If you had it to do all over again, what would you have made sure you purchased or brought with you to your duty station in Japan.

We're packing out in 4 weeks! I'm getting the feeling that we're forgetting something with the move inching ever closer. I'm not talking black market junk.

Just some "you know what, we should have got that before we left" items.

Thanks. Looking forward to your replies...

I feel the same way. Pack out was yesterday, nontemp on Tuesday. I know there was something I should have packed but didn't. I will be curious to see what others post. too late now though.

Bet you forgot your toothbrush! (smile)

Make sure you have the important stuff like, Passport, and orders(make lots of copies of it) Maybe get some Yen, before you come to Japan, u never know, u might have to ride the train or stay at the hotel. Although u can convert dollars to yen at the airport but who wants to stand in that line... An Umbrella! Maybe bring some of your favorite DVD's to watch while staying at the Navy Lodge! Renew your Driving License before coming to Japan!

some favorite snacks, japan has alot to offer, but until you get used to them bring some things you are familiar with for me I am missing hot chips and my husband boiled peanuts.....lol

Furniture was our major issue once we got here. We sold all of our beater, hand me down stuff, thinking we'd purchase all new stuff when we got here. We were in for a huge suprise. The Furniture store was wiped out......the only had 1 mattress, and it was very, very expensive. We slept on our couch and sleeping bags for a week or so, and ended up buying a table I didn't really like. I wish I had known where Ikea was back then.....it would've saved us a lot of headache.

Our other issues was weather appropriate clothing. We had come from a 6 month stint in South Texas (basically Mexcio), and it was December and still 85 degrees. When we got here we had no winter coats, mittens, scarves, long underwear or anything else. The NEX had NOTHING. I know everybody will say to go offbase, and now I would agree....however, we were jet lagged, had no transportation, no clue about using Yen, where to go, and we were living at the Navy Lodge for a month. Just make sure you have weather appropriate clothing when you come over, but I guarantee you that the NEX will let you down.

One thing we should have brought with us in our suitcase but didn't think about was our Vonage modem and wireless router. We packed it in unaccompanied baggage, but soon realized we could have used it when we first got here and had to stay in the Navy Lodge for a month.

If you plan on staying here for only 3 years, just bring crappy furniture, unless you plan to continue on somewhere else on an overseas tour. Chances are, your "nice" furniture will take a beating on its way over, so just bring what you would need to comfortably furnish a small apartment.

If you plan on staying here for at least 5 years, bring some of the nicer stuff. You can buy furniture much cheaper back in the states. Plan on spending more at the NEX. The selection isn't always the best either. You can shop at IKEA, but you have to think about how you're going to get it home. It's not as easy as it may seem. We bought a nice kitchen table from IKEA. We originally had a pub table, but it was just too small, so that's why we ended up buying the table from IKEA. Is it my first pick? No. Could I have found something back in the states that I liked a lot better for the money? Yes. But, beggars can't be choosers here in Japan. We have a fairly large vehicle, so we were able to get it home. But, if you buy a small car or don't have a car at all, getting big items from IKEA back home could be troublesome for you.

I would also recommend a BIG shopping trip for clothes prior to leaving the states (I know the ladies are going to like hearing that! ). The selection at the NEX is pretty awful.   I never, EVER shop there.....not my style and overpriced. You can buy decent clothes off base for a good price, but keep in mind that they are Japanese sizes. If you are tall or a little on the "plump" side, you may find it difficult to find clothes off base. Stock up on the things you go through quickly like undershirts, underwear, socks, shoes, etc. There is online shopping, but I find that it can be difficult to buy things online because you never know how something is going to fit.

Area rugs may also be a good idea because a lot of the town homes and towers have hard floors. You can buy rugs here, but you may not find exactly what you are looking for. And, again....prices are better in the states.

If you plan on living off base, you may want to consider some recycling bins. We bought some of these from IKEA in the states:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60076365

We got two large ones and two small ones and use them every day. They do sell them at the IKEA here, so you can wait to buy it when you get here or buy it back in the states and have it shipped with all your stuff.

