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Tara2117
Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Gunma, Japan
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 Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 9:27 am Post subject: What to take when you leave Japan... |
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I've been in Japan for 7 years. It looks like I might finally be able to leave in the next year or so. So I'm thinking about what kinds of things I want to take back with me.
Those of you who've left, what things are you glad you brought back home with you, or what do you regret not bringing?
I like crafty type stuff, so I'm stocking up on stamps, origami paper, cute cloth, etc. I also like cooking, so wondering what kind of kitchen things I may not be able to get in England. (I'm from the US, but will be going to the UK with my hubby-to-be.)
Thoughts? |
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Rooster.
Joined: 13 Mar 2012
Posts: 247
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 12:20 pm Post subject: |
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I might be overlooking something but I can't really think of anything kitchen related that you can get in Japan that you shouldn't be able to get back home. Maybe quality chopsticks if you're big into that. They also take rice cookers to a whole other level if you need something top quality. You can get all of that almost anywhere, though.
I mean, you can even get origami paper where I come from (although that's not the UK). |
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The Fifth Column
Joined: 11 Jun 2014
Posts: 331
Location: His habitude with lexical items protrudes not unlike a damaged pollex!!!
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Be careful with electronics. Japan's 100v products are known to slowly burn out with the 110v+ systems outside Japan. |
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Inflames
Joined: 02 Apr 2006
Posts: 486
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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| The Fifth Column wrote: |
| Be careful with electronics. Japan's 100v products are known to slowly burn out with the 110v+ systems outside Japan. |
If you're from a country that uses 120v power (such as the US or Canada) there's very little to worry about - even cheap electronics are built to withstand differences in voltage such as that. Something such as a computer will have no problems. |
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HLJHLJ
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 1218
Location: Ecuador
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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| The Fifth Column wrote: |
| Be careful with electronics. Japan's 100v products are known to slowly burn out with the 110v+ systems outside Japan. |
The OP is going to the UK which is 230v. Unless it comes with a multi-voltage transformer (like computers, etc) taking electrical items isn't an option. I don't know whether Japanese rice cookers are multi-voltage but they are easy to buy in the UK anyway, from a cheap simple one up to the expensive all singing all dancing models.
Craft supplies are widely available in the UK, including origami paper, so the only craft stuff worth taking is Japanese specific, for example cut-outs, stencils, stamps etc with a Japanese theme.
I can't think of anything obvious you can't get in the UK that you can in Japan. There are plenty of specialty food stores around so in terms of ingredients you should be able to get anything. Even with the price premium for it being specialty it still probably won't cost any more than you would pay in Japan. The same goes for kitchen equipment. You can easily buy chopsticks, though I guess if you have a preference some particular type, you could take those with you.
Green and other teas are available, though you might not be able to get the exact same brand, etc. Oh, you can't get the same variety of special editions, e.g. sakura or green tea kitkats, but you can probably order them online. Either way, it's not something I'd waste luggage space on.
There are some stationery items, like refills for Coleto pens, that aren't readily available in stores, but you can order them online and off ebay, usually with free or very cheap postage.
The only thing I can think of would be Japanese language books or Japanese language anything really. Even then you would find a small selection in the biggest bookstores or be able to order them in, but the choice would be limited. |
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The Fifth Column
Joined: 11 Jun 2014
Posts: 331
Location: His habitude with lexical items protrudes not unlike a damaged pollex!!!
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 5:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Last time I checked 230v fell within the "110+v" category and the UK was "outside Japan", smarty-pants! |
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HLJHLJ
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 1218
Location: Ecuador
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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| The Fifth Column wrote: |
| Last time I checked 230v fell within the "110+v" category and the UK was "outside Japan", smarty-pants! |
Well yes, but 'slow burnout' hardly describes what happens when you plug a 100v device into a 220v circuit. If the OP took that at face value it could potentially be very dangerous. |
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The Fifth Column
Joined: 11 Jun 2014
Posts: 331
Location: His habitude with lexical items protrudes not unlike a damaged pollex!!!
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 7:00 pm Post subject: |
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| HLJHLJ wrote: |
| The Fifth Column wrote: |
| Last time I checked 230v fell within the "110+v" category and the UK was "outside Japan", smarty-pants! |
Well yes, but 'slow burnout' hardly describes what happens when you plug a 100v device into a 220v circuit. If the OP took that at face value it could potentially be very dangerous. |
My bad. I just assumed that the OP would figure that out for herself...especially when she tries to shove two knife blades into a two-pin receptacle.
Sorta like trying to fit a square block into a round hole, doncha think?
Anyhow, even with proper transformers, I've seen prized Japanese-bought electronics slowly fade away... |
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kah5217
Joined: 29 Sep 2012
Posts: 270
Location: Ibaraki
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 9:38 pm Post subject: |
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Believe it or not, I'm really glad I brought my futon comforter back with me. If I had room I would have brought more than one, they're a lot different than what's available around here.
