Written by:
Matthew

5 Things to bring from home

Are you planning to go to Japan but confused what to bring with you from home? No need to panic. Here are the top 5 things you must bring with you from home to get the most out of your trip to Japan. Check them out!

If you are a student visiting Japan for the first time, it can get a little overwhelming. The country, the language, the food, the culture, etc. can all be a little intimidating. Being well-prepared will mitigate any potential difficulties to a considerable extent. With the growing popularity of Japan as a student destination, I have decided to make a list of5 things that you would do well to bring to Japan from home. Of course, if you are going to visit Japan for an internship through Zentern, then you will be briefed in detail and your transition will be that much smoother

If you are short on time, here is a quick glance at all the five:

5 Things To Bring To Japan From Your Home Country

 

1. Slip-on Shoes

2. A Good Camera

3. Gifts 

4. Japanese Guidebooks and Physical Maps

5. Stomach Upset Medicines

Now, without further ado let us get started.

5 Things To Bring To Japan From Your Home Country

  

1.         Slip-on Shoes

As someone who is used to wearing shoes with laces all the time, it was a bit difficult for me in Japan at first. When you get to Japan, you will be removing your footwear a lot – whether to go to your friend’s house, a temple, etc. Going inside a place with shoes is a big no-no inJapanese culture. Having slip-on shoes will make your life much easier inJapan; trust me!

2.         A Good Camera 

Japan is a breathtakingly beautiful place and extremely photogenic. You will likely need more than just your phone’s camera there. I recommend a DSLR for best results. Of course, if that is beyond your budget, then you can do just fine with a digital camera.

 

3.         Gifts

Japan has a widespread gift-giving culture. If you can carry something from your home country, then you will definitely win a lot of hearts.Of course, if you are on a student budget, then you don’t need to break the bank. The gifts that you get don’t have to be lavish or extravagant in any way.For example, if you are coming from France, you could carry a couple of local wine bottles with you.

4.         Japanese Guidebooks and Physical Maps

If you think that you are going to just “wing it” using google maps, then you are in for a bit of a shock. Buildings in Japan are not numbered by location, but by their history and size! Physical maps will come in handy for this reason.

 With regards to the guidebook, it will give you a head-start with respect to Japan. It is always good to know the main dos and don'ts about the place that you plan to visit. I would go as far as to say that it is evenmore necessary in a place like Japan, especially for tourists from Western countries. The last thing you want to do is to offend the locals by being ignorant of the local traditions and customs, or inadvertently wandering off to potentially unsafe areas that locals tend to avoid.

 

5.         Stomach Upset Medicines 

 While the Japanese are extremely hygienic, it would be in your interests to carry stomach upset/diarrhoea medicines with you as the local food will take some time getting used to. However, be warned that the Japanese officials are very strict when it comes to medications. Have a prescription from your doctor ready, signed and stamped, to show to officials in case you need to.

 

Conclusion

That brings us to the end of this brief article. I hope you enjoyed reading this piece. Until next time! Enjoy your stay in Japan.