Packing for Japan: What to bring and exchanging money!

[@MusicAlexBella]

Hello Rachel and Jun, would you mind re-doing this video now, 5 years later? I can imagine some things might have changed :) Thank you!

[@MarchSomething]

7 years now ;-;

[@ZephyrKit]

@@MarchSomething soon would be 8...

[@perspicasity]

12 Years now :O

[@trevorhilborn8091]

She forgot to mention that you definitely do NOT want to give a potted plant as a gift to a sick person in Japan. A potted plant is a symbol of being rooted in place.

[@RockinRoyaltyx3]

Trevor Hilborn When you secretly know and laugh maniacally inside your mind as you hand over the gift. But can get away with it because you're a foreigner.

[@patrickwalsh5153]

Rice crispy treats are always a popular gift when I go to Japan. I bring the marshmallows and cereal in my luggage, as they don't weigh much, and buy butter there.

[@mariaechandi6257]

Mind if i borrow that idea ? Lol

[@RachelandJun]

As long as you're from a country that has the visa waiver program (the US does). And your plane ticket needs to have a route out of Japan in that 90 day window, but yes. If you're from another country traveling into the US you additionally need to apply online for ESTA, because the US likes to make international travel more complicated and difficult than it needs to be.

[@Oceansta]

Good video. This chick isn't fucking around. She gets to the point and covers all the bases. Also, I think you should do a video explaining the JR Pass and other Rail Passes since these can only be purchased outside of Japan and its something people should bring too :)

[@in2webelieve997]

www.japan-rail-pass.com/ Edit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Rail_Pass

[@dracomalfoy1784]

nice so i'm going in late december, for 3 weeks i have a roundtrip from nyc to tokyo for 800$ , airbnb apartment lets say 250$ (10$ a night, not bad) the jr pass 530$ + sim card 50$ = $1,650 so far now i should only take into account food, goods, traveling (so far i'm going by myself, unless i meet friends there) thank you for sharing that pass, that means if i stay in tokyo i will be able to tour kyoto, osaka, hokkaido, however i wouldn't want to spend the whole night there and come back to tokyo at night, to get rest : ) altho I'm a college dork from new york, i want to get this dream of mines out of the bucket, these videos & the comments play a major role in guiding me to the right path.

[@M00NdaYn]

Just back from Japan less than two weeks ago, and we were able to purchase what is called a Pasmo at the airport (Narita) for our subway/rail needs, even on the JR and bus lines.

[@RachelandJun]

★Subtitles!★ *Spanish (Mexico)* thanks to: Orochimaru95 *Arabic* thanks to: Beno uzumaki *Italian* thanks to: melly filli *English (United Kingdom)* thanks to: Ryan Platts *Dutch* thanks to: Fluffy0110Fedor *French* thanks to: Ambre G. *Indonesian* *Japanese*

[@lenamagdy687]

+Rachel & Jun thanx for arabic translate

[@jojohearts4245]

hello

[@grownupgoth]

Your videos are all so useful and educational, Thank You!

[@Knutschi1991]

Hello you two :) I wanted to check the subtitle link, but it isn't working... I could translate it to German so if there is still a possibility, message me :)

[@katyushka6495]

Would you like me to do Russian subtitles?

[@MrWillager]

Hi Rachel/Jun, long time viewer and I am viewing this video again because I am actually going to Japan next month!!!!! I am so excited for the adventure and what it will bring. Now time to rewatch this :P

[@iksmu1649]

How was Japan?

[@MarcelStevahn]

8 Days and I'll be in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Kanazawa and Nagano! So happy you guys are posting these vids, very helpful! Doumo Arigato Gozaimasu!

[@themagicalfox6]

Rachel? Do you think if you can anytime soon, do you think you can make a video about Theme parks (like Tokyo Disney and ect)museums (like the ghibli one)and places too see in Japan that you would recommend?

