What the Instructor Brings (more or less)

The synthetic stuff packs very flat and doesn't take up much space. I prefer the 30% cotton to 100% coolmax (30% cotton/70% synthetic). It feels better and still dries very fast. Even with all the stuff below, the duffel is only half full to begin with, and fits in a Japanese locker. Everything fits in one carry-on sized rolling suitcase that I've used before but it gets difficult as omiage (souvenirs) are gathered. The duffel is easy to manage, has wheels, and because it's narrow, fits into the over-head racks on the trains. I would take less for a 2-week trip but since this is 6-weeks, I splurge a bit. I'm sure Dr. PP Karan would cut the below down to 1 change of clothes and 4 or 5 cameras, but this is about what I've taken for the last 4 years, with some variation. -T

Luggage:

 

 

  • Rolling duffel (Land's End)
    (Don't fill it up!!
    Get one with cinch straps!)

 

  • Frameless super-lightweight sports duffel
    (new one is black which I picked up on sale at a Fukushima sports store.)
    During Rail Tour: roll up and place in other duffel to use as a dirty laundry bag,
    During flights: use as carry-on baggage with all-important items and 2-days' worth of clothes.

 

 

  • Day pack (camera bag and other stuff to keep handy - stored empty in rolling duffel during flight) The wallet under the netting contains a package of tissues. Many public toilets in Japan are paperless, and you are expected to bring your own or sometimes purchase a small pack for Y100.

 

  • Ticket/passport organizer/holder

  • Security pocket/pouch

 

  • Eagle Creek packing boxes to organize stuff in the duffel - usually two medium and two small.

Clothes:

  • 2 microfiber dress pants (dark)
  • 1 summer weight navy wool/microfiber blazer
  • 1 tie & clip
  • 1 pair Polypro travel convertible pants (Cabela's or Ex Officio zip off to shorts)
    • 1 pair black Hush Puppy ultralight no-lace dress shoes (light to carry but I can walk miles in these shoes; they are also easy off and on.).
    • 1 pair low cut hikers or running shoes for city hiking and on trails (in Japan, over-the-ankle shoes are too much of a pain to get off and on)

     

    • 1 pair wool clogs (slippers in Japan never fit so I bring my own-for indoor use only.) I now bring one extra pair for outdoor use.

  • 1 pair jean shorts (they pack a bit smaller than regular jeans but take just as long to dry)
  • 1 pair travel shorts (70% polyester).
  • 1 pair lined nylon swim shorts
  • 2 short-sleeve Sportif/Ex Officio-type 30% cotton, 70% polyester polos.
  • 3 long-sleeved dress oxford-type Sportif/Ex Officio 30% cotton, 70% coolmax shirts
    Sometimes WalMart or K-Mart have 65% poly and 35% cotton for much less cost that do just as well as higher-priced travel clothes.
  • 6 pair underwear (polypro/coolmax)
  • 2 undershirts (polypro/coolmax)
  • 4 T-shirts (polypro/coolmax)
  • 6 pair thin polypro/coolmax liner socks
  • 3 pair thick synthetic white socks
  • 3 pair thick synthetic dark socks
    (I wear 1 thin and 1 thick set of socks at a time to cut down on blisters-old hiking trick-the socks rub against each other, and not on your foot.)
  • 1 black belt
  • 1 Goretex windbreaker/raincoat (it gets cool in Hokkaido & can help in rain. Before I got the Goretex, I just used a nylon wind shell.)
  • 1 cap
  • 1 yukata & obi (none supplied in the ryokan or business hotels ever fit so I bring one that does)
  • 1 set of pajamas

Other:

  • Overnight kit w/small soap, travel toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.
  • Excel Sensor razor in travel case & 5 extra blades (1 blade/week)
  • 2 oz shampoo (fill it up at the onsen)
  • 1 oz David Somersets Shaving Oil (2-3 drops and lots of water works better than any foam. The catch is you need lots of water. One 1 oz. bottle gives 90 shaves.)
  • 1 compass (these are handy when you get turned around exiting from subways)
  • Famotidine & Tums (when those late night meals don't sit right)
  • Tablet Imodium (I haven't needed these in Japan yet - but better safe . . .)
  • Aspirin & Ibuprofen (Bufferin are about $1 each in Japan; Contact even more)
  • Decongestant (antihistamine) Do not bring any Sudafed-type products.
  • Topical antibiotic
  • Band-Aids
  • adhesive tape & small gauze pads
  • business cards
  • calculator (I have to run the budget)
  • Travel alarm clock
  • Pocket Watch (I hate stuff around my wrist in hot/humid climates)
  • 1 folding travel umbrella
  • 1 pocket shoehorn (for the never-ending shoe ritual)
  • 1 Sony Walkman AM/FM radio for Japanese bands
  • 1 Sony Walkman MD player/recorder to listen to something on the lloonngg flights.
  • 2 sets of earplugs (sharing a room? someone snores?)
  • sunglasses
  • Bullfrog sunblock (stick, spray or gel)
  • 2 pens
  • 1 highlighter
  • 1 AAA battery flashlight
  • 1 hotel sewing kit
  • 1 mini Swiss Army knife w/scissors, toothpick, and tweezers (pack in check-through, now)
  • 1 Japanese onsen towel (dries fast & does it all once you learn the methods)







    • 1 Pentax Optio A10 digital camera & 1 spare battery - light and portable.

    (with 4 - 512mb SD cards and 2- 256mb SD cards)
  • Map of Japan & Kumamoto atlas
  • Date book/organizer
  • small notebook
  • 1 spoon & 1 set of chopsticks (grocery store food)
  • 2 carabiner clips (hang stuff off of duffel or daypack)
  • gifts for host family and others (university T-shirts; USA-made hand-made crafts)
What I get immediately upon arrival:
  • Lots of yen for dollars at airport bank, Narita.
    (Bank exchange rates don't vary as in some countries.)
  • Japan maps at the JNTO in Narita
  • Latest train timetable from JNTO in Narita
  • Exchange voucher for Rail Pass at the Midori-no-Madoguchi in Narita (even if it becomes valid a week later)
  • Postcard stamps (¥70 Airmail to anywhere in the world.)
  • KDDI Super World Card for international phone calls (¥3000 for ¥3200 worth of calls - available at any C-store)

    		•
  • Domestic phone card (NTT) for in-country calls (be careful of the brand you get-it may not work everywhere)


    • (phone cards are for info only as I no longer get them since I get the Cell.)

  • Highway pass (¥10,000 card gets you ¥10,500 worth of tolls-available at any rest area)


    • Due to conterfeit cards, these were discontinued in March 2006.

    • sakamoto kyu

    new Lyrics

    I also practice some Japanese karaoke lyrics.
    These are for "JT"