Japan: things you are happy you brought with or or wish you had?
 

I've heard little packs of paper towels are useful as toilets may not have paper in them. Also hand sanitiser.

Are there any other little things you wish you had brought with you or found really useful when you got there?

Are you female? If so, I suggest these, for squat toilets which you will have to use more times than you think:

http://tinyurl.com/yn6e9b

I was very happy I had detailed maps of both Tokyo and Kyoto.

Kyoto is on a grid and was easier to get around, but we carried the maps every day and used them quite a bit.

Really? Have you used these urination funnels and found them very useful? I'm asking because I haven't seen them before and they are expensive (us$6.75 for 1). If I have to I must.... :)

I'm sure you dont need these popcorn pouches in Japan.It ain't that bad.A squat toilet is only very uncomfotable to use.Most places have the usual wcs.
Check with the hotels you've booked in.

I've used more squat toilets than I care to think about, and never felt I needed a funnel. In fact, I think trying to use one would interfere with my balance and with keeping my clothes out of the way. Spend the money on toilet paper and antibiotic hand gel.

Bonjour minto,

Never refuse if you're handed packs of tissues in the street (more frequently in Kyoto than Tokyo, in my experience). They're usually an ad for something or other (health campain, new shop, ...). Sometimes the person giving those packs will try to ignore foreigners, usually because they think they will not be interested, and often because the ad deals with dubious businesses (I always insist on getting one anyway and have a small collection of ads like "Scandal Pink Salon" and suchlike ;) ).

I've also been given samples of "Oil blotting paper" ("a woman should never, ever, even in scorching heath, expose a shiny nose ! " ) ...

I've never felt the need for hand sanitiser since I've always found a faucet to wash my hands, but I always carry a tiny hand towel to dry my hands, like most Japanese women do (and it's one more good pretext to buy some of those mini-towels with cute characters and/or sayings - Hello Kitty or Totoro, anyone ?).

Florence - yes I grabbed every advertising packet handed to me.

In Kyoto the guy laughed when he handed it to us. Turns out is was for a school that taught English.

There were some days where we didn't see anything but a squat toilet for half of the day. I don't know about you, but I can't wait that long.

I wish I'd brought waterproof shoes when I went in april - it really bucketed! And it was much colder than I thought it would be. but luckily they have those cheap Yen stores so you can buy anything you need there!

Bonjour Ange,

Between the drinks dispensers at every corner, the "combini" (convenience stores), and free tea at the temples, finding toilets is one of my frequent activities in Japan ... I've become quite good at finding THE Western style cabin in a given area, although I can deal with squat despite a knee that aged faster than I.

Many thanks to all, :) so tissues, waterproof shoes, any other unusual items?

I took some small gifts from home (keychains showing my city) to give to people who went out of their way to help me or who otherwise touched my heart - and there were so many of them! I was very glad I was able to give them a small token of my appreciation!

Oh, good point.
I picked up a bunch of key chains, from my city, state and sports teams.
I also picked up a bunch of post cards and logo pens.

Whenever I gave one of these out (for exampe to the girl at the desk for who fixed our messed up reservation) they were ridiculously grateful.

Gift giving is a big deal in Japan. It was nice to come off as a nice foreigner.

Yes, minto, really, I found them useful. That is why I suggested them. They are $6.95 for a package of 7. I take 2 packs for a week. I guess others here have better "aim" so to speak, and have no trouble squatting low (the aging knees). Although my daughter who was 13 at the time also used them.

I have lots of general things that make travel easier and come in handy, but no others that are specific to Japan that I can think of.

oh, and if you are over a size 8 in the U.S., take a bathing suit if there is any chance you will need one at a hotel pool or an amusement onsen place (like Yunessun in Hakone, where bathing suits are worn). You will likely not find one that fits if you look in Japan. We looked at Sports Authority there and nothing was over the equivalent of a U.S. size 8, maybe a 10 if you stretched it.

emd US$6.95 for 7 is much better, I must have misread the site. Must see about getting some.

Nice idea about keyrings and postcards. I was thinking of bringing something from home, like little touristy things but keyrings are better.

And yes, must bring a swimming costume, I'm smiling here thinking about trying to buy one.

Thanks for all these suggestions, please keep them coming :)

This is kind of a personal thing, but I like tabasco sauce and I took some miniature bottles (tiny, available at minimus.com along w/many other very small products for travel) on my last trip. I esp. like to add it to my udon soup, and there is not any tabasco in Japan- or at least I have not seen it available.

If you like artifical sweetener for your coffee/tea, you will not always find that available either, so I take packages along in my purse.

oops, that is minimus.biz

For udon and soba, there is a spicy powder that is served, either ground chili or 7 kinds of ground spice including chili. Tabasco is regularly served with pizza.

Aside from a good English/Japanese street map, a small, light fold-up umbrella would be helpful. You can pretty much find everything at convenience stores including tissue papers. There are more western toilets--if in doubt, check department stores, shopping centres next to train stations, and Starbucks.

Agree with previous posts that most WCs don't have paper towels or liquid soaps, though I'm not picky about the latter. You can buy a handkerchief, which also makes a nice gift.

If you're chopstick-challenged, bringing a set of plastic cutlery (though you can usually ask for one). It will also allow you to have a feast out of those department store basement takeout food counters.

If you're travelling in summer--an extra pair of T-shirts or top. You'll sweat a LOT and would need extra pair to change during the day.

On the oral hygine front, I had a bit of difficulty finding mouthwash. I eventually found one at a drugstore chain called Matsukito, though they didn't have a small size. On the other hand, you will find good chewing gums and mints.

One rather intimate stuff for female travellers--I had difficulty finding tampons with applicator sticks. If you're a female business traveller, bring spare pantyhoses unless you're US size 4-6 or smaller.