Flights to Shimogo, Fukushima Prefecture from NT$7,295

We've got the lowdown on how to make your flight as stress-free as possible. Follow our tips and tricks and you'll be breezing through airport security and seeing the best of Shimogo before you know it. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Air travel can be a stress-free experience if you take the right gear. First of all you'll need toiletry items, such as deodorant and a toothbrush, a clean pair of socks and a few magazines. Next, find a spot in your hand luggage for your laptop, a charger, any medications and perhaps a comfy neck pillow too. Lastly, and most importantly, be sure to take your passport, travel papers and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have sharp objects (like a pocket knife) lurking in your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive products, such as fuel and fireworks, 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 number one priority when choosing what to wear during your flight. Loose, breathable clothing is a wise choice, as are flat, slightly roomy shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

As seasoned travelers know, the secret is to be well organized before you get to the security gate. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Shimogo in no time flat. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a terrific start:

• Security personnel first need to make sure that you have a valid passport and boarding pass before anything else. Have them ready to show.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your coat, belt, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• All electronic devices, including your tablet and phone, are also required to be scanned separately.
• Any liquids or gels, such as toothpaste or perfume, that you want to bring on board must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you valuable minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers are usually not.
• Airlines will not allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your hand luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.