Flights to Tsukubamirai, Ibaraki Prefecture from NT$5,098

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasurable experience if you prepare well enough. We've put together a list of handy travel tips that will help get your Tsukubamirai vacation started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Traveling on a plane can be a stress-free experience if you carry the right gear. First things first, you'll need toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a spare pair of socks and a good novel. Secondly, leave space in your hand luggage for your laptop, a charger, your important medications and perhaps a blow-up neck pillow as well. Last, but definitely not least, don't forget to take your passport, travel docs and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items can differ between airlines, the general rule to follow is nothing sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes things like screwdrivers, pocket knives, spray paint and flares. Sports equipment like ski poles, and items that could harm passengers, such as guns and swords, can't come on board with you either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your highest priority when choosing what to wear on board. Loose clothing is a wise option, as are enclosed shoes like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin and stretch your legs or do some simple exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

A little pre-planning before you arrive at the airport will make your getaway to Tsukubamirai a piece of cake. We've compiled some handy tips for a stress-free journey through security:

• Security personnel first need to verify that you have a valid passport and boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them in your hand, ready for inspection.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Items like your belt, jacket and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your phone, tablet and any other electronic gadgets must also go through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as lip balm or cologne, that you want to bring on board must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• It's also likely that you'll be asked to remove your shoes to be X-rayed, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a wise idea.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp or pointed objects in your hand luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked luggage.