Moving your whole life to a new country in only a couple of suitcases may seem like a daunting task, but with our recommendations we hope that we can make that task a bit easier!
For a full guide, check out the JET Program Packing Guide from tofugu.com.
Before you pack
Depending on your flight to Japan, your baggage allowances will change. Generally, you will be allowed two checked bags, a carry-on bag, and a personal item such as a handbag or small rucksack. Check your baggage allowance before packing, and make sure to keep some suitcase scales on hand.
If you require prescription medicine and you wish to bring some with you, apply for a yakkan shoumei form. This form will certify the import of medication from overseas. For more information, please see the following resources:
- JET Programme General Information Handbook, page 27
- Q&A for those who are importing medicines into Japan by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare.
What to pack:
Important articles
Money: We recommend bringing approximately ¥250,000 (approx USD $2,400) with you when you come to Japan. Many sources recommend to bring $1000 – $3000. This money must support you through your initial set-up in Japan until your first paycheck at the end of the month. If you are planning to buy a car during your first month in Japan, we recommend bringing towards the higher end of this estimate.
Please bring money in cash since you will not have time to exchange money at the airport. If you arrive in Japan while a quarantine is necessary, we cannot guarantee you will have access to currency exhcange services in the hotel. Certain convenience stores and ATMs offer services to withdraw money from international credit cards, but bringing enough cash for the first month is the easiest way to do it!
Passport and visa: Depending on your country, the processing of your passport will be handled differently. Some countries will send back your passport and visa to your home via registered mail. Some countries will have you collect your passport at the airport before the flight. Whatever the method, make sure you have your passport (and visa, if applicable) with you before you try to go through the security gates!
Plane ticket: This one speaks for itself!
Medical documents: If you require medication, bring a copy of your prescription (translated into Japanese, if possible) so that you can find your medication more quickly once you arrive. If your medication requires it, also bring your yakkan shoumei form to present at customs.
Proof and receipts for PCR tests and medical certificates: For JETs arriving amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to reclaim reimbursement for PCR tests and additional medical certificates made necessary due to a delay in departure, you must bring with you the receipts for your PCR tests and additional medical certificates, as well as the past medical certificates to prove that you received them. You will submit these as evidence with the help of a member of staff in your office.
Driving licence and International Driver’s Permit (IDP): If you are planning to drive in Japan, please bring both of these documents. The IDP is valid for one year once you enter Japan. After that, you will need to obtain a Japanese licence. You can find more information about driving in Fukuoka here.
Communication devices: Phone, laptop, tablet, or any combination of the above! If you are bringing your phone, make sure it is unlocked (i.e.: not locked to a certain network) before coming to Japan so that it may accept a Japanese SIM card.
Plug and power converters: Japan uses flat two-pin plugs with voltage at 100V and electrical frequency in Fukuoka at 60Hz. This is different from America (120V) and Europe (230V) and many other countries. Check whether your devices are multi-voltage. If not, check with your device’s manual or ask the manufacturer for advice when looking to buy a power adapter for Japan.
Exercise caution with heating appliances such as hair straighteners or curlers, as they may not work properly or even break if you use them here; it may be better to buy these when you arrive.
If you have any equipment that can be powered by USB, consider buying a multi-country travel plug with USB connection for in Japan and any international travel you may wish to do. It can be a life saver for cameras, mobile phones, etc.
Clothes
Fukuoka is hot and humid (regularly feels like 35C/95F) in the summer, and mildly cold and dry (usually above 0C/32F) in the winter. You can buy clothes for any season in Fukuoka, but please bring the following with you:
- 2-3 business outfits (suits/dress suits) for more formal occasions.
- 4-5 work outfits for everyday work.
- A clean pair of shoes (preferably slip-on for ease) to wear inside your workplace.
After Tokyo Orientation, it is acceptable to wear short sleeves during the summer “Cool-biz” period from May – October. You should wear long sleeves during the winter “Warm-biz” period from November – April. Necklines should be modest and skirts should be knee-length or longer. For more information, please check our page on What To Wear. - “You” clothes and shoes for outside work – but not as many as you may think! 2 weeks worth of clothes is plenty. Unless you get great joy from a wide wardrobe, pack less to save space.
- Pyjamas and comfort clothes for when it’s time to relax.
Shopping for clothes in Fukuoka is pretty easy, but it may be difficult to find larger sizes outside of big cities. Clothes generally come in XS/S/M/L/LL sizes, which run smaller than Western countries. Shoes are either measured in this system, too, or in centimeters. Men’s shoes commonly go up to around 28cm, while women’s shoes typically stop around 25cm.
Toiletries
You can find most toiletries in stores or online, but we recommend bringing a couple of things from home:
- Deodorant: It can be tough to find Japanese deodorant and anti-persperants which are as ‘effective’ as those in other countries. You will need them during summer, so bring a couple with you.
- Toothpaste: Most Japanese toothpastes don’t contain fluoride. If this is an issue for you, bring some from home.
- Makeup: Japan does not stock as wide a range of base makeup shades as your country may. If your skin doesn’t resemble Japanese skin shades, consider bringing your own.
- Hair products for type 3-4 hair: If you have curly or coily hair and have a hair routine which works for you, bring some product with you to tide you over until you can find an alternative.
Other
Omiyage: Bringing omiyage, or souvenirs, is entirely optional, but it may help to create a good first impression at your workplace. The best things to give for omiyage are small, individually wrapped snacks with some indication denoting your home country/area. For example, maple-leaf cookies from Canada or shortbread from Scotland. Please do not bring chocolate, as it will definitely melt!
Check with your predecessor who you should buy omiyage for. If you work in an office with many people, we recommend getting something for the whole office that people can take freely. You may be recommended to buy something separate for your school’s Principal (kо̄chо̄-sensei), Vice-Principal (kyо̄tо̄-sensei), and your JTE Co-ordinator.
Teaching materials: We recommend bringing digital copies of plenty of pictures from your home country to use in your lessons (and to show to interested staff!). No need to print them in advance. Bringing stickers and stamps is totally optional. The same can be said for realia: coins, leaftlets, newspapers etc. from your country which you may be able to use in lessons. Only bring these if you have space.
Things to keep you busy at home: As the pandemic continues, all people in Japan are encouraged not to go out unless it is necessary. Therefore, if you cannot pursue your hobbies easily in Japan and if you have space in your suitcase, you could consider bringing some small hobby items or activities with you. We hope that the situation in Japan improves and that you are able to embrace some new Japanese hobbies. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to stay entertained.
Note: You are able to buy many larger hobby items (such as musical instruments, sports equipment, sewing machines and games consoles) in Japan, either new or second hand.
Note: DVDs
JAPAN REGION AND NTSC MEDIA
While most games systems these days are region free, DVDs and computers tend not to be. Japan is region 2 and NTSC video format, so region 1 (eg. North American) DVDs probably will not work on Japanese devices. If you plan on using a Japanese device to watch your movies, one option is to rip them into a different format and put them on portable media like an external harddrive or USB. Software is available online, but you should make sure whatever you do is legal for your locale.
Alternatively, subscription services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus and Hulu are available in Japan. If you have a VPN, you can also access subscription service content from other countries. Please do not illegally download movies in Japan, as it is a criminal offence.