What do you wish you knew before PCSing to Japan? -

I have some friends who are leaving in a couple of weeks to go to Japan. I would like to make them a quot;going-away survival kitquot; of sorts. Can you tell me what kinds of items would be good to include (preferably small and easy to travel with)? Also, any tips on things you wish someone had told you before you PCS d or just anything in general you learned while living there that could be helpful to others. Oh, and I think they will be at Zama (fyi). Thanks!

put together things like a GC for the commissary or gc for amazon so they can order things. Shower curtains amp; rings, some towels, surge protectors, thumb drive (if they have a computer), couple of DVD s, things like that they may need right away. Prepaid phone card is something everyone should have so they can call family amp; friends to let them know they are ok. ATamp;T has one that works around the world you can purchase from the Exchange and then recharge. Also look into getting them some Japanese yen so they have some if they need it when they arrive. Also look into doing something for the flight like magazines, books, cards, snacks, trial size bottles of things, that way they don t have to worry about it.

that those round balls of dough at the corner vendor are chopped up octopus tentacles. But boy are they tasty!. the flight is a LONG one and the trip from Yokota( if flying AMC) or Narita( if flying commercial) can be anywhere from 2-4 hours long. Jet lag will be a bear. non perishable foods.. anything fresh must be tossed before they get off the plane..only prepackaged items allowed. they will get everything they need to survive at the AOB/ICR class, mandatory for everyone 12 and over in the family.

They drive on the other side in Japan. Everything in Japan cost 3-4 times of what you would pay in the US. Eat Kobe beef its great but do it on the military base where the price is great. The Japanese do not see themseleves as the aggressor s of WWII.