A Packing Guide For New Fukuoka JETs
Welcome and congratulations on being accepted to the JET Program! You’re one lucky kid, and in for an experience that is inevitably going to shape the rest of your life. So pack accordingly- you’re about to move to Japan! Current JETs have said that they wish that they could have had an “insider” take on what to bring, and especially more location-specific packing guidelines available prior to their departure. Kyushu JETs live in areas that are a little bit different compared to our mainland compatriots, and this is important to take into account when considering what to bring to transition into your new life as part of the Fukuoka JET Program. It may be daunting to think of what you may need to bring to start living in a foreign country, but with some consideration and planning you’ll make the necessary task of packing easy and effective.
Know Your Limits and Make A Plan
First of all, check your airline luggage restrictions- chances are they will be way stricter than you would think. With the ever-rising price of fuel and the subsequent airline weight limits on baggage that seem to get lower and lower every couple of months, you’re going to have to prepare yourself to pack light. Restrictions vary by airline and departure country, and you will get information on this from the travel agent that will be arranging your flight through your departure city.
After finding out what I was allowed on board, my main goal for packing was to utilize my available luggage space effectively. I was lucky enough to be told by my embassy at Pre-Departure Orientation that there would inevitably be a lot of luggage stress and confusion upon arrival in Tokyo, especially for those who would want to ship some or all of their bags directly to their contracting organization. So, I decided to pack three bags by what I’ve now dubbed the “Small-Medium-Large” method:
ONE Large suitcase (to ship to Fukuoka upon arrival)
ONE Medium suitcase (to take with me to Tokyo Orientation)
ONE Small carry-on (housing my computer and other travel amusements)
I cannot stress enough how much easier this made things. Upon arriving in Japan and heading to Tokyo Orientation, you’re inevitably going to be tired, disoriented, and probably even confused. The last thing you’re going to want to worry about are heavy suitcases to pull around. Customs is enough of a hassle as it is, and officers at Narita have been known to stop and question those entering the country with a ton of bags! Make two suitcases your limit. When arriving in Tokyo, you will have the option to ship one or more of your bags to your Contracting Organization, where it will wait for you until you arrive in Fukuoka on the first day of your contract after Orientation. Taking advantage of this option is wise as you can send things you will not need for your few days at a (quite nice) hotel on ahead, and it is inexpensive enough (about 2500 yen a bag, billed to you usually around October) that it is worth considering.
Take Your System and Put It To Work
Another narrowing down of the luggage (mandatory this time!) takes place the night before departing to Fukuoka from Tokyo. As the departure day to Contracting Organizations is high-paced and stressful without even worrying about the luggage of hundreds of new JETs, you will be asked to drop off your remaining suitcases to be taken directly to Haneda airport. Since Fukuoka JETs fly from Tokyo, you’ll once again have to consider airline weight limits on a Japanese domestic flight (usually several kilograms lighter than international flight allowances). To be prepared for this, try to bring a collapsible duffle or other small bag along with the suitcase you will bring to Orientation to carry anything that you’ll see needing on your last night in Tokyo and the morning of your departure to Haneda.
Make it easy on yourself now and start considering what to pack where, when you’ll need something, or if you’ll need it something at all. Here is a brief breakdown of what you may want to put in your different kinds of luggage, using the Small-Medium-Large classification sceme:
-Large suitcase: Anything you will not immediately need should go in here, should you choose to ship this suitcase directly to Fukuoka. This includes gifts for bosses and co-workers, any teaching supplies or realia, and about half of your wardrobe.
- Medium suitcase: Pack for a three-night stay in a nice hotel and a professional atmosphere- all of your necessary personal grooming tools and business clothing. Bring things that you would take on a short business trip because, literally, that’s what Orientation is.
- Small carry-on: Put any amusements (computer, books, iPod, headphones, notebook and pens, etc.) that you will want to have with you for travel. Also, all of your important documents such as your passport, any emergency contact info, documents to import medication, and other such items should be with you at all times. Also carry all of your prescription and non-prescription medications (including birth control and inhalers) with you in addition to a copy of any prescription(s) you are taking.
