Flights to Totsukawa, Nara Prefecture from NT$5,093

We've got the lowdown on how to make your journey a pleasant experience. Follow our insider tips and you'll be breezing through airport security and enjoying Totsukawa in no time flat. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Air travel can be a great experience if you carry the right stuff. Firstly, you'll want some basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush and hairbrush, a fresh change of clothes and a good book. Next, find a spot in your carry-on bag for your phone and charger, your important medications and perhaps a quality neck pillow too. Last, but definitely not least, be sure to take your passport, travel docs and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a Swiss Army knife lurking in the bottom of your hand luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable products, such as fuel and fireworks, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Go for comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by donning layers, and opt for slightly roomy, flat shoes like sneakers.
• 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 tights or socks.

A little pre-planning before you arrive at the airport will help make your getaway to Totsukawa a breeze. Read through our top tips for a swift journey past security:

• Keep your travel documents and passport close by. They're the first items you'll be asked to show at airport security.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Items like your belt, coat and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• Electronic devices like phones and laptops will also have to go on a tray to be scanned. No need to worry though, you'll be back online in no time.
• Remove gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each product 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.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several valuable minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Lightweight sneakers are usually not.
• Knives and other sharp items are not allowed on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked bags.