Flights to Osaka, Oshima from

If you're not prepared, airports and flying can be overwhelming. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these tips and tricks and enjoy a trouble-free start to your vacation in Osaka. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First of all, pack your passport, official ID, credit cards and daily medications. Next, you'll need some in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A thrilling book and a laptop crammed with your favorite movies are some fantastic options. If you intend to catch up on some sleep, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, leave some space for a toothbrush and some facial wipes to ensure you arrive looking fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner in your checked luggage. Any liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by authorities. Sharp or pointed objects, like your beloved pocket knife, and dangerous products which are flammable or explosive, such as spray paint, flares and gasoline, are also not allowed.

What to wear on a flight:

• Choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by wearing layers, and wear closed-toe, flat shoes like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It's the result of blood clots forming due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

It's simple — be prepared. We've put together some helpful hints for a stress-free trip through airport security. Look out Osaka, here you come:

• Airport security personnel first need to know that you have a valid passport and matching travel documents before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them ready to show.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Items such as your coat, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your tablet and phone, are also required to be separately scanned.
• Remember to remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Sharp items such as knives and scissors can't be taken on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked luggage.