Field notes for the next Japan trip

If you want to experience autumn in Japan, aim to go in November. October is too early, even if you travel north. The only drawback to visiting at this time of year is that the sun sets early. As you will be spending most of your time in small towns, forests and mountains, there won't be much to do once it gets dark. Overall, the early autumn scenery was beautiful, but May seems like a better choice based on your preferences.

Pack lightly for two reasons. For a three-week itinerary in October, one jacket and one hoodie was enough. Ultimately, you took two of each and didn’t wear the spare clothes. You could reduce the number of T-shirts from five to four or even three. Three pairs of trousers could easily be reduced to two. There are washing machines everywhere. Also, it was constantly super hot. You didn’t take any shorts or sleeveless tops. It makes sense to prepare for all weathers. Another reason is that while you travel, you will find many cool things you would love to buy and take home. On this trip, you sometimes had to limit yourself just because you couldn't fit any more things into your backpack. It's important to have some empty space for the next trip.

You are not the kind of person who is interested in temples or museums. There's no need to include so many of these in your itinerary. Many of the places you chose were because a temple or museum was located in a beautiful old forest or on a mountain, or simply because the environment was interesting. What you really want to experience is nature. Temples are absolutely everywhere, and finding one in the wild is a much better experience than visiting a popular one that is visited by many. Remember this when planning your next trip. The environments you should aim for are cosy forests, breathtaking mountain views and emerald rivers.

Remember to take a USB-C to HDMI cable for older TVs for those late-night anime sessions when the TV doesn't support applications like Netflix, which happens from time to time.

When it comes to plane travel, more legroom in economy class is the bare minimum you can do for yourself. Consider upgrading to Premium Economy, it’s worth the extra cost.

When planning the first few days of your trip, bear in mind that you will be irritable and anxious due to sleep deprivation and jet lag. Plan accordingly. It makes sense not to be too hard on yourself regarding activities during the first few days or to make reservations at places where you can comfortably spend time on night-time activities.

I think it would be very useful if you rated the products you purchase, which is something you skipped for the second trip in a row. Sometimes you buy something - a type of food, alcohol or cosmetic, that you bought last year and completely forgot that you didn’t like it. It makes sense to know what works and what doesn't if you plan to go back to Japan often. The same goes for the products you bring back to Poland. It's worth noting which shampoos and conditioners work best for your hair type. I believe some products are the 'marry for life' type.

You don't need to bring so many cosmetics from Poland. I really enjoyed the experience of buying a one-use shampoo and conditioner before every shower. There are lots of different types to try, and using various products on your hair is also a great way to experience Japan.

Eat less. Or rather, remember that you don’t need to eat as much as you did in Poland. You don't need as many calories as you did back home. In either a convenience store or a restaurant, there’s no need to buy more food just in case. It's better to buy less and then decide if you need more. Buying food in Japan is so convenient that bloating yourself with food makes absolutely no sense.

Avoid eating or drinking alcohol a few hours before going to sleep. This might seem obvious, but you're not twenty anymore. A good night's sleep is crucial for your wellbeing. Remember that.

The best experiences can't be planned. This happened on both of your trips to Japan. You considered some places optional, only to visit if the weather was bad, or to skip altogether if you didn't have enough time or energy. These 'low-tier' destinations turned out to be the most magical. Don’t be misled by opinions on the internet. A place doesn’t need a Google Maps pin with lots of ratings to be worthy of a visit. Trust your instincts. You are rarely mistaken. Don't follow the herd.

Tokyo is not a place where you want to spend much time. Compared to our last trip, we reduced the number of nights from four to two, and even that felt too long. The sheer number of people, the hustle and bustle, and the lack of the kind of hospitality found in small towns all made the experience much worse. I have yet to figure out how to approach shopping before returning to Poland, but this is something to bear in mind when planning the next trip.