Trip to Japan. What should you take with you to Japan? What you need for a trip to Japan What you need for a trip to Tokyo

If you are planning a trip but don't knowwhat to take with you to Japan, be sure to check out this article. Although the main advice for all travelers is not to overpack, you should be very careful about the contents of your suitcase. At the same time, you shouldn’t be upset in advance if some of your everyday items are suddenly left at home - in Japan you can easily buy any missing little thing.

What to take to Japan: essential items

• Valid passport.
• Visa. Russian citizens require a visa to enter Japan. You can arrange it yourself or by contacting a travel agency. Please note: your passport must have at least 6 months remaining until it expires.
• Flights. We recommend that you carry paper copies of your return tickets so that you can present them to Japanese border guards if necessary.
• Hotel reservation confirmation. Having a printout will be useful both for you personally and for the hotel staff. If the form contains the address of the establishment in Japanese, this will help taxi drivers take you to your destination.
• Railway tickets. Traveling around Japan by train is a great idea worthy of travelers. Plan your routes in advance and purchase the necessary tickets before departure.
• Payment cards, cash. For everyone who is accustomed to non-cash payments, it is important to find out in advance from the bank the conditions for using your VISA or MasterCard abroad, that is, in Japan.
• Copies of all documents. Take a photo with your mobile phone, send yourself by email copies of your passport pages, insurance and payment card details.
• Maps and guides. Do you prefer paper editions? Stock up on them in Russia. The corresponding smartphone or tablet applications can be downloaded on site.
• English phrasebook. Japanese is one of the most difficult languages ​​in the world, and not everyone can speak it. Fortunately, the Japanese speak excellent English, and knowing basic words and expressions is enough to communicate and understand in a hotel or on the street.

What to take with you to Japan from wardrobe items

The choice of clothing is primarily influenced by the dates of the trip. Depending on the season, the country greets guests with either unbearable heat or unpleasant coolness. It is recommended to wear clothes made of breathable fabrics. Cotton is the best choice. Denim items are less suitable, as they are significant in weight, retain moisture, and take a long time to dry. You will have to walk a lot, so try to dress stylishly but comfortably.

Light dresses, linen shirts and cotton T-shirts, shorts and skirts are ideal for summer. Tracksuits may not be as prestigious, but they are incredibly comfortable. In winter, a jacket or warm coat, a pair of trousers and thermal underwear will come in handy. But don’t try to put everything hanging in the closet into a suitcase. In Japan there are many stores with clothes at affordable prices, so it is wiser to travel light and return home with new clothes, rather than initially taking a lot of unnecessary things with you.

The situation is similar with shoes. Make sure you take one that doesn't cause discomfort, is warm and waterproof enough, and is easy to remove. Yes, this nuance must be taken into account, since the Japanese are very sensitive to traditions. Be sure to take off your shoes when entering a room, preferably without outside prompting. Choose trekking sneakers or sandals, sandals, soft shoes, boots with comfortable laces or clasps.

List of necessary personal items

• Shower gel, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush.
• Sunglasses, a hat or a Panama hat, especially in spring and summer when the weather can be incredibly hot. When it comes to sunscreens, choose ones with an SPF rating of 30 or higher.
• Antiperspirant. To stay fresh during your trip, use dry deodorant.
• Medicines for diarrhea or upset stomach. The chances of getting poisoned in Japan due to unsanitary conditions are negligible, but unusual food can cause gastrointestinal problems. Be prepared for this.
• Flu teas, antipyretics, sore throat lozenges. It's sad if illness ruins your vacation. Finding a pharmacy nearby is easy in Japan, but when the temperature soars at 3 am, running around looking for the nearest pharmacy kiosk is not the most pleasant experience.
• First aid kit for hiking. This traditionally includes plasters for calluses, bandages, cotton wool, and antiseptic for cuts.

Do you need electronics when traveling?

