What Should I Bring???

[budd]

no problem in tokyo, but i don't know anything about rural areas

 

[coordinator]

-about the contraceptives...

They're not really needed, just a matter of personal preference. All should be warned Japanese condoms are...... small. (no joke)

So how small are they? If normal size is 6" would it fit?

 

[Keeni84]

Ha ha ha ha ha. Condoms are big enough to be stretched over a person's head. (girth).

 

[Shigatsu]

oh wow. I remember the wonderful shampoo they have in Japan made just for asian hair...It was wonderful...I should have bought bulk and brought it home with me...you can't find any of that stuff in Ireland.
The clothes are great though...perfect sizes for me and my not-so-curvey figure.. darn asain blood : /

I can't wait to go back...I'm bringing like millions of dollars with me and mailing everythign home that I buy.

and you can get larger condoms in Japan...not *every* Japanese guy is the same size.

 

[budd]

i found a link to a picture of the badtzmaru condoms i bought, but it's a geocities, so i will find something else
pretty small box for six of them though
meaning nothing else, that is a touchy subject...

 

[mad pierrot]

Like Budd said, it's probably best not to turn this thread towards a debate about Japanese men's "size."

But, condom size and brand do matter! Like I said earlier, it's about personal choice. I and other people I know find the average Japanese condom a little..... tight and flimsy. Trust me, you don't want to be finding this out when the condom breaks. Better safe than sorry.

@Shigatsu -Yeah, I guess I'm a little too hazukashi to ask the clerk for a bigger brand.

 

[LynnieS]

Originally posted by budd
everytime using a toiletry/hygenic/necessary item, take note of it
either put it in the bag to take, and go buy a replacement to use (up until the trip)

Regarding the "taking note" part, thanks, budd! It's just common sense, really, but I must confess that the tactic completely slipped my mind. I was planning on bringing everything that I can possibly think of!

 

[budd]

np, thanks for saying thanks
it just mad me so mad at myself for bringing toothpaste -- but no toothbrush
headphones and batteries but no walkman/mp3 player
on and on
all that stuff adds weight, but no reward/payoff
common sense? girl, it took me till my SIXTH trip to figure that out
guess my uncles were right after all

 

[Keeni84]

Hmm...

What are things such as toothpaste like? Or soap??? Should I 窶塲?窶壺?｢窶壺?懌?壺? stock up on that stuff, or can I get it there?

I also heard (from a Japanese friend) that make-up is hard to find unless you are in a department store or a beauty shop, whereas here, we have WalMart and we're set. Is this true?

 

[neko_girl22]

Originally posted by Keeni84
Hmm...

What are things such as toothpaste like? Or soap??? Should I 窶塲?窶壺?｢窶壺?懌?壺? stock up on that stuff, or can I get it there?

I also heard (from a Japanese friend) that make-up is hard to find unless you are in a department store or a beauty shop, whereas here, we have WalMart and we're set. Is this true?

toothpaste and soap and very cheap and easy to find. There are huge drug stores/ chemists everywhere.

Do you stick to a perticular brand with make-up? If not, make-up is *everywhere* , even in combini's, so no problem.

I usually buy shiseido and I remember in NZ the woman in the chemist recommending I stock up before I go to Japan because I wont be able to find it there... uh... duh... shiseido is Japanese!

 

[LynnieS]

Originally posted by nzueda
I usually buy shiseido and I remember in NZ the woman in the chemist recommending I stock up before I go to Japan because I wont be able to find it there... uh... duh... shiseido is Japanese!

Maybe she thought you use something special?

I'm sticking to just clothes, "necessary for work" books (I'm sure that there'll be books on the same subjects that I need there, but they'll all likely be in Japanese.), DVDs (spent a fortune on them and am not going to throw them away!), computer, and some household necessities just in case (of lack of time, etc.). Along with some presents, natch.

I'm a bit nervous about buying stuff initially, to be honest - not about being cheated or anything like that, but more of my making a faux pas in the store!

 

[budd]

understandable...
when change is given back, do not count it in front of the cashier
if they do not want people touching merchandise, there will be a sign in english saying so?
i think thats all, but maybe somebody can/will add to it
i know there's something i'm forgetting