Japan: What would you pack?

I'm getting excited about our 10–day vacation in April to Japan to
visit friends. Starting to think about what I'm going to pack. I
thought it'd be fun to start this thread (and maybe get some ideas on
what items I might want to get before my trip to round out my luggage).
:–)
So, if you were going to Japan for 10 days in April, what would *you*
pack?
What essential items would you'd pack that are currently in your
closet, assuming you couldn't buy anything new for the trip? What would
be on your "wish list" if you could go shopping to round out your
vacation wardrobe before the trip?
Keep in mind you can't go too crazy – it's all got to fit in only one
modest piece of luggage, since the rest of the luggage allotment is
going to be used up with a large "care package" of items my girlfriend
has asked me to bring for her from the states.
Very interested in what versatile pieces you'd pack that could mix and
match. Points for telling me how you'd mix and match them to get the
most mileage out of a minimum of pieces. And don't forget to list
accessories and shoes (slip–on, of course)!
Finally – bonus points if you can recommend to me a fashion–related
gift idea for my girlfriend, who is Japanese, has everything, is very
fashionable, a clothes horse, and LOVES Jrew and BR, among others. She
loves trendy items and looks great in everything. You'd think that
would make shopping for her easy, but I want to get her something that
she hasn't probably already thought to buy herself, or that she can't
easily get in Japan.
jen

It sounds to me like the best person to ask is your girlfriend! :–)

On 1/30/05 6:17 PM, in article
1107130675.244904.287...@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com, "shinypenny"
<shinypenny0...@yahoo.com> wrote:
How wonderful! I've been backpacking (i.e. Traveled with everything on my
back, not hiking) through Japan twice, and I want to go back. Once I went
in May/June, and the other time I went in Dec.
My #1 suggestion: bring 2 pairs of shoes that are easy to slip on and off.
I discovered that no matter how comfortable my sandals were, after a week of
walking for at least 8hrs/day, I developed some blisters. It's nice to have
shoes to alternate. No sneakers unless they're urban city sneakers (e.g.
Pumas).
My #2 suggestion: bring as little stuff as possible, so that you can buy and
bring back more! I'm a shopping fiend when I travel and always try to buy
stuff that I can't get back home. I actually recommend bringing a duffle
that's folds into a tiny pouch that you can fill with purchases. If you
forgot toiletries et al, don't worry about it –– you can pick them up at
Muji.
My #3 suggestion: if you want to blend in as much as possible, be prepared
to dress up! I don't think that I ever saw anyone who wasn't dressed up in
some specific style. I brought:
– wrinkle–free black tank dress.
– black cardigan.
– v–neck Petite Bateau tees.
– 1 pair jeans.
– 1 pair of wrinkle–free black pants.
– black leather Clark sandals.
– pair of black flipflops.
FYI, Japanese women are really thin, and clothes tend to be expensive. You
may not want to depend on buying clothes there.
Assuming that you're staying in a hotel, they all provide shampoo and soap,
but you should bring a towel. I recommend purchasing a camping microfiber
body towel: compact and dries quickly.
You may want to google my past posts about Japan.
ami

shinypenny <shinypenny0...@yahoo.com> wrote:
Here's the suggestions I got from ppl who have done this trip
several times:
1. Some Japanese currency –– in case you can't get to an
exchange place right away. (first time I went, it turned
out to be a national holiday and all banks were closed)
2. Maps of where you want to go, and the names/addresses
in Japanese to show taxi drivers.
3. A small umbrella – it usually rains every three days
or so then Then, buy a cool, Japanese–style full–size umbrella
to bring back!
4. Same kind of clothes you would wear on the East Coast of U.S.
that time of year –– but realize that people in Japan may dress
more conservatively –– or more stylishly, depending on your point
of view (just as ami kio said)
5. Comfortable shoes – you may end up walking a lot more
there than you do in the U.S., unless you live in NY and take the
subway etc. all the time. (and your size may well be unavailable
easily there.)
6. Use a suitcase with wheels! No exceptions! (Also public
transportation in Japan has little room for any kind of luggage,
you'll need a small bag for that.)
7. Travel size quantities of the makeup/personal care products
you absolutely cannot live without. (There will be lots more
there to try if you wish.)
well, this is the place to ask. but as I tell those near and dear
to me, I'm not well versed in trends.
HTH. Have a great trip.

In article <vfELd.40559$NC6.29...@newsread1.mlpsca01.us.to.verio.net>,
"cycjec"<cyc...@yahoo.com> wrote:
A few comments on this one:
There are currency exchange booths in every terminal (at least at Osaka
Kansai and Tokyo Narita). The exchange rate is not as good as it would
be through a Japanese bank but it's still much better than purchasing
yen through a bank within the US. Also, while I haven't been unfortunate
enough to need it, relatives and business colleagues in Japan always
remind me that I can get help at the ticket counter. Good customer
service isn't just common in Japan. It's practically a religion. Under
the worst case scenario, go to the ticket counter and because you are a
customer who just spent a lot of money with them, they'll help you,
they'll do it with extreme kindness and concern and they'll almost act
apologetic that you had a problem in the first place, though it has
nothing to do with them.
Finally, if you have a Visa debit card, it MAY work in some ATMs in
Japan. Mastercard is less likely to work, as is a Visa card from a
smaller bank. My Bank of America Visa debit card worked in some ATMs.
The one from a smaller chain of local banks did not.
Stacy