Undoubtedly, you need to take a familiar and convenient gadget with you. You will need a mobile phone with a charger, as well as an adapter for the socket. If your smartphone replaces both your phone and your camera, take a PowerBank with increased power. In addition, take care of an additional memory card - there will be many reasons for excellent photos! It is this fact that may convince youwhat to take with you to Japana good camera is the right decision. To protect your equipment, it makes sense to think about waterproof cases in advance.

This is perhaps a list of the main things that tourists need when traveling around Japan. Let the anticipation of the upcoming adventure bring only positive emotions.

Today, the Japanese currency is actively used to support the dollar. Does this mean she is vulnerable? What currency should I take for a long trip to Japan?

Japanese currency: convergence course

The currency of Japan, its exchange rate today is a relatively predictable variable in exchange trading. At the same moment, the Yen came under the complete control of the dollar and was completely dependent on export transactions with Europe.

The soft credit policy of the Central Bank of Japan makes it possible to neutralize currency risks for most businessmen and traders. The Japanese economy, despite prolonged deflation, was able to overcome the crisis.

What strengthens the national course of the Land of the Rising Sun? Naturally – investments. If you are looking for a scientific area for investment activity, then there is nothing more effective than entrusting your capital to the Japanese.

Growing innovations and nanotechnologies are sure to bring profits that won’t have to wait long. However, keep in mind that this investment method is quite expensive.

Is the Japanese currency comparable to the ruble?

There is a downward trend in the cross rate of the Yen against the ruble. However, it is significant only for traders trading on intraday turnover.

The Japanese currency against the ruble is stable and has a narrow range of amplitude fluctuations, which makes it possible to predict the behavior of both monetary units in the long term.

What is the secret of the Japanese miracle? The answer lies on the surface:

1. Low % unemployment.
2. High demand for deposits among residents.
3. The vector of state policy is to increase the well-being of citizens.

But keep in mind, the Japanese mentality is a 100% guarantee of the success of the country’s economic growth. Government support for domestic consumers leads to mutual support among Japanese residents for the elected government, which avoids exhaustive militarization of the economy.

Japanese currency against the dollar: reality and fiction

The dynamics of the specified JPY/USD pair reflects purely economic processes.

The peak of the exchange rate with a linear sideways trend of 125.61 occurred in the summer. To date, there has been a decrease of 1.51 points, which is due to a number of factors:

1. Differences in the monetary policies of both countries.
2. Lack of significant influence of the Euro on the Yen.

You can make your own forecast. When predicting the trajectory of the JPY, keep in mind that the Japanese currency will decline against the dollar due to factors:

1. Programs for increasing the Asian money supply.
2. Reductions in US export operations due to the tripling of the dollar.

What currency should I take to Japan during the holidays?

You can take dollars or yen, but keep in mind that the exchange office hours in most Japanese settlements are from 9:00 to 15:00.

When going in transit to Taiwan, it is better to prepare the currency in advance. Don't carry rubles with you.

It will be inconvenient for you to calculate the cost of Japanese goods in rubles, which are not accepted everywhere, since local banknotes have a large number of zeros.

There are two excellent ways to import currency:

1. By bank card.
2. Translation.

The first option is the safest and most convenient. And what currency to take to Japan is a secondary question.

History of the Japanese yen

The history of the Japanese yen began in 1869, with the minting of the first coin. It appeared in free circulation in 1871, after the monetary reform, replacing clan paper bills. The process was completed only after 8 years. Fractional units were also used, but were withdrawn from use in 1954. In 1927, Japan was hit by a crisis and banks issued additional banknotes. It is noteworthy that at that moment single-sided 200 yen bills appeared. In 1949, the yen lost significantly to the dollar (1:360), but then the situation stabilized. Now the Japanese currency is considered one of the most reliable.

Currency exchange in Japan

If you are going to visit the land of the rising sun, it is better to buy yen in advance. They are freely convertible in Russia and can be exchanged at a local bank. Currency exchange in Japan will be more expensive due to the higher exchange rate and the lack of the yen-ruble pair, which means you will have to pay a double commission for two transactions.