[@allixsky]

酢ヘスチメロへ

[@partyanimal8248]

Candypops hi

[@RachelandJun]

Yes! Gifts you make yourself are often valued above store-bought gifts in Japan. This is really common on Valentine's Day, since a lot of women try to make chocolate themselves instead of purchasing it somewhere.

[@Nekotamer]

im wondering, are sugar skulls ok for a present ?, they are very traditional here in mexico, also quite inexpensive and not perishable.

[@RachelandJun]

Yeah, that sounds like a fantastic gift!!

[@andycordova3972]

I allways wanted one off those, They can be eaten, isn't it?

[@Nekotamer]

andy cordova yes, and they are tasty if you like mildly lemon flavored sugar.

[@victorialazuli9969]

Hoho! We are in the same place! :)

[@ramons7899]

A si! Me gustan cuando mi abuela viene de Mexico y Ella me lo trai

[@RachelandJun]

Sure! I don't know the names of any programs because I never did it, but at the school I studied abroad at a bunch of students home-stayed over winter break. I think a lot of them helped their host families by doing things like farm work, etc.

[@HeleneStaley]

I was in Japan for two weeks and returned yesterday the 25th of April. I watched your videos beforehand, and found they helped much. The thing I would add to your list is to bring suitcases with rollers -- not those you carry. I have roller suitcases, but I used the strap sort without the rollers for this trip, and found later I could not carry the suitcases. My eldest son joked he was my pack mule and carried my bag along with his own! So, suit cases with rollers are a must! Also, flying on airplanes can cause edema. I could not find any diuretics in Japan -- so I advise you bring that med. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring medication for that. I found medication for that -- and it was incredibly strong. The other thing I recommend is really good shoes that can be used in walking, hiking, climbing and for general use -- I bought a pair of bzees and brought my orthotics, and still although comfortable, injured my foot. So, bring two compression socks -- which is what I will do on the next long trip I make anywhere. I recommend packing light and additionally bringing an extra bag for checking -- a bag for all the goodies you buy and want to bring back. The 7-11 and 100 yen stores are great places and the fish market in Tokyo -- you avoid wasting money when you visit these places. Be careful as to which book stores you visit -- we walked into one that began innocently as ANIME, and as we continued higher up the escalators I suddenly realized a bunch of naked bottoms on the wall and no women -- and so I discretely bought some water from the vending machine and exited to the nearest elevator.

[@pidge8964]

thanks for all the info. greatly appreciated as I myself will be going to Japan in the future XD

[@HeleneStaley]

The Japanese are wonderful -- very kind, thoughtful, helpful, clean, beautiful. I loved Japan -- the castles, gardens, The country is safer than many places in the U.S.; however, avoid restaurants that have cover charges particularly bar type restaurants. Also, carry a little dry wash cloth in your purse to dry your hands as there are not paper towels in most places. Pack wisely and lightly. Use a pull suitcase with rollers -- much walking. Carry food you can eat on the fly -- but be careful about eating and walking as this is considered rude -- eat on the trains as this saves time. No gum is a good rule to follow while there. Don't bare your arms past the elbow to shoulders. These are a few things I learned. I appreciate your response. Have a nice day.

[@julial3758]

When you say roller luggage, do you mean the 360 kind or the 2-roller kind? For example, when in Rome I would discourage use of the 360 wheels that are small; they constantly get stuck in the cobbler stones.

[@pidge8964]

***** I believe she simply means to use suitcases that can be rolled along the floor, not the ones that you have to carry on your back, as there is a lot of travel to do so it might get heavy and cumbersome after a while. Don't think there's anything wrong with the 360 type or the regular wheels.

[@HeleneStaley]

I mean the sort of luggage bag one can pull behind without having to carry it. My two eldest sons went with me to Japan in April, and only my second son brought a bag with rollers. I have such bags, but the eldest son and I brought carry bags. Let me tell you, I broke two bones in foot while there -- and that plus carry bags getting on and off of trains and running through the train station, getting on and off buses, in and out of cabs, running up and down stairs -- walking a great deal caused me to remember the importance of saving one's energy. The roller bags help much with that.

[@RachelandJun]

Yep! No problem with that at all.

