To bring liquids on a plane, store them in a container with a capacity of 100ml and put them into a transparent re-sealable plastic bag with a capacity of 1 liter. After arrival on an international flight, follow the necessary procedures, immigration procedure, customs inspection, and the process of receiving baggage. If your carry-on liquid exceeds 100ml, surrender it at the security checkpoint.
For domestic flights, passengers are asked to cooperate with security checks as measures to ensure the security of flights. The security check process varies between domestic and international flights. Locking luggage is not necessary in Japan, as it provides a deterrent to casual theft. Padlocks provide about 5 seconds of security, and hardshell suitcases with 4 wheels are common in Japan.
Tokyo is considered one of the safest capitals on earth, but if you have luggage with overall dimensions between 161-250 cm, reserve specific seats on the Shinkansen. It is strongly recommended to pack light when traveling around Japan, as most trains do not provide space for bulky luggage. Japan’s commitment to customer service offers luggage to be safely transported and stored, allowing you to travel “hands-free”.
To avoid non-essential travel, consider the need to travel to a country, territory, or region based on your needs. Cheap but durable large foldable bags from DonQ can be used for extra security at the airport.
📹 Packing for Japan ULTIMATE GUIDE (don’t make the same mistakes) JAPAN GUIDE 2024
How to Pack for a trip to Japan: What YOU SHOULD LEAVE BEHIND! There are many things that you should not take to Japan on …
Does Japan use TSA locks?
Travel Sentry, the maker of TSA approved locks, has a global presence, with their locks used in countries like the USA, Canada, Japan, China, and Europe. TSA locks are a universal symbol of reliable luggage security, offering not only protection from theft but also easy access to airport security authorities for luggage inspection, minimizing the chance of damage during the process. Despite the importance of code locks, suitcases with TSA locks are becoming the premium choice for travelers worldwide.
What happens if you don’t use a TSA lock?
If you don’t use a TSA-approved lock, your luggage may be cut off during random screening, leaving it unprotected for the rest of your trip. This can be inconvenient and costly. A TSA-approved lock serves multiple purposes, including securing belongings, facilitating lawful inspections, and reducing potential hassles and costs. TACH Luggage is a top contender for its easy-to-set up, durable, and secure locks that meet strict international standards. Investing in a new lock can add unnecessary expenses to your travel budget.
Do you need to carry toilet paper in Japan?
In Japan, toilets are readily available in various facilities such as train stations, convenience stores, supermarkets, and parks. These facilities are clean, free to use, and well-stocked with toilet paper, making them a convenient solution for those in need. However, there are seven key points to be aware of when using a toilet in Japan:
- Be aware of the location and time of the toilet.
- Be aware of the type of toilet you need and the availability of toilet paper.
- Be prepared to use the toilet promptly.
Can I bring ibuprofen to Japan?
The Japanese Consulate states that one month’s supply of prescription medicines and two months’ supply of non-prescription medicines can be brought into Japan without completing any paperwork. It is recommended to have a copy of the prescription and a letter from the prescribing physician explaining the medication’s nature, purpose, recommended dosage, and frequency of ingestion. Most prescription drugs are permitted, including those not available in Japan, but hallucinogenic, narcotic, and psychotropic medicines will be confiscated unless prior approval has been obtained.
Can I bring Tylenol to Japan?
The Japanese standard prohibits certain medications with narcotic or stimulant ingredients exceeding it, such as Tylenol Cold, NyQuil, Actifed, Sudafed, Advil Cold and Sinus, Dristan Sinus, Vicks Inhaler, and Lomotil. These restrictions are subject to change, so it’s recommended to consult the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s English-language website before planning a trip to Japan. Travelers can bring a two-month supply of permissible over-the-counter medication and vitamins, including contact lenses.
What not to bring into Japan?
Japan Customs has issued guidelines for foreign visitors to Japan, outlining prohibited items such as heroin, cocaine, MDMA, opium, cannabis, stimulants, psychotropic substances, firearms, ammunition, and explosives. These regulations are crucial for entry and departure from the country. The green channel is for passengers with no duty or tax-related goods, while the red channel is for all other passengers. The information provided is intended to assist foreign visitors during their customs examination. For any questions, visitors can consult a Customs officer.
What bag should I take to Japan?
To travel to Japan, consider using lightweight, portable bags as checked or carry-on luggage, such as a backpack or portable bag. For quick day trips, consider using a comfortable backpack for storage. If you have a lot of luggage, consider services like “Luggage Forwarding” or “Coin Lockers”. Other options include checked suitcases, smaller carry-on luggage, purses, backpacks, day bags, garment bags, laptop bags, and briefcases.
Packing your outfit can be challenging due to unpredictable weather conditions. Pack as few basic items as possible, allowing you to layer and change up your outfit during the trip. A week’s worth of clothes should suffice for longer trips, as you can re-wear or shop for new items. Most populated areas and cities in Japan offer laundry services in hotels or coin-operated laundry in town.
