
Originally Posted by
richief_611
Whenever I go back home to visit and then come back to Japan, I always restock on OTC medicines. And I mean A LOT. I usually just stick them in my checked in luggage, and it's fine. I usually keep them in their original packaging for just in case, but I've taken up to 3-6 months' worth of medicines before. I usually bring a lot of allergy medicine, cold medicine, Aleve, and Dramamine. I can't live without Dramamine. Also, you won't be able to buy them while you're in Japan to be shipped from your country, so take a lot! Japan has a lot of medicine, so you'll probably be able to find something similar if you ever run out.
Or if you have friends or family visiting you in Japan, have them bring some for you. Or when you go back home to visit, stock up once again.
Also, be prepared to catch a cold or get sick more often than not. Before I came to Japan, I got sick maybe once a year in the U.S. Since I've been in Japan, once a year has become 3-6 times a year. I don't know why, but that's what happened to me. It's probably due to me aging (still in my 20's but yeah), the intense weather and seasonal changes, and also how I walk and bike a lot, compared to my lifestyle in America.
The main culprit is the weather though. In the winter, it's extremely cold with no central heating in your apartments or at schools. So you're shivering throughout the entire day. And in the summer, it's extremely hot and humid. Schools only put on the A/C during July, I think. And maybe also August. But even when they do, it goes off and on, because they're trying to save power. So you might be in a classroom with A/C one period, but then not have A/C the next period. When there's no A/C, you are suffering and sweating like crazy. You also can't drink water while class is in session too.