[@claudec2588]

This was impressively thorough. Thanks.

[@RachelandJun]

A typical gift for a wedding is ￥30000 ($300). They sell special envelopes for you to place it in. You don't really give tangible gifts for a wedding--the money is meant to help alleviate their cost. After the wedding the bride and groom usually give you a catalog from which you can select any one item and have it mailed to you for free (as thanks for your gift), although they might give you something else instead (especially if you don't live in the same country).

[@obeythebands123]

What I thought she was going to say: "If someone tries to mail you drugs, they will find you, and they will kill you."

[@sakiohma6858]

Wow, thank you Rachel! You are so straight to the point! Most other videos aren't serious and joke around a lot. You answered a lot of important questions.

[@CinCinBearTV]

this was a really good video ^_^

[@RachelandJun]

They say you're supposed to but I have never once been asked to give them proof. If you have a credit card that should also work. You can say other people are going to take care of you, but legally you would have to fill out paperwork that says they will sponsor you which takes waaay more effort than you need to just visit for 30 days. That's more for if you were moving to the country permanently.

[@petra-lingyongyossy1664]

what about shopping (women clothes especially) in Japan? how are the sizes, the prices etc. ?

[@readfloatwatchtv]

Yes, I'd like to learn about women's clothing sizes and fit.

[@RachelandJun]

I mainly shop at thrift stores, so my answer is going to be based around that.

[@allixsky]

クテスカヂヘ

[@thestaralchemistanimelover2164]

Late response but all of the clothes I've gotten from Japan are petit (which works out for me) so if you're not petit I would suggest buying some bulky or wide belts to cover the waistline of dresses etc.

[@RachelandJun]

There's totally a difference. I can't drink Japanese milk. It tastes sweeter to me, and I'm used to skim milk in the first place which I haven't found in Japan.

[@KuraiAkari]

Is there a REASON we shouldn't wear t-shirts with stuff on them? I'm not sure I understand. Would people be like, "EGAD LOOK WHAT SHE'S WEARING!" or would I just get weird looks? Cuz like... my entire wardrobe is literally tank tops and t-shirts.

[@erikadesousa26]

Kurai Akari same! Totally going with my anime t shirts lol

[@RachelandJun]

That's totally fine! Bathing suits aren't conservative at all in Japan. You might see some people covered up but that's only because they're trying to avoid tanning. :p

[@sufferinsilence5817]

I was randomly wondering something again, what about birth control pills (if I'm even giving the correct English translation, being Dutch kinda sucks sometimes xD) and pain killers for women with really bad periods?

[@RachelandJun]

Well the yen has recently plummeted compared to the dollar so no matter what you'll be better off now than anyone has been in the past couple years. It's not the worst thing in the world so don't freak out too much--a lot of banks end up charging quite a bit as well. You really have to dig around your options to figure out the best way to exchange that you have available to you.

[@aundreya22]

This video was EXTREMELY helpful for me for when I do go to Japan, I want to pursue an externship for a Pastisser position in Culinary Arts in Tokyo. I am going to Le Cordon bleu in California and I know they have one in Tokyo too. The only thing that worries me about your video is what you mentioned about the cost of baking supplies and how little the packaging is. I was wondering if there was a bulk type stories in Japan like Costco that would sell the baking items in larger and cheaper quantities?

[@aundreya22]

*Store's

[@DarkShadezy]

Aundreya Garcia There are Costco stores in Japan.

[@RachelandJun]

Yes!

[@straightfrom]

Thank you so much for your channel. I just subscribed. I'm planning on going to school in Japan and your channel inspires me even more. What is your story btw? Did you go to school? I have so many questions I want to ask Americans that have successfully made the move...

[@RachelandJun]

I'm actually in America right now! I studied abroad, and then just so happened to meet the right guy. Now we're married and I go there as much as possible, but until my job contract runs out I can't move permanently. >_

[@straightfrom]

Thats still awesome though. I hope your goals for moving permanently work out well! Also, do you know much about full time enrollment in schools like Waseda or ICU? Do you know anyone who has attended? Thanks again!

