Flights to Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture from NT$7,097

If you're not prepared, airports and flying can be tough. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints for a worry-free start to your getaway in Okuma. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's easy — first, pack your passport, important documents, credit cards and daily medications. Next, you'll want some in-flight entertainment to help pass the time. A thrilling book and a laptop filled with your favorite shows are some fantastic options. If you intend to take a quick snooze, a quality neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, leave space for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes to ensure you step off the plane feeling fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a Swiss Army knife lurking in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable substances, such as bleach and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main priority when deciding what to wear during your flight. Loose, breathable clothing is a wise choice, as are enclosed shoes like sneakers.
• Caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect some passengers during long flights. Lower your risks by drinking water, keeping your feet and legs moving and wearing compression socks to help improve your circulation.

The trick is to be prepared before you reach the security gate. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Okuma in no time at all. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a spectacular start:

• Your boarding pass and passport will need to be presented to security personnel. Keep them within easy reach so you don't hold up the line.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings like your coat, belt and earphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your tablet and phone, must also be separately scanned.
• Don't forget to remove liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• There's a chance you'll need to remove your shoes for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a wise idea.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp objects to come on board with you. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.