By make appointments, I mean make appointments for things you normally do yearly or monthly or however often. For example, hair cuts, dentist appointments, and, if you are like me, orthodontic appointments.While all these things are also in Japan, you will probably want to use the ones you are used to instead of trying to find one in Japan. Basically try to get as many of these types of appointments as possible out of the way before you leave.
I get my hair cut about once a year. It's super long (like down to the waistband of my pants) and cut very simply, so due to it's simplicity I don't have to get it cut very often. For me, as long as I get my hair cut within a couple months of going to Japan and don't stay in Japan for over a year, my hair will be just fine. Most people, however, get their hair cut a lot more often than I do. In this case, I would recommend getting it cut right before you leave and depending on how long you stay, either let it grow out a bit or try to find a hairdresser.
For dental appointments, if you are due for an appointment anytime 4-6 months from when you leave I would recommend you get your teeth cleaned before that. The reason for the long time past when you leave for your trip is because for one you will want to have cleaner teeth when you are leaving for Japan because why not and you also may decide to stay longer than anticipated so not getting overdue on such things is a plus.
And now for the last of my examples, orthodontic appointments. If you are not seeing an orthodontist then this doesn't apply to you but I have braces so this is something I have to consider. With braces, you have to get them messed with every 5-6 weeks, and if I'm going to go to Japan it's going to be for longer than that. You can skip appointments, but it does mean your braces may get a little wonky and you will have to be in them for that much longer. This fall I didn't get my braces messed with for probably three months because right when I was supposed to have my next appointment I went to go work on a trail crew for five weeks. If you are going to be in Japan for 1-3 months, I would recommend just getting your braces tightened the week before you leave and then have another appointment the week you get back. For longer trips, I would consult your orthodontist for what they recommend.
For me personally, I have a hair appointment for next week, which will cover me for at least the next six months. I'm probably due for a dental appointment in the fall, so if I go to Japan this summer I may bump up that appointment to before I leave. As for braces, I've had my braces for 2.5 years already and am getting fairly close to getting them taken off. In order to speed this up I have been making sure to wear the rubber bands for my braces (I have jaw problems...yay) and making my appointments every five weeks instead of every six weeks in order to save time. I'm still not entirely sure how much longer I need to be in braces but next time I see the orthodontist I will talk to them about when they expect for me to be ready to have my braces taken off and if it is possible for me to get them removed before I leave.
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