Of course, this guideline is merely that- a guideline; your needs may be different, but please use this as a general idea of how to organize what you would like to take with you.
In terms of what to bring for your move to Fukuoka, there is no one “right” list of things to pack. The JET Handbook that you should have received shows a sample packing list with all of the basics. Start there or search the Internet for examples of packing lists, or ask your friends or family. A good practice is to pack at least twice, maybe even three times. Designate a part of your room, apartment, or house as a “packing area” where you can put everything that you want to take with you and lay it all out over the course of a few days. Once you think you have assembled everything, look over what you have picked and half it, taking out as much as you possibly can until you are left with what you believe to be the bare essentials of your move. Wait a couple of weeks, look at what is left that you have picked out, and then try to decrease that as much as possible. Have a family member or friend to this with you for a second opinion and to help you make your final decisions on what to bring.
Packing For Fukuoka
You’re not just packing for Japan, you’re packing for Fukuoka! We are lucky enough to be close to one of the major metropolitan areas of Japan and all of it’s conveniences should you forget something or want to search for something new, but you will save yourself time and money from your predecessors’ tips:
- Stock up on underwear, socks, bras, undershirts, stockings or tights, or other clothing basics that you anticipate being difficult to find in your size in Japan. If you expect difficulties, then this is the only area of your packing agenda where it wouldn’t hurt to throw in a few extra items.
- Speaking of clothing, pack for summer. A very hot, humid, sweat-through-all-of-your-clothes summer. Bring easy-to-dry, lightweight layers that you don’t mind getting sweaty. A good tip is to pack a couple of undershirts or camisoles to wear under your clothing to absorb sweat (yes, wear more clothing when it’s hot out seems counterproductive, but it really works). Don’t even think about packing sweaters; it’s going to be boiling up until October. Box up any winter clothing and coats that you expect wanting to have with you (and yes, Fukuoka winters are as cold as the summers are hot) and have someone ship them to you once you get settled.
- Be prepared to deal with Japanese washing machines, which are known to occasionally ruin clothing if you aren’t careful. You are also most likely going to be air-drying laundry as dryers are someone rare in Japan. Dry cleaning is available but is quite expensive.
- Leave your hairdryers and other small appliances at home; the voltage is different in Japan, and consumer electronics are cheap and plentiful enough that you will be able to find what you need in several different colors and with Hello Kitty printed on the front.
- Do bring media storage (USB memory, external hard drives, memory cards). Data storage is very expensive and it is not uncommon to pay double for something you can buy back home. I regrettably paid about $300 for an external hard drive when it would have cost $125 had I bought it prior to coming to Japan.
- For any electric items you decide that you absolutely need with you, bring electronic adapters and especially an adapter for your laptop computer. Proper international adapters are daunting and difficult to find, even for the Japanese.
- Deodorant. It will be tough to find it in Japan.
- Should you decide to do so, bring condoms and/or your preferred method of birth control. Japanese condoms have been known to break more easily, and cervical caps and IUDs are very hard to come by in Japan. Oral contraception is becoming increasingly common but still a hassle to start taking here- if you are interested in starting “the pill” it is best to see your doctor or family planning clinic prior to coming to Japan. Be sure to bring your prescription with you.
- Women: bring your preferred brand of tampons, pads, or other sanitary product. You may not like what is available here.
- For prescription and non-prescription medication, see the JET Handbook as these are real hassles to import. Your embassy should help you with this, but nevertheless, be sure to bring a copy of your prescription(s) with you in case of emergencies.
- And finally, my personal tip: zip top plastic bags are incredibly useful as they save space and make customs, packing, and unpacking organized and a breeze. Fold clothing, put it into a large bag, and squeeze the air out before closing to save space, or ensure that your toothpaste doesn’t end up all over your new suit.
Hopefully this will have given you an idea on what to prepare for your move to the fabulous FUK. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or one of the PAs and we will be more than happy to help. Good luck!