I also recommend a Slingbox HD if you plan on living off base. I doesn't look like it'll work too well if you live on base, but it works beautifully off base! We get hundreds of channels from the states and don't have to pay for cable TV since we have the Slingbox! Give yourself a present (and help the economy) and buy a nice big flat screen and Slingbox! Again, don't bother if you think you're going to live on base.

Don't bring a car! Buy one here.

If you have a pet, I recommend a doggy door that slides right into a sliding glass door.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2755037

We bought one off eBay for under $100. It's adjustable so it fits easily in our sliding glass door in our house off base. It should fit in the sliding glass door in the town homes as well. Don't bother with one if you think you'll be in an apartment (or have a yappy dog - don't want to bug your neighbors! ). Also, most homes off base don't have a yard, so it may not be practical for you if you plan to live off base. There are homes that have a fenced yard though. We found several when we first moved here.

That's all I can think of now! Good luck to anyone who is getting ready to embark on an exciting journey here! 

Geez.....I didn't realize I typed that much! Hahaha! I'm a little chatter box tonight I guess! 

Geez.....I didn't realize I typed that much! Hahaha! I'm a little chatter box tonight I guess!

Nice 1...

@ SoftballWidow...that is my problem. We are coming from South Texas and don't own warm clothes anymore. I think we are in trouble. I went to Kohl's yesterday and bought a couple of sweaters but didn't think about gloves and such. Opps.

Good stuff! Thanks folks. We're coming from Great Lakes, so winter clothing won't be an issue :-) We still have remnant carpet that we purchased in Hawaii while we were stationed there. It's been stored in the basement since we got here, but it should come in handy in Japan. T-shirts and socks and stuff is exactly what I need to get. Thanks for that one! Didn't know about the wireless router either, plus we signed up for Skype last week.

Skype is fine. I prefer Vonage, but skype will do. You can read the posts on here if you search them within the search link for the forums.

my friends who are already in yokosuka recommended i buy magic-jack. they have called me on it and it sounds crystal clear. any thoughts?

Below are some posts to review about phone services:

How do you get Vonage over here?

Phones

Home Phone Services Available In Japan?

good US phone service in Japan

I used Skype a lot during the first week I was here in Japan. It worked fine, but wasn't as crystal clear as Vonage. I couldn't tell you how good or bad Magic-Jack is. I haven't used it and am curious myself as to how well it works. I know it's a lot cheaper than Vonage. I think Magic-Jack is $19.95 a year, while Vonage is about $35 a month with all their taxes and fees.

Just thought of one more thing that people moving to Japan might want to buy and/or bring to Japan......an electric blanket. It can get chilly here in the winter (especially if you live off base in a Japanese home). The homes off base aren't very well insulated. The Japanese usually heat each room separately to save on energy costs. Most homes do not have central air. We use our electric blanket year round. We like to keep the bedroom frigid cold throughout the year, so it's always nice to crawl into a nice, warm bed. We hibernate like a bear when we sleep! I also recommend an electric throw for the couch!

Yoko-girl, or anyone else that can answer this question...you said that you should have brought your Vonage adapter and wireless router for use in the Navy Lodge. How does that work there? Is there a wireless signal at the lodge, or a wired option, which you could then hook up the router too? Thanks, Dana

Yokosuka Navy lodge has a wired modem in each room. At least that's what it was when I came last August.

I just wanted to bump this thread so that it is easier to find.

Ok so a vonage box, wireless router, phone, computer, lots of sock, underwear, undershirts, shoes and furniture to fill a small apartment. SHould I be putting my vonage box and router in my luggage to bring with me on the plane, or just send it in my express shipment?

Posted By joshnabbey on 02-23-2011 9:15 AM
Ok so a vonage box, wireless router, phone, computer, lots of sock, underwear, undershirts, shoes and furniture to fill a small apartment. SHould I be putting my vonage box and router in my luggage to bring with me on the plane, or just send it in my express shipment?

Definitely bring it.  You could mail it out about a week before you leave or pack it in your suitcase.  Either way, you'll want it when you get here so you can make phone calls right away. 

any thoughts about bringing a treadmill to yokosuka? i am a family of 5 and hoping for a 4 bedroom town house? any suggestions?