Japanese style is modern and unique, but avoid highly revealing clothing as it may seem unappropriated to Japanese custom. The following essential items to bring are undergarments, socks, T-shirts, sturdy walking shoes, dressy shoes, jackets, glasses/sunglasses, jeans, pants, shorts, long-sleeve and short-sleeve shirts, PJ’s or sleepwear, formal/business wear (for special occasions), mittens, scarf, hats, jewelry, a hat or visor for sunny days, and swimwear.
In summary, packing for a trip to Japan requires careful planning and packing with essential items that can be easily repurposed and updated during the trip.
Can I travel to Japan with fake bag?
The legislation is designed to deter the importation and sale of counterfeit goods in Japan. Prior to conducting comprehensive searches, customs officials concentrate on observing body language and identifying potential indications of illicit activity. Frequently responding to inquiries can assist in the prevention of potential complications.
Should I bring a tote bag to Japan?
In Japan, it is customary for consumers to bring their own shopping bags for purchases. This practice promotes environmental consciousness and prevents the accumulation of plastic bags during a trip by using a foldable and lightweight reusable bag.
Should you carry a backpack in Japan?
It is often the case that non-Shinkansen trains in Japan lack the overhead space for small bags. Therefore, it is recommended that travelers utilize a small rolling suitcase or backpack. Japan offers a luggage-forwarding service, which facilitates travel within the country, even when travelers are carrying substantial amounts of luggage. This service is particularly beneficial for individuals who are unable to pack lightly.
Should I use a backpack or a tote bag for travel?
Eco-friendly tote bags are a popular choice for everyday essentials and are large enough to store everything needed. They can be customized to fit individual needs and are ideal for travel. Backpacks are popular for carrying heavy items and are well-supported by the body’s strongest back and abdominal muscles. They come in various colors and sizes, but few models prioritize style. School tote bags come in various styles, making them easier to match with fashion sense or attire. However, finding a range of tote bags can be challenging for students, who often live on a budget. Overall, eco-friendly tote bags offer practicality and style for various occasions.
📹 Shinkansen Luggage Rules: COMPLETE GUIDE
How much luggage can you take on the Shinkansen? Where can I put my cases? What are the size limits? If you’re planning on …
My family traveled in November/early December last year, and we brought packable down coats since they can be folded very small and are light to carry around, and are warm if you need it. Related to the “small towel” point – I brought some soap papers, it was a small container that had sheets that if you run them under water you can lather them as hand soap. I used this a few times in some public toilets where they didn’t have soap dispensers. I also recommend some baby wipes for the same reason, easy to wipe your hands or body down if you get too dirty or sweaty. I also suggest packing small baggies to put your trash in. There are very few trash cans available in public so often times you have to carry it with you until you find a place. The small baggies helped to avoid messes in our backpacks, and it was easy to just throw the bag out instead of trying to find all the things to throw out when you do find a bin.
My elderly parents are planning their first trip to Japan, and asked me what they should pack. I already had my own list for them, but I think I’ll just share this article instead because it’s so thorough! I do have a couple of other / different suggestions though (because it’s all about personal taste!) * Think twice about the gifts. There is a cultural “requirement” that if you receive a gift, you’re obligated to give a gift in return. While this is a fun experience, you can actually be putting a local under stress by handing them a gift if they’re not prepared, and you’ll never know! It’s still handy to have some gifts on you, but I now don’t hand them out unless someone gives me a gift first. * Perhaps it’s the places I stay when in Japan, but I often find they have pajamas only half the time. * I always take a small power board, with built in USB chargers. That way, I can have 1x travel adaptor, and then plug any items I need to, into the single power board. It’s common that a room in a hotel might only have 1 or 2 power points! * I used to carry a pocket Wi-Fi, but now most phones have this function built in, saving the need of carrying an extra piece of technology around. * When packing deodorant, Japan has a strong culture of “scentless” deodorants. They find “smelly deodorant” to be rude. * Finally, as a really obscure suggestion – to take a tiny compass! I learnt this from someone else, to navigate the often huge, underground train stations. Knowing which direction you want to exit a train station, when you don’t have GPS, can save a lot of hassle – particularly if you’re carrying luggage!
I was raised in Japan, moved to USA 30 years then Cambodia. I have met a large number of traveler/backpackers. Old and Young. New travelers and experienced travelers. If in doubt leave it out. Pack light. All clothing should be hand washable and hang dry by morning. Plan on the weather for the time you are going. Do not bring cold weather gear if you are only going for the summer and but prepare for cold in the winter.
This was a great article! Since you only mentioned clothes briefly, I would like to add to that. Japanese have a different perception of what are appropriate clothes compared to most western countries I have been to. Especially for the ladies it’s important to know that naked shoulders and low cleavages are something you will mostly not find there. So leave the tank tops, spaghetti tops and low-cut shirts at home. Naked legs are more common, especially in summer when you can see some tiny shorts. But mostly young girls wear that, so if you are over the age of 25 or a guy, you might want to wear pants, skirts and dresses that reach at least until your knees. They should not be too tight either, so no gym tights. In general, Japanese are very fashionable and pay attention to neat clothes. So, if you don’t wanna stick out too much, take the more fancy stuff and leave the sweatpants and basketball shirts at home. Basically, dress nice but conservative and you will fit right in.