[@RachelandJun]

I TOTALLY understand that!! There have been times where I've wanted to stay inside all day because I didn't want to be stared at going outside! I have definitely "hidden" in a hoodie and sunglasses before. :D

[@nihon-daisuki8673]

Most likely will be watching this again 5-7yrs later when after finishing col/university and making a bit of money before I come.

[@nihon-daisuki8673]

Update to this comment 2/11/2024: Wow, this is crazy, this is my 2nd time (right now) watching this video. I honestly do not remember leaving this comment 7 years ago my dream of visiting Japan. I was looking up videos on what to bring/prepare for Japan and clicked this saw my comment from 7 years ago. If anyone is coming across this comment, I want to say that I have my 1st trip schedule to Japan 7 years later in a month, and I am extremely excited! I didn't think this would happen and for me, I thought reaching this dream was next to impossible to achieve. If you are reading this comment and you are under the 20 (I was at the time of leaving this comment) or still young, follow your dreams of traveling if this is one of them. Manifesting your goals and what you set out to accomplish in life is real! I am proud to say that with this, I am no longer using the excuse "I thought this was impossible," and I am doing it which means you can too. Don't give up, work on yourself, and invest in future dreams/goals to make them a reality! I know Rachel and Jun may not see this, but thank you so much 7 years later, you helped me manifest my dream into a reality!

[@RachelandJun]

Banks typically charge about 3% to exchange money (and that's if they don't include any other fees on top of it). You really have no way of knowing exactly how much money you're going to need in Japan so you're either going to end up short in Japan and broke or you'll have extra, which you'll have to exchange AGAIN to your home currency for ANOTHER 3%. You need a way to get money while you're in Japan regardless of how you plan to exchange.

[@cootie911sm]

I'm freaking out. I've always wanted to go to Japan and take it ever so seriously, but this is just mind numbing.... @.@

[@RachelandJun]

Those are all fine and legal (including birth control). I would try to bring the vitamins in their bottle if possible, but I've never had my bags checked ever in Japanese customs (I've been to Japan 6 times) so even in your week case it could be okay.

[@netterman718]

Sadly Capital One currently does charge nonbank ATM fees and stopped reimbursing for other banks ATM fees. They still don't have a foreign transaction fee so if you use your debit card to make most of your purchases, you're good to go. Also, if the store accepts debit transactions, meaning they treat your card as an actual debit card and not a credit card, they may have a cash back function allowing you to withdraw cash while completing your purchase. This will show up as a store transaction instead of an ATM transaction thereby getting around the ATM fees. I'm not sure however if Japan treats debit cards the same way we do, so this might not be an option.

[@cbernier3]

Charles Schwabb still refunds ATM fees.

[@swarleystinson1]

2nd the Charles Schwab High Yield Investor Checking Account. My wife and I traveled the world without ever having a single issue. No foreign fees. No ATM fees (as above they charge you initially but at the end the month they reimburse you. Only down side is you can't go to a physical location to withdraw your checking account money in cash and you need to also sign up for a brokerage account; however, you never have to use it and it has no negative impact on anything.

[@RachelandJun]

Of course! :)

[@larsstoerloes6619]

I have a question as I am planning a trip to Japan the coming summer. I suffer from insomnia, anxiety and depression, and have to be on a set of pills for these ailments to function. I've checked and they don't seem to contain any of the substances you mentioned, but I don't really know what Japan's stance on anti-depressants, anti-anxiety and sleeping-meds are. Will I get in trouble for bringing them? Should I just go ahead and look for some sort of special permit?

[@redfish337]

+Lars Stoerloes You should research carefully in advance.

[@mayallard8539]

+Lars Stoerloes Look for her video Preparing to Travel to Japan

[@whateverz095]

+Lars Stoerloes Absolutely look for a special permit for those. This was some many years ago but my dad told me about someone he heard/read about who ran out of some kind of prescribed pain or sleep medication while s/he was doing business work in Japan and when s/he ordered from America to Japan, s/he got into some legal trouble since it wasn't prescribed by a Japanese doctor. I'm worried about bringing in natural hygiene products cause of this. I don't know anything about it now but definitely do extensive research on that just to be safe.

