What to do on flight to Japan ?????

Question

long trip , what do I do besides learning more Japanese ??Please ???

Answer 1

Read magazines and books, listen to music, etc

Answer 2

You will be amazed how unfriendly japan is to english speaking tourists.  If you see a signs that read "Information"... don't even bother to check cause most of the time it's all in japanese....  so my advice: you MUST learn japanese before you get there.

Answer 3

Join the frequent flier program for the airline, unless you already belong to a "partner" program.

Check www.seatguru.com for seat suggestions.  I usually try to get a window seat on really long flights and gather some extra pillows & blankets to make a "bed" that I can lean against.  Call the airline and request a seat as early as allowed.  Also ask if the aircraft has power ports that you can use for i-Pod, etc.

Consider getting a sleep mask (ex. www.mindfold.com) and some earplugs, which may help you sleep (they work for me). Luggage stores and airport shops also sell sleep masks.

I-Pods and portable game devices are great on planes, but the batteries won't last more than a few hours.  Pack one or more books that you have started, or that are from an author you know.  It's really annoying to realize - too late - the book you brought for the flight isn't a good read. Other options are crossword puzzles and similar.  A laptop is practical IF the aircraft is equipped with power ports (which can also re-charge an i-Pod or game device).

Pack a complete change of clothes and basic toiletries in your carryon bag.  Check the security requirements at: www.tsa.gov

Dress in comfortable clothes and shoes that are not too tight (or overly casual).  Your feet will swell during a long flight and tight clothes can make it harder to sleep.

I try to shower just before leaving to go to the airport.  It reduces the grungy feeling you get by the end of a long flight. Use conditioner to reduce hair frizziness.

Tag all of your bags (inside and outside) with your name, e-mail address (but not your home address) and a USA phone number someone will answer.  The free tags from the check-in counter are fine.

Make sure you have your passport and other documents on you before leaving home.

Get to the airport 2 full hours before departure so you don't have to stress.  

You can take something to help you sleep, but try it first.  Many meds can leave you groggy long after you need to be awake.  I just use aspirin.

Chewing gum can help with relieving the pressure in your ears.

Drink lots of water and juice:  The air in the cabin is very dry and causes dehydration.  Avoid too many drinks with caffeine (including colas) as they can increase the dehydration.

Get up and stretch every few hours.

Try to awaken just before breakfast is served and use the bathroom to wash up.  You will feel a lot better.

The time change can be a problem, and a long flight will produce a lot of "jet-lag". At your destination, try very hard to eat meals at local times and stay awake until local bedtime.  If you MUST take a nap then sleep for no more than 3 hours.  Falling asleep at 3:00pm may result in you waking up at Midnight - wide awake and unable to go back to sleep.

Hope you have a great trip!

Answer 4

Take a few good books...I suggest some Matsuo Basho, who wrote several fabulous travel logs in the form of poems of striking beauty about his native Japan.  

Historical texts about the destination country are usually good too.  For Japan, I would focus on its period of industrialization.  According to a professor of mine, Japan has a very forward focused drive, and only intellectuals really focus on anything older than the early 19th century.

oh, and...take a nap...most likely you don't spend 17 hours awake on a typical day...so something to block out light and sound if you're sensitive to these things will be good...