I’ve travelled to Japan so many times and even when I was in diapers so I know most of these tips! 😛 The only tip that’s missing is bringing some light, flowy, full coverage clothes during wet season. I’ve been eaten alive by mosquitos a couple of times so I try to avoid that by wearing linen pants and light weight UV Uniqlo hoodies.
👜 My personal recommendation is a portable stool. Not a full chair, but something small which can be packed away in a bag. Places to sit are at a premium in Japan so if you need to just rest for a few minutes having something to sit on (out of the way) is hugely beneficial. Locals generally go to cafe but then the expectation is you will buy something.
I recently returned from a ten-day trip to Japan. Everything in your article is spot on. For those not staying at a hotel or ryokan (I stayed with family at times), I’m glad I brought my own toothbrush. That being said, the hotel and ryokan I’ve stayed at also had hair dryers for guests to use. FYI if you’re into styling your hair, it’s a bit of a challenge in the summer as it’s super humid! As for luggage, I had a backpack as a carryon, a tote bag as a personal item, and a small carryon sized suitcase that I checked in. They worked out perfectly for my trip. It was all very manageable, plus there are coin lockers almost everywhere in the cities. Thanks for making such helpful articles. Looking forward to seeing your next adventures in Japan!
I’ll be going to Japan in November and im SUPER excited! I will be bringing 1 bag (carry on) and nothing else. No need for all this luggage when you are trying to explore this Beautiful Country. Shoes: Make sure you bring COMFY shoes. You are going to walk 20k steps. Would hate for your trip to be cut short because your legs and feet hurt. Make sure if you buy new shoes to wear them AT LEAST week before your trip! Pocket WiFi: You buy these at the airport as well and you can buy them ahead of time that way all you have to do is pick it up. You can also buy an eSim for your phone (make sure that your phone is unlocked and can use an eSim). You can also buy a Sim card overseas as well, but I would suggest a Pocket WiFi if you are with a group and a eSim if you are solo traveling (this is what i will be doing. Ubigi is the biggest one over there) Battery Packs: BRING 1 OF THESE! It will be a LIFE SAFER for you! Trust me! Also would suggest Compression socks to help with your feet and ankles since you will be walking 20k+ steps. If you live in the US, i don’t think theres a need for an adapter unless you have a three prong plug then I would bring one.
Highly recommend luggage forwarding services if you don’t want to lug a suitcase through stations like Shin Osaka or Shinjuku. It’s pretty affordable and leaves you without the hassle of trying to lug the suitcase through crowds and up and down stairs (but you’ll need to preplan if you do this as it usually take a day to send it onto your next destination). Definitely agree with the shampoo/body wash/toothbrush – every hotel/hostel we stayed at had those provided. For charging, i usually bring an adaptor and then a power board so i can charge multiple devices. But this time round i got a charger that was also a power bank built in and plugged my phone and watch into that (had USB-C and USB-A ports built in).
🧳 I just came back from japan. It is useful to pack a foldable shopping / grocery bag/ recyclable plastic bag as most supermarkets / convenience stores charge for bags. Or buy one and then keep it in your pockets so it handy and available. Hats / caps are useful on a hot day or when there is bright sun. No need to bring detergent – you can buy convenient pack at convenience stores or a coin dispenser at the hotel laundry 🧳
🧳I always bring hand sanitizer everywhere I go, but this time I plan to bring soap as well. When I went to Japan before, I remember there wasn’t always soap either along with the zero hand towels. I was planning on getting those paper soap sheets from Temu because I just like to use soap over hand sanitizer when using the restroom. Very good content. Thank you for this useful article!
For someone who is getting ready for his trip to Japan. perusal this guide really helps me round up all the things I need to bring. Of course, I already have most of these items but perusal this gives me reassurance. I have to admit, I almost left without having a small towel for washing my hands. Because I forgotten about how Japan public bathrooms didn’t have towels to use. So that’s a plus. With the airline I fly with. I can bring 2 luggage before I have to start paying. One thing I do is bring a half size luggage with nothing in it. Just in case I want to bring some stuff back I can’t fit inside of my main case. Thanks again for the guide Ninja Monkey. Really appreciate it. ps – only problem I had last time was not what I brought with me. It’s what I brought back. Which was allot of stuff I bought when visiting Japan. Learn my lesson. lol I had to assure the US custom officer that the things I had weren’t over 10,000 dollars worth.
🧳 great tips, I like to bring hot sauce packets, plates to share food in hotel room, ziplock bags, wine key/ bottle opener, chip clip or buy one at Daiso, neck pillow. Yes Japanese don’t accept tips but do accept gifts. Go to a bar bring them a local beer or liquor. I bring Hawaii stuff all the time. Thanks for the articles.
Man…just got back this week from the land of the rising sun…you are dead on. One thing I learned is that even though I know I packed light, I should have even “halved” my light packing. 2 pairs of shoes max, I took 3 and didn’t touch one of pair. Also for me I found that next time I will take ONE suitcase, not a suitcase and a carryon smaller suitcase. Got caught like you said climbing some subways stairs as no escalators or elevator present a few times, two suitcases sucked in that way.