If the need for exchange arises, it can be made at the airport or a Japanese bank. Take into account the banks' opening hours. If you need currency urgently, but you cannot get to the nearest bank, it can be exchanged at the hotel without any problems. The course will not be the most profitable, and the quantity is limited.

Dynamics of the Japanese yen exchange rate

The good dynamics of the Japanese yen exchange rate is due to three reasons. The first is economic stability and large volumes of exports in the state. The second is the status of a world reserve currency (although the volume of international savings has decreased slightly compared to 1999-2000). Finally, the third is a free course. The value of the local currency is determined solely by the current economic situation and is not fixed by the bank or government.

In recent years, the dynamics have not been the best, but the yen maintains its status and remains in demand among players and investors.

Gold standard of the Japanese yen

Since its inception, the yen has been on the gold standard. One unit was equal to 1.5 gold. In a short time it has undergone significant changes. The gold standard of the Japanese yen was introduced and canceled more than once, focusing on the current situation and economic indicators. By the end of the 30s, the standard was completely abolished. However, some analogue of this standard remains.

The yen gained international recognition in 1953. At this time, the cost of one yen was 2.5 milligrams, but subsequently it increased significantly. It is now one of the most reliable gold-backed currencies.

Deflation of the Japanese yen

A strong currency has its drawbacks, as can be seen from the example of Japan. Deflation of the Japanese yen is associated with overproduction and forces the government to take various measures to control exchange rates. At some points, there were attempts to reduce the value of the local currency artificially (quantitative easing). It may be used repeatedly.

Excessive strengthening (growth) of the currency leads to a decrease in export volumes, increased labor costs, as well as other negative phenomena. For this reason, Japan is carrying out economic reforms and trying to accelerate inflation.

Japanese yen banknotes

In Japan, coins are used in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 yen, and there are also commemorative silver items in denominations of 1000 yen. Japanese yen banknotes range in denomination from 1,000 to 10,000. Most of them were issued in 2004. Occasionally, 2000 banknotes are found.

The 2000 yen banknote of the first series is green. On one side is a picture of a gate in the city of Naha, on the other is an illustration of The Tale of Genji. She hardly ever appears. In Japan, blue, purple, and brown banknotes with images of national heroes and landmarks are common.

Yen as a reserve currency

For decades, the Japanese currency has been considered a reserve currency and is extremely popular among investors and players. It is considered second in importance. However, in recent years, the yen as a reserve currency has not pleased investors: the volume of funds around the world has decreased by more than 5% since the beginning of the new millennium.

The reasons for this are problems in the country’s economy, which led to excessive strengthening of the currency and deflation. The authorities are taking all measures to reduce the exchange rate and make it less stable, but this does not help much. Despite the problems, it still competes with the British pound sterling and the Swiss franc.

Origin of the name yen

The origin of the name yen is curious. It is connected with the history of trade in Asia. During the Qing Dynasty, China used yuan - silver bars. In the 18th century, silver coins were brought to China from Mexico and Spain, which became known as Western yuan. Then the British started producing silver coins, which they called Hong Kong yuan - after the place of issue. They eventually ended up in Japan, where they received the name in Japanese - “en”. Subsequently, the “en” gradually transformed into the yen. Already in 1830, they began to issue their own coins here. The official name “yen” appeared a little later.

Japan is a fully developed and civilized country, but when packing, difficulties often arise as to what you need to take with you on a trip and what is better to leave at home. We are going to Japan with Smart Tourism.

Japan is a country in which there are several climatic zones, from the harsh northern to the mild tropical, so clothes should be selected based on the climatic characteristics of a particular area of ​​the country.

What you should never forget about is a travel first aid kit, which must contain remedies for diarrhea, fever, and food poisoning. In general, we recommend that you consult with your doctor and ask him which medications are best for you to take. Still, Japan is a country with a specific language and it is far from a fact that you will find a doctor who knows English, so God protects the careful. It’s better to clarify all the medical aspects in your hometown, in your native language, than to explain to a perplexed Japanese specialist what’s bothering you.

