Flights to Hachioji, Tokyo Prefecture from NT$2,335

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be tough. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints for a pain-free start to your time in Hachioji. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's simple — first, pack your passport, important documents, cash and daily medications. Next, you'll want some entertainment to while away the time. A juicy novel and a tablet crammed with your favorite shows are some great options. If you hope to catch forty winks, a comfy neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, leave some space for a few toiletry items to ensure you hop off the plane looking and feeling fresh.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Pack all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hairspray in your checked baggage. Any liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by security. Pointed or sharp objects, like your beloved Swiss Army knife, and dangerous goods which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosols and fireworks, are also prohibited.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your top priority is to feel as comfortable as you can. Pick flat, closed-toe shoes, dress in loose, natural fibers and don't forget to take a sweater in case it gets chilly in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

The secret is to be well organized before you arrive at security. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Hachioji in no time flat. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a terrific start:

• Airport security personnel first need to see that you have a valid passport and boarding pass before anything else. Have them ready to show.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings such as your coat, belt and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your phone and laptop, are also required to be scanned separately.
• Remember to remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They often 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.
• Slip-on shoes are a clever footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and other heavy-style shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp objects to come on board with you. If you need to bring these kinds of items, check them in.