Are you going to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020? Don’t know what to bring? 

Along with clothes, toothbrushes, razors, and other regular travel items, here are 5 things I would make sure I brought with me, if I was on a trip to Japan.

1. SPARE DEODORANT

Whether you lose your deodorant or run out on the trip, in my opinion, having an extra deodorant handy is an imperative. 

Why? Because there is no substitute for good American antiperspirant deodorant! Some products in Japan way outshine their American counterparts, but deodorant is not one of them. 

On that note, if you’re planning on being there a while, I suggest you pack an extra bottle of toothpaste, as well. This is another product that is very different in Japan. 

2. PAINKILLERS

I’m talking about your everyday over-the-counter painkillers (ibuprofen and acetaminophen). Bring only a small supply to last your trip, but do make sure you have it. 

Japan only gives these pain medicine as a prescription, so getting ahold of a 200 mg tablet of ibuprofen to fend off that headache of yours isn’t going to be as easy as it is for you in America. 

So, skip the drama, and just bring your own. 

3. (LADIES) TAMPONS

If you want to go swimming while you are in Japan and you’re due for your monthly cycle, I suggest you bring your own tampons. 

While Japan does sell them, they are significantly smaller than the options you’d find in America. 

But if pads are your go-to option, and you don’t plan on swimming, Japan does have a wide variety to choose from! And I would go so far as to say that, in the case of pads, Japan beats America on variety and quality!

4. ATM OR DEBIT CARD

If you have money put away for the trip but don’t feel like carrying your cash with you all around (who can blame you?), get an ATM card or a Debit card from the bank or credit union you go to in America, so that you can have access to those funds while in Japan. 

Once you have the card, don’t forget to alert your bank or credit union that you are traveling oversees! Some banks and credit unions will block your account if funds are being withdrawn from a foreign location without prior warning. 

No one wants to be in a foreign country without access to their money, so let them know where you’ll be and when! 

And then, you should be set to go to Japan! Carry some cash with you–enough for snacks and food at the airports, plus any you think you might need in an emergency. If you have extra American dollars when you arrive in Japan, you can exchange it for yen at the Narita Airport.

While you’re staying in Japan, if you need to withdraw extra funds, 7-Eleven convenience stores and post offices will have ATMs that allow you to do that. And don’t worry about not understanding which buttons to push–you can change the screen options to display the text in English! 

5. A GOOD CAMERA

Japan is a big deal! You’ll feel enamored by their different way of life. You’ll find yourself wanting to take pictures on sidewalks, at train stations, in front of convenience stores, along with all the typical tourist attractions.

And if you don’t have a camera, you’re going to miss out! 

Now, most of you have smart phones with good, high-quality cameras. That is all you need! Make sure you have plenty of space, though, so you can take as many pictures as you want! 

Another plus to bringing a smart phone as a camera is that Japan offers free wi-fi at most convenience stores. Although some of them make you sign up for their program to receive their wi-fi, keep 7-Eleven in mind as they don’t require your information to use their wi-fi (also note: 7-Eleven is not a gas station in Japan). 

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Comment below! Ask me what you’d like to know about traveling to or living in Japan!

Like what you’re reading? Get new content delivered straight to your inbox!