Ok so I've decided to put a list up here of things I wish I had brought to Japan and stuff that I did bring but didn't need to. This is not to say that the stuff I didn't need to bring wasn't welcome because sometimes you just like to have your own comfortable stuff with you. I will also list some stuff that I DID bring and am glad that I did. The list is going to be small at first and larger as I think of things so it will be updated even though it won't move in my blog because it's all seperated by post date not modified date.
Stuff you wish you'd brung:
1. Instant alfredo packets, and instant drink mix.
2. Shower poofs
- I eventually found them here in Japan but I had to go all the way to Sapporo to get one. And they are tiny compared to US ones.
3. First-aid stuff.
-This is Japan! They don't believe in Neosporin, or any over the counter drugs. Seriously. I paid $5 for 10 asprin in Japan, then when I went home for christmas I got 100 ibprofun for the same price. They don't sell Neosporin at all, cough & cold medicine works like crap, and any drug/cream you buy will have instructions in Japanese. So play it safe and bring along some basic first aid stuff.
~*Also if you're going to need a prescription ask your doctor if you can get the whole years worth in advance because chances are they don't sell it here. *~
Shit you wish you'd never brought:
1. About $40 worth of school supplies
2. Winter blankets (school provides you with)
3. Alarm clock (can buy here for about $10)
4. All the hygene items.
- Seriously, they sell Dove, Johnsons, Biore, Herbal Essences, and tons of other brands here just like in the US. But if you're darker complexion you might want to bring extra foundation/powder.
5. Towels/washclothes
- I love mine so I'm glad I brought but they are not necessary. You can buy them at the dept. store or at the dollar store here.
Crap you're glad you took with you:
1. Sheets! OMG sheets.
-Japanese don't use them, you can find duvet covers for the quilts or pillowcases but they're gonna run you at least $30, save yourself the trouble & buy/bring a $10 twin size sheet set before you come.
2. Crockpot
- it's tiny & cost $15 but it was totally worth it because there are no ovens in Japan. If you don't want to spend at least $50 on a toaster oven that's all in celcius & want home cooked pot roast or something you need this.
3. Tampons
- yeah, yeah it's a girl thing however if you use these, bring a good supply. Japanese girls all use pads, it is possible to find tampons but you get a box of 10 count light/regular for about $4/5.
4. Cookbooks!
- I invested in a $15 japanese cookbook before I left & also brought a crockpot cookbook and Betty crocker. They are indispensible. Especially Betty because a lot of things i have to make from SCRATCH because you can't buy the canned/boxed/ready-made in Japan.
5. Flouride rinse.
- They don't flouridate the water, and they don't sell the flouride at the store. Listerine yes, flouride no. You have to check brand labels on toothpaste to see if they include it.
6. Pics of friends & family.
- You know you're going to miss them so bring along a few snaps & paste them on your fridge like I did. :)
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2 comments:
Fluoride is actually a toxin that causes all sorts of health affects. See this page: http://www.fluoridealert.org/health/
For reasons why people think we need flouride, see this article: http://www.zerowasteamerica.org/FluorideChronology.htm
Lol. I am aware of that. I have read about that before. However, flouride taken in small amounts, especially if your water isn't flouridated is not bad for you. There's no flouride in the water here & no flouride in my water at home (well water) and I noticed a big difference in tooth sensitivity to cold after I stared using flouride rinse a coupel of years ago. Hence, I am happy to use it. Lol.
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