Japan Packing Done Right! What to Bring, Skip & Buy
With this Ultimate Japan Packing Guide, you’ll know exactly what to bring, skip, and buy once you arrive in Japan. Our tips are based upon real travel experience. We’ve visited Japan 9 times in the past 3 years! The most important travel essential is your smart phone with an eSIM for internet connection. Stay connected with Ubigi https://ubigi.com/kenshoquest and save 10% on your first purchase with code KENSHOQUEST. Thanks to Ubigi for sponsoring this video.
🇯🇵 Subscribe for Japan travel tips! Turn on the bell for notifications. https://www.youtube.com/KenshoQuest
FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO 🎬
💖 We appreciate the commissions we earn when you purchase through our affiliate links!
Pack these items for Japan: https://www.amazon.com/shop/kenshoquest/list/1N3QYNRQUUBAN?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_K7W3MD7APR5NE8VR8SYP
*Happy Feet*
Shapen barefoot shoes: https://geni.us/shapen-women
Xero Shoes men’s slip-on: https://amzn.to/4bBlFs1
Xero Shoes ballet flats: https://amzn.to/3NdnfbK
Earthrunners sandals: https://earthrunners.com/?rfsn=9019768.8aca91
Moleskin: https://amzn.to/47auRCt
Foot Glide Anti Blister Balm: https://amzn.to/3Pnzmn9
Body Glide Anti Chafe Balm: https://amzn.to/4siceoF
*Travel Clothing*
Smitten Merino: https://www.smittenmerino.com/
Unbound Merino: https://geni.us/unboundmerino
🌟 Save 10% with KENSHOQUEST
Woolx: https://geni.us/woolx
Merino wool bras and underwear: https://geni.us/branwyn
*Bags*
Cotopaxi Allpa 18L Daypack: https://cotopaxi.pxf.io/R0Gqzb
Cotopaxi 1L shoulder bag: https://cotopaxi.pxf.io/X4maYM
Bon Maxie Travel Wallet with crossbody strap: https://www.bonmaxie.com.au/products/travel-wallet-black
*Tech*
Attraction and train tickets on Klook: https://geni.us/klook-japan
🌟 Save on some activities with KENSHOQUESTKLOOK (residents of USA and Canada)
Ubigi eSIM for internet connection: https://ubigi.com/kenshoquest
🌟 Save 10% on your first purchase with code KENSHOQUEST
Power bank portable charger: https://amzn.to/4bTirS6
GaN charger: https://amzn.to/41ebV2e
GaN charger with international plug adapter: https://amzn.to/4lHmR1T
AirTags: https://amzn.to/4m0lzzj
Noise cancelling headphones: https://amzn.to/4srufRw
Luggage scale: https://amzn.to/40Gen1k
*Medical*
Travel medical insurance: https://safetywing.com/nomad-insurance/?referenceID=24749286&utm_source=24749286&utm_medium=Ambassador
Family first aid kit: https://www.keepgoingfirstaid.com/kenshoquest
🌟Save 10% with KENSHOQUEST10
If you are unsure whether you can bring your medication to Japan, email the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare at yakkan@mhlw.go.jp
Include:
The name of the medication
The drug’s active ingredients
The dosage and quantity
TIME STAMPS
00:00 Most first-timers over pack for Japan
00:26 BRING TO JAPAN
00:28 Comfortable shoes
02:09 Socks
02:40 Blister prevention or treatment
03:08 Minimal clothing
05:31 Toiletries
05:53 Tech – smartphone
07:45 Ubigi eSIM ( video sponsor )
09:22 Power bank portable charger
10:22 GaN charger
10:57 AirTag tracking device
11:25 Headphones or earbuds
11:44 Luggage scale
11:57 Money and payment methods
14:54 Important documents
17:15 Medication
18:41 Gifts
19:05 SKIP PACKING
19:14 Revealing clothing
19:33 Multiple pajamas
19:58 Laundry detergent
20:20 Robