What to Pack for Japan

[zena1au]

Ive enjoyed watching your videos for japan ,  but this one is a tad annoying with the background piano music.

[klutch20]

i just packed lots of condoms, i heard in japan only small sizes available

[RENEDU2]

pack the doggy~~~~~~~~~~~

[c8Lorraine1]

Birth control is illegal to purchase in Japan...they use abortion for unwanted pregnancies !!!!!

Take your supply AND a prescription from your doctor saying it is necessary for treatment for a hormonal dysfunction. have a letter from a doctor. ALSO paracetamal is illegal for purchase, so bring ALL your own pain relief WITH a doctor letter stating it is for a medical condition. give leftovers it to an expat who will be most grateful. (From a 6 yr resident)

[brotherannie]

@c8Lorraine1 Birth control is definitely available and legal in Japan, don't worry.

[gateauxQ]

You can only bring one pack of birth control? well that's alrarming. I wonder if you bring your prescription with you if you can get it filled once you arrive. But geez, one more thing to fricken run around worrying about. I'll have to look into this...

[GoLucky1236]

So if you're big on peanut butter you'd want to bring your own? I've heard it's hard to find peanut butter like it is in the states here haha

[GrafSesshomaru]

Thank Kami-sama that you mentioned the plugs and such, I'm going to Japan in....Less than three months and I need an adapter for my computer, thankfully nothing else. But I did not know about the three prong plug thing so ありがとございます！

[dashpash]

I plan on going to Japan for a year in about a year and a half. I am looking at some suitcases that look just like that, from Samsonite. They look nice and big!

[NSSD70MAC]

Also, as far as electronics go, depending on where you go in Japan the frequency of the electricity will be different. Starting in Tokyo if you go North the frequency will be 50Hz if you go South then it will be 60Hz. In the US the frequency is 60Hz so if you go South your electronics should be fine, but if you go North then you need to check if your devices can run on 50Hz. If they can't then you'll need to get a frequency converter.

Cheers, NSSD70MAC

[1Husseini]

who searched for Hikaru Utada on google?

[muffmuffcupcake]

how much was the air fair???

[darkbutanangel]

The dog's like '... woah ... this chick's talking to herself. act like you don't know her.'

[katietutz]

Hey! I am going to Japan for almost 2 weeks and we are leaving on Christmas Day and coming back on the 6th January. What will I wear? How cold will be?

[dustind478]

You can also exchange your US dollars at the LAX international terminal. We did this for our trip to Japan last year.

[whyuthere101]

is that a apple powerbook 4g

[weirdzfully]

ha! "Michelle Phan this" good one!

[KohviKruus]

im 6'5.. can i survive there?

[animelover3321]

if you have a friend in japan could you tell them if they know who utada hikaru is?

[brotherannie]

@animelover3321 Don't worry, everyone knows who Utada Hikaru is.

[animelover3321]

@brotherannie thank you for responding

[XxxCherryDropxxX]

How much money would you take to japan for a student exchange prgramme for 5 - 6 months???

[lateblossom]

This was prolly one of the most knowledgable vids for J-vlogs. Not many people would be aware of any of that. Thanks :)

[mustangrebus]

Things people have told me they wish they had brough or I wish I hadt:

Potato masher

Carrot peeler (they have them, but they are different)

hot water bottle

corn on the cob holders

key ring bottle opener (they certainly have them, but I usually have cracked my first beer before I've left the airport and I prefer bottles to cans

house slippers in your own size--looks impressive

I'll post more if I think of any

[InSpaceAndTime2012]

Would they have natural/organic stores? I buy specific organic brands from special natural food stores.

[brotherannie]

@InSpaceAndTime2012 They have them, but I'm not sure if they're very common. I'd like to check that out too actually.

[InSpaceAndTime2012]

@brotherannie I have found vegetarian restaurants in Japan via the Internet, so I'm happy about that. :):):):) I do eat seafood and eggs... so I guess I'm ovo-lacto-fisho (?? lol :P) vegetarian?

[kisses101ify]

you mean curvy girls xD?

[TearsAreLikeArsenic]

I always like it when I learn something new, I would have never thought about the credit cards thing, it's actually pretty smart of Japan, at least they're buying what they can afford.

[Sayuyagami1001]

Hi! So, this got me a bit worried because I'm not fat but I am 5' 11''. Am I going to be able to find any clothes?

[brotherannie]

@Sayuyagami1001 Clothes should be fine, but you might have a hard time finding shoes.

[heomak]

@brotherannie lol..i don't think it's because they don't sweat..they sweat just like us but they don't emit odor(like most of us do)..my nepali friend who is just as hairy as me and sweats like all humans do(e.g. during the hot summer months in Delhi, India) but for some reason does not emit any ordor at all(not even a bit)..that's why i've never seen him ever carry or use a deodorant after gym in the bathroom.

[AkumaXKami]

@heomak My Japanese friend told me that most Japanese people don't have very active sweat glands in their underarm area. They still sweat, but not much there, apparently.

[musicalchopstics]

Great advice! Thanks!

[XGosaiTankuX]

Where would you convert your money to Japanese currency or do they expect American currency as well??

[brotherannie]

@XGosaiTankuX You can go to any bank and they'll exchange it for you, though not all ways on the spot--sometimes they have to order the money. Japan does not accept America dollars.

[AkumaXKami]

@XGosaiTankuX The airport will have a currency exchange place as well, so you can do it right after arrival. Which is probably best.

[CaptainNerd]

Great video, my only complaint is the music is just a tad too loud, I can't hear you clearly in a lot of places, and it's distracting! I was even listening with headphones, and you faded out here and there. Otherwise, great to see you posting again!

[animecrazy888]

I have a question that you never covered and nobody really asked, how bad is jet lag? like how soon do you get over it? any tips for getting over it? cause I'm going to be an exchange student next year and I want to know

[brotherannie]

@animecrazy888 You know, I've been to Japan 3 times and I still have no tips for beating jet lag. Since I'm from the US, the time difference is something like 14 hours, so it hits you pretty hard. You always end up waking up early in the morning and getting really tired by about 11am. It does suck, but I usually just end up forcing myself awake and not take any naps so that I can crash hard at night and try to get my body used to the new schedule.

[animecrazy888]

@brotherannie okay that works, that's all I could think about doing myself, thank you

[sakuraburke]

thank you!!

[mikeyboyrasta]

just curious but is The smell of BO less taboo in Japan? When I was there one of the more prominent smelling men there had no problem swinging his arms over girls shoulders...

[brotherannie]

@mikeyboyrasta I wouldn't say taboo, it's about the same as in the US. Some people just don't care if they're a bit smelly, but most people do.

[quoroy]

Hi! i like spicy food, do they have salsa?? apart from tabasco

[brotherannie]

@quoroy Salsa is hard to come by, but you can find plenty of other spicy alternatives like their spicy mustard and various curries. I have seen salsa once, but Mexican food is rare, so I'd just as soon make it myself, it's not too hard. :D

[darkraven2116]

Okay, so I understand the whole no cleavage, no spagetti straps for t-shirts thing, but what about "tank tops" that are just sleeve-less. Like, your back is covered, the most part of your shoulder is covered kind of thing. And can you wear a spagetti strap shirt with a sweater? Do girls even wear sweaters? (like zip up with hoods) I'm just thinking of the majority of my clothes xD I like jeans and tanks with sweaters haha.

[brotherannie]

@darkraven2116 If your shoulders are showing, no matter how conservative and not-low cut it is, it's still considered a bit risque, but it's not outrageously slutty at all, and it's not nearly as bad as spaghetti straps. Tank tops are totally fine as long as your shoulders are covered my something like a sweater or shirt. And yes, sweaters and hoodies are popular over here.

[protrahere]

Do they have American makeup brands like Elizabeth Arden or Clinique in Japan? Because I plan on going this time next year for a year and I don't want to bring a years supply lol.

Also, what is the humidity like? Is it easy to breath? Because I don't do so well with heat, it's the biggest thing I'm worrying about.

[brotherannie]

@protrahere I'm not a make-up guru but I'm probably gonna make a video about hygiene/beauty products you can get in Japan, so I'll check it out for you. As for the weather, Japan has all kinds of weather so it just depends. Where I am (the Kansai region) it's CRAZY humid. It is easy to breathe, but I don't know if you're worried about thin air or pollution. Either way, Japan is fine.

[protrahere]

@brotherannie Thanks! :) I just asked if it's easy to breath because, for some reason, I have it in my head that stepping outside in Japan at this time would be like stepping into a sauna.

[YamiAlex224]

is the dog going

[brotherannie]

@YamiAlex224 I wish!

[YamiAlex224]

@brotherannie poor puppy i bet your going to miss him

[brotherannie]

@YamiAlex224 Her, but yes, I will.

[YamiAlex224]

@brotherannie well thats why they have skype and email you will still get to see your dog. if i went to japan i have a small cat i would hope i could bring her. still your lucky you studied in japan and now you got a job i would love that to happen

[pixonu]

Great video... apart from the music lol

[XxlovecoxX]

O.O in Japan can they do black peoples hair?????

[mordazzle8]

Lucky you. Finally some relief from this stifling central Texas heat.

[brotherannie]

@mordazzle8 Actually no! Even though it's less hot here, the humidity is HORRIBLE. Makes me glad I brought my deodorant.

[JapanAndThings]

Great tips for packing.

[MegaDavetastic]

This is out of context but, great fucking legs. Damn......

[BushidoRei]

@MegaDavetastic Hahah thats the first thing I noticed even though I'm subscribed for advice lol

[TheTraveler12]

deodorant.. and tylenol aspirin. extra strength stuff

[TheSpeedyman6]

as far i know japan is safe when you are south of tokio or in tokio ... but you should not go to the north xD

this guide was good but the background music was louder then your voice  it was hard to hear what you are saying so 4/5

[brotherannie]

@TheSpeedyman6 I'll remember the music issue for next time, thanks!

[PeircedinBlood]

But what about all the radiation that's in Japan? Is it safe to travel there now?

[TheLollipopAhh]

When I watch japanese dramas, the girls in it wear tank tops with nothing else as well, is that just because it's in dramas ? :/

[brotherannie]

@TheLollipopAhh Yes, most likely.

[tonimusher]

Awww good to hear your back in Japan! I hope to go one day as I love the place so much! where are you staying this time around? xxx

[trulifesounds]

THE MUSIC OMFG! It reminds me of the music that plays when you're buying furniture on the sims

[Apn9a]

I really enjoy your videos :)

[KudoXYukiko]

d they have body spray? i use it alot when i go out anywhere? and does it snow? if it does i'll need to take sweaters because we're going in november and staying til febuary with our cousins

[brotherannie]

@KudoXYukiko You get every kind of weather in Japan, but it doesn't snow much in the Kansai area (where I am).

[KudoXYukiko]

@brotherannie cool. my uncle lives in Umeda. we're planning on visiting there too but my cousins (his son and 3 daughters) live in Hokkaido. so we're staying with our cousins but on christmas we're gonna go visit everyone. thank you ^^-

[thejack544]

what do u think about japanese maid cafes?

[KudoXYukiko]

i also...have no teeth. period. it's a condition in my family. XP and i'm 21 -.-;; OH! and do they have body spray? i practically use body spray ALL the time when i got out

[KudoXYukiko]

does it snow in japan? i have cousins in osaka and hokkaido and i wanna go visit for christmas

[xMeli3x]

Good luck over there! One day, I'd like to do the same thing you're doing because Japan is a place that I find very interesting and I would love to explore the country. But sadly, I have to wait about 4-5 years before I can even think about going over there lol. Well I hope everything goes well for you :)

[nashiPAGE]

How would you prepare for medical emergencies?? Is that some sort of...international insurance arrangement??

[brotherannie]

@nashiPAGE Most study abroad programs make you sign up for some kind of health insurance, either provided by your school or by the Japanese national health plan. I'm going to be using the Japanese health plan since I'll be living here. Of course, I am not an expert on insurance just yet, so I will give you the details once I have a medical emergency (though I hope this doesn't happen).

[nashiPAGE]

@brotherannie Thank you. It's super important for me since I'm a diabetic so I have to deal with a whole load of arrangements for that. Gonna have to additionally do my research! *big grin*

[isura7]

wow i actually dont have anything to ask good job and good luck

[literaturechick12]

How much do you miss home while in Japan? (:

[brotherannie]

@literaturechick12 Well as of right now? Not at all. I just got here. But every now and then I kinda miss America. Mostly just my friends and family though. But I don't really get very homesick in Japan.