front desk to ask for them, haha). Don’t hesitate to bring your own travel-sized products! You can also find a set at Daiso or any 100-yen store.

There are countless useful items, but I think some main ones are:

-small washcloth (Daiso)

-towel (Daiso)

-body scrubber (Daiso)

I swear they aren’t sponsoring me haha.

Come with me to Daiso to get your travel items! Check out my Daiso tiktok video here~

Other items:

-Body lotion

-Shampoo

-Conditioner

-Toothpaste

-Hand sanitizer

-Deodorant

 

Other items you may consider:

-Disinfectant spray

-blanket

 

3)Plastic Bags

 

This is a simple hack—keep some plastic bags and use them for dirty clothes. Sometimes, hotels don’t have washing machines, or you might not be able to access one. You’ll want to separate your dirty items from your clean clothes. Plastic bags are easy to come by, so make sure to save some for your clothes and shoes.

Traveling Around Japan: Getting Around

4)Prepaid Train Card/ Train Rail Pass

 

If you’ve just moved to Japan or are traveling for a short time, you’ll want a train card for a smoother trip! Whenever my friends from the States visit, I always let them use my extra ICOCA card because buying a ticket each time is such a hassle. Think about how much time you waste stopping to buy a train ticket in Japan. We’ve all done the mad dash to catch a train—save yourself some time and get one of the three train cards. Depending on the region, you can choose a Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA card. There are more cards, but these are the main ones I always hear about and use are these. It’s only 500 yen. Plus these connect to your phone if you get the app, so it’s soooo easy to use.  Just get it!

 

To see some of the places you can go if you travel to Osaka, check out my Osaka blog here:

https://blog.tokyoroomfinder.com/living-in-japan/osaka-amazing-pass/

OR

INVEST IN A JAPAN RAIL PASS

JAPAN RAIL PASS Reservation website

The prices vary and it can be a bit expensive, but depending on how long you travel and where you’re going, it may be useful!

5)Map

I know it sounds a little old-fashioned, but having a map of the area or just the train stations you’ll be using can be very helpful! Imagine your phone losing Wi-Fi or dying and you don’t know where to go. It’s a good idea to highlight the important places you need to visit and know some basic Japanese phrases to ask for help.

 6)Fun traveling App

Just for fun to mark where you go! Download this app so you can see where you’ve been and where you want to go next

App: Japan Complete

Traveling Around Japan (If You’re Coming from Another Country)

Everything above applies if you can get these items in your country, but a few other things you may want to consider are:

 

-Plug adapter piece (for charging and plugging in electronic devices because some countries have different power pieces)

-Battery pack/power bank

-Currency converter app. This is the best one! Even after my trip to Manila, I was showing some of my clients this app and they were all surprised about how convenient it is. (Also make sure you convert some cash before you travel. Don’t be like me and forget to do that!)

Apple (the app described above)

Google Play Store

-The most commonly used Japan taxi app is Go. I suggest downloading the app for your own convenience when you’re traveling, though the trains are just fine. The taxi app is good for if you miss your last train or if you’ve been drinking and want to get back to your hotel quickly.

-A little obvious but make sure to check your baggage allowance! The first time I came to Japan, I had no idea I could take TWO suitcases, so I only had one suitcase for a trip where I would stay in Japan for a year

 

-Also make sure to check your visa requirements and that everything is place so you can enter and exit freely

-Make sure you have pocket wifi or a sim card that allows you to keep in touch and update your friends and family

-Translator app

-Download Klook to find activities (at a discount) and then thank me later

-Polaroid camera or film camera. Gotta’ document it!

Happy Travels

 

Travel safely, and I hope these tips help you pack and prepare for a fun trip around Japan. Keeping these tips in mind and a smile on your face will guarantee a fantastic adventure! 🙂

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