[@LiteraryCat]

If you fill out a yakkan shoumei you should be able to bring your meds to Japan. Usually you can only bring one month's worth of prescription medication at a time, but with this form you can get more than a month at a time.

[@RachelandJun]

It's not as a big a deal for guys, although I would really recommend against wearing shirts with anime characters on them. Foreigners don't have to be as fashionable as Japanese people, but wearing anime stuff is still going to make people think twice about you--you don't want to give off the impression that you're otaku. You can bring what you want and see how other guys dress--if you don't mind just wearing hoodies at that point then go for it!

[@emantria4779]

Am I allowed to bring my inhaler because I'm asthmatic

[@noobatwork4431]

I would like to know that too... Asthma sucks... :(

[@soulsearcher9530]

Late response here, but I am asthmatic as well. I lived in Japan before and with the basic albuterol style "emergency" inhaler you are fine. The other kinds I'm not sure since they are a controlled substance. I would call a Japanese airline to ask. ANA or Japan Airways always have English speaking staff ready for the phones.

[@mckinleewatson9210]

Im a controlled asthmatic, but i do have an emergency inhaler... I have been planning my travel to Japan for a while and i have never even thought of this before lol. I would assume they would allow this??? But idk :/

[@SEPPanda]

I've been watching your videos and I love them. Simple and mostly to the point. Thanks for all the info.

[@justtoleavecomments3755]

no sweats or hoodies? Japanese folk missing out in the most comfortable outfit in history.

[@crazyhyuuu]

Thank you! I'm going to Japan for a school exchange and this really helped!

[@crossfadeking]

hello, i was wondering if i wanted exchange money in my country and take it to japan is there a limit to how much i can bring with me? i intend to buy alot of things when i am in japan. also is it easy to post items back to my country? thanks

[@jessbcuzrosenbarger]

I used Japan Post to mail some gifts and extra stuff home during my trip. For surface mail (mailed from Hiroshima Dec. 12, 2013, received in Indiana, USA, in early February), it was 6750en to send a nearly 10kg box. I needed my Japanese address and a telephone number, my home country address and telephone number, as well as a second address to redirect it to if the first didn't work out for some reason. They also wanted a list of the contents with approximate values. The form is in Japanese and English, so it wasn't too tricky to do. The thing I ran into is that some of my stuff came up missing out of one of my boxes (ceramics, chopsticks, pen/pencil set, memory book from host family...); I suspect it happened in customs in the US, since a couple of someone else's items ended up in my stuff...

[@nonitta]

Rachel, I can't tell you how helpful this is! I'm going to Japan in month and will take into consideration everything you've mentioned while packing. Thank you!!

[@animeluvsinger]

I take anti depressants I assume I'd have to apply like the narcotics?

[@cheyenneinseoul2136]

I remember watching this video when it came out while I was in high school, so excited thinking I would go live there one day. My dream of moving there isn’t gone, but this time my dreams include my husband! Is crazy how long I’ve followed Rachel and Jun

[@studbagl]

When you say drugs, do you mean illegal drugs? I am a type 1 diabetic and need insulin (by injection) for daily use which I can't live without. Will I have problems trying to get through customs at the airport in Japan?

[@petticoatedswashbuckler614]

Tyler Cassidy Music narcotics etc, but you should get a prescription import permit for your Rx drugs anyway, to be safe. The confiscation Of Rx drugs without a yakonshomei is up to the discretion of the customs officials at the airport, but are luckily fairly easy to get.

[@susie2251]

It’s the syringes that are the problem. You will need a Yakkan permit to import but it’s not difficult to do. You need to apply at least two weeks before traveling to get it in time.

