If you guys are planning on coming to japan any time soon, there are some things that you should definitely bring with you!
These are just a few of the things that I didn't realize were really hard to come by in Japan, and I highly suggest that you guys bring them with you!!!
1. Imiwa application : http://apple.co/1df2zrV
This application not only translates Japanese to English and vice versa, but it also will
give sample sentences and phrases as examples to help you understand the meaning
of the word! This application has saved me so many times in everyday life and in
studying Japanese, and I suggest you guys download it too!
2. Deodorant
The thing with deodorant is that you CAN find it in Japan, but it is either super
expensive for not that much product, or it comes in not very effective formulas. If you
are attached to a favorite brand, bring a few sticks with you so you don't have to deal
with searching for an equivalent in Japan!
3. Above 7 size shoes
For me, this wasn't a huge problem, but for many of my friends who come to Japan
and are super psyched about buying Japanese shoes and clothing, it is really hard to
find shoes above size 7 or clothes larger than an American size medium. This is
simply because there is no market for them in Japan due to the overall smaller size
of the general population there. Be aware and bring your own size with you if you
are larger than these sizes.
4. Medicine/Bug spray
Anything having to do with chemicals or medicines, I would say buy it where you
fully understand the language so there will be no misunderstandings or mistaken
dosages, because things can get harmful. If it is allowed in customs, bring your bug
spray or allergy medicines with you, because it is hard to find or describe what you are
looking for if you are not proficient at the language.
5. Hand towel
Japanese bathrooms rarely have paper towels, and if they have any form of hand-
drying contraption it is usually a dryer, which people have to wait in line for. I
recommend bringing a washable hand towel so you don't have to deal with wet hands
or long lines.
6. Tampons/Lady products
I'm not sure why, but Japan is not a huge producer or consumer of tampons, so I have
heard that these products are not of the best quality if you buy them in Japan, so bring
your own!
7. Setting spray
To this day, I have not found any other products that help me keep my makeup on
in the Japanese humidity besides a really good setting spray. I know there are a ton
of brands out there, but the one that I found works the best for me is the Urban Decay
De-slick Makeup Setting Spray.
8. Pocket Wi-fi
When I was in South Korea, there was so much free wi-fi everywhere, it was amazing,
and I was surprised to see that this was not the same in Japan. Besides 7-eleven and
Starbucks, there is a lack of wi-fi that you can connect to without having to sign in to
random websites or paying. If you are like me and tend to get lost a ton, or are
planning on visiting some out-of-the-way areas, set up an international data plan with
your phone company, or buy a pocket wi-fi so that you won't run in to any situations
where you are stranded and have no idea where to go.
BONUS #1: Respect for the culture
This is pretty self explanatory, but make sure to respect the people and the culture in
any country that you go to. These people are living their lives and do not enjoy having
random photos or videos shot of them. If you do want footage or photos with a
Japanese person, please be sure to ask them for their permission first. Going along
with that, remember that this is a different culture, so if you see something that they
do that is different with your own culture, don't just deem it as 'weird' automatically,
give it a shot and you might actually learn to love it!
BONUS #2: Have fun!!!!
These are just a few of the things that I didn't realize were really hard to come by in Japan, and I highly suggest that you guys bring them with you!!!
1. Imiwa application : http://apple.co/1df2zrV
This application not only translates Japanese to English and vice versa, but it also will
give sample sentences and phrases as examples to help you understand the meaning
of the word! This application has saved me so many times in everyday life and in
studying Japanese, and I suggest you guys download it too!
2. Deodorant
The thing with deodorant is that you CAN find it in Japan, but it is either super
expensive for not that much product, or it comes in not very effective formulas. If you
are attached to a favorite brand, bring a few sticks with you so you don't have to deal
with searching for an equivalent in Japan!
3. Above 7 size shoes
For me, this wasn't a huge problem, but for many of my friends who come to Japan
and are super psyched about buying Japanese shoes and clothing, it is really hard to
find shoes above size 7 or clothes larger than an American size medium. This is
simply because there is no market for them in Japan due to the overall smaller size
of the general population there. Be aware and bring your own size with you if you
are larger than these sizes.
4. Medicine/Bug spray
Anything having to do with chemicals or medicines, I would say buy it where you
fully understand the language so there will be no misunderstandings or mistaken
dosages, because things can get harmful. If it is allowed in customs, bring your bug
spray or allergy medicines with you, because it is hard to find or describe what you are
looking for if you are not proficient at the language.
5. Hand towel
Japanese bathrooms rarely have paper towels, and if they have any form of hand-
drying contraption it is usually a dryer, which people have to wait in line for. I
recommend bringing a washable hand towel so you don't have to deal with wet hands
or long lines.
6. Tampons/Lady products
I'm not sure why, but Japan is not a huge producer or consumer of tampons, so I have
heard that these products are not of the best quality if you buy them in Japan, so bring
your own!
7. Setting spray
To this day, I have not found any other products that help me keep my makeup on
in the Japanese humidity besides a really good setting spray. I know there are a ton
of brands out there, but the one that I found works the best for me is the Urban Decay
De-slick Makeup Setting Spray.
8. Pocket Wi-fi
When I was in South Korea, there was so much free wi-fi everywhere, it was amazing,
and I was surprised to see that this was not the same in Japan. Besides 7-eleven and
Starbucks, there is a lack of wi-fi that you can connect to without having to sign in to
random websites or paying. If you are like me and tend to get lost a ton, or are
planning on visiting some out-of-the-way areas, set up an international data plan with
your phone company, or buy a pocket wi-fi so that you won't run in to any situations
where you are stranded and have no idea where to go.
BONUS #1: Respect for the culture
This is pretty self explanatory, but make sure to respect the people and the culture in
any country that you go to. These people are living their lives and do not enjoy having
random photos or videos shot of them. If you do want footage or photos with a
Japanese person, please be sure to ask them for their permission first. Going along
with that, remember that this is a different culture, so if you see something that they
do that is different with your own culture, don't just deem it as 'weird' automatically,
give it a shot and you might actually learn to love it!
BONUS #2: Have fun!!!!
XOXO,
Meowko
Meowko
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