Gahh...it's so hard to prepare for Japan, especially Sapporo since it snows there. Coming from a Tropical country, it's not easy trying to prepare for a 4 season country. I laid out all my things I thought I would need and I was prepared to pack until 46kgs (23 per luggage).
I was booked for Korean Air economy class. That means that Japan Government approved to provide a connecting flight from Manila-Korea-Sapporo. I didn't have to pay for a domestic fare from Narita to Sapporo. Problem is, while other airlines allow 2 23kg luggage, Korean Air only allows 1 23kgs. I ended up paying $100 for another luggage because it would cause $75 per 1 kg overweight.
I started packing weeks before my actually flight but let me tell you, you end up repacking and repacking again. At least, that was my case. I'm not petite or even slim so my clothes are big. My first time packing, I ended up with 41kgs total. Anyway, long story short, I repacked 4 times and ended up with 36kgs. I was very conscious about my bags because I felt it was too big. Very one except for my mom and sister was also shock on how much I brought. In my defense, I'm a big girl and I was already given a lot of clothes from my relatives so it would be pointless to leave them behind and buy new ones in Sapporo.
Anyway, pointers for those who are having a hard time to pack and will be going to a different country alone without knowing anyone there at all.
1. Enough underwear/socks. Because it's pretty awkward to shop around for those and on your first few days, you will be busy buying for house stuff not personal things.
2. A set of formal clothes for presentation and fancy clothes for any formal events.
3. Set of loose clothes so you can wear something underneath to fight the cold.
4. Medicine and easy to cook food from your country because most of the things here are in Japanese and if you have zero knowledge on Japanese, you will be buying blind.
5. 1 large bag for carry-one and small bag for your important documents.
6. Separate your money into different wallets.
7. 1 month personal items like shampoo, soap, etc.
8. House clothes, slippers and 2 sets of shoes excluding formal shoes
9. Towel and if you can blanket and pillow because the pillow they gave me was super weird, I ended up using the thick blanket as my pillow and the free blanket from Korean Air as my pillow.
10. Japanese-English Translator or dictionary, because gestures can only get you so far.
11.A case or envelope for all the papers they will be giving you (and there is A LOT).
12. Fold-able laundry basket.
13. Personal kitchen tools like spoon, fork, lunch box, water jog. Doesn't have to be big.
14. Writing materials and set of important documents.
15. If you get sore throat easily or anything related to cold sickness, get vaccine.
16. Not really needed but if you have long hair and you want to avoid getting sick, bring a hair dryer because it takes time for hair to dry and when you go out, your head will feel like it was in a freezer if not dried properly. I didn't brought one so I have to wake up extra early just to have it dry.
17. There are many more but the last one is anything that you cannot live without that might not be available in Japan.
For me, I brought my Bible, favorite book and some foods.
Well, that's all.