[@RachelandJun]

It's really not that big of a deal, and I think that's fine. :) You can take whatever you want, and if you end up wanting to wear something else you can buy something new in Japan. I always shop at Japanese thrift stores and they can be SUPER cheap.

[@lexnite22]

"They do wear Crocs though" lol

[@RocksHayate]

For those who have the option, USAA provides some very nice rates. Thanks for the service, Grandpa. For electronics, you'll be able to find most electronic converters at the 100yen shop. I found mine at Daiso for my laptop, worked perfectly fine. Yes, food is expensive, and food gifts are much appreciated among the Japanese over non-expendable gifts. Stick to processed foods though in order to avoid getting stuck at the airport. Don't forget to bring a few plastic bags, you'll need them.

[@beep1685]

can you sleep on the plane to Japan.

[@TheSam1902]

You can, but only if you bring a letter signed by your doctor as well as 3 insurances that you will not decease during your nap.

[@ncburton1713]

I found this rather informative, on top of other videos I've seen along the same lines from other channels. The part that I found most helpful that no one else has added yet though was the information about the import/export of narcotic medications. Thank you for that! As someone who suffers from chronic pain and relies on some narcotics for relief it is very useful for me to know this information for when my fiance and I hope to eventually take a trip to Japan. :)

[@helens.undead666]

what if bands and Anime shirts is like all I have 😂😂 ? well I imagine it wouldn't really matter cuz I don't care at all for fitting in. I don't fit in already lol.

[@123Kittycatrachel]

+Sebastian Michaelis Hi sebby! :3

[@helens.undead666]

Kitty Cat hhaaaii !! ^~^

[@123Kittycatrachel]

Sebastian Michaelis How are you? :D

[@helens.undead666]

Kitty Cat I've been good wbu

[@123Kittycatrachel]

I've been pretty good! :D

[@thefather1122]

I'm spending a few weeks ( in a little while! ) in Tokyo on a college exchange and the gift section really helped!! Keep up the good work! :)

[@lineh4034]

Hi ! How about Birthcontrol pills? (hormones) I ran out of mine in Vietnam, and I only found one kind of pill from Korea, but really they were meant to cure acne....

[@RachelandJun]

+Line H Yeah you can get them here (or bring your own). The average price is ~3000 a month (~$30). You'll need to do tests either once or twice a year, ranging from only a blood test to a blood test, ultrasound, and maybe some other things as well. I do a blood test twice a year. It costs ~4000 for the blood test for me. Which tests you do and how many packets they'll give you at once depend on the place you go. Just find a women's health center and you'll be fine. :)

[@lineh4034]

awesome, I'll only be staying in Japan for around 5 months, so with this test it is easiere for me to bring from back home. Thanks for your reply!!!

[@Dularr]

I also bring along a small power strip as well. Use the adapter on the power strip plug and plug all your electrical devices into the one power strip. Which of course bring up the question of how conveniently placed are the wall power outlets.

[@AshTheBacon]

Can I bring insulin I'm diabetic I worried they mat think the needles for my dose of insulin as drugs

[@lunafreeman1]

Yeah, i'm sure they'd let you go. There may be a limit though as to how much insulin you are permitted to carry on the flight to Japan, but coming back, it shouldn't be a problem.

[@AshTheBacon]

Luna Freeman thanks

[@lunafreeman1]

yeah, no problem. Good luck! :)

[@hkw242]

To avoid misunderstandings carry a written note from your doctor (ask Airline Companies on details, they'll know). Diabetes is known in Japan as in any other country, they will know insulin. Actually Diabetes is getting larger in numbers from year to year. That might be surprising, considering the image of long living and healthy japanese, but it's one of the downsides of adapting western habbits. In this case especially the habbit of bleaching rice, so that it looks shiny white. Normal rice doesn't look that way, it's more brown-white. Something in this process leads the body to produce more sugar out of the rice and that compared with a culture that eats lots of rice leads to growing numbers of diabetes. So, they'll sure know. Don't be afraid, they'll know. If you use a syringe and needles for your insulin, you may change to a Pen - i allways find a pen more convinient and much easier to use and dose. Don't know if it's possible for you, but it will ease your daily life, no matter where you are.

