The Best Way to Pack Your Luggage

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It’s summer time, which means vacation season is at an all time high. If you are one of the lucky ones who gets to have some rest and relaxation or just have general traveling excursions planned, you’re more than likely going to bring a luggage with you. Get the most out of your luggage and conserve space with our prepping tips on How to Pack Your Luggage Like a Pro:

Know What You Need.

The best way to figure out what you need? Making a list. Yes, sometimes lists can be a bore to draft out and will make the entire process take longer compared to just chucking whatever you think looks vacation or business-trip-worthy in your suitcase, but that is an easy way to overstuff your suitcase. And why is that a bad thing? Not only does it make it

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more likely that you will run out of space, but it also makes it easier to find your belongings rather than having to sift through an array of items. On top of that, upon the return home it makes the packing process that much easier. Did your belongings just barely fit when perfectly folded and with you desperately sitting on the luggage cover moving the zipper inch by inch? If you’re in a rush to not miss your flight back home, throwing all of your items in your luggage probably won’t cut it.

So yes, a list is a must-have.

If you’re stuck on what to include in your list, or are apprehensive about forgetting to add something of importance, take a minute to sit down and think about what your daily routine is going to be once you get to your destination. Pajamas, toothbrush, razors and the like are all givens – think about details such as, are you planning on going to the beach? You might need to bring a beach towel and some shades. Walking around sight-seeing? Comfortable shoes are a must.

 

Heavy on Bottom, Light on Top

Restrict your heavy or bulky items to the bottom of your bag in order to avoid wrinkling up your clothes. Shoes, hairdryers, and ziplocs filled with your toiletries should all be at the

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bottom. Speaking of ziplocs: any container that does not have a twisting lid should be put in a plastic baggie or other water proof bag to avoid spillage. You don’t want to be that person who discovers their body wash exploded from pressure on the flight ruining your neatly pressed clothes, trust us. Conversely, put your lighter clothes on top where they are out of harms way and not at risk of being wrinkled by your heavier items.

 

Fold

We know it might be a hassle, but folding your clothes preserves the quality, increasing the chances of you being able to get away with not ironing once you get to your destination.

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Additionally, folding makes finding what your looking for a lot easier and you are able to avoid having to rake piles of clothes out of the way to find that one shirt you’re searching for. On top of your things being easier to find, you also get plenty of more space through neatly folding your clothes while packing compared to just stuffing them.

If you end up adding additional items as you go and you run out of space, you can always refer to your list so you will know what you absolutely need to keep packed.

Carry-on or Check-in?

Determine what will go in your carry-on and what you will be putting in your larger suitcase to check in. A carry-on typically consists of items you absolutely cannot live without – and

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for good reason. It’s not unheard of for airlines to misplace luggage, either temporarily or altogether. We know that losing an entire luggage of your belongings is horrible either way, but make it a little more bearable by keeping your hard-to-replace belongings (think: laptop, important paperwork, ect.) close to you through a carry-on. To decrease the likelihood of anything in your check-in luggage from bursting or getting broken from being handled by airport personnel, consider investing in a hard case luggage instead of one made with softer cloth-like material.

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3 Places to Hang a Hammock This Summer

Summer is around the corner and that means an extra dose of sunshine and hopefully a little more fresh air for you. One of the best ways to take advantage of the impending summer weather is to invest in a hammock where you can fully enjoy the rays while not having to compromise on comfort – a hammock is a must have when packing for any summer vacation.

A relaxation alternative, a hammock provides a certain amount of variation that typically can’t be provided by a couch or generic spring mattress – hammocks are designed to cradle and conform to your body shape suspended in mid air, giving you an ultimate sense of relaxation. Incorporate a hammock into your summer experience in these 3 places to hang a hammock:

Poolside

If there is a canopy nearby, pull out the hammock and sway in the breeze with a clear view of the pool.

 

Natural Shade

The most common location for a good reason, hanging your hammock between trees ensures that you have a little protection if the sun is shining too bright, while also  having a great view of the branches and leaves above.

In Your Home

Who says hammocks have to be restricted for outdoor use? Add a hammock to your bedroom to introduce a relaxed vibe in your space or in the living room as an alternative resting place that you can use year round.

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Five Must See Winter Japan Destinations

Japan is a very populous country, and there are many cultural hubs, attractions, shopping centers, restaurants and more. During the warmer seasons, more people, including tourists, are out and about, making winter a very convenient time to visit Japan. Not only that, but winter is a very gorgeous time of year, providing visitors with unique and adventurous times.

Okinawa

Okinawa is best known for many things, and its climate is definitely supreme in Japan during the winter. Boasting a subtropical climate, Okinawa is a wonderful place to be. Of course, this is to escape the normal winter scene and winter weather. There are very nice beaches and great places to go, but beware of one thing, the rain. If you’re wanting to avoid the winter rain in Okinawa, it’s best to travel there outside of the month of February.

Drift Ice

The Drift Ice is quite the attraction, and you might be wondering exactly what it means? It’s essentially sea water that is frozen and floating. It’s quite simply put a “majestic” part of nature and has a distinct sound as the planks of ice collide, which is famous in Japan.

This attraction is located at Ohkotsk Sea, and you should definitely take the time to visit Ohkotsk Tower. There is also the opportunity to take a train, or you can even take a cruise or go out on the ice planks. This experience you do not want to pass up.

Snow Festival In Akita

The Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival in Akita is a great thing to experience during the winter. You walk along through the snow, passing by huts that children have carved out. People are inside them, inviting you and other passersby to partake of goodies and beverages.

This festival is very historic, having been held for centuries. A visitor can learn quite a bit about the history of the locals there. The beverages are fermented and sweet, and grilled mochi is generally served as well.

Zao Ice Monsters

Just the simple fact there are ice monsters to visit makes anyone want to make a trip right? This is the site atop Mount Zao, where trees have been frozen over. There are thousands of them, and it looks as though they have faces. Like the drift ice, it’s quite a majestic sight.

But that’s not even close to being all you can do there. The ski lift can put you on the summit of Mount Zao, and there are drinks to be had, of course as you take part in watching the frozen ice monster trees illuminate in the night sky. Then it’s time to hit the hot spring to complete your visit to see the ice monsters.

Shirakawa-Go

In Gifu, this is a World Heritage Site, featuring a snow-capped, picturesque village out of the dream of dreams. These farmhouses offer lodging options, and there are illumination events to enjoy as well.

If you plan on visiting Japan during the winter, contact AllJapanTours to find more information and these five destinations are going to give you a grand tour. Just remember, February might not be the best month for Okinawa, and the ice monsters await.