The second and mandatory item is medical insurance, believe our experience, it is better to spend 2500-3000 rubles before leaving than 10,000 rubles in Japan (by the way, Russian embassy workers send their wives to give birth in Russia, although the service is definitely better in Japan), since there is very expensive medicine.

As stupid as it may sound, if your phone does not support 3G, it may deprive you of cellular communications. It’s easier to buy a phone, you’ll say, and you’ll be absolutely wrong!

Although Japan is a fairly democratic country, it is difficult for a foreigner to purchase a cell phone. This will require filling out special documents and communicating with store employees (who most often do not understand a word of English, let alone Russian).

You can, of course, rent a phone at the airport, but it’s obscenely expensive, and it’s much cheaper to bring a normal phone with you.

Money money money…

Don't forget to exchange money before leaving. Ideally, exchange the entire amount for Japanese yen, or leave part of the money in dollars. But you don’t need to take rubles with you. You simply won’t be able to exchange them anywhere, or the offered rate will be, to put it mildly, too high.

For the first time, you should definitely have a small amount of Japanese yen with you; in order to get to the hotel, pay a taxi driver or on the subway, you may have problems with dollars.

The most important thing in your luggage!

Don’t forget your camera, visit Japan without a camera... In general, there is no time to explain, you will see and understand everything yourself.

Free hands coupled with loose shoes are an excellent choice.

When going to the land of the rising sun, take care in advance to buy loose shoes and preferably not have laces. Surely you have heard that in Japan it is customary to take off your shoes before entering a room (in Japan, even for the toilet there are special shoes, in which it is not customary to walk around the house, as it may offend the owner), and if you are planning to get acquainted with the temples, then In any temple it is customary to take off your shoes and constantly untying and tying laces quickly tires, and since very often the entrance to the room is small, you risk creating a traffic jam, which you will agree is not entirely comfortable.

Well, of course, since in Japan it is customary to take off your shoes, wear socks or tights (well, if the socks or tights are intact, without holes in the big toe, it’s just a fairy tale).

We also recommend taking a shoulder bag (although a backpack would be more convenient) for small items and documents. Why over the shoulder? Simply, some temples will not allow you to enter with a backpack, since it can touch other visitors and cause them inconvenience, but you will be able to control a bag worn over your shoulder.

Don’t be lazy and put a small bag or bundle in your bag in which you can put your removed shoes (in some temples the exit is not where the entrance is, and you will be asked to take your shoes with you, but they may not give you a shoe bag). In addition, you can use the package for its intended purpose - garbage collection. Don’t be surprised, but in Japan there are very few trash cans, and if you want to throw out garbage, you can carry it with you for quite a long time, but if you have a container with you, then your hands will be free, and your nerves will be free.

Planning is the key to success

If you think that you can come to Japan and quickly visit a lot of interesting places, you are deeply mistaken. Be sure to plan your route and the places you want to visit (just without fanaticism, keep in mind that on average in one day in Japan you can visit from 3 to 4 temples, you simply don’t have enough time for more).

The more carefully you plan, the easier it will be for you to travel.

Secret signs

The Japanese are a peculiar people who have their own problems, the observance of which is of course not necessary, but desirable.

For example, if in Russia it is necessary to block the passage to a particular place, they put up a fence and fence, and also hang a huge sign, what do they do in Japan? On the path where you don't need to go further, you can see a smaller version of the Japanese Torii gate, which will fit perfectly into the landscape and will not interfere with the passage, but you should not go there. A sign warning of a closed passage is a stone tied with a rope. And that’s it, no gates, locks or fences, the Japanese unquestioningly follow such instructions and expect the same from foreigners.

There is one thing that not even all Japanese know about. In temples you can often find a path made of large stones, in the spaces between which grows magnificently beautiful green grass, and this grass has been grown for several years and is very capricious. If you want to get off the rock and connect with nature, think twice!!! You will kill the grass and it will take several more years to grow a replacement.

