Plan your next snow holiday in Japan

With so many people coming through Oz Extreme Geelong with questions about travelling to Japan, we’ve decided to put together this little list of travel tips to help you on your way to JAPOW!

Flights – Depending on how you prefer to travel, we recommend trying to find an airline that goes directly from Melbourne to Tokyo, it is less likely that your luggage will be roughly handled or lost between flights. Check with your airline for luggage weight allowance and if you have to add oversize luggage onto your booking. Buying a snowboard or ski bag that is coloured or adding a ribbon to it can help you find your bag easily at the airport. Noise-cancelling headphones on a long flight are a game changer.

Phone – Check with your phone company about data roaming, you may need to get a SIM card when you get to Japan. Pack a portable charger and any adapters.

Money – We’ve found that Japan still uses a lot of cash so it’s good to have some handy. Let your bank know you’ll be travelling overseas, get a travel card and monitor exchange rates to get the most out of your spending money. Check rates in Geelong, they’re generally better than at the airport.

Travel Documents – Order your passport a few months in advance, they generally take a while or you can pay to get it fast-tracked. Book visas and transfers in advance and keep photos of your passport, ID and any important documents on your phone.

Culture – Do some research on culture, etiquette and learn a couple of key phrases in the language. We recommend you immerse yourself in the Japanese culture, they’re history is rich and food is delicious.

Snow Gear – Check your gear before you go! Look for rips and holes in outerwear, socks and gloves. We recommend waxing and tuning your snowboard and skis with specialised wax for Japan snow. 

Check out our range of Northern Hemisphere snow essentials online!