3:34 And make sure it a very comfortable shoes that fit you well. Depending where you be going, but most of the time you may need to do quite a lot of walking around. 10:34 Do a little workout before the trip, so that able to carry your luggage up/down the stairs. 😅 Most stations in the cities do have escalators / elevators, but some of the station you may have a hard time finding it (especially the elevators). Or need to walk a little further to the other exit. Have some extra time when travelling around when using the train. Although the public transportation is well cover in most places but can be a little confusing for first timer.
You forgot that in Summer if you don’t use sun glasses or a cap, you will be forced to have most of the time the eyes almost closed due to the light of the sun being very strong!!! And your guide was perfect and with all the details that anyone that goes to Japan for the first time should know, I live in Tokyo, in the Taito-Ku ward, and lately, I see again (like when arrived in 2018 to live here) many tourists doing some mistakes…
I only took a trolly with me, a small one that you can put in the cabinet above. And it was half filled. That is my rule when traveling, no matter where or for how long, I pack the minimum possible. I am a woman btw (adding this fact for ppl who might say only men can pack that little and still go by)
I live where it can get over 40°C in the summer here in the Southern United States, the only difference is that every single building here has plenty of air conditioning to deal with the heat and humidity. Japan though is confusingly lacking in air conditioning in many buildings for a place that can get almost as hot. That’s why I always visit Japan in the Winter, early Spring, or Fall so I don’t sweat to death while I’m there.
I just re watched the article as we leave for Tokyo in a week. We are doing 4 cities in 15 days, which will be easier than my previous holiday doing a 7 day ocean sea kayak trip along the Great Barrier Reef and living in tents. Surprisingly, my gear list is about 75% similar. Great article, I enjoyed it.
Thank you for the article. Something to to add, though someone might have mentioned it before: using luggage couriers such as Yamato, Sagawa, Takkyubin etc is a life-saver for me. These days I carry two luggages to Japan: one medium size and one cabin-size (plus my laptop rucksack). If I travel from one city to another city (e.g., Tokyo to Kyoto), but I have several towns (e.g., Kamakura and Uji) to visit in between, I will send my medium (or large for those who prefer large suitcases) from my Tokyo hotel on the day I leave Tokyo. The hotel staff can help you write the details in the receipt form (including hotel name and address in Japanese etc). I will then just travel with my cabin-size luggage to the smaller towns, e.g., Kamakura and Uji. When I arrive in Kyoto from Uji, my medium-size luggage is already there, waiting for me. Of course you can send the luggage from one small town to the next small town, but in my experience, it’s quicker to send luggages between big cities (Tokyo to Kyoto will take about 1-2 days). Also, in small towns, you may need less items, thus a cabin-size luggage will suffice. Oh, and I sometimes also send small items (usually non-perishable shopping items) from Japan back to my country, just so that I don’t have excess baggage. Hope these extra tips help.
The one thing I was on the fence about getting for my trip was that pocket WiFi… but it was critical! Being able to have 24-7 access to Google Maps saved our bacon multiple times and it made navigating the more complicated/busy train stations a total breeze. We had the WiFi brick shipped to us to the USA in advance of our trip and left it in the Japan mail the day we departed. Easy peasy.
In my own experience, I think people should research if it’s better to buy a pocket wifi or temporary sim (I agree connectivity is a must). If you’re a solo traveller, a cheap sim that doesn’t offer calls and only wifi may be cheaper (and def cheaper than roaming charges!) but price might not be the only factor so I’d say to research. I also think (and this is def a personal thing) in the summer no matter how hot it gets, I (personally) have never seen anyone with an electric fan (I’d assume the noise would be considered rude) so I might suggest a hand fan. Good tips, I ALWAYS freak over packing! Before COVID I would go to Japan at least once a year so I went into a 100yen shop and just bought a plug you can plug a usb into so I didn’t have to bother with adaptors.
🧳 not a recommendation from me on what to pack- but on how much – I traveled last November/December and also visited Okinawa – so I needed both warm weather and cool weather clothing. Pack things that can be layered. Pack things that all match/co-ordinate (Khaki or black slacks match just about everything) and plan on doing laundry (so make sure everything is machine washable and doesn’t need ironing). Every hotel I stayed at had laundry facilities and for 200-300 JPY a load can be washed/dried in 90 minutes or so (once every 4 or 5 days – just right for updating my journal or writing out postcards) —in a pinch socks/underwear and/or a marino wool base layer can be sink washed…but why bother when machines are available and cheap? that way all you need bring is smaller carry-on sized luggage and a day pack (or if you want a checked sized bag – you have room to bring stuff you buy back with you!)
Luggage Emoji I had planned to buy all the daily needs (soap, shampoo, ext) minus Deodorant on first day. Glad to know I was thinking the right plan with that. Also I heard starting soon you’ll need to reserve the above luggage space on the bullet trains, have you heard anything about this or was that just to scare new travers to Japan.
🧳 heading back to Japan for the second time in 4 months 😂(fun story). For any trip make sure you split your clothing into two separate suitcases if travelling with someone else- that way if a bag goes missing you have something to wear. Learned this the hard way on a trip to Denmark last year. Extra glasses-pro tip!!!
