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Aug 21, 2026

Car Essentials for a Road Trip?

I feel like this may have been asked before, but I can't find it through a search. Or maybe I thought of asking it and never did! Either way, tell us what things you like to have in your car when you are going on a road trip?

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BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

Irish, Mom of 4, currently also living beside the In-Laws. 25+ years back and forth between Ireland and Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com

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10 Answers

  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Aug 21

    Your article covers a lot of the things I already use! I also like having a phone charger in the car so my battery never runs low. Aside from that and your list though, I usually think that most other things I may have forgotten can be found at a michi no eki!

    1
  • BigfamJapan

    BigfamJapan

    on Aug 21

    @genkidesu ah, good one on the charger. We had been using portable chargers, but I've gone right off them with all the reports of fires, especially in summer heat.

    1
  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Aug 21

    Also, I don't think a portable toilet is a bad idea at all! I remember a few years back, there were people stuck on the Kanetsu Expressway out here in Minamiuonuma for almost 2 days. (https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASPDM6V41PCWOIPE00J.html)

    2
  • BigfamJapan

    BigfamJapan

    on Aug 21

    @genkidesu I kind of remember that, and this year there were at least a couple of times that people were stuck overnight. Definitely a consideration for snow country. We were noticing the difference in the roads when we were in Nagano and Niigata! Like red and white poles, and machines and pumps on the side of the road, presumably something to do with snow? That could be a post for you: "Things you find on the expressway in Niigata!"

    1
  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Aug 21

    Car candy! I know it sounds like minutiae, but when you're on a road trip, sweets keep your energy up, and salt-laden drops maintain your electrolytes.

    1
  • BigfamJapan

    BigfamJapan

    on Aug 21

    @TonetoEdo good point. I forgot 'chewing gum' on my post's list - that is something my husband always has for a road trip, to keep him from getting sleepy when driving!

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  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Aug 21

    @BigfamJapan On summer road trips, my friends and I subsist on litres of bottled drinks laden with electrolytes and sugar. Think Calpis, Aquarius, and similar sports drinks.

    1
  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Aug 23

    @BigfamJapan chewing gum is also really good for motion sickness, so that's a smart one to keep on hand!

    1
  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Aug 23

    When traffic is slow, a bingo card with objects you expect to see and experiences you might have. Some items I write in a 4x4 are classic cars, 痛車, itasha decorated cars, motorcycle makers, and left-hand-drive vehicles. Or seasonal things.

    1
  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Aug 24

    @TonetoEdo I don't know why I never thought of this, I think my kids would find this really fun. A productive way to pass the time and avoid the "are we there yet?" moments!

    1

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1 Answer

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What Japanese pop, alternative, or novelty songs did you turn up or turn off so far this year? I'm a fan of 打首獄門同好会 - Uchikubi Gokumon Dokokai. The name, loosely translated, is Severed Heads at the Prison Gate. They came out with a novelty song earlier this year, in anticipation of their US tour, "I Wish I Could Speak English", hard rock with AI lyrics. A chill song I like is ブルーアワー "Blue Hour". The song comes from the project adieu headlining Kamishiraishi Moka. How about you? What Japanese songs or musical projects appeal to you in 2026?

TonetoEdo

TonetoEdo

on Sep 5

6 Answers

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BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Sep 1

7 Answers

Favorite Japanese artists, past or present

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genkidesu

genkidesu

on Aug 27

10 Answers

What do you most associate with Shizuoka?

Today, is also Shizuoka Citizen's Day, so - the same as Fukushima - what first comes to mind / do you most associate with Shizuoka Prefecture?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

10 Answers

Car Essentials for a Road Trip?

I feel like this may have been asked before, but I can't find it through a search. Or maybe I thought of asking it and never did! Either way, tell us what things you like to have in your car when you are going on a road trip?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

4 Answers

What do you MOST associate with Fukushima Prefecture?

Given that today is Fukushima Prefecture Citizen's Day; what is the FIRST thing that comes to mind when you hear Fukushima? And / or what do you most associate with the prefecture?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

3 Answers

Throwback Thursday - Sustainability blogs

@Genkidesu posted about the desire for simpler packaging this week. This reminded me of our blog theme about sustainability back in 2022. A little sleuthing turned up the main link: https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/search/tag/SustainableLife Have you kept up your good habits? In the last few years, what have you observed about how you use resources or reduced waste? Me? The photo is a takeout bento box I will reuse for lunch!

TonetoEdo

TonetoEdo

on Aug 20

5 Answers

Summer Festival Changes - Yay or Nay?

Earlier I wrote about how my neighborhood's "summer" festival has been moved to autumn. I also wrote a separate post about a summer festival in Kasukabe that has been moved indoors. I know there is a bittersweetness about these changes, but some would argue that something needs to change in the face of rising temperatures. So, I am curious, what would you vote for: 1) Leaving Summer Festivals exactly as they are - same date, same set up etc. 2) Shifting the time of day the festival is on, say for example, from afternoon until after dark 3) Moving the festival from summer to another season or at least to earlier in summer, such as June 4) Moving summer festivals indoors - not really possible for the larger festivals especially those with large floats etc. but maybe they could shift some elements indoors

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 3

10 Answers

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helloalissa

helloalissa

on Jul 30

11 Answers

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helloalissa

helloalissa

on Jul 30

5 Answers

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BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Jul 30

2 Answers

Movie locations near you worth visiting?

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TonetoEdo

TonetoEdo

on Mar 23