Going to Hamamatsu, Japan for a 2-week high school homestay in July, need help with details...?
1) Should I get an international prepaid Visa card, or just use cash? 2) What kind of clothes do I need? 3) What would be appropriate presents for my host family? I've taken 2 years of HS-level Japanese, and I really want to get the most out of this trip, so any response would be helpful! Thanks!
Japan - 4 Answers
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1 :
i would go with the prepaid visa just keep track of it. japan kids wear alot of the same styles as kids her ein the states you may want to take some dress clothes just in case you go out somewhere nice. i would check online for weather in the area of japan you are going too. presents wise iw ould do something thoughtfull and meaningfull nothing tacky. maybe soemthing about your town or the state you live in? ive heard western classical music is big in japan, im sure as long as you put some thought into it you will be ok.
2 :
Japan in July is very hot and humid. Bring a lot of sundresses and light clothing. However, keep in mind that Japan is, in general, more formal and conservative than America. The Japanese women are very stylish and dress up way more than we Americans do. Avoid super low cut blouses or too-tight clothing. Avoid hootchie clothing in general! Be sure to bring shoes that slip on and off easily as you will be taking your shoes off several times a day. Bring very comfortable walking sandals as you will be walking a lot. As far as presents, cosmetics is always a good bet. Cosmetics cost a fortune in Japan! Even a drugstore brand such as Revlon - the lipsticks will be at least twice as expensive. Don't choose Japanese brands like Shiseido, however. Lancome, Clinique, Christian Dior, etc. - department store brands are very welcome. You might get the "buy something, get a free gift" deals they are always having at Macy's, Nordstroms, etc. Japanese women do not really like tanned skin, they like fair skin, so sunblock to wear under their makeup is one choice. As far as food items to give as gifts, they used to like beef jerky. See's candies are also nice, but you might want to get the hard candies that don't melt. Finally, gift wrap it nicely as they are the masters of presentation. Have a great time - you will love it.
3 :
1) Should I get an international prepaid Visa card, or just use cash? Personally I recommend cash. But you can use an ATM card and withdraw from any international ATM. They exist in about every post office. Which you can ask your host parents about (post office is yuubinkyoku) 2) What kind of clothes do I need? It's rainy in July, but pretty hot and humid. I advise tank tops and a thin hoodie or something. The weather has been on the fritz lately, so it is hard to say. bring shorts and comfortable shoes...because you will be walking....a lot. 3) What would be appropriate presents for my host family? American stuff. They like brand stuff and Chocolates. So i recomend Ghiredelli or See's. I usually bring a bag of those see's lollipops, so i can give them to new people or kids I meet. If you are from a well known city bring souvenirs and such. I always like to bring a bottle of wine(from napa or sonoma), but it might be to much trouble with current customs. Also, prepare a little photo album of things from your home. Friends, Family, Pets, and City. When you meet new people you want to show them where your from and such, and let them have a better idea. I've done 3 homestays so far, and it's always come and handy. Be sure to take a lot of pictures, it'll be the best time of your life^_^ I have a blog about surviving in Tokyo, but some of the things might be applicable to you. Hope it helps http://wanderingabc.blogspot.com/
4 :
1) VISA travel money is effective at teller machine in the most of all post office in Japan. Cash is most convenient and necessary there too. 2) It depends on your body size if you can buy some cloth in Japan. I recommend you to prepare same kind and volume for two weeks vacation to Gulf or Florida in Summer time. It is very humid and hot even till mid nidnight. 3)If you know their e-mail address, why don't you ask them directly. People have indiviaual tastes or favorites. Some love American sweets but some not. Some are enjoying American hand-crafts or post cards or your family pictures but not all of them. I think your high school master or person in charge of this home stay could give any advice through their experience if this is not their first time to station student to Japan so that you might ask them for help too. Bring your favorite sleeping pillow and stuffed toy for comfortable rest. Favorite musics with ipod or kind of because it makes you feeling good and relax too. Some medicine, toiletry and fragrance such as pain killer, hair shampoo, cologne and kotex are also kind for you. Oh one more thing, digital camera would be great help for making memories there for sure.
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