Insecurity Princess 🌈💖🔥I'm visiting Japan (Tokyo) for the first time soon!
I know very little about visiting Japan. I'm trying to absorb some quick advice from websites, but is there anything I should prepare in advance? What do you wish you'd known?
So far as a US traveler to Japan, some things I almost missed:
1. US plugs should work, but voltage is lower so check device voltage or being converter
2. Stimulant ADHD medications are strictly illegal other than Concerta (as in "US traveler arrested for carrying personal Adderall Rx")
3. Food substitutions are generally impolite, so take care in explaining food allergies as a reason. Japanese restaurants want to be careful with food allergies, but communication/translation barriers can often be difficult in explaining that gluten is generally in many things like tamari/shoyu/miso.
4. Gluten is very hard to avoid in Japan, especially since soy sauce (and many sauces) now generally uses wheat. Candies also use gluten sweeteners, and labeling of that is not required.
I love that flights from Japan to USA arrive at an earlier time on the same day in USA time zones 🤩
derekheld@saraislet let me preface this by saying I haven’t YET had to attempt this process but it was something I was looking into for preparation.
My understanding on the medication front is that the biggest barrier is lining up your paperwork. You’d need two separate approvals to import medication that are classified as narcotics, both from the regional health department that covers your arrival airport. https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/bringing-medications-to-japan.html
I don’t know how difficult the approval process is but there is a process at least.
@derekheld from my understanding, anything in the methamphetamine or dextroamphetamine classification is strictly prohibited, but lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) *is* permitted with prior approval. None of those are categorized as narcotics
@saraislet ok I think I’ve got a slightly better understanding now. This seems to be the primary list: https://www.ncd.mhlw.go.jp/dl_data/keitai/list.pdf
Anything with a check is 100% banned no matter what. Anything without a check can be brought in, with or without papers depending on exactly which item and amounts. So like methylphenidate is on there but not banned so it can be brought in. And for some of them there is preapproved amounts you are allowed to have listed here: https://www.ncd.mhlw.go.jp/dl_data/keitai/total.pdf
@saraislet my wife has ADHD and Japan is one of my dream vacations so I’ve been trying to map out everything we’d need to do for her to be able bring her medication.
Paul Hoffman@saraislet Japanese outlets only have holes for the two mains pins, never a third for a ground pin, so bring an adapter if you have any plugs with a ground pin. Another issue apparently (I haven't seen it) is that in older buildings, the two mains holes are only tall enough for Japanese blades, meaning that typical US plugs that have one blade taller for polarity will not fit. Just in case: bring an adapter with identical blades.
Saphira Lohikäärmekettunen 
Tim Bray@saraislet Do *not* take a taxi in from Narita (if you can arrive at Haneda that's better but usually you can't). Take either the Narita Expresss (N'Ex) or the Keisei highlander. Faster, and the taxis are insanely overpriced.
Matthew McPherrin@timbray @saraislet NEx has some reserved seats as well as non-reserved tickets. I didn’t realize this and had to move, which was confusing with a language barrier.
If you're having social drinks (and it is likely har to avoid this) when you've had enough to drink, stop with your glass full. Otherwise it will be refilled for you even after the most modest sip.
If you're pesenting something to a room full of Japanese people, and they ask you some questions, silence is apt to fall. This drives Westerners crazy, but it's perfectly OK, they're just thinking, and you'll get some more questions in a minute.
@timbray These are very helpful, thank you, Tim!
@saraislet If you get a day off, go down to Kamakura; it's about optimal in the easy-to-get-to/fun-to-walk-around/scenic-spot/super-cool-temples combo.
Antoine Leblanc 
@saraislet if you are planning to travel by train, *buy a JR pass*. It can only be bought from outside Japan, and gives you huge discounts on basically all train travel in Japan. 100% worth it.