(Feature Image of us after we drank at Shinjuku)
What should you pack?
The most important things to have with you is your PASSPORT, wallet, phone, a black or blue PEN, digital/hard copy of your passport. The first 3 are common sense, but some people might be thinking why a pen is necessary. You need to fill out your customs form before arriving, so bring a pen. You need to have a digital copy (a picture on your phone) AND a hard copy (copy on paper) of your passport just in case you lose your passport or your passport is stolen.
The next thing to think about is clothes. If you’re traveling during winter months, we suggest bringing one or two long-sleeved shirts, a couple pairs of jeans/long pants, warm jacket. After you arrive, you can head over to UNIQLO and buy HEATTECH, which is an inner-layer to keep you warm. So, traveling during winter means you need to pack more clothes. If you travel during summer, Japan is hot and humid, so you can pack t-shirts, shorts. Traveling during spring and fall can be tricky because temperatures will go up and down, so check we recommend checking weather reports before you leave.
You can take your laptop, noise canceling headphones, camera, etc.
What not to pack?
Beef products, opioids, (obviously) drugs, firearms, weapons, not more than $10,000 in cash, etc. For a list, check out this link.
Are you traveling to multiple areas of Japan and don’t want to drag around your heavy luggage on the trains and/or shinkansen? We have the solution for you!
Yamato Transport created for “scenes” to help travelers enjoy their trip even more:
Scene 1: Send your luggage to the hotel from the airport
Most flights from Hawaii will arrive in Japan at night, so you can’t send your big luggage after arriving and get it the same day. If you pack a set of clothes and other essentials in your carry-on or a smaller suitcase you check in and if you don’t mind getting your luggage the next day, you can send your big luggage. Please check the airport you are landing in to see if a counter is available and their business hours.
Scene 2: Luggage Delivery Between Hotels
This is a service that Brandon uses frequently because he and his travel buddies visit different areas of Japan in the same trip. If you send your luggage to your next hotel, the hotel staff will might put your luggage in your room before you even arrive! Now that’s service!
Scene 3: Luggage Storage and Tourist Information Services
This service is useful for travelers from Hawaii because flights from Japan depart at night and arrive in Hawaii in the morning. If you want to do some sightseeing before your flight, you can leave your luggage at a service counter, go sightseeing, shopping, eating or drinking, pick up or luggage, and then catch a limousine bus or train to the airport.
Scene 4: Travel to ski resorts and golf courses hands free
For skiers, snowboarders, and golfers, you can take your gear to a service counter and they will send it to your destination.
Jet-Set Japan 