Packing for Tokyo - Tips and Tricks

So, here goes the second part of my packing for Tokyo tips - this year I'd like to concentrate only on the things that might be interesting for you, as I suppose everyone knows they need to bring a toothpaste and passport - so I picked just a couple of tips I'd like to share with you. If you happen to have other tips, feel free to share them - they might make my journey even more pleasant. ^__^

Checked-in luggage:

Underwear

1) Cotton - not very sexy, but it might save you nasty trouble considering Tokyo’s hot and humid weather. Opt for neutral colors (white, nude, black), and make sure your clothes is not thin enough to let them show.

2) Safety shorts and slips.

3) At the lab it’s OK not to wear tights in summer (I asked the secretary).

4) Bras should not be visible at all, which means neutral colors, seamless and make sure they fit under the clothes you’re bringing. I prefer strapless ones, because that way the straps can’t be seen.

5) Tank tops, if your necklines are low.

Clothes

To be honest, I think no one will actually care how I look as long as I don’t look like a go-go dancer or homeless person. But I think that a bit of effort based on what I’ve seen in Japanese fashion mags and heard from Japanese people can make a better impression.In general, feminine and modest clothes are suitable.

As for the dress code for my internship, it's supposed to be pretty relaxed. The only thing that's a big no-no are shorts, but after talking to someone who's familiar with both academic and corporate environment in Japan, I opted for skirts just a little above the knee, modest neckline (it shouldn't reach below the line connecting your under arms - it's OK to wear a tank top under lower necklines to provide more coverage), low-heeled ballet flats, up-dos and decent jewelery. With what I'm bringing, I can go from 35 °C to 0 °C (we'll visit the Narukawa ice cave), from the semi-formal ceremonies to hanging out with people.You’ll hopefully see how I combine the following pieces, but as usually, I’m bringing dresses that can work both as skirt and as blouses and pretty much every piece can be combined with the others to create a new look. I’m bringing 4 skirts, 4 blouses and 4 dresses, plus 2 cardis, 1 jacket and 1 dressy jacket. The hotel I’ll be staying in has washing machines, so it’s plenty enough even for 6 weeks.

Sewing kit and washing
- invisible thread, needle and a bag to wash underwear in 

Shoes

Comfortable shoes are a must - for formal situations, low heels are preferred. I opted for my low-heeled ballet flats, because they’re comfortable, look cute and nice, can be worn in hot weather and cover my toes (= more polished look). 

Bags

They have to fit my laptop and I decided to bring a backpack too. My last bag serves as my cabin luggage.

 

Accessories

These belts can really change the whole look, and they go with all the clothes I’m bringing. As for jewelery, I decided to go for subtle ones, no massive bijou or OTT cute things.

 

Make up

Er, this is my minimum make-up for summer. I know, it’s way more 90% of women use, but you know my usual routine, so this is the bare minimum I need to survive without walking around with a paper bag covering my face. Lip gloss, neutral lipsticks (the red one is sheer), base/top coat and very natural OPI nailpolish, mini mascara, BB cream I got in Paris (Erborian, it’s amazing), eye brow pencil/brush, eye liners (brown and white), brushes, mini highlighters, mini eye shadow primer/concealer, neutral eye shadow palette (from Japan, so I’m being a total idiot bringing Japanese make up to Japan) and powder with mirror.

Vitamins and stuff 

Vitamins are expensive in Japan, so better bring your own. The Octan gel works really great on mosquito bites. I also put my mum’s home-made anti-mosquito biological weapon in a former Lush spray - it’s Alpa (alcohol) with clove.

Drugstore thingies

No one wants to smell, and especially not in Japan. So I decided to try one of the overnight antiperspirants that were formerly sold only in pharmacies. I’ll be getting all skincare products for the 6 weeks in Tokyo, so here are just some minis I got for the first day or two. Plaster, cream samples, shower cap, foot antiperspirant gel, green tea solid perfume, sunscreen, shampoo and conditioner samples, make-up removing pads, shower gel, make up remover, brush.

 

Hand luggage:

Keep a file with all your important documents - in my case it’s UTRIP manuals, NEX -> Iidabashi routes, timetables and NEX and Suica user’s guide, copy of all important documents, flight info and online check-in, passport photos, opening hours of phone rental shops and JR offices etc.

Inflatable neck pillow, headphones (Emirates ones are different from my smartphone’s ones), fan, tissues, empty bag.

 

Shawl and socks/slippers to change into on board - sooo comfy.

 

The stuff that will go into a re-sealable plastic bag: cream samples, BB cream and make-up samples, mini deo, mini toothpaste, mini cleansing gel, sheet masks, make-up removing tissues, eye mask, wet tissues, mini lip balm. I think that the lip balm and sheet masks don’t really need to go there, but better safe than sorry. Also, you don’t need to buy the airport bag - I always sue the bags I have at home.

 

 

And the stuff that doesn’t smell of liquids: sleeping mask, tooth brush, mints, mirror, brush, plaster, handbag hanging thingy.

Pills for ear pain and vitamins.
 

Food, in case I get served something inedible or I crave a midnight snack.

Yours now in Tokyo

Vita