I also brought back a stack of campus notebooks. I like the B5 size, and B5 is near impossible to get in the US because we don't have the ISO standards. So if you do have any stationery that you like and might be hard to find, go for it. It's not that odd. |
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rxk22
Joined: 19 May 2010
Posts: 1629
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Rooster. wrote: |
I might be overlooking something but I can't really think of anything kitchen related that you can get in Japan that you shouldn't be able to get back home. Maybe quality chopsticks if you're big into that. They also take rice cookers to a whole other level if you need something top quality. You can get all of that almost anywhere, though.
I mean, you can even get origami paper where I come from (although that's not the UK). |
I agree. I would say, nice plates and what not. Those, like good chopsticks, are hard to find even in large urban areas in the US. Oh and soy sauce bowls, miso bowls, all that stuff too
Oragami paper is pretty accessible.
7 years? Wow, big changes. You can find Manga at grocery stores now. Pocky is pretty common now as well.
Congrats though, wish you two the best! |
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Maitoshi
Joined: 04 May 2014
Posts: 718
Location: 何処でも
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 11:55 pm Post subject: |
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Have you ever lived in the UK before? I'm sure your fiancé will be a great resource during the transition. Under what circumstances would you consider a move back to the USA?
As far as things to bring, I would load up on excellent graded sake. Most of the really good stuff can be very expensive, but can also be near impossible to find abroad. This is not to suggest that some very excellent stuff cannot be found abroad, but just that some of the best doesn't seem to get exported.
I hope this helps! |
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Mr. Leafy
Joined: 24 Apr 2012
Posts: 246
Location: North of the Wall
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 8:09 am Post subject: |
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I left about two years ago. Mostly I wish I had brought an entire 100 yen store with me...
At first I missed everything but now I just want everyday groceries. A few kitchen gadgets and table-ware for very Japanese specific foods would be useful but you shouldn't need a lot. I just brought half a dozen pieces, including my favourite bento box, and I'm glad to have them.
There is one Japanese grocery store in London but it's very expensive. I don't remember the name or location.
For me, I found that Japan uses a lot of THINGS. Going to Tokyu Hands was a major wallet hazard. There were so many things that seemed normal to have there but when I couldn't get them, the need went away. Maybe it won't be the same for you
I also kept a few little things like my teiki case and and last phone strap and they make me unreasonable happy when I use them again. |
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Tara2117
Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Gunma, Japan
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| Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 6:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Maitoshi wrote: |
Have you ever lived in the UK before? I'm sure your fiancé will be a great resource during the transition. Under what circumstances would you consider a move back to the USA?
As far as things to bring, I would load up on excellent graded sake. Most of the really good stuff can be very expensive, but can also be near impossible to find abroad. This is not to suggest that some very excellent stuff cannot be found abroad, but just that some of the best doesn't seem to get exported.
I hope this helps! |
I lived in the UK for a year before coming to Japan. As to what would make me move back to the USA? Hmmm... actual socialized healthcare (had high hopes for Obamacare, but it seems to be a clusterf!&k,) and a nation-wide public transportation system (like Japan and the UK have,) might make me consider it.  Plus, I want any children I might have to have EU passports. I know my life would be a LOT easier if I had one myself, ha ha. Also, in England I would probably get *GASP!* paid maternity leave if I had a baby. I like their education system better. (That will matter if I have kids.) Also LOOOOVE how there is actual separation of church and state over there. And how much easier and cheaper it is to travel around Europe. And call me crazy, but I adore English weather. 'Murica doesn't really have much to offer me right now, to be honest. (Plus, future in-laws are ten years older than my own parents, and not in the best health, so it's a little more important for us to be there right now, rather than closer to my fam.)
Sorry, didn't mean to bash my home country so much, ha ha. England really is better for me and my life situation right now.
Thanks for the info. I'm not a fan of sake, but I think I will try and bring some umeshu. 
Last edited by Tara2117 on Wed Jul 16, 2014 6:29 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Tara2117
Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Gunma, Japan
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| Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Mr. Leafy wrote: |
I left about two years ago. Mostly I wish I had brought an entire 100 yen store with me...
For me, I found that Japan uses a lot of THINGS. Going to Tokyu Hands was a major wallet hazard. There were so many things that seemed normal to have there but when I couldn't get them, the need went away. Maybe it won't be the same for you
I also kept a few little things like my teiki case and and last phone strap and they make me unreasonable happy when I use them again. |
I shall SORELY miss the Daiso!!! You're right about all the THINGS. I guess I have become used to "needing" tons of stupid crap, ha ha. Mostly I think I will miss how kawaii everything is. Bento supplies are a good idea. Thanks! |
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Tara2117
Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Gunma, Japan
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| Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the replies. I don't plan to take any electronics. I was thinking about a takoyaki maker, but probably won't... I mean, how likely am I to ever make takoyaki once I leave Japan?
As I said above, I think I will mostly miss how kawaii every damn thing here is. That, and ume flavored stuff.
Thanks for the ideas. I'll keep them in mind. |
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