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Travel Abroad
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If you haven't experienced travel in Asia before, here are some things that you may want to keep in mind. For destination specific information, remember, the WWW is always a good source.
- Get a good, sturdy trekking backpack
Whether you stay in a hotel or a hostel, you won't want to carry around cumbersome luggage. Just getting around the airport alone will take you up and down several flights of stairs. Purchasing one in your home country would probably be most economical. If this is not possible, Mont Bell (located in the covered arcade just off of Kawaramachi Dori in downtown Kyoto) is a camping/outdoor sporting goods store here in Japan which has a decent selection and prices.
- Bring good hiking boots or sandals and long cotton pants or a sarong
Though the weather can be scorchingly hot and humid, you will find shorts are not too "in fashion" in most parts of Asia, particularly in Muslim countries. Many temples will not allow you to enter without your legs and feet covered. In addition, getting from one place to the next in many asian countries can present quite a challenge; uncomfortable shoes can quickly sour any vacation.
- Bring a money belt or a money/passport pouch that can be worn around the neck
Though violent crime is fairly infrequent in most parts of Asia, pick-pocketing is prevalent in many areas (except in Japan, where though it can occur, it's not a frequent happening). Having your passport stolen is a huge hassle for you and your host institution, as it requires getting a new visa issued.
- Get a good guidebook
Particularly if you plan on doing some serious trekking, you will need a lot of information on how to prepare (i.e. you don't want to stuck in the backwaters of Cambodia without purification tablets or some other essential item). The Lonely Planet series is highly recommended. They can be purchased in Japan for almost double the retail value or they can be ordered through AJET for a bit less.
- Be sure to check whether or not you need a visa or any shots, at least a couple of months in advance. You must have at least 6 months remaining on your passport for many countries.
- Make copies of all the important pages in your passport
Specifically, you should make copies of your photo page, your visa, and your re-entry permit. Keep your copies in a place seperate from your passport. Also it is a good idea to leave some copies in Japan with someone at your school, or in your home country where they can be mailed to you if necessary.
- DO NOT FORGET YOUR RE-ENTRY PERMIT
Your visa becomes null and void if you enter back into Japan without it!
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travel essential
airports