Japan Packing List Tips by heywinks

DON'T GET STUCK WITHOUT TOILET PAPER!

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: When you use a public bathroom, you may find that there is no toilet paper. This is not uncommon in Japan, for reasons I cannot understand. Whenever you go out, you *must* bring tissue with you. Pocket tissue is best. You can buy it at the convenient stores or some bathrooms have a coin operated machine where you can purchase it.
At some major street crosswalks or shopping streets, there are some people who pass out pocket tissues with advertisements on them for free. Take them! You never know when you will need it!!

Miscellaneous: Another bathroom related accessory you would need is a small hankerchief or towel. After you wash your hands, often times there are no hand dryers or paper towels. Japanese people always carry around small hankies when they go out for this purpose.
If you forget, that's ok. As a last resort just dry your hands on your pants!! Ha ha!!

GIFTS FROM HOME

Miscellaneous: If you think that you may be visiting a Japanese home, be sure to bring a thank you gift along with you. When one visits someone else`s home, they always bring a small gift (usually Japanese sweets or dessert). Don`t show up empty-handed. I always try to bring something edible. Different kinds of tea is always appreciated as well.
If you are a foreigner visiting perhaps just one time, small souvenirs from your home country (keychains, pins, postcards, packets of tea or coffee, chocolate, etc) would be great.
When I come back from Boston, MA (USA), I bring back with me Jelly Belly jellybeans, Hershey`s Chocolate, Dunkin Donuts Coffee, & cans of clam chowder.