Flights to Niigata, from NT$4,875

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

• The secret to having a great travel experience is to be prepared. Start with the essentials: passport, travel docs, credit cards and vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help while away those hours, like your laptop or a juicy novel. It's also wise to bring your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. Finally, don't forget to toss in toiletry items like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a spare set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items differs between air carriers, the general guide to follow is avoid carrying anything flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes things like screwdrivers, pocket knives, fuels and bleaching agents. Sports equipment like ice skates, and items that could harm other people, such as swords and guns, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to choose comfort over style. Prepare for changes in cabin temperature by layering up, and wear flat, closed-toe shoes like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a potential risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

As seasoned travelers know, the secret is to be well prepared before you arrive at security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Niigata before you know it. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a flying start:

• Have your ID and travel documents at hand. They're the first items you'll be asked for by security.
• Next up is the X-ray machine. Remove anything on you that is likely to set off the alarm. This includes items like earphones or headphones, as well as heavy jackets or coats. They'll all need to go on the X-ray conveyor belt.
• All your electronics, including your phone and laptop, will also need to be scanned.
• Traveling with a new hand cream? No problem. As long as it's in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and it's stored in a clear zip-close bag, you're allowed to bring it with you in your carry-on luggage.
• It's also likely that you'll be required to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a smart idea.
• Sharp items such as knives and scissors are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked luggage.