Flights to Ibaraki, Osaka from NT$4,291

If you're poorly prepared, traveling can be daunting. But there's no need to worry. Follow these helpful hints for a comfortable start to your time in Ibaraki. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First of all, put in your passport, travel documents, bank cards and medications. Next, you'll need some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A juicy novel and a laptop crammed with your favorite movies are some fantastic options. If you plan to catch forty winks, a quality neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, find room for a few toiletry items so you'll arrive at your destination looking fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have sharp or pointed objects lurking in your carry-on luggage. Other prohibited items include flammable or explosive products, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and gels and liquids in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an airplane are no place for a fashion parade. Layer up with comfortable clothing and opt for shoes that are flat, enclosed and easy to slip on and off.
• Most of us have heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by long periods of inactivity. To minimize your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression tights or socks and move your legs and feet often.

The answer is simple — be organized. We've compiled some top tips for a hassle-free trip through airport security. Look out Ibaraki, here you come:

• Your passport and boarding pass will need to be presented to airport security personnel. Keep them at hand so you don't have to dig around for them.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Items such as your jacket, belt and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All electronic devices, including your phone and laptop, will also need to be scanned.
• 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.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you valuable minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp or pointed objects in your carry-on luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, check them in.