I traveled with a backpack and 2 days worth of clothes, bought a suitcase in Osaka and filled it up with goodies and shopping. But since most hotels have laundry on site, you might be able to get away with one day’s worth of clothes. I really wasn’t interested in wearing my sunday best to Japan since I was doing 10k-20k steps a day
Why would clean socks be a less obvious packing item? Who travels without fresh socks if its for at least one night? Also, pack an eye mask, a coin purse and gifts/ postcards, but don’t bring a toothbrush because EVERY hotel in Japan provides you with a fresh one daily and you can save space you will need because you brought all the other useless stuff. Great advice ^^
Just returned end of August and 3/4 of the clothes I brought I didint’ wear. It is hot and humid. Umbrealla is a must – for sun. Sun hat, I wore jeans not to offend at shrines and temples. They were so hot, I could peel them off. Shorts are fine, just must be nice – no cut offs or short shorts. Think private school rules. lol Must have good shoes for walking. Bring a pair of socks for putting on if you go places where you need to remove. No bare feet. They won’t say anything, but it matters.
🙏🏼Thank You for this article! We followed your advice for our trip to Japan last year and my favorite recommendations you made were not to bring an umbrella (we bought 3 out there) A coin purse and the small hand towel to dry our hands. Also getting some small gifts. We did get some Manchester United / Manchester City Merch, but then did forget to have it out with us on the days when we encountered great service! Annoyingly BA did not get our suitcases to us until 3 days after we landed in Japan, So I was worried about not being able to have any deodrant, but was glad I packed a mini one in my hand luggage! 😄
i packed 3 suit cases last trip and 1 day bag. 2 rectangular fabric types on rollers and small duffel bag. mistake no.1, trying to move with that many was challenging. 1 less rolling bag was a better idea. i disagree on the point of not bringing sleep wear. if you dont mind the style they already provide you then its fine. id still rather bring 1 small/light set with me. another point you should talk about next time is how much clothing to bring for X amount of days of stay. brining a set of of clothing for each day takes alot of space so consider doing some laundry somewhere during the trip so the first sets of clothing can be washed. might be a bit different for female travellers but packing just enough clothing is essential to save space. 1 personal toothbrush and tube doesnt take much space so its a good idea. here in montreal we also have an extra season: traffic. usually when the weather starts to warm up, bad during summer and slows down when it get colder months
That was a fun article. Most hotels have washing machines, so there’s no need to bring too many clothes. I like to bring a flexible ID card case with a zipper pocket on a lanyard, for keeping your Suica and/or JR pass and some coins in. If you don’t have one, Tokyu Hands and other department stores in Japan sell loads of them and other travel gear, very fun stuff to shop for over there. 🧳
🧳Great article and many good advices. I might want to add that people should consider if they need to bring: a JR travel pass … although it might not be worth it anymore. I would definitely also add: a smartphone (you mention it but didn’t put it on the list), and of course a camera. Japan is so photogenic. One photographic item to think about is a small table tripod or similar to take pictures in nighttime. The cityscapes are amazing.
🧳 I’m planning on going to Japan next year in the fall and I’m very excited and also very anxious. With my ADHD I’m destined to forget something important. I want to stay full days in Tokyo and 4 somewhere in Nagano. I want to take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya and then a slower rural train to Nagano.
8:57 I completely regret listening to this piece of advice and actually found myself cursing your name at one point! Do you know what those cheap clear umbrellas don’t do? Collapse into a convenient carrying size that can fit in a backpack or clip to the outside of it. Several days I carried around that spear of an umbrella, always having to aim it down in trains, hold it while balancing over rocks up Mount Takao, drop it at registers while I’m trying to count change, etc. One day the forecast said a 100% chance of rain in the evening so I carried an umbrella all day only for it to never even rain lol. So unless you want to buy 3-4 of these through your trip do what I saw the locals do and just keep a modern collapsible travel umbrella.
The only personal care items I took were travel size contact lens solution, deodorant, and toothpaste. Everything else was available at most hotels I stayed at as amenities in some form. If you prefer a hair pick over a brush or comb bring one as I did not see any of those in my travel. Hotels all had hair dryers. You can buy umbrellas at convenience stores. I advocate 3 to 4 t-shirts and two pairs of pants. For Hokkaido in December I had a good, lightweight, wind proof down jacket and that was perfect. If you feel you need more and need a proper suitcase I am not here to criticize but you can travel very light in Japan. A smartphone is pretty much a requirement for Google Maps and a translation app.
I’ve travelled a few days ago to japan and I misscalculated the amount of bags I would need, I thought that I will buy so much stuff, that I have to pack 4 bags for my daily use, eventually I’ve only used one smal back pack and one bag. Also I took way to much useless stuff like a hoodie, long pants or my lap top with me. I’ve used especially my laptop 3 times for a call with my japanese teacher, which I also could have done on my mobile phone. Something I would highly recommend is something safe, to put your home sim-cards or other small items into, that you maybe need when going to japan or when returning home but you don’t need in japan. I’ve lost my german sim card becauser I’ve just threw it out of my mobile phone and into a zipper bag into my suitcase. It is super easy to lose these small items because you don’t even remember, that you swapped them, cause everything still works like normal. Another thing I’ve learned is, that you should have a safe and easy way to store your IC-card and your other tickets, which you can access fast during transfering between trains or while having to catch a train fast. Especially in the more crowded areas, where it’s hard to sstop to search for your ticket it is really convenient to have a easy zipper ocket, where your cards are stored, which you can access even during waalking to the ticket gate without stopping.
