Jet Lag, Final Prep & Peace of Mind Before You Fly
Your trip to Japan is almost here! With just one week before departure, the countdown begins—and so should your preparation. Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, how you spend the week before your flight can make or break the start of your trip.
Many travelers focus only on booking flights and packing, but your body and mind need time to prepare too—especially when traveling across multiple time zones. Jet lag, forgotten essentials, and last-minute stress are all avoidable with the right approach.
Here’s how to spend the week leading up to your trip in a way that sets you up for energy, clarity, and excitement from the moment you land in Japan.
📷 If your travels bring you to Kyoto consider booking a tour or photography session with us!
🕰️ 1. Adjust Your Sleep Schedule to Beat Jet Lag
Japan is ahead of most Western countries by 7 to 17 hours, depending on where you’re coming from.
Without preparation, your body may need days to adjust—cutting into valuable sightseeing time.
🌙 Jet Lag Prevention Tips:
- Shift your sleep 15–30 minutes earlier each day
- Expose yourself to morning light right after waking
- Avoid caffeine and heavy meals at night
- Drink more water and avoid alcohol in the days before your flight
- Consider melatonin supplements to ease the transition
- On your flight, adjust your watch to Japan time and try to follow it
✈️ Bonus tip: If possible, choose a flight that arrives in Japan in the late afternoon or evening. That way, you can head straight to bed and wake up adjusted.
📋 2. Finalize Your Itinerary (But Don’t Overplan)
You don’t need to schedule every minute—but you should know where you’re sleeping and how you’re getting around.
- Confirm your first 3–4 days of plans and hotel reservations
- Research the top attractions in each city you’re visiting
- Make restaurant or tour bookings for anything popular
- Download Google Maps and save your key locations offline
- Leave free time for wandering—you’ll discover more that way
🗾 Japan is full of surprises. Leave space in your schedule for them.
💳 3. Prepare Your Essentials: Money, SIM, Cards
The week before your trip is the best time to handle logistical prep:
- Let your bank know you’ll be using your card overseas
- Order some Japanese yen (or plan where you’ll withdraw at the airport)
- Pre-order or reserve:
- Pocket Wi-Fi, SIM card, or eSIM
- JR Pass if you’re planning to travel between cities
- IC card (Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA) for local trains
- Make sure your credit/debit cards support chip + contactless
💡 Many JR passes and SIM cards are cheaper if booked online at least a few days ahead.
🧳 4. Start Packing Thoughtfully
Don’t wait until the night before. Begin setting things aside throughout the week, based on:
- The weather forecast for each region (check 10 days ahead)
- Layering: Japan’s weather can shift quickly
- Comfortable shoes—you’ll be walking a lot
- Minimal luggage: many hotels and trains have limited space
- Small laundry soap if you plan to wash and re-wear clothes
- Leave room for souvenirs
🧼 Many hotels in Japan offer laundry machines. Light packing = smart packing.
🛂 5. Organize Your Travel Documents
One week before your flight, make sure you’ve gathered and organized the following:
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
- Visa (if required)
- Flight and hotel confirmations
- Japan Rail Pass voucher (if applicable)
- Travel insurance documents
- Visit Japan Web registration and QR codes (for immigration/customs)
- Your first hotel’s address in Japanese and English
Store digital copies in your phone and physical copies in your carry-on.
📱 Consider uploading everything to a Google Drive or cloud folder for offline access.
🧘 6. Focus on Health, Hydration & Mental Readiness
Traveling internationally is exciting—but exhausting. The better you take care of yourself now, the smoother your transition will be.
- Eat more vegetables and avoid processed foods
- Sleep 7–9 hours each night
- Take light walks or stretch daily—will help prepare you for the amount of walking in Japan
- Drink extra water each day
- Avoid overworking or planning stressful activities
- Consider what could go wrong and ways of handling it—that way you’ll be prepared should a situation arise
🧠 A clear and calm mind helps you handle airports, customs, and new surroundings with grace.
✅ 7. Day-Before Final Checklist
Here’s a last-minute checklist to complete the night before departure:
- Reconfirm flight time and terminal
- Charge phone, earbuds, power bank, and travel electronics
- Download entertainment (Netflix, Spotify, maps) for offline use
- Check-in online and save your boarding pass
- Set out comfortable travel clothes
- Pack snacks, neck pillow, and sleep mask
- Lay out your passport, wallet, and travel folder
And most importantly—go to bed early so you start your journey well-rested.
🎌 Final Thoughts
The week before your trip isn’t just about logistics—it’s about aligning your body, mind, and spirit with the adventure ahead.
By preparing gradually, adjusting your sleep, and getting organized, you give yourself the best chance to land in Japan awake, excited, and fully present.
✨ Japan is ready for you. With a bit of intention this week, you’ll be ready for Japan too.
🎥 For more travel tips and guides on all things Japan check out the PiQtour YouTube channel!
