TL;DR – Medications You Can Bring to Japan (Always verify with official sources.) ✔️ Generally Allowed (in reasonable personal quantities) Common OTC pain relievers (Tylenol, Advil, ibuprofen) Daily prescriptions (thyroid meds, blood pressure meds, SSRIs) Basic allergy meds (Zyrtec, Claritin) Most non-stimulant ADHD meds (Strattera, Qelbree) — Yakkan Shōmei often required ❌ Prohibited or Highly Restricted Stimulant ADHD medications  (Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin) These are cons

Because nothing tests your patience faster than icy roads, hungry kids, and realizing you forgot the emergency snacks. Winter road trips can be magical—but they also come with unpredictable weather, frozen roads, and safety concerns that hit differently when kids are in the back seat. As a mom who has done plenty  of winter driving with little humans in tow, here are the winter family driving tips , safety essentials , and kid-specific prep steps  that help keep your family s

Winter travel isn’t for the faint of heart. Snow, ice, wind, and freezing rain turn airports into domino chains of delays and cancellations— even when the weather looks fine where you are. If you’re flying anytime between November and March, here’s how to prep like someone who knows how the system actually works. 1. Know Your Passenger Rights (and Their Limits) Here’s the truth most travelers don’t realize: When weather causes delays or cancellations… you don’t have many righ

Traveling during winter, peak holidays, or even busy summer months means one thing: the risk of travel mishaps skyrockets. Winter storms, overbooked flights, staffing shortages, and delayed aircraft can cause chain-reaction delays that leave travelers, families, and college students stranded for hours. If you’ve ever spent a night sleeping on an airport floor, fed your kids pretzels for dinner during a delay, or watched an update board flip from “On Time” to “Cancelled”… you

When news broke that the government shutdown was officially over , most travelers breathed a huge sigh of relief. TSA workers? Back to normal staffing. Air traffic controllers? No more working without certainty. The system? Finally moving forward again. But here’s the truth most people don’t realize: Even when a shutdown ends… the ripple effects don’t. Air travel is an incredibly delicate, interconnected system. When one part slows down — whether it’s staffing, scheduling, or

Losing your passport while traveling abroad is stressful enough—but not having a backup copy can make the process of getting a replacement even harder. That’s why one of the best travel safety tips is to securely store photos of your passport (both the ID page and barcode) on your iPhone. But here’s the key: you need to encrypt them. This guide shows you how to encrypt passport photos on your iPhone using the Notes app —no third-party apps needed. This method is fast, free,

When most people hear “ government shutdown ,” they think about politics in Washington, D.C. But what many travelers don’t realize is that these shutdowns can spill over into airports across the country—and your vacation plans may be directly impacted. TSA officers and air traffic controllers are considered essential employees, which means they still have to show up for work even when paychecks are delayed. That reality often leads to staffing shortages, longer security lines

America is Behind on Passenger Rights — and Travelers Deserve Better As someone who helps families travel confidently and stress-free, I’m deeply disappointed . The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) had proposed a groundbreaking rule that would have required airlines to compensate travelers when delays or cancellations were the airline’s fault . This rule never went into effect —and now, it’s been taken off the table entirely . For families who’ve struggled through end

Hawaii has always been one of those dream destinations that feels like a once-in-a-lifetime trip. But in recent years, booking a vacation rental in Hawaii has become more complicated than most travelers realize —and if you’re not careful, your dream stay could be canceled at the last minute. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way. My Oahu Airbnb Was Canceled 5 Days Before Our Trip Five days before our family trip to Oahu, my Airbnb host messaged me to say they were cancel

Know Your Rights: What Is UK261 and How Does It Protect You? If you're flying to or from the United Kingdom, there's a little-known rule that could get you up to £520 when your flight is delayed, cancelled, or overbooked—and most airlines won't tell you about it unless you ask. It’s called UK261 , and if you're planning international travel, this regulation is a must-know. What Is UK261? UK261 is the United Kingdom’s passenger protection regulation that mirrors the European