Just got back from Japan. Great tips. Wish i found this before. I didn’t find it easy to find a plug adaptor to type A before leaving Australia. But there were plenty in Japan and my hotel has usb-a ports but not type c. The towel and the eye cover is very useful. I wasnt sure about the deodorant. I watched another article saying thay strong scented deodorant or anything isn’t the norm in Japan as it can be elsewhere. Definitely while I i was there I couldn’t smell anything that resembled any of the allergy inducing scents people use back home. So I would double check before carrying deodorant specifically. Thats not to say you can’t carry anti-persperant. Different type of product and easily available. Depending on how eco friendly you are, but I also carried a bag for rubbish as you’ll have to carry your rubbish with you if you’re not sat down somewhere. Emptied the contents of the bag when i could. Otherwise it might mean potentially going through various plastic bags. Even at the convenience stores just buying groceries I didn’t see any reusable ones for sale. Could be I didn’t look in the choas of counting coins 😂.
Missing from your Must Pack list, especially for southern Japan in summer: High SPF (Sun Protection Factor) sun screen. Apply it to exposed skin before going outside in the sun, and re-apply it regularly during the day while outside. Summers with 25C to 35C with very high to extreme humidity, is ordinary for both Tokyo in Japan, and Brisbane in Australia. There’s just 6 months difference between seasons for Tokyo and Brisbane. And yes, we have our own rainy/storms season. That’s usually February/March. Although Brisbane doesn’t ever reach 0C let alone below, so we never see snow here for real, unlike Tokyo.
I’ve been to Japan 6 times and took nothing different that I’d ordinarily carry at home in Australia. The most common mistake travelling anywhere is trapped into taking unnecessary or speculative things on a “just in case” basis. The one key exception is band aids, as those people not used to walking a lot will almost certainly get a blister somewhere, especially if wearing harder shoes or boots.
Glasses: Be advised that 100 yen shops sell glasses in a range of lens strength for 100 yen, plus 10% consumption tax. So if you lose or break your glasses it’s not the end of the world. Prescription medication: Don’t forget because getting replacement can be a serious problem. Summer: Bottle of water and wet flannel. Jack, the Japan Alps Brit
Add the electronic Suica card to your iphone wallet – the only caveat we found was that you can only reload money on it when you are in japan, we were not able to load money when we were in the US before our trip. Good point on the luggage forwarding services – we used it between Tokyo and Kyoto and back to Tokyo (Narita Airport) We just returned from Japan last week
Travel light; if you can’t lift your back pack above your head with one hand you’re travelling too heavy. If you need it, they’ve got it: Recycle shops, 100 yen shops will see you right. What you stand up in plus two extras. No extra trousers or shoes. On return, dump excessive junk on the way to the Airport. Jack, the Japan Alps Brit
Thanks for sharing your experience and the tips! Very useful! 🙂 I will just pack my lightweight rainjacket instead of a disposable one, as I dont think that its that heavy nor bulky and rather want to minimize the single use plastic at least a bit by this. I know that in Japan there will be pretty much everything wrapped in plastic and stuff. Ah I will also bring my own Spork to eat. Maybe also my own pair of chopsticks 😀
Love the guide, One thing is for the larger and Taller guys and people with larger feet, dont expect to find larger sizes in normal stores if you need to buy Something in a emergency. Japan is more on the smaller side… But if you really get stuck the tourist shops do have bigger sizes (and after a quick wash make nice qifts…. We won’t tell anyone if you don’t). And With the deodorant stick to more Lighter Perfume option. 🧳
The shampoo/soap-toothbrush-pyjama availability kinda depends on the place. Hostels and internet cafes offering sleeping booths don’t have toothbrushes or pyjamas, and those cheap hotels in Osaka’s Nishinari ward don’t have either. Seen shampoo/soap in many hostels and even internet cafes and capsule hotels basically have them all. You might not need a swimsuit normally, but if you’re going to Okinawa, that’s a different story.
🛅 1. I travel with one carry-on bag, but bring a light nylon tote that I can use as a second bag on the way home in case I purchase items I prefer to safeguard. I don’t care as much if my clothing doesn’t return with me as I do losing it before getting to my destination. 2. I also mail items not allowed in carry-on (like some grooming tools, or a corkscrew) luggage to my hotel ahead of my arrival. If relying on a courier to do that for you, always proof-read the destination address after the clerk types it out. 3. People with long hair don’t need to carry hairdryers as hotels have them, but I highly recommend a great cut that is no fuss to style. 4. As for cosmetics, I have learned to limit my items to a single, top tier moisturizer, eyebrow pencil, lipstick and blotting tissue. I’m allergic to mascara so eye-makeup is out, but no one really needs more than that. (Influencers, of course, will disagree. You do you.)