Admire nature like true Japanese, from afar and modestly.

1. SOCKET ADAPTER

In Japan, type A sockets with lower voltage (110 V) are used. Lower voltage is considered less dangerous to human health and life, and higher voltage is easier and cheaper to implement technically. Therefore, as you can see, Japan does not skimp on the safety of its citizens. But this is not about that now.

Since all our household appliances and equipment are adapted for high-voltage type C sockets (220 V), in Japan you cannot do without an adapter.

Using the adapter is very simple: you insert it into a Japanese socket, and into the adapter - the plug of the device. After this, for better operation of the device, change the indicator in the switch, if there is one (devices sometimes have switches from 220V to 110V).

Where can I buy such an adapter? In online stores, household appliance stores, even at the airport (since I forgot, I bought it in Kansai). But it’s better to stock up in advance, as it’s more expensive at the airport.

2.DOLLARS/YEN

“Of course, you can’t go anywhere without money!” - you say. And you'll be right. But we are talking about the choice of currency if you want to carry cash with you. DO NOT TAKE EUROS OR YOUR COUNTRY'S CURRENCY IN ANY EVENT! You just won't change anywhere. Or spend half of your trip looking for a unique exchanger. The best and easiest way is to carry cash in dollars, but if you found yen in your country, were able to buy them at a favorable rate and just don’t want to exchange dollars for yen upon arrival, you can immediately take it with you Japanese currency. But it’s easier for me in dollars. And there are no problems with the exchange: dollars can be changed right at the airport, very quickly and at a good rate. So to each his own. Just remember: EITHER DOLLARS OR YEN. For some, these are basic things, but miscalculations with the choice of currency occur regularly, especially among those who are traveling abroad for the first time.

3.TABLETS

You must understand that you are flying to a country with a different climate, food, and lifestyle. Whether you like it or not, the first few days you will have to acclimatize (the process of getting your body used to a new climate and conditions). To make it go faster and easier, I advise you to take medications with you.

In addition, you are flying by plane, most often with transfers, and for almost a day, which means that someone may become ill even before Japan. Like me, for example. So I advise you to take anti-nausea pills.

But now you’ve already arrived normally, got your hands on the food you’ve been wanting to try for so long, and let’s eat everything: raw fish, which you’ve never eaten in your life, and a bunch of rice for the day, and ramen, and sweets made from beans. How do you think your stomach will respond to all this? That's it. So stock up on productivity pills to save the poor guy from self-destruction

Moreover, I already wrote about how difficult it is in Japan to buy pills without a prescription = going to the doctor. Pharmacies, of course, sell all sorts of antipyretic nonsense, but it doesn’t help much. So take flu or cold pills with you just in case. To get sick during climate change is to spit out.

For those who suffer from migraines, I also advise you to immediately take with you a painkiller, preferably a universal one, so that it will help with any pain.

4.WARM THINGS

This applies to trips during the cold season (from November to April). Don't underestimate Japanese winters. I already wrote that in Japan there is no central heating, so you will need warm clothes at least for your home. In addition, in Japan, even at above-zero temperatures it can be very cold due to high humidity, so do not forget to bring outerwear, a couple of sweaters, warm pajamas and socks, and, if possible, thermal underwear. Something will come in handy. Of course, you can buy it on the spot, but with a busy cultural program or business trip schedule, you may not have time for it.

5.SOUVENIRS

Having met the Japanese in Japan and experienced their friendliness and generosity, you will want to give them something as a souvenir, so I advise you to take souvenirs with you.

JUST DO NOT TAKE PAINTED PLATES, EGGS, BOXES, PICTURES AND OTHER DUST COLLECTORS! The Japanese laugh at foreigners who give bulky things, not realizing at all that they are putting their friends in an awkward position. Apartments in Japan are small, many have nowhere to even put a washing machine, so you have to go to the laundry, and here you are with your non-functional little thing. And there will be nowhere to put it, and my conscience will not allow it to be thrown away.

