Before Departure Part 2: Various Packing Preparations
Yes, there are many things I would do differently here.
About International Parcels (A Rough Overview)
First, let's start with the "shipped luggage" I prepared before departure. I used the post office's international parcel service to send eight boxes containing books, summer clothes, sneakers, and tableware via surface mail. This was the most cost-effective method, and since these were all items I wouldn't need immediately, it worked out.
...However, this turned out to be quite a hassle (sweat). I plan to put together a detailed article about the specifics of this later!
Luggage on the Day of Departure
Four suitcases. Each one was packed to the brim, right at the 23kg limit. The contents were mostly warm clothing, reflecting my fear of the winter! (lol)
→ I might not have needed that many winter clothes (a common realization).
Since there are washers and dryers, you can manage if you just do laundry! For my clothes, thermal innerwear, three sweaters, and two pairs of fleece-lined pants were enough. The children had ski wear, so that was fine. However, hats, gloves, and snow boots are essential. Sometimes the wind is so strong it makes your skin hurt.
Is local procurement surprisingly difficult?
Montreal has almost everything, but there are many situations where things aren't as "cheap and easy to get" as they are in Japan. So, here are the things I felt were "good to have brought from Japan" ↓
Plastic bags, paper bags (used more than I imagined)
Laundry clips (convenient for all sorts of things as clips)
Magnets for the refrigerator
Instant Japanese food (it's a relief to have)
Also, something I thought, "Oh, I wish I had brought that..." was sneakers. Snow boots are slip-resistant and safe, but they are heavy and a bit hard to walk in. Moreover, the snow melted surprisingly quickly, so I wanted light shoes for daily use. I felt that both the children and I would have been better off with one or two pairs of sneakers.
You will need indoor shoes for school. Unlike the so-called "uwabaki" (indoor shoes) in Japanese schools, you need "school sneakers," so the children might need at least two pairs.
Next time, I would like to write about Before Departure Part 3: Finding Housing and Other Procedures.