Advice To The Study Abroad Studs - See You Soon!

I initially sent the following info to Emily in response to an email asking me about packing-tips:
Here is the best packing advice I have:
The best little thing I took with me was a
"Lonely Planet Japan Pocket Guide"
I'll bet that any Japan pocket travel guide is good, but I love this one the most because it has really accurate pronunciation, useful phrases, and interesting cultural insights. I highly recommend it.
Also, it is tempting to pack a ton of really comfortable sandals, but you'll be doing a lot of walking all over the place, and then you'll be taking off your shoes in nice restaurants and beautiful homes - so the funky-mucky-dirty-hippy-sandal-foot-bottom-thing could be an issue if you are sensitive to that sort of thing. I really only felt comfortable wearing sandals after about four weeks when I knew when and where I would be going - as to avoid looking like a 'dirty American' because everywhere you go will be hyper-clean. Ever heard the phrase "cleanliness is next to Godlieness?" It MUST be Japanese.
June is 'the rainy season' but we've already begun to see the rain, so a lightweight and semi-waterproof hooded jacket would be the best.
The dress code here is much higher fashion than anything we are used to (I wear skirts all the time, and it's actually kinda fun to be girly now and then) so if you want to look a little less tourist-y I would leave the comfortably-ratted old hoodie at home. But then again - we stand out like sore thumbs here - REALLY - so you are free to do whatever you want, this is just the fashion update.
As for food - you probably don't need to BRING anything, but I will suggest some initial diet modifications. Everywhere you go people will be feeding you rice. Take at least one meal a day and eat BREAD instead. French-style bakeries are quite popular, so just keep an eye out, and stop off for a baguette every chance you get.
Seriously, I can't emphasize this one enough. You WILL get constipated, this is a promise - it happens to everyone. If you constantly seek out scarcely accessible fruit, that is also quite helpful. I know this info is icky - but it's better I say this now, than you miss out on something really cool because your doubled over in painful cramps.
Other than that - truly the only thing I can say is "Everything is different, and yet somehow, nothing is different. There is no way to describe it, you just have to come live it."
I can't wait to see you Emily, and the rest of the crew too. I am so happy for you - this is the coolest thing I've ever done.
Peace,
Mo