Flights to Kosaka, Akita Prefecture from NT$16,977

We've got the lowdown on how to make your journey as stress-free as possible. Follow our insider tips and you'll be zooming through the airport and enjoying Kosaka before you know it. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Air travel can be a stress-free experience if you bring the right gear. Firstly, you'll want a few toiletry items, such as deodorant, toothpaste and a toothbrush, a spare pair of socks and a good book. Secondly, leave space in your bag for your mobile phone, a charger, your medications and perhaps a comfy neck pillow too. Lastly, be sure to take your passport, travel documents and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items differs between air carriers, the general guide to follow is nothing sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes things like knives, scissors, aerosol cans and bleaching agents. Sporting equipment like hockey sticks, and items that could injure passengers, such as pepper spray and guns, aren't allowed in the cabin either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your highest priority when choosing what to wear during your flight. Loose clothing is a smart option, as are enclosed shoes like sneakers.
• Most travelers have heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by long periods of sitting. To minimize your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression socks and keep your legs and feet moving.

Being prepared before you get to the airport will make your trip to Kosaka a piece of cake. Here are some useful tips for a stress-free journey through security:

• Be sure to keep your travel documents and ID handy. They're the first things you'll be asked to present to security.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your coat, belt, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your headphones, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• All electronic devices, including your phone and tablet, must also be scanned separately.
• Any liquids or gels, such as lip balm or cologne, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you valuable minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Lightweight sneakers usually aren't.
• Airlines will not allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your hand luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.