Stress-Free Travel Guide @ chasingmemories.co Welcome Hi, I’m Lisa! I created this guide to help you take the stress out of travel—whether you're a seasoned explorer or planning your very first trip. I believe travel should be joyful, empowering, and (yes!) manageable. Let’s make your next trip smooth, safe, and full of memories. Top Stress-Free Travel Tips ✅ Prep your documents in advance: passport, visa, insurance, and backup copies. Keep digital and paper copies of all imp

What to do when you suitcase doesn't arrive. Here's a step by step guide for your passenger rights if your luggage is delayed or goes missing. Your plane lands. You wrangle the kids. You make it to baggage claim.But your suitcase? It's nowhere to be found. 😩 Whether it’s lost in transit or just delayed, here’s what you need to know (and do) so you can stop stressing and start chasing memories again. ✈️ First: Know Your Passenger Rights 🧭 For U.S. Flights (Domestic) Under t

What to Do When Your Trip Falls Apart (Because Sometimes It Will) Travel isn't always smooth—and when your flight is delayed, canceled, or your luggage disappears into the abyss, it can feel overwhelming. But knowing your rights and having a clear action plan can turn chaos into calm. Here's your step-by-step guide for handling travel mishaps—divided by Domestic (U.S.) and International Flights . 🛫 DOMESTIC FLIGHTS (WITHIN THE U.S.) ✈️ Flight Delays and Cancellations Your R

Losing a loved one is an emotional and overwhelming experience. The last thing you need is the added stress of figuring out how to book a last-minute flight for a funeral —especially when airline prices skyrocket for same-day and next-day travel. While many airlines have eliminated their bereavement fares , some still offer options that can help reduce costs if you know how to navigate the system. This guide will walk you through your options for securing an affordable emerge

Flight delays and cancellations can turn your travel plans upside down, but if you’re flying in or out of the European Union, you’ve got rights under EU Regulation 261/2004 (commonly referred to as EU261). This regulation ensures that passengers are compensated when airlines fail to meet their obligations for certain disruptions. Here’s everything you need to know about EU261, including how to file a claim and a copy-and-paste email template to get started. What Is EU261? EU

The Ultimate Guide to Deciding on Travel Insurance: Domestic vs. International When planning your next vacation, travel insurance might not be the first thing on your mind—but it should be! The right policy can save you money, reduce stress, and provide peace of mind. Whether you're traveling domestically or internationally, the purpose and benefits of travel insurance can vary greatly. Below, we’ll break down the key differences and help you decide if travel insurance is the

Flying with kids can feel like an Olympic event, especially when you’re managing strollers, car seats, and other baby essentials. Knowing your airline’s baby gear policies can make the journey much smoother. In this post, we break down the stroller and car seat rules for major U.S. airlines, so you’re prepared for stress-free family travel. Use the table below to compare policies, then read on for detailed information about each airline’s baby gear rules. Table: U.S. Airline

Travel disruptions are a reality we all face, but fortunately, the European Union has set up regulations under EU261 to help protect passengers when things go wrong. If your flight has been delayed or canceled, you may be entitled to compensation. Filing for compensation under EU261 doesn’t have to be a daunting process, and in this blog post, I’m going to walk you through the steps to file your own claim and potentially get compensated for your inconvenience. Step 1: Know Yo

Traveling with kids can be stressful enough without the added headache of flight delays. But with the right strategies, tools, and a positive mindset, you can turn delays into manageable—and even memorable—experiences. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know: what your rights are, how to stay updated, ways to entertain your kids , and why travel insurance could save the day. Read on for essential tips and highly actionable advice that will make your next dela

The upcoming Finnair pilot strikes scheduled for December 9th and 13th, 2024 , have led to the cancellation of around 300 flights. While these disruptions are understandably frustrating, the good news is that European Union Regulation 261/2004 ( EU261 ) ensures you have strong passenger rights in situations like this. Whether your flight has been canceled with plenty of notice or is affected closer to your travel date, this guide will help you understand your rights and how