[@dream_dealer]

@Lily Pollitt Why are you so rude? The person asked a simple question. There is no reason for you to be this impolite.

[@naduongruto]

I just recently subscribed to your channel, because of one earlier video which amazed me, and you happened to have made this video. Im going to Japan beginning of the next month for 3 weeks. I really like that you marked the video into sections! Good information

[@annablue8429]

What the hell is Jun doing?

[@charlieolson9377]

+anna blue Using a squat toilet. Duh.

[@annawilson4607]

I really love the amount of research she puts into these videos!

[@XanderFarrellAnimations]

She really seems to cover everything :D

[@ballinglikechoji]

God bless USSA!

[@RachelandJun]

Shorts are totally fine.

[@naznazo3030]

what about halal food? can u find halal food in japan? and what if u wear hijab, will Japanese people stare at you?

[@RBZB]

You can definitely find /some/ halal food in Japan; if you're going to tokyo, Asakusa is a good place to look around. Otherwise, Halal gormet japan has a good website and handy app. As for the Hijab, they tend to stare as much as the regular person honestly, but I figure that's because of the amount of Malaysian tourists that go to japan. Hope that helps!

[@naznazo3030]

thank you so much

[@RBZB]

Oh also! there's a mosque in Asakusa if you don't wanna make the trip to the Turkish Mosque in Shibuya. If you like Karaoke, Manekineko Yotsuya Sanchome in Shibuya have an English selection, special halal menu and a prayer area too!

[@naznazo3030]

do u live in japan?

[@RBZB]

Not anymore, unfortunately

[@bradlopez3681]

I found this video super useful for my trip. Man she was not kidding about the humidity it was like walking in a suna for a week.

[@austinpilton]

Do guys actually nose bleed every time they see something indecent like in anime

[@samanthayoast3883]

***** I'm pretty sure Obito is just trolling. :/

[@mariaechandi6257]

Its the Vault boy!!! Love those Fallout games .. as for the question I've seen people nosebleed cuz of stress.. unless you meant guys in Japan only. Havent been there yet !

[@cesartorres7457]

No no no! In anime nosebleeds are just a way of expressing emotion 😂

[@RachelandJun]

We're working on a video right now about how LGBT are seen in Japan. :) It'll probably be up in a week or two!

[@FarEastBay]

Going to be teaching in Japan in July, this is really helpful.

[@RachelandJun]

Nah, there's plenty of sizes! :D At the least S, M, and L. Some things are one size fits all, but not typically normal clothes. :)

[@Frozennova18]

I like your page a lot! Been trying to plan a trip to Japan and you've given a lot of helpful tips

[@RachelandJun]

There are plenty of websites that offer basic Japanese lessons for free. japaneseclass(.)jp, memrise(.)com & anki (flash card program) are all sources I've used. You can also just google "learn japanese online" and there will be plenty of websites that are free. Once you start putting together sentences you can use a blogging website called lang-8 and people fluent in Japanese will correct your grammar for you. You can even make friends to skype with and practice that way.

[@TkieSai]

This is a VERY informative video that actually answered a lot of my questions. THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@nakayummy]

Awesome video. Going to Tokyo for Golden Week, and this has been a real help!

[@Smuffication]

Your channel is really comprehensive- thank you!

[@tchekiah]

When I had two Japanese girls stay at my house for an exchange program, they told me they had never even heard of Nutella before! We had two (unopened) of the giant jars, so we gave them to them as gifts as well as other things. Thank you for the tips for when I visit Japan~!

[@woaharethesetomatoesonsale1347]

This video is so helpful. Thanks a lot for making it. I really want to move to Japan in the future, so this is very helpful.

[@BradZilla94]

Trying to plan a Study Abroad trip to Japan for a year of high school (It's kinda weird because of their school system, I'd go in February of my Freshman year and come back March of Sophomore so I'd get the end and the beginning and back to America) and this video really helped me better understand somethings that I was a bit more worried about. Thank you!