As someone who travelled many times to japan i can recommend you only need 3 Shirts, 2 Pants, 3 pair of Socks and 3 Panties. You’re washing your Clothes every second Day. I used to pack lots of Clothing which i never used in the end because i always weared the same 3 stuff because they were comfortable and i didn’t feel like i need to impress someone with something new. Nothing beats fresh washed Clothing! Trust me and safe a lot of space you can use to transport lots ofJapanese Sweets and Souvenirs!
Fantastic resource for us first time visitors…hopefully won’t be the last time. All your info and comments vevery reassuring for a persistent overpacker. I’m heading off next week for three weeks including MotoGP and covering quite a bit of central Japan with my son coming out from Australia. I’ll certainly be under packing and taking on board. Many of your great tips.🧳🇯🇵
New subscriber! My new obsessive interest as an AuDHD (Autistic/ADHD). I cannot get enough of articles of life in japan from train and ferry rides, to different accommodations, walks and hikes, amusement parks, shopping, pretty much everything. Thanks for sharing. I know that my medication is on a list of controlled medications. So I am unsure if I can even bring it. Though maybe that is time, budget allowing, for me to be more impulsive and have fun. 🧳!
Generally agree with your advices. One I would add is that if you wear sandals, you might want to pack socks in your day bag as some places might require you to wear socks (pretty sure it was a rule in a castle) and it can be considered rude to walk on tatami with bare feet (especially when they are likely dirty from walking outside in sandals). I would also add something to carry your IC card/JR Pass as some people seems to be clueless on how to store them and not lose them. I do not agree with not packing toothbrush, that is making unnecessary waste. It’s not as if it’s really big anyway. I even carry normal chopsticks with me and use them in restaurant that only have disposable one (I even give them back when the food arrive to make sure they don’t think I used them and put them in the trash). 🧳
I have to say you’ve got it in the bag/suitcase/napsack. As to your comments about packing for the weather, I think Japan is like any other country, weather changes, I know, it is shocking. I’ve been in Japan when local people have said it unusually hot, cold, and rainy for this particular time of the year. But, there’s not many places I’ve been where that is not the case. Also, Japan is a big country and most maps don’t give you a true sense of its size so be prepared to layer up or down and have a lightweight waterproof jacket.
Great information for anyone going to Japan for the first time, or who has already been and wants to fine tune their packing list for the next time. I do wonder though, with Japan having temperatures of 25-35 and sometimes higher, we have them as well in Europe. It doesn’t bother us too much to be in 35 degrees coastal France during summer. With you being from the “rock”, how do you experience the Japan heat in comparisson to Spanish or other continental heat in Europe?
Your miracolous shoes are called alpargatas. Just google it (🇦🇷) and the worldwide brand are TOM’s . Are quite confortable and even have the winter or summer version. I never tought it will be useful to japan, I have a couple of pairs. Just saying, us kind of rude especially in Temples walk in barefoot, so even with alpargatas try to always carry/use socks. 👍
Hmm travelling a lot myself. I always go for a less is more approach. I would have been curious about washing facilities like laundromats, you didn’t mention them. Usually I have a set of 2 trousers+short, 4 T-shirts (usually buy local ones), socks I usually dispose of and source locally. Rain/Wind jacket. If I can wash locally at the hotel then hand luggage usually is enough for me for a week or two.
I do bring a toothbrush to be environmentally friendly and also because disposable toothbrushes aren’t usually of high quality. Also, don’t bring Adderall even if it’s prescribed because it’s outright illegal in Japan and you could face jail time. Other stimulants often need pre-approval from the government, so do your own research.
I get really confused on the idea of currency exchange. If you have a debit card and withdrawal from an atm machine in Japan, won’t it give you japanese won instead of usd? Ik you need to notify your bank that you’re traveling here too. So why not do that instead of paying for changing the money? I’m so confused with this!!!!
🧳 that’s one point of anxiousness I have for my upcoming trip to Japan. I travel with a hiking pole when I’m not so tired, but a rollator when I know I’d be doing a lot of walking… I’d arriving at the Narita, and my hotel will be “above” the Shimbashi Station. I already planned to have half of my luggage to our hotel in Sapporo from the airport as that’s where we’d be after 3 days in Tokyo. I’m thinking of taking the train to Tokyo Station and then take a taxi to the hotel. Would there be taxi at the Tokyo Station be big enough to handle a large and medium suitcase plus carry-on plus my rollator and the two of us?
Hi! Amazing all your articles! Can I ask you sth? I wanna know how much cash it’s allow to enter japan and what happens if you bring more than it’s allowed, do you have to pay any tax? I understand the max its 1 million yen but in that time it was 10k usd and know is much less. What if you bring 1.5 that is 10k now? Thanks a lot! 🙂
Im a bit confused about power adapters. I’m American and it looks like we use the same type of outlets but from what I read Japan outlets more often are type A without the grounding 3rd hole and voltage is lower at 100v compared to 120v american and Hz are 60 or 50 depending on the part of japan where American is 60Hz. Not sure if I would need an adapter for things that don’t run through a block like heated hair tools
Great tips for vacation travel. I’d like to add that, if you are coming to Japan for business, you should definitely bring business cards (called meshi in Japanese). Whenever you meet somebody for any business-related function, you will be expected to give your business card, and you will also receive business cards. It’s part of the etiquette, and also a way for the Japanese person to learn important information about you, such as your position in your company/organization. I know that in many countries, there is a push to become paper-less and do away with this sort of formality, or make it digital. However, Japan still values some old fashioned traditions, like using personal seals to sign documents (NO digital signatures here) and paper business cards.
