Things you need to take with you (and don’t have to take with you) to Japan（日本に持って行ったらいいもの・持っていかなくても

皆さん、こんにちは！三年生のケイトリンです。

今年、新型コロナウイルスのせいで、日本に留学できなくて、スコットランドから立命館大学のオンラインクラスを受けています。今年に日本に行けないですが、コロナウイルスの前に、日本に行く準備よくしました。それで、二年生の皆さん、九月に日本へ行けたら、持って行ったらいいものについて話し合いましょう。

延長コード・海外変換プラグ

延長コードや海外変換プラグを持った方がいいと思います。大学のアパートで、自分の部屋に一つのコンセントがあるかもしれないので、延長コードを持たなければならないです。そして、ヨーロッパと日本のプラグの形が違って、海外変換プラグも持った方がいいです。

現金！

留学をすることに対して、一番大切なものはお金かもしれませんね。例えば、自分の家賃や保険や食事などを払わなければならないので、十分なお金を持っている必要があります。さらに、日本で大体ものを払うため、現金を使います。それで、日本に行く前に、十分な日本円を持っていることが確認してください。自分の敷金や一時滞在ホテルなどを現金で払わなければならないかもしれないので、気をつけてください。

一時滞在ホテルの物資

二年生の皆さんは、九月に日本に行けたら、一時滞在ホテルに泊まります。それで、二週間に続くために物資を持っている必要があります。一般的な洗面用具を持った方がいいと思います。例えば、シャンプー、ソープ、歯磨き、デオドラントなど必要があります。その二週間に、そのホテルの食べ物しか食べられないです。そして、他の食べ物を食べたいかもしれないので、自分の国の好きなお菓子も持っていることがいいと思います。

衣替え

日本の季節がすごく違いますから、季節のために衣替えを持った方がいいです。例えば、冬に関して、厚手のコートを持ちます。さらに、夏に関して、薄手の服を持って、帽子も持つ必要があります。

最後に…

今、コロナ状況のため、皆さんは今年日本に行くことまだわかりませんが、すぐに日本に行けるといいです！

---

Hello everyone!

Currently, I am studying online at Ritsumeikan University remotely from Scotland, as we have been unable to go to Japan this year, unfortunately. However, before coronavirus caused us to be unable to travel to Japan, I had prepared thoroughly, so I know which items may be good to take, and what is not necessary to take with you to Japan. Hopefully, you will all be able to go to Japan in September, and I hope this will be helpful to you all in your preparations!

Extension cords and travel adaptors

First of all, I would recommend bringing a travel adaptor and an extension cord. The plug sockets in Japan are different to those in the UK and you will need to plug in all of your electronics inside of your dorm room. Additionally, your dorm room will likely not have a lot of plug sockets, therefore I would recommend you also bring an extension cord which you can plug various appliances into at once. More than likely, you will need to charge your phone, laptop, and maybe your headphones all at the same time, so an extension cord would definitely come in handy! Moreover, as you may only have one plug in your whole dorm room, investing in a longer cord may be a good idea as it will then be accessible anywhere in the room.

CASH!

One of the most important things for your year abroad will be money! You will of course need it to pay for your rent, insurances, and food. Although Japan is moving towards becoming more of a cashless society, mainly due to Coronavirus, they are still a very cash-based society. When you arrive in Japan, expect to have to pay the deposit for your apartment/student accommodation in cash, as well as your transportation to your accommodation. When you travel to Japan, you may still need to quarantine at a hotel for two weeks before you can go to your housing, therefore make sure to take enough to cover the costs of your hotel, as they may only accept cash payment. I would recommend contacting the hotel you will be staying at before you arrive to find out, as carrying a large amount of money can be stressful, and you will likely not be able to access an ATM before arrival at your hotel due to Coronavirus restrictions.

Quarantine hotel supplies

When you arrive in Japan, you may still have to stay at a quarantine hotel before you can travel to your university accommodation. Therefore, you need to remember to bring enough supplies to last you those two weeks as you will be unable to leave your hotel room for the entirety of your stay! You will need basic toiletries such as deodorant, toothpaste, soap and shampoo. Additionally, make sure you have enough clothes for all 14 days (or wear your pyjamas every day ;) ). You may want to pack some of your favourite snacks as you will only be eating the supplied quarantine foods from the hotel, and may miss food from your home country, or you may just want to eat something a little different.

Clothing for each season

Japan has a very intense and differentiating climate depending on both where you are staying, and which season it is. Usually, the summers are extremely hot, and the winters are extremely cold, particularly where my host university is; Kyoto. You must be sure to pack accordingly to the seasons you will be staying there for. For example, you will need a heavy jacket, sweaters, and appropriate footwear for the cold and/or snow! And in the summer, you will want to wear light clothing and hats for UVA protection. June to mid-July in Japan is usually the rainy season, so make sure to pack waterproof clothing, also.

In conclusion…

I hope this blog has been helpful to you all, and I wish you the best for your travels to Japan this coming Autumn!