[@littleskelletonkid]

the Pseudoephedrine thing is a big one for Canadians so thank you for the reminder, here in Canada you can buy it off the shelf and i use it all the time to help my antihistamine when my allergies are really bad but i always forget how much of a problem it is when travelling, I've had it confiscated a few times while travelling in various countries.

[@meagan6732]

I found this very helpful. Thank you for going to the trouble of sharing this information!

[@lissamiss]

So helpful! Man, I'm sad I didn't watch this BEFORE I went to Japan! Thorough and informative! Thanks!

[@lissamiss]

Forgot to mention! The exchange rate from dollar to yen is ridiculously good this year. 99 yen for 1 cent.

[@RyomaEchizenAnime]

its 103 yen for 1$ now, i think you mean dollars not cents xD

[@lissamiss]

corey wingo Oh yes! haha I always get confused!

[@theyokaifangirl6437]

thanks for this tips when I get older im going to japan so thanks very much!

[@nwyrsbaby]

can you make a video about what kind of foods are good to eat for travelers,what to order,what first timers should try?

[@tryan8660]

Man, Rachel you just nail the info. Big thanks.

[@ohmyfudgecakes]

You don't know how useful this was to me. Thank you so much

[@kendract88]

Thank you so much. You thoroughly answered a question I had about getting my money to Japan. I recently came into some money and have been wanting to go so maybe I can finally go. I'm aiming for November!

[@RachelandJun]

Nope! Totally fine! :D

[@SamuraiFingers]

I'm from a small town...and I went to Japan. Lived there for nearly 5 years. The bank can arrange an exchange, it takes a little while I think it was one week - but they made the arrangements and then in a week I had my Yen! =)

[@taltal6842]

I'm going to Japan with my boyfriend in few weeks, and although he's been there few times already I'm still a newbie! (Watching anime won't prepare me for everything 😂) Your videos are really helpful, but also cute and funny! Just wanted to say thank you for making them! 😊

[@AlbinoRaccoon97]

I am going to Japan in exactly one month tomorrow. Really excited! It is actually all expense paid by the Japanese Government too! I'll also be staying with a host family for part of the time I am there, which is 2 weeks. -Parker

[@madelief47]

Very good advice and tips. Most of then I don't find in travelbooks; THANKS!

[@RachelandJun]

OH MY GOD

[@WhatNow858]

Always helpful! Thank you Rachel!

[@RachelandJun]

Japan has a lot of weird clothes with English phrases and sayings. If they're really common phrases or gestures like "Fuck" or a middle finger then I would probably avoid wearing it around your host family but otherwise it might be okay. Band shirts for a guy aren't as big a deal, especially if you're a foreigner so I wouldn't worry about it. You can always just add a button up over it. fashioninjapan(.).com (street snapshots->apparel) shows exactly what Japanese guys typically wear.

[@emmawilliams5829]

I really like your videos! They have so much helpful information!

[@calculatedslip]

Whew! That's a relief. I don't want to stand out any more than I already will but my zip-up hoodie is kind of like a security blanket. I want it for those days when I might be feeling overwhelmed by culture shock, haha. Thanks! :) This video's very helpful, btw.

[@凛-r3h]

You are a really nice person, making such a long video for strangers like us..

[@emv9078]

You're the first person who inspired me to go to Japan

[@worldaviation4k]

Wait! don't forget a pen to fill in the forms on the plane (that's if japan is the same as most countries on these visa waiver programs)

[@seangray266]

military issue duffle bags are perfect for this. they pack down small for the trip to and you can pack a ton of things in it

[@mewichigo143]

This is soo helpful!! Thanks for making the video. I should've watched this video before going to japan last year. lol

[@xmechaxdragonx]

I would definitely agree with you in that you should bring a fair amount of money in cash (your bank should give you a decent exchange rate, avoid using airport exchanges though). Otherwise, the 7-11's work wonderfully. Some of the train stations also have ATM's in them that are open as long as the trains are (which can be until 11pm at night).