I moved to Japan with one suitcase and a carry-on. There are 3 things I'm glad I packed — and a few I wish I'd brought.

I moved to Japan with a suitcase, carry-on, and small capsule wardrobe. Alessa Hickman I had to downsize when I moved to Japan for a year with just one suitcase and a carry-on. I'm glad I brought a folding toiletry bag, a portable monitor, and a great capsule wardrobe. However, I should've packed a quality pair of sneakers and my go-to deodorant. Eight months ago, I packed my life into a suitcase and carry-on and moved from Canada to Japan. Since then, I've spent time in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kumamoto, living out of short-term rentals. Because I knew I'd be moving around, I needed to keep my belongings light enough for easy transportation — and, of course, I wanted to leave room for the things I'd inevitably buy along the way. Going from my two-bedroom apartment, packed closet, and bathroom full of products to a small rotation of outfits, toiletries, and necessities has definitely been an adjustment. Despite that, I'm glad I downsized my belongings. The experience has taught me to live with a lot less, and I made some pretty good choices about what to bring abroad. Still, there are also a few things I didn't think I'd need that I'm really missing now. These are the three things I'm glad I packed — and a few I wish I'd brought. I did a great job creating a capsule wardrobe. I packed a lot of black-and-white clothing so I'd be able to mix and match tons of outfits. Alessa Hickman Before moving, I spent a long time thinking about which clothing items to bring. I didn't want to use up my entire suitcase, because I knew I'd need room for any new clothes I bought in Japan. I also wanted to be able to mix and match outfits. Eventually, I landed on two pairs of jeans, a pair of jean shorts, sneakers, waterproof boots, two long-sleeve shirts, two sweaters, a dress, two skirts, four tank tops, and a few jackets. I love having basic, neutral black-and-white clothes that all pair together, so it's easy to stay functional and stylish without looking like I wear the same thing every day. I'm glad I brought a folding toiletry bag. Investing in a transportable, folding toiletry bag was a smart call. Alessa Hickman I've always packed separate bags for my makeup, hairbrushes, toothbrush, and all my jewelry. Instead of doing that this time around, I decided to try a folding toiletry bag, and it's been a total game changer. Now I can fit my accessories, makeup, razors, and everything else into one place. It folds up easily, fits into my suitcase, and I can just open it up and hang it in the bathroom whenever I'm getting ready. My portable monitor was a smart investment. I bought a new portable monitor before moving abroad. Alessa Hickman This was a purchase I made specifically for Japan, and I would've had a much harder time using my laptop without it. I got my first monitor when I was a teacher, and it completely changed how I worked. I always have a million tabs open so I can do multiple things at once, and a second screen makes a huge difference. My portable monitor is super slim, and it fits easily in my computer bag or carry-on. Plus, it came in handy when I stayed at an Airbnb in Tokyo without a TV — my husband and I used it as a screen so we could play our Nintendo Switch. I'm definitely glad I brought it, and I plan to keep using it when I'm back home. On the other hand, I should've packed more of my go-to hair product. I underestimated how difficult it would be to find a reliable hair product abroad. Alessa Hickman There are a few things I wish I'd packed more of, mainly because I underestimated how expensive or difficult they'd be to find in Japan. I have naturally thick, curly hair, and I can't just use any product on it. Curly-haired people get it. I've been loyal to my favorite curl gel for years, and it's the only product I really need after my wash days — but because it's so popular, it usually sells out for months at a time. I got my hands on some before moving and brought a dupe product with me, but that only lasted a few months. Since then, I haven't found anything similar that works for my hair type in stores. I've also noticed that curly hair products are significantly more expensive on Amazon Japan. One product I've used as a dupe costs around CA$29 on Amazon Canada, but almost CA$50 on Amazon Japan. In hindsight, giving up the extra suitcase space for more product would've been well worth it. Antiperspirant deodorant has been difficult to find. I should've packed much more deodorant. Alessa Hickman Back in Canada, I was used to summer days that reached 85 degrees Fahrenheit or more, but I always found the heat somewhat dry. Here in Japan, I've spent time in the Kyushu region when most days were about 95 degrees Fahrenheit with lots of humidity. When I stepped outside, it genuinely felt like I was walking into a wet wall of heat. Before coming here, I figured I'd be able to find Western-style deodorant. I tried a few, but found them to be a lot lighter than the products I was used to, and I'd sweat them off immediately. Luckily, my sister-in-law came to the rescue with a couple of sticks when she visited — but if I had a do-over, I'd definitely pack more. I wish I'd brought better running shoes. I've been walking around much more than I expected. Alessa Hickman Before coming to Japan, I bought a new pair of sneakers online. Unfortunately, within a few months of daily walking, they broke down, and I had to get rid of them. That wouldn't normally be a huge deal, but finding shoes in my size here is pretty difficult. I'm usually a size 9 US, sometimes a 10, and I've found that most Japanese stores don't carry above an 8. I was able to find my size at Onitsuka Tiger, so that's where I'll probably go for my next pair of runners. Still, I wish I'd either bought two pairs of sneakers or invested in better-quality ones from the get-go. Read the original article on Business Insider

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