Embedded Files
Travel Insurance- Please purchase trip cancellation insurance. This site is one of several that compare options.
Register your travel with the state department's : Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. I'll add everyone who enters the data on my registration.
Most airlines are now flying a Boeing 787 from San Francisco or Los Angeles to Osaka, Japan.
Considerations:
- It can get cold on the aircraft- Wear comfortable, appropriate (no flannel pj bottoms) layers.
- It is a longggggg flight - Bring books, music, games, etc. Bring extra batteries or battery packs.
- You will be fed, but snacks are suggested.
- You are allowed one personal item and one carry on. A backpack is handy as the carry on.
- Check below for TSA guidelines as to what you can carry on.
- The airline will provide a small pillow and lightweight blanket on the long flights.
Bags :
Japanese homes are generally very small. While, there will probably not be much room for you to store your things. You will have to handle your bags up and down long flights of stairs. Pack lightly! You will be able to wash your clothes in the ryokan in Kyoto and Takayama has laundromats close, depending on where we stay. (I like to do laundry and typically was the laundry lady.)Plan on taking one small or medium bag and a backpack/carry on and purse or handbag.Note :
Check your airline (United or American / JAL). Restrictions and fees change! Weight guidelines are strictly enforced by the airline. Penalties are assessed. Typically for oversees flights you are allowed a maximum of two, 50 pound bags, one carryon (backpacks work well) and a purse Remember, travel LIGHT. You will have gifts and souvenirs to bring home. Suggested bring one medium to large suitcase and a backpack. Pack an extra bag if you think you will bring more home. We'll have to handle our own luggage traveling from Takayama to Hirayu kan Ryokan on a highway bus and you'll have to move your own luggage to our charter when we use that.
TSA: Transportation Service Administration
Please visit the TSA sight and read traveling guidelines.
3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less (by volume) ; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3.4 ounce (100ml) container size is a security measure.
There are luggage carts in the airports to help when moving through customs. You may not bring any fresh produce into or out of Japan. Suggest bringing an extra shirt, jacket/sweatshirt, ALL MEDICATIONS, reading material, etc. in your carryon. It gets cold on the airplane (and it is a very longgggggggggg flight)!
* One suitcase is suggested but it is up to you. I often take one and come home with two.
Arrival Kansai (KIX) Immigration Procedures
Cosmetics:
toothpaste, tooth brush, sunscreen, female products, deodorant ,etc. (no makeup or jewelry are allowed at school), Japanese drugs stores have everything that you might need and are really fun, but you don’t know when you will have access to them and can’t always read what an item is! It is difficult to buy common drugs like ibuprofen. Bring your own. Every place we stay will provide toothbrush, shampoo, and soap. Bring your own... or not.
Medications: Carry them all on. It may be a good idea if you are traveling by yourself to give someone else on the trip a list of any medical issues that you might have. We will talk about this at a later meeting.
There are no immunizations or vaccinations required to enter Japan, but it is a good idea to carry an immunization record and include H1N1 record. Please research your last tetanus shot.
Everyone should bring these for themselves:
- ibuprofen or tylenol (what ever is used for headache)
- antihistamine (lots of mold and new allergens),
- pepto bismol (or something for upsets stomach)
- Band-Aids
- your personal presecriptions
Other clothing:
* Pajamas, comfortable plane clothes, jeans or slacks, sweater/light jacket, long sleeve shirt, socks (several pairs) Note: Each place we stay will provide a yukata (bathrobe) and "house" slippers, as well as tooth brushes, soap and shampoo.* Shoes should be comfortable and easy to take off and put back on. Many public buildings require that you take off your shoes. Lace-up shoes are quite annoying, but will do. You will get used to taking your shoes off and on. Even inside slippers are not permitted on tatami mats. (Flip flops are not appropriate.) Think comfort. We will be walking miles and miles in Kyoto.
Packing Tips:
Extensive Packing lists and Advice
Electricity:
Hair dryers/curling irons and straighteners:
Japan uses 100v electrical current. Bring only electrical appliances (hair blowers/curling irons/straighteners) that have adjustable voltage. Most work ok, just watch that they don't overheat, but..... each room after Takayama has blowers. Kaminaka has one in the bathing area. I don't know about the rooms with baths. They may have them.
Chargers for phones and cameras will work without any special adaptors but you may want to bring a multiple outlet if you have more than one person in the room. At Kaminaka Ryokan there is only one outlet and NO three prong outlets so should you need one bring an adaptor. I always bring one three prong adaptor and a three socket adaptor (I always have a lot to charge).
Photos:
Collect photographs of family and friends, your house, and other parts of your life in the US. These provide ways for you to share and to begin conversations. Electronic version on your phone or Facebook or blog page are other ways to share.
You'd be surprised at how many conversations open up with other people when you are traveling.
This tip was for my students on an exchange, but sometimes you will run into people that you want to share and always nice to have if you miss them. Cell phones have solved this tip.
Passports and Money:
Get something to carry your passport and money in. You can buy yen at several places in San Antonio. I suggest to have at least $100- 200 worth of yen with you when you leave San Antonio, (remember to have some US dollars for the travel part of the trip.) Frost Bank charges $5 to exchange. Check with you bank and see if they can order foreign currency. My Chase card has no charge for exchanging money.
There are money machines in many places in Takayama and Kyoto. Check with your bank to see if your card can be used overseas and what is your limit. There is also a bank in Takayama where US traveler's checks (20's or 50's) can be converted, although the last time I tried I couldn't get travelers checks here!
Some credit cards have no transaction fees at Sirrus.
Japan has no visa requirements for trips fewer than 90 days.
Spending Money: "How much money do I need?"
This is difficult to gauge. You will need money for dinners and lunch during our time in Kyoto and some in Takayama as well as city bus and entry fees.
Wells Fargo or Compass or Frost Bank can sell yen but have fees. Check the rates to get yen here. If you have time you can get yen in San Francisco or Los Angeles at the airport. You should have some yen to start with and can get more once we get to Takayama.
Takayama – spending money and shopping and activities , lunch and dinner, shopping
Kyoto – Japan is expensive and the dollar is up (July 2018 - $1.=110¥) Easier for me to think one dollar = 100 yen.
- some bus or train possible and entrance fees ~3000¥ ($30)
- lunches, dinners, snacks, drinks ~($50 - 100 a day depending on where you eat) A very small
breakfast is served at the Matsubaya Ryokan and very large, traditional Japanese breakfasts at our other lodgings. (Image is of breakfast at Kaminaka Ryokan.)
Miscellaneous to bring:
mp3 player, paperback books, (e-books are great!), magazines, a journal, pens, pencils, gifts (always nice to have a small gift for ryokan, bus drivers, etc who you meet).
Phones
Check with your mobile service provider for international rates. I'll send out nightly reminders via text.
Sim cards for unlocked phones for data only can be purchased and sent to your hotel. One company that has great service is CD Japan.
Japan Connect Free Ap- wifi access in public places
Softbank cell rental- another option
I have used Rentafone several times to have a phone for emergencies. Extra charges can add up. With improved service, your own cell phone is probably the best option.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2223.html
Check with your service. Roaming charges can be very expensive. Texting not so much.
It is possible to use your cell phone in Japan. Check with you provider. I am testing out getting a sim card for an old cell phone that I have and will get back to you about how that works. You can also easily rent a phone
There is wireless internet in your rooms at both Kaminaka and Matsubaya Ryokan and internet in the lobby at Hirayu kan. I have both rented a hotspot device and a sim card that I could put into an unlocked Android cell phone, but
Sim rental (there are many companies that offer)
Google Sites
Report abuse