Flights to Shiraoka, Saitama Prefecture from NT$5,731

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be challenging. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these useful tips for a pleasant start to your vacation in Shiraoka. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's easy — first, put in your passport, official ID, bank cards and medications. Next, you'll need some in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A thrilling novel and a laptop crammed with your favorite shows are some great options. If you hope to catch a few z's, a comfy neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, make room for a toothbrush and some deodorant so you'll hop off the plane feeling fresh as a daisy.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have sharp objects (like a knife or scissors) hiding in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive products, such as aerosol cans and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes by layering up, and opt for flat, slightly roomy shoes like slip-ons.
• It's likely you've 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 tights or socks and move your legs and feet often.

The answer is — be prepared. We've pulled together some handy tips and tricks for an easy trip through security. Look out Shiraoka, here you come:

• Your boarding pass and passport will need to be shown to airport security personnel. Have them easily accessible so you don't hold up the queue.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Items such as your jacket, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• Electronic devices like phones and laptops will also have to go through the machine for inspection. Don't worry, you'll be back online soon enough.
• Don't forget to remove liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several valuable minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp objects in your carry-on luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked baggage.