Shampoo and tooth brush is BS, i recommend having booth of them. Most of us use specific shampoo and changing it with something unknow is a risk. I would also recommend electric toothbrush to be eco friendly it does not take much space and weight. I also recommend taking folded umbrela, why getting wet while looking for one in shop, and what you will bring that bought umbrela to airport? For thing i recommend to get is IC card. If you are relocating to few cities don’t worry and plan some things to see on the way, most of stations or tourists spots have coin locker. I was on 14 day trip (i come 1 day ago) and it was great with a bit of planning (Tokyo-Shizuoka-Nagoya-Kioto (Osaka). My luggage weight 10-14 kg + backpack (school size) 2-5 kg depends if packet with water. Thing i also recommend to take or buy fast is sun screen for late spring-summer since sun is rather sharp.
I’m planning a trip next year for my 65th birthday, being a MARTIAL ARTIST I’ve been to Japan in 1976 I won a a 2 week stay at our main doyo school in a KarateTournament in N.Y.C. U.S.A. but we just stay IN the DOYO AND LOCAL AREA I DIDN’T DO ANY SIGHTSEEING IM PLANNING to go to Tokyo and Kyoto staying at capsule Hotels any recommendations . THANKS 4 THE INFO !. 🙏✌👊🇵🇷🥋⛩
I’m so excited on our upcoming trip to japan but now I’m not so sure coz I’ve realized that our plane tickets has missing middle name on it & they want me to cancel, rebook & pay the fare difference of which it’ll be around $3000/2 more…it’s definitely a major setback & we may not even go coz I can’t afford to pay American Airlines & Japan Airlines (codeshare) more $$$ 🤦🏻♀️😣😖
Question about the pajamas thing, how do they accommodate for size? I assume they go by the One Size Fits Most (it’s never all XD) rule but if you have pajamas that fit you because you’re always out of that range, usually too small for adult but too big for children…? I love that they provide but I think I’d be drowning in them XD I realise I would also have to look up where to get really obscure things like hearing-aid batteries since I’d worry people asking where the nearest hearing clinic or hospital is since that’s not a shop purchase. Also what sort of plugs do they have we’ll need adapters for? I wouldn’t know where to find the suitcase emoji so here’s my question, what’s the multi-curve just before the 12 minute mark?
Japanese people seem to be patient about foreigners doing things that they consider unacceptable, but one thing I was surprised about was that Japanese girls do not show their bare feet/ toes! I hear this but didn’t believe it but after 3 days in Tokyo in hot weather I did not see ONE single bare foot! of course we all wear sandals, but they do not. Also modest clothing is the norm there so forget about walking down the street in your skin tight leggings…this might be embarrassing. Leggings are not seen as outdoor public clothing from what I hear and saw while there.
For god’s sake….everyone coming to Japan with big suitcases…. Use the porter service, they will take your suitcase from the airport to your hotel (also from the hotel to the airport). Public trains get crowded and big suitcases are just an annoyance to all (you included). If May cost a little bit is worth it!!!! If you don’t want to use the porter service, use the limousine bus service… that is also a great option. Again just stop bringing your huge suitcases to the trains!!
I recommend not to buy deodorant from your place,get one from japan because in japan it’s considered rude to use strong fragrance and deodorant can be aggressive for Japanese people . Don’t use also bug luggage it cannot got coin lockers and there are restrictions in Shinkansen so rather travel with a carry on luggage
I am going to disagree on two things: 1) the shampoo/ conditioner. All shampoos and conditioners are formulated for Asian hair, and there will be zero other options in stores. Zero. So by “specific needs” he basically means all other hair types on the planet. If you have curly, wavy, fine-textured, or coily hair, you are going to have issues with the shampoo and conditioners. I can’t personally describe the effect on curly hair, but on fine hair, you will look like a greased weasel. It’s ok and you can deal with it if it’s a short trip, but anything longer than a week and I would say bring your own, then abandon them the last day to make more space. 2) yes, bring pajamas. While most hotels provide yukata robes to lounge around in and use as sleepwear, if you are tall and/or chubby, it’s very likely these won’t fit. They may have one or two “extra extra large” yukata available at the front desk, but you will have to ask for it. Which some find embarrassing. If other large guests request them, the hotel may also run out, because again, they only have a few of these. Additionally, if you are not used to sleeping in one, you will be very uncomfortable, since you basically need to be flat on your back the entire night to avoid getting tangled up or accidentally exposing yourself. I have found that most westerners are also a bit on the uncomfortable side just walking around in the hotel yukata, since the garments do have the tendency to make you paranoid that it’s going to slip open, come untied, or gap, and you’ll end up flashing people.
I wouldn’t have to worry about exchanging money if I travel to japan because I my bank is all over the world navy federal is amazing one of the few truly international banks because it’s all over and I would only pack a carry on suit case 10x16x22 22 lb max weight I’m simple I’d make sure to pack clothes that I can make multiple outfits out of