What to bring to Japan?

[sillygirl]

What Gomigirl says. I, too, love books, and it costs a LOT of money to send them back home when it's time to leave.

Costing me 1000 dollars to send 11 years worth of shit back. That's 10 boxes 30cmX40cmX50cm, plus my mountain bike.

I think it has been said before, you accumulate a lot of stuff here, so travel light!

When are you coming over, and how long are you planning to stay?

[jim katta]

As an avid reader myself, I say don't bring books - too heavy and no place to store them in a small apartment. Go to one of the many many second hand book shops and buy and sell your books.

gomi is right about the heavy stuff. but I was talking about bringing maybe three huge books (500-1000 pages-think Neal Stephenson) you know you want to read. that's why I say 'avid reader' because otherwise it won't be worth it to you to lug even a few books.

hmmm, second hand shops... I'm always worried about second hand books/magazines...never know where those pages have been.

[kuru]

When are you coming over, and how long are you planning to stay?

i'll be there (Tokyo, Takushoku University), around March 15-20th.
i'll be there 2 year (for starters); studying japanese.

[Charles]

[quote="kuru"]i'll be there (Tokyo, Takushoku University), around March 15-20th.
i'll be there 2 year (for starters)]
What level are you at with your Japanese? I would strenuously recommend you not bring any books in your native language, it will hinder your studies. You'd be amazed at how much more rapidly you'll progress if you have to deal with only Japanese books, magazines, etc. even if you're a beginner at Japanese and don't get much out of it at first.

You can read your books when you get back home. Don't even bring reference books or dictionaries, you can get all that in Japan.

[sillygirl]

When are you coming over, and how long are you planning to stay?

i'll be there (Tokyo, Takushoku University), around March 15-20th.
i'll be there 2 year (for starters)]

Good luck, future Fucked Gaijin! Enjoy!

[Maths Dude]

Thanks for reminding me Charles, I gotta start reading my j-manga's again! (it wont teach me polite japanese though probably hehe)

[L S]

Medicine!
I gotta reemphasize FG Lurker's point on medicine's. The over-the-counter stuff here tends to be weak compared to the west and is expensive. Cold medicine, pain medicine, diarrhea medicine, antiacid, vitamins, anti-itch cream, etc. Bring a good supply! ....sorry for the repeat

SHOES! good shoes are $$$. Big feet 27cm+ are hard to find shoes for. Bring good comfy shoes for both casual and suit...easy to wear out quickly because you tend to walk much more here. I kill 2 pairs of shoes every 6 months.

Good luck and enjoy being a F*cked Gaijin

[Mini_B]

Besides things to bring to Japan...you should also DO some things before you come to Japan.

1) Go to the dentist - Japanese dentist = scary
2) Eat some good pizza - J-Pizza blows
3) Go to an all nude titty bar (and get a real lap dance)
4) Smoke lots of weed - it's hard to find until you meet some peeps

Things that you shouldn't bring:

1) STD's...don't contaminate the J-girls !!
2) books - way too heavy
3) hair clippers (they won't work - it's 100V here)
4) brass knuckles - you'll get in trouble
5) your GF or wife !!!!

Things to bring

1) Condoms
2) Deodorant
3) Money
4) WiFi Laptop

[Big Booger]

Besides things to bring to Japan...you should also DO some things before you come to Japan.

1) Go to the dentist - Japanese dentist = scary

Things that you shouldn't bring:

3) hair clippers (they won't work - it's 100V here)

1) I disagree.. depends on the dentist.. In fact the two dentists' offices that I've been to in Japan have been by far the best in my experience. Professional, fast, and CHEAP!!! But I had to go there like 7 times in a month just for a cleaning.. that sucked.

3)I brought hair clippers, and they work fine at 100V. I did have to adjust the speed screw on the side, but they work fine and have saved me tons.. MARUKOME style all the way in the summer baby!!!

[Guile]

Do you need voltage adaptors for digital clocks?

[Taro Toporific]

Do you need voltage adaptors for digital clocks?

Sheeeee-it, don't bother with bring cheap crap. For 500 to 1,000 yen you can buy a new one and no doubt somebody work with will just give you one if you say you need one.

Do you need voltage adaptors for digital clocks?

Who knows, since it depends on the clock?

[Ketou]

Do you need voltage adaptors for digital clocks?

Sheeeee-it, don't bother with bring cheap crap. For 500 to 1,000 yen you can buy a new one and no doubt somebody work with will just give you one if you say you need one.

LOL. That's right. The bloody thing was probably made in Japan!

I wouldn't bother bringing heavy things (books etc) unless you really have to. English books can easily be bought here. If the major books stores don't have what you want order through Amazon.jp. Why jp? Because they will get the books from Amazon in America and only charge you the domestic freight!

I don't even think getting large shoes is as much of a problem as it used to be. Be minimalist. Normally half the shit you bring you wont use/need.

[Guile]

Do you need voltage adaptors for digital clocks?

Sheeeee-it, don't bother with bring cheap crap. For 500 to 1,000 yen you can buy a new one and no doubt somebody work with will just give you one if you say you need one.

LOL. That's right. The bloody thing was probably made in Japan!

China, but close enough.

[zentogo]

1. As much cash as possible

2. A large Bottle of Advil

3. Western Condoms (Just in case But you should wait for marriage)

4. Pictures of Western Girl who you can claim are your girl friends to impress Japanese Girls.

5. Lots of TShirts with Correct English Printed on them, so you can be the coolest person with the best grammar.

6. A Pocket English Grammar Guide so You can be the GO to Gaijin on the Street.

7. Lucky 7 -- a dvd set of CSI so you can figure out how to kill your first boss, I bet you will want to.


Thats All Good Luck .

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

3. Western Condoms (Just in case But you should wait for marriage)

8 Bring some sanity, never marry a japanese girl before you have been with her a few times.
After marriage they can be so messed up, especialy the gaijin hunter type.

[Maths Dude]

Don't forget your penis enlargement device. The japanese ones may not quite fit.