Japan is unlike any other place I’ve ever visited, it’s like stepping onto the set of an incredible movie. The people are so fashionable and effortlessly cool, everywhere you turn you see great photo opportunities, the food is amazing and there’s just so much to see and do.

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, but are unsure what to pack, I’ve compiled this list to help you. My biggest tip? Don’t overpack. There are SO many cool things you’re going to want to buy, you’re going to need the room in your luggage. If you forget to pack anything, don’t stress, you can buy it easily. 

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What to pack

Appropriate clothes

Don’t fall victim to the mental pressure of wanting to pack every item of clothing you own, nah-uh. There are so many great shops in Japan selling affordable clothing, you will be able to buy anything you are missing at a decent price. Keep it simple, you hoarder! I found the weather changed pretty quickly when I visited in April, one day it was pretty chilly and the next it was shorts weather. So, try to pack items of clothing you can easily layer. I’d recommend packing really warm jeans, jumpers, scarves, beanies and coats for those cooler months (even thermal underwear if you’re a cold-fearing Aussie like me, visiting in winter). For warmer months, think cute dresses and skirts, shorts and cotton tops and shirts.

Think layers

Be sure to pack clothes you can layer, just in case the weather changes suddenly. Think things like singlet or vest tops, jumpers and scarves and a good jacket or two, just in case. If you’re going in summer, it gets pretty warm so you should be okay with lighter clothing. In winter it gets very cold, so bust out the heavy coats, beanies and gloves. Of course, if you are going on a Japanese ski holiday you’ll also need to think about all the snow gear you’ll need.

Nara

The right shoes

Seems simple enough, right? Wrong! Make sure you pack shoes that are comfortable, for all the walking you will do, but also easy to slip on and off as you may need to take them on and off during the day to stay in keeping with local customs. Note: your thigh-high lace-up boots may not be appropriate this time.

Statement pieces

Everyone in Japan is fashionable, so this is your time to shine. Wear whatever you feel most comfortable in and feel to express yourself through your clothing. If you visit Yoyogi Park on a Sunday, you’ll find loads of other people doing the same. It’s definitely one of the coolest places on the planet when it comes to just being yourself!

Yoyogi Park, Tokyo

Medicine

Bring a small bag packed full of essential medicines with you. Unlike in Australia and most other countries, it isn’t possible to duck down to the corner store and pick up some paracetamol. There are drug stores in Japan, but if you wake up at an odd hour in the grips of a horrid cold, you’ll be helpless until one opens. Take the risk out of it and pack things like cold and flu tablets, hay fever/allergy medicine, ibuprofen, paracetamol, tums and Imodium. 

Tissues

Pocket packs of tissues tucked into a bag may come in very helpful at public toilets. Whilst there is no shortage of TP in Japan, there are some public toilets that run out of the good stuff due to the high volume of people using them. Don’t be a victim, be proactive. If you’re a germaphobe, I recommend packing a bottle of hand sanitiser which can be used, with a tissue, to sanitise a toilet seat.

Hokkaido

A water bottle

Japan is the land of delicious, weird and creative foodstuffs. Bring a water bottle with you so you can easily refill around the city, to save you from falling victim to endless vending machines calling your name toward the sugary drinks inside. Tap water in Japan is safe to drink so you’ll save money and also save yourself from dehydration by drinking water.

Toiletries

If you forget to pack any essentials, don’t worry. Hotel rooms usually provide incredibly generous vanity kits which usually include a razor, hairbrush, toothbrushes, body sponges and more!

Tokyo

My packing hacks and tips

A few tips and tricks to help you hack your pack!

Eco-friendly bags

Stash some eco-friendly bags and reusable sandwich bags in your luggage, they come in so very handy for storing dirty shoes and clothes as well as bars of soap, wet swimwear or leaky toothpaste tubes! 

Hard plastic containers

I use Tupperware or similar hard plastic containers to put all my toiletries in. This ensures no leaks will destroy my clean clothes and makes it really easy for me to grab my toiletries in one easy swoop, keep them together in the hotel and makes re-packing easier too. I also use a small container for all my jewellery and another one for electronics like adaptors, cords and chargers. It keeps me organised and stops me from losing things! 

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Dryer sheets

Put dryer sheets in your suitcase to keep your clothes smelling good throughout the whole trip. If you don’t have dryer sheets, a few drops of essential oil on a tissue, laid flat in-between layers of clothes, works wonders. I also have a little bottle of spray that instantly freshens up clothes, it’s from The Laundress and it’s amazing! No musty-smelling clothes for you, my friend. 

Charging station

If like me, you travel with a laptop, two cameras, a phone, and a watch, then you’re going to need more than one power outlet. Buy one outlet converter and take a power outlet board from home with multiple plug-ins on it. It makes life so much easier!

These are my tips for what to pack for a trip to Japan, what are yours? What are your top travel hacks or tips? I’d love to hear them so share them in the comments below.


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