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What to bring/Shopping in Japan

There are two golden rules about shopping in Japan…

It will cost more than it would at home.
It will be smaller.

For all grocery type items, you will be able to order American or English products through the Foreign Buyers Club (FBC). You can even get meat, cheese and other perishables delivered from FBC to your door for pretty reasonable prices. Deodorant, toothpaste and breakfast cereal are all at the touch of a button (through Internet ordering of course). Or, just bring lots with in your suitcase.

WARNING: The only deodorant I have ever seen in Japan is spray –on and it doesn’t work. I don’t think they have anti-perspirant here, don’t quote me on that… but is this really something you want to leave to chance? Bring lots from home; it’s just easier that way.

Books are very handy for all that downtime you will have in the first few weeks. Either ship them over (M-bag for the US) or join up to Amazon Japan when you get here. The books are a lot cheaper than any foreign book store I have seen and there is free shipping for orders over ￥1500．

For ordering things online, it is a great idea to have a credit card, even though some companies offer payment on delivery. If you really need cash, you can get money from Post Office Savings machines off most foreign credit cards. You can also apply for a Japanese Credit Card once you get here, so you can pay the bills in Japan without too much hassle, but that takes a wee while to go through, if you want to do that.

Internet: Almost every JET I know (except me – but I’m not bitter) can have Internet in their house. There are many Internet service providers around, and it is relatively easy to get hooked up to the net for a reasonable price. If you bring a laptop you might be able to use it at school, my school provides me with a computer at my desk (with internet access) but I can’t take it from school.

Clothing

I am 170 cm tall woman and I can’t buy pants/trousers in Yamanashi. I’m not exaggerating. I have lived here for two years and bough one pair of jeans, which I gave to charity after about one wear. If I go to a Western store in Tokyo, they will have some stuff that fits me, but my clothes shopping hobby has basically ended since living here. Shirts are also difficult to find because they Japanese sizes are just too small. If I do find something that fits it is an XL – I am medium in America. When I am craving some new clothes, I either order online or go with friends to Tokyo and make a day trip of it.

Clothing for winter: You will need this in October. Just ship it slow mail from home, rather than bringing it with you. Yamanashi gets cold. It’s mountainous and around 800 metres above sea level. Schools don’t have adequate heating (or air conditioning), and some people are constantly cold from October to March. So you will probably want to send over some thermals (the Japanese thermals are too small) and winter jackets. Some people need to think of snowshoes, depending on the area. Ask your predecessor if you will need them. A favourite type of thick socks may be a good investment and a pair of winter gloves as well. These are available but (see number 1 and 2).

Women’s Shoes: The largest shoe size I have ever seen in Japan, and this includes Tokyo, is 25 cm. That is an US 8, an AU 8 1/2, a UK and NZ 6 1/2, FR and GR 39. If you are over these sizes, and you love shoes, you will become friendly with your credit card company and the postal delivery person.

Men’s Shoes: Biggest size is 27 1/2, which equals US &UK &CN 9 1/2, GR 44, FR 44, AU & NZ 8 1/2.

Suits are really expensive over here (if they fit) so I would recommend bringing a dark-coloured one over for formal occasions at school and conferences. Either that, or go on a holiday to Vietnam or Thailand and get one made for super cheap!

Toiletries

Bring plenty of underwear! Once again the size issue and the different types of construction the Japanese have. Bras have a lot of padding and a typical 36B is an 80E over here.(If you can find some there isn’t not a big selection). Sure bras and underwear are available in Western stores in Tokyo, but on a local basis they are pretty few and far between. Mail order from home can work too. J Crew (US) delivers to Japan, so do Ezibuy (NZ), so you can order the stuff that you would normally have at home.

Sanitary products are available here, but once again different brand names and more expensive. Pads are the norm here so there is plenty of variety. Tampons are available, but they are smaller. If you are attached to a particular type at home, send over a decent amount. You can order sanitary products from Foreign Buyers Club.

Birth Control Pills are available here, but if you want to keep it private, you will need to go to doctor and pharmacy in a bigger city outside of your town. My suggestions, is to your home country doctor and get a years supply to be sent out in batches by someone from home.

Condoms are available, BUT refer to number two (they are smaller than your brand at home). Refer to number one (they are also expensive). A box of 10 costs about 1000yen, but they are known brand names. I would not suggest buying them in your local store. Remember, everything about you is interesting and people will talk about what they see you doing, be it at the grocery store, pharmacy, liquor store or karaoke bar. I suggest that you bring some with you and then order them over the net after you get here. FBC is once again there to help you out.

Toothpaste is available with fluoride and without, once again if you have a favourite, FBC will more than likely have it. You can get aquafresh in most stores.

Shampoo and Conditioner are available here in some recognisable brand names like Pantene, Dove and Herbal Essences. A lot of the hair care products are directed towards Japanese hair (funnily enough) and have a lot of damage care additives and are quite heavy on your hair, especially if you have fine hair.

Vitamins are expensive over here and difficult to find combinations that you want.

Omiyage / Souvenirs

The key point here is… not expensive, but lots of it. Think candy, chocolates or little things like magnets or key chains. At a bare minimum you will need one piece for your supervisor and every person you work with, which means teachers, principals and support staff. Ask your predecessor for the right number, but bring extras. If possible, bring candy/key chains for the Board of Education members, your town mayor (you’ll probably meet him on your first day) and your landlord. Bringing some for your neighbors is good too. These numbers can add up to over 50 people, but trust me - it’s worth it to make a good first impression.

Remember to read your JET Programme – General Information Handbook 2005. This is full of helpful tidbits and bring it with you. Also, ask your predecessor about the specific stores in your area.

- Amanda Darby