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Sody
Joined: 03 Oct 2003
Posts: 55
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 Posted: Sat May 14, 2005 9:19 am Post subject: |
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| homersimpson wrote: |
Aqua,
No one can give you a definitive answer on Japanese customs; not even Japanese customs! It's a mixed bag. You may have your luggage checked, you may not. I know security at both Narita and Haneda airports has increased significantly in the last year or so, but that doesn't mean everyone is getting searched (obviously). There is a list of items one cannot bring in to Japan (available from the U.S. State Dept. and the Japanese Embassy). My guess is if you are bringing small quantities of toothpaste or a month's supply of a prescription medication, you should be OK. (However, this last statement is based on personal experience; I am not an attorney). |
Has anyone had a problem bringing a year's supply of multivitamins and Omega-3 with them to Japan? I live in Canada but will be making a stop-over at an American airport on my way to Tokyo. Two of my friends who live in Japan say you can't bring that much and it will be a problem at the US airport, but not at the Japanese airport. Yet, on another board it was mentioned that it was the reverse and that it would be a problem in Japan, not the US. Can someone please provide feedback regarding their experience with this?
Sody |
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Mike L.
Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Posts: 519
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| Posted: Sat May 14, 2005 9:45 am Post subject: |
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If you're comming on JET they pretty much just flag you through customs wiht the thousands of others showing up at the same time.
I'll never forget getting off the plan from Canada meeting JETs from The UK, AUz and America all as we made our way to customs!! |
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stillnosheep
Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Posts: 2068
Location: eslcafe
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| Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 12:33 pm Post subject: |
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That must have been nice. Shame none of you connies can teach (or spell) tho.
19 hrs and only 1 cigarette. No pressure! |
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Mike L.
Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Posts: 519
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| Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| That must have been nice. Shame none of you connies can teach (or spell) tho. |
Oh my, we fancy ourselves don't we?  |
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stillnosheep
Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Posts: 2068
Location: eslcafe
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| Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 1:21 pm Post subject: |
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Yes!
That is because 'we' are intelligent and you are stupid.
It goes with the territory really!
ps. 20 hrs with only 1 cigarette and I haven't even got to the snapping out at random -and very very stupid even if they are Canadian- strangers yet. Great. |
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Mike L.
Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Posts: 519
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| Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 3:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| ps. 20 hrs with only 1 cigarette and I haven't even got to the snapping out at random -and very very stupid even if they are Canadian- strangers yet. Great. |
Haven't we?
Don't we belong on the Thailand forum, perhaps back in Thailand doing whatever?
Good luck kicking the habit!  |
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jojoebi
Joined: 04 Apr 2005
Posts: 14
Location: japan
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| Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 12:17 am Post subject: |
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check here
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/topics/import/index.html
for a list of the things you can and can't bring in, if you need more than a months supply of medication then there is a procedure to follow for that too, I think the info is on that site.
as many people have already said, deodrant!
and any favourite brand of cosmetics to see you through until you find a suitable replacement.
bras, unless you like them padded, all japanese bras I have come across have been padded and i haven't found one that fits well. |
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pnksweater
Joined: 24 Mar 2005
Posts: 173
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 2:51 am Post subject: |
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Somethings that haven't been mentioned yet:
birth control- yes you can get it in Japan, but they don't have as much varity (say if you want a specific mix of hormones or a very low dose pill)
tampons- yes they have them but selection is small and some people are picky about this kind of thing. That said, they have some super freaky pads here that are very technical and light weight.
Dress code- I'm sure you're not the type of person to parade about work, but do watch the neckline and midriff. Showing leg and wearing trashy high heels to the office seems to be okay (from the women I see on the train here in Tokyo) but bear midriff is not okay as is any sign of clevage. Women here do wear plunging necklines but have a camisole or tanktop underneath to make the neckline more appropriate.
Other than that take clothes that you feel comfortable in. I have my suit for formal stuff here at the university, but my regular dress is much more relaxed. Since you'll be in a K-12 situation I think the advice to dress like your high school teachers is very appropriate. |
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jerjer
Joined: 09 Jan 2007
Posts: 9
Location: The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
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| Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 7:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Aqua78 wrote: |
| ...things like flouride toothpaste and over-the-counter medications which aren't available there. Can a person get in trouble for bringing these things into Japan, or for bringing too much of something? I've read that some items are only allowed in limited quantities (2-months suppy of toothpaste, etc). So if the customs agents should open my suitcase stuffed with American personal hygene products and Advil, what would happen then? |
oooh, watch out, the toothpaste police will bust you!  customs might mistake you for a shady character planning to blackmarket colgate from under your trenchcoat in a dark alley. |
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The Dutchman
Joined: 28 Aug 2006
Posts: 5
Location: Osaka
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| Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 7:43 pm Post subject: |
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The whole toothpaste thing is a myth.
One of my students is a senior manager at one of the big producers of toothpaste and one day I asked about it. The reply was that 90% of Japanese toothpaste does indeed contain fluoride.
I was advised to avoid the cheap 100-yen stuff. |
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The Dutchman
Joined: 28 Aug 2006
Posts: 5
Location: Osaka
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| Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 7:52 pm Post subject: |
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Oh, about the Customs thing:
When I arrived at Kansai International they pulled me aside, emptied my bag and inspected EVERYTHING down to the smallest button. It took two Customs officials over an hour.
Although I did not have to take off my clothes I was also very thoroughly frisked and all my pockets were examined.
I suppose it could have had something to do with the fact that I flew in from Malaysia, but I think I was just unlucky. |
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Alberta605
Joined: 23 Dec 2006
Posts: 94
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:59 am Post subject: |
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| They probably found out you work for Nova Highly suspicious behavior in itself. |
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