So I advise you to bring sweets in beautiful packaging for gifts (you already know that the Japanese care more about how the gift looks) or original alcohol (usually they really like our mead, pepper, zubrovka), which you cannot buy in Japan. The more Cyrillic characters on the package, the better. And don’t worry about not getting it! Just wrap it carefully in a bag and place it between your things in your suitcase. Checked!

It was a cold February 2016. The ruble fell, and along with it the number of kilometers that a Russian wallet could afford fell. At the same time, the meaning of the phrase “Now or never” began to dawn on me more and more clearly. In the end, some events in our lives seem to hint that the words of Avicii’s song “One day we leave this world behind, So leave a life you will remember” make more sense than studying the structure of ground beetles in school and that “I should do this, otherwise in old age, etc., etc.” In general, I began to plan the first independent trip in my life, short but memorable, and this automatically determined the dates.

Namely, hanami season. Well, how can you refuse a birthday celebration under sakura??? Yes, yes, it’s cheaper in the “off season”, but hanaaaami! Money from the perennial piggy bank of the perennial pig-shaped envelope “To Japan” summed up that package tours are not my thing, but it was for the best.

It makes no sense to go on tour to Japan! No matter how interesting the companies' offerings were (and no matter how expensive), I personally didn't want to gallop through attractions that didn't say much to me. Well, it doesn’t make much sense for me to go to the Toyota plant if I know as much about cars as you do about the valency of chemical elements (do you understand? Seriously?). Traveling is a part of life, during which you have the chance not only to feel real freedom, to take a break from the race, but also to learn something new about yourself, to test yourself...

Of course, I wouldn’t be so pretentious if the Internet didn’t exist.
The whole search began with him. A little later I will make a separate post with a large list of resources that helped plan the trip. Many of them are in English (if you don't know English, start learning right now)).
Many English-language sources greatly help make the trip much more interesting, cheaper and easier.

HOW?

So. First, I looked at the agencies, the cost of tours (it seemed that multiplying by the rate caused physical pain). Apart from the Magic Tour, nothing interested me. But there were quite contradictory reviews about them.
And at the very beginning, I chose the cities that I wanted to visit most: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Nara, and I wanted them to be present on the tour.
Those companies that offered this opportunity had exorbitant prices or were blacklisted as visa scammers, and I didn’t really want such meetings.

Somehow, while looking through comments on posts in one group about Japan on Facebook (how I got carried away), I came across the company H.I.S. Russia. There were good reviews about it. On the website I found tour options, but most of all I liked the visa-flight-hotel combination. I probably could have offered this combination to myself (and not even taken any money from myself, ha-ha), but I wasn’t sure that a girl without a job, even married and with money, alone, wouldn’t arouse suspicion at the border in an attempt run away from your spouse. I have little idea how exactly those entering the country are filtered, but 2% of foreigners in the population is saying something (although upon arrival I thought that they might be missing in the Tokyo subway).

Of course, they called me from the embassy and politely asked why I wanted to visit Japan, why I was going without my husband, which countries I had already been to, etc. (this is the dream of my life and my husband is a terrible aerophobe (is there a cure for this?) and what by the time he gets to Japan by train and ferry, I will already be back). I think the fact that you are flying through a large company guarantees a visa more than anything else. Of course, I could be wrong. I'm not Edison). Today it is easier to obtain a visa, because... an invitation from the host party and a letter from a guarantor are not required when organizing a trip independently. You are free to choose exactly those hotels that best suit your budget, and not those recommended by the travel agency. According to Infox.ru, now to apply for a visa, Russian citizens only need to confirm their financial solvency by presenting a bank statement, a salary certificate from their place of work or from the tax service. It is also enough to have a booking confirmation from the airline, and not an issued ticket, as before. Plus, tourists will not need confirmation from the hotel if the trip does not go beyond standard tours.

In 2016, unfortunately, I did not experience all the delights of visa regime simplification, but you have every opportunity! In any case, newcomers can now contact the company for a partial package of services.

