What I Wish I Packed for Japan (And What I Didn’t Need)
Planning a trip to Japan? In this video, I go over everything I think you should pack for your Japan trip as well as what I regret bringing so you can avoid making the same mistakes!
Whether it’s your first time visiting Japan or you’re a seasoned traveler, hopefully this video will be a good starting point for what you should bring and will ideally help minimize any packing anxiety! Happy packing!
Chapters:
What You Should Bring:
0:48 Modest-ish Clothing
1:45 Packable Tote Bag
2:23 Portable Charger
2:53 Compact Umbrella
3:34 Important Personal Items
3:53 Comfortable Shoes
What I Regret Bringing
5:06 Too Much Clothing
6:10 Excess Personal Care
6:37 Unnecessary Tech
7:23 Too Many Shoes + Accessories
7:59 Exercise Stuff
Extra Tips
8:36 Buy It There
9:01 Suitcase Space
👇 Let me know in the comments what your Japan travel essentials are or if there’s something you wish you’d brought (or left behind)!
#JapanTravel #JapanPackingList #TravelTips #WhatToPack #TravelRegrets #JapanTrip #TravelVlog #vintagecoach #japanshopping #japanhaul
33 Comments
I loved the advices! 💙
I'm traveling in October, and it really brings you back down to earth when you hear things that you know deep down don't make sense (like accessories, uncomfortable shoes, or not modest clothing), because the important thing is to be comfortable so you can enjoy yourself to the fullest.
Agree with all of this!
thank you for sharing!!
Keep in mind if you plan on packing light, and buying the clothes you need as the need arises, that Japanese sizes are tiny. If you are a US L-XL or larger, or very busty, or taller than 5'5", you WON'T find stuff to fit without special effort. Those of us who are privileged with thinner bodies, who fall into the typical Japanese size range, can do as you recommend.
This was such a great overview. I visited Japan in July and August last year and clothing was such a challenge. I packed mostly modest items but also had to figure out how to stay cool while being so covered up. I ended up rotating between an Uniqlo Airism long black skirt; one pair of Old Navy linen cotton blend wide leg pants; one pair dark grey hiking joggers in a technical, breathable fabric; and one pair Old Navy polyester 5" inseam shorts (the shorts were long enough to not be scandalous although nobody wore shorts except us tourists). On top I brought high neck crew neck tops but ended up buying a few Uniqlo Airism crew neck t-shirts in black, white, and brown for their ability to keep me cool (I love them and wear them all the time still, even to work) I wish I had brought or bought an oversized white linen button down shirt for sun protection and to keep cooler.. If you are a straight size you can definitely just buy what you need, and if you are a plus size the trend is oversized so you can also likely find what you need. Only issue is if you are tall. Also note that the sizing is smaller that you might expect in the west so try everything on and possibly size up. I also cannot emphasize how useful an SPF umbrella was while there. I bought one on our first day and used it every day to provide portable shade. Little personal size rechargeable fans also came in clutch.
additional tip is to underpack a set of clothes (could it be a day or two) if you're planning to buy some clothes there. You can just wash it at the hotel and wear it, saves you a space for your luggage.
I literally had a nightmare last night that I didn't have enough cash and money on the ICOCA card I need to get when in Japan for my first ever upcoming trip. Along with packing essentials – how much do think they a person should carry/have on a card? Is it easy to refill them at places from your experience?
I brought my Firestick. Love Japan, but miss watching American TV, especially after shopping all day. Simple hookup and was able to watch YouTube. Won’t leave home without it. I admit I learned about this on YouTube. Best tip ever.
Dou you know how much they charge for bringing back an extra suitcase?
Always have two pairs of walking shoes. You need to change them to keep feet healthy.
Where is your white skirt from?
I learned that outside of deodorant and maybe toothpaste. Don’t bring any toiletries. It’s a modern country. They have what you’ll need. But I’m a guy so.
As far as personal items go, one thing you really can’t buy in Japan if you forget it — and thus absolutely should bring with you — is good deodorant. This won’t apply to everyone, but particularly if you are not of Asian descent, solid stick deodorant is an absolute must. There is literally a gene unique to east Asians that makes them less prone to BO from perspiration, and as such, almost all Japanese deodorants are basically just rubbing alcohol that’s either rolled or sprayed on. For us stanky Westerners, that ain’t gonna cut it — so for the sake of the locals as much as for your own, please make sure you pack plenty of the good stuff when you go! You’ll never regret having done so. 😉
My go to is a Patagonia duffle to bring back what I purchase w/out having to buy another suitcase. I always fill it up to come home. Also compression packing bags help. You can sometimes get these at Daiso!
