10 Items I Was Truly Glad I Brought on My First Solo Trip Abroad

My first solo trip abroad.
The free time I had always dreamed of. But with freedom comes a little bit of anxiety.

During that trip, there were several items that made me think, "Oh, I'm so glad I brought this!"
This time, I will introduce 10 carefully selected items along with real-life travel episodes.

You might already know some of these, but please take a look.

(Please note that the top image is not my luggage, haha)

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1. Grab App

This isn't exactly a physical item, but...
I think I would have been truly lost without this app for getting around locally.
If you enter your destination, a nearby car will automatically come to you, and the fare is clear.
Even if you don't speak the language, everything is handled via chat and maps, so there were few troubles.

2. Trifa eSIM

The peace of mind of being connected to the internet the moment you arrive at the airport is indescribably huge.
If you purchase an eSIM from Trifa in advance, you don't need to swap SIM cards, and you can easily use data through the app.

3. Power Adapter Plug

Without this, you can't charge your smartphone or camera. It is truly the lifeline of travel.
The shape differs depending on the country, so it's important to check before you travel.
But that's a hassle, so I recommend bringing one that supports various types.
Malaysia, where I went, used the "BF type".

This is the product I actually purchased.
There were times when it was a little hard to plug in, but I had no major complaints.

(I'll also post a Rakuten link at the end just in case)

4. Smartphone Strap (Neck-hanging type)

There is a risk of leaving things behind or being pickpocketed. Plus, it's a hassle to keep taking your smartphone in and out of your bag.
By hanging it around my neck, I could use my camera and maps immediately, which provided a completely different level of peace of mind.
I bought one at a 100-yen shop and it worked perfectly fine!!

5. Shoulder bag (with zipper, crossbody style)

On a solo trip, the basic rule is to protect your own luggage yourself.
A crossbody bag with a zippercan be worn in front of your body, which also helps prevent pickpocketing.
Instead of a backpack, I chose a compact and functional shoulder bag.

This seems to be particularly popular, as it was featured a lot on YouTube.
I had no particular complaints!!
The design is simple, and I'm grateful that it has several pockets.

6. Padlock or cable lock

I read online that in crowded places like airports or tourist spots, you might have your backpack contents stolen without even realizing it, so I used one.
Just having a padlock can significantly reduce the risk of theft, and you likely won't be targeted in the first place.

The one I purchased is below.
I thought a cable type would be better because it's more flexible.

7. Credit cards (multiple)

Credit cards are useful for payments, currency exchange, and handling unexpected troubles.
If you only have one, you could be in trouble if it's stolen or has a magnetic stripe failure, so I brought two.

I'll introduce some recommended cards. There are others, of course, haha.

・JAL Card navi
・Epos Card
・Saison Gold American Express Card (annual fee waiver type)
・Rakuten Card
・Sumitomo Mitsui Card

I especially recommend the "JAL Card navi"!!
It's available exclusively for students, and I think the miles are easy to use.
If you are flying abroad and using JAL, I recommend it even more!!

The "Epos Card" has excellent insurance coverage. (I don't own one, though...)

The "Saison Gold" is convenient to have because you can use airport lounges in Japan. (Basically, students can't hold gold cards... but for some reason, I passed the screening.)

I'm planning to write about credit cards in detail in a separate article, so I'll post a link later.

8. Multiple wallets (distributed storage)

It is too risky to keep all your cash and cards in one wallet.
I divided mine into three: a main wallet, a backup, and one to leave at the hotel.

What you often see online is that you should avoid using expensive-looking wallets.
They are more likely to be targeted, and it would be a bigger shock if you lost them.

There is nothing specific that is better, but it might be best not to bring your favorite one.

9. Mobile Battery

On a trip where your smartphone is your lifeline, a dead battery means you are incapacitated.
A mobile battery that you can rely on all day was truly a lifesaver.

I use a CIO mobile battery.
I felt there were no issues with the capacity at all.

10. Compression Bags for Travel

To pack your luggage compactly, compression bags are definitely convenient.
Clothes are bulky, so I think it is best to reduce them as much as possible, but since you will still be bringing a few outfits, I think it is definitely better to have these.

The product I purchased is the one below.
I have been using it quite a bit so far, and the zipper does not feel like it is going to break.
Also, you just have to zip it up, so it is quick!

Extra: A little trick to save money before your trip

While preparing for this trip, I thought of a small trick that I found surprisingly useful.

That is, booking through a point site.

For example, booking hotels or arranging flights.
Since it was my first time, I went through a travel agency, but next time I plan to earn points.
Even when using the same service, some sites offer points. If it is not too much trouble, please try using them!! It makes you feel like you got a little deal. lol

I recommend "Hapitas"!!
I use it often, so please feel free to make use of it if you like.

If you register from the link below, it seems you can earn additional points when you reach 1,000 points!!

I thought these little touches could slightly increase the satisfaction of a trip, so I quietly introduced them as an extra edition.

Finally: Preparation creates peace of mind

It is often said that it is better to travel light, but on your first solo trip abroad, whether or not you have 'peace of mind items' greatly affects the quality of your trip.

Of course, you don't need perfect preparation, but just a little bit of effort leads to the feeling of 'That was fun!'

May your trip be filled with more excitement than anxiety.

I think some people use Rakuten Ichiba, so...

(It is a power outlet adapter.)