The words “Your visa has been approved” seem capable of causing euphoria... until the cost calculations begin.

HOW MANY

HOTELS (economy option) 87,400 yen at the then exchange rate of 61,180 rubles
JR PASS for 7 days 29,110 yen = 20,377 rubles (unlimited travel on railways and parts of the Japanese metro - savings if you plan to visit more than two cities, but I also liked to travel freely on the Yamanoto Line. Plus insurance if I get confused in the subway exits – you don’t have to go around the stations, they are huge in Japan – you just go into the subway again and get out from a different exit (like ours))
TOTAL 138,218 rubles (air+visa+hotel+JR PASS)

Yes, there was still the Internet. I also bought it from an agency.
3600 rubles for 10 days. A small box is a Wi-Fi router. Simply priceless in Japan. It requires a battery (like a smartphone), otherwise by the evening you will have to rely on your natural sense of space and the forgotten language of your ancestors (gestures, drawings, a random set of phrases).

By the way, everything was funny with the ruble exchange rate. I made an agreement with the agency, but I got sick and couldn’t come to pay. Just a couple of days later, the yen exchange rate changed due to certain events in Japan (it seems that this was the introduction of a negative interest rate, which weakened the yen exchange rate). As a result, in a couple of days I won back almost 10 thousand rubles! (thanks Kurodo!). It’s a pity that not all tour positions were denominated in yen:((the ticket was pegged to the euro, as far as I remember).

In general, from the moment I found out that I was given a visa, I began to actively collect information so that the trip would leave the most positive impressions. I am an analyst by profession, and I like to thoroughly collect a lot of information, analyze it and draw conclusions.

This is what my diary looked like after several days of collecting information.

When my husband saw a dozen pages covered in writing, he made a “hand-face” and lost hope that I wouldn’t get lost in Japan.

The main questions I needed to answer when planning my trip: Where and How? Those. where I want and how to get there. And what you need to take with you.

MUST HAVE

My list of must-haves in Japan in April, slightly updated after the trip

Adapters. My dad gave me one (dad has everything)))). Previously, these were always found in boxes with Japanese equipment. Now, apparently, the packaging of goods for each region is carried out more scrupulously. I needed a lot of adapters (it’s good that one was included with the router, and I could use it periodically). I had to charge a camera, a phone, a netbook (I used it to upload photos and store materials for the trip), a battery to charge a smartphone or router while traveling... You can buy these things in Japan, but I didn’t get to the store right away (then I bought it in Hankyu Tokyo) .

Comfortable sneakers and lots of socks. Did I write comfortable? No! SOOO comfortable. If you are planning a marathon in Japan, then prepare for it as you would for a marathon: you cannot do without comfortable clothes.
Even if you really want to impress everyone in Harajuku, it’s better to think a hundred times before bringing giant platform shoes and super-tight dress pants. It is better to plan carefully what clothes and shoes to take for racking up the kilometers. Those active travelers who have the step counting app installed will be able to rejoice and eat donuts right now. Although the most important thing (if the previous arguments sounded unconvincing) is the flight. Unless your body has been bitten by a spider and it is not significantly different from a human body, then after a flight (at least 10 hours of sitting in one position), your limbs may noticeably swell. Personally, I couldn’t put on my wedding ring, which had previously even dangled a little on my finger.

The first three days the sneakers were incredibly tight, and it seemed to me that my legs would come off. Therefore, in addition to making sure to take water on the plane, I advise you to take comfortable, non-rigid shoes. And it’s better to try to sit not by the window, but closer to the aisle, so that it is more convenient to get up and walk around from time to time. There won't be much to see out the window, and you'll need your legs on your first day in Japan.

Sweets, gingerbread, brown bread, etc. No, not for myself, although I do not rule out that there will be nothing to eat or someone may miss their native food in a couple of days, but in fact, this is a good way to thank one of the Japanese or friends who want to show Japan. It’s just nice to treat people and rejoice with them. This can also be accepted (depending on the society you find yourself in).

Medicines and... a mask. Medicines are very necessary, it doesn’t even make sense to write why. I myself have health problems. I was very afraid of exacerbations. Fortunately, everything worked out. Insurance is not mandatory in Japan, but I did. Take activated charcoal and paracetamol, antihstaminics, or at least a couple of chamomile bags (for the throat) with you. By the way, you’ve probably heard that almost all Japanese wear masks? A lot of people actually wore them. And I sometimes observed that the Japanese are very wary of someone who coughs without a mask.

At the beginning of April, it is quite cool in Japan, and even many Japanese people were coughing and blowing their noses.

I apparently followed their example, because... Five days later I already picked up something. I won’t go into details, but next time I would take a mask with me and ride the subway in it. Moreover, this does not cause any reaction in anyone, unlike, perhaps, a man in a mask in our subway. Some might think I'm exaggerating. Well) Personally, I can’t boast of immunity and a starring role in advertising for Immunele, so I advise everyone who is going for the first time to buy funny Japanese masks - there will be another souvenir and a necessary thing in winter during epidemics.

Where you will store information about the trip (for a short trip, and even for not very short ones, the plan is very important, it is better to always have it at hand).

Thermos. Depending on the weather.

There are many vending machines with delicious drinks in Japan. I fell in love with sweet milk tea (yes, I'm one of those weirdos) - just the right amount of warming insulin into the blood during long trips. But spending 100 rubles each time (translated into ours) was not the most budget option for me. They can also be spent on something more useful. For example, buy a thermos in Japan. Japan is the land of food (and water) to go! What are all these bentos with delicious fillings worth?

But the thermoses here are also very cool. I bought mine from Don Quixote. I was disappointed to read later that it was made in Thailand (:/), but then, walking in the rain along the cold streets with hot tea, I felt in seventh heaven (just above that rainy cloud that was showering me).

Japanese thermoses, even those made in Thailand, retain heat perfectly. I had a thermos that I took to work. So by lunchtime the soup was semi-warm. And then I was even stunned, because the drink was hot for 8 hours. True, there was another problem - pour boiling water in - boiling water and you will drink (Ksyusha, whom I met in Tokyo, will confirm, because she could not cool the baby’s mixture in the same thermos while we were walking). I walked around like that a couple of times with my burnt tongue sticking out. You think, “I’ll pour boiling water on it, it’ll cool down and it’ll be just right.” But no! So keep this in mind when you buy Japanese thermoses - they do their job without being messy. In general, thermoses in Japan as a gift for yourself and loved ones are a great idea.

Bag. Yen bag. I don’t know where the Japanese keep all these coins, but I had a whole bag of them (or rather, a router case). It is inconvenient to take out and count. Change from purchases was piling up, but there was nowhere to sort it. Maybe I’m the only “dense forest”, but I had heard that in Japan they love cash, so I didn’t take the card (and, it seems to me, it’s easier to lose it than a heavy bag of coins worth 100, 50, 10, 5 etc. yen). In general, you can make it easier for yourself to store coins by having an appropriate wallet.

In principle, you can buy everything in Japan (socks and sneakers too, but sneakers there were a little expensive for me), but I chose not to waste time and money. And I didn’t want to carry a lot with me, so as to leave more space in my bag for all sorts of things from Japan. I was still hesitant to buy an umbrella, I wanted something cute, but I only came across transparent ones. As a result, I got very wet in Osaka and still bought a healthy transparent umbrella (it turned out to be very cool, it seems to be under the umbrella, but everything is visible around).

I arrived with a backpack and a half-empty bag with laundry, gifts and a netbook, which contained information collected for the trip.

And I collected a lot of information. The following posts, if you liked it, will contain all the necessary resources and the story of how I looked for friends in Japan. There will be a lot of letters, but true lovers of Japan will appreciate it, and it will save me from girlish forgetfulness for the next trip.

Like? Set up a tent!