Great video! Also I had to say, I love the Phoebe vinyl in the background! One of my all time favorite albums.
So helpful, thanks
This is a great video, fully agree with all these points! I brought way too much clothes because I wanted to look nice but totally over packed. It was such a struggle bringing the heavy suitcase around, thank god for the luggage forwarding system. No need for gym gear or tech I agree, headphones and a kindle is all I used! Also ,It was great that alot of hotels had laundry facilities. We were even lucky our room in Osaka had a washer in it, and we could dry our clothes in the bathroom. I Miss Japan!
Yes, I totally agree! We travel to Japan at least once per year, and I always still somewhat overpack. Start with the essentials and try not to bring too much else. 🌸Heidi
"I guess if you love exercise…" Had me cracking up. I just am too grumpy if I don't get at least a quick workout in the morning, so I still packed something since I booked hotels with a gym. The more calories earned for food, the better haha. I definitely regret bringing as much stuff as I did last year. Especially with toiletries. Hotels often provide all you need, and definitely going to just pick up sunscreen and other stuff at store there. I brought a whole check in size luggage with me for souvenirs (it was completely empty, I just shoved my carry on size with what I packed for myself inside). I definitely filled that to the max capacity lol. Considering just buying a check in luggage this time around since the quality of Japanese suitcases are supposed to be excellent! I appreciate the outfit tips. I love that Japanese favor modest clothing over typical revealing outfits for women.
suppperrr helpful! 😀 excited for your next videos~
Heading out to japan in October, plan is to pack a carry on but bring one empty suitcase for souvenirs. Packing light on clothes and washing with hotel washing machines, buying shampoo/skincare while out there. Flip flopping if I want to bring my iPad or not. Thanks for the tips!
I packed like a travel for a weekend, all I needs for a weekend, and some special outfit because my boyfriend sometimes like to visit some theatre or restaurant. And all brings things to help me to have a nice sleep 😴 It is essential like bags of special tea, aromatherapy, pijamas, etc.
This is from experience years ago back when Northwest airlines was still in business. I'm a plus size and they lost my checked suitcase. I had no extra clothes for a week. I had a friend so she washed my clothes in the hotel laundry every few days. I hand washed my undies every night in the room. You can't find plus size in stores. I highly recommend bringing a carry on with a change of clothes. Toiletries like basic shampoo etc is provided at the hotels. Don't check medications.
What portable charger did you show in this video. Please advise
Very helpful, informative…
Flying in Aug-28 to Sept-7 for a cousin wedding Aug-30 Tokyo. Then in-between to Kyoto>Osaka>back to Tokyo
Good thing for Uniqlo-Toronto
I brought a backpack with just 3 days worth of clothes and toiletries (airbnb's so we had access to washer/dryer the whole time). When the trip ended in Tokyo at the end of the two weeks, I just bought a carry-on in Akhibara for all my useless shopping.
I've worn a pair of Vessi waterproof tennis shoes on two extended trips and they were absolutely comfortable and proved to be waterproof in the rain. Do learn and follow the train etiquette for Japan, especially if you are not traveling solo. Not disturbing the shared public spaces is a HUGE cultural thing there. Pay attention to how they use shared spaces like sidewalks and train platforms. I've seen even two clueless westerners block passageways hundreds of people can and do pass through. Do try to go with stylish yet comfortable clothing. Fabrics like Merino wool and bamboo blend resist wrinkles and odors and can be washed in the shower and dry overnight. I may be an exception, but my phone has never run out of battery and I have never brought a charger. But I am not posting on TikTok or IG. Bring deodorant as it can be hard to find there. Bring a small plastic bag to put your wrappers etc. in during the day as public trashcans are few and far between, don't litter. Japan is utterly amazing but visitors need to respect the culture.
Thank you for sharing. It’s really helpful. I’m contemplating buying a Shupatto bag from Amazon. Should I wait and get one while I’m Japan? Is the price difference significant? 🙏🏻
You said don’t forget to bring the stuff you need passport money phone. You forgot medicine. But I guess you still young so you don’t need medicine yet 😂
im going to ski
nice, i hope i did see this before going. haha. thanks, reminder for the next Japan trip (God's will)
If you don't bring your ipad, how do you bear the 11 hour flight each way?
You need to just NOT GO TO JAPAN! Stay home or go somewhere else. There are way too many tourists in Japan and it's ruining the experience for everyone. Japanese schoolkids can no longer take their class trips to Kyoto because it's so overcrowded with clueless tourists. Japanese people no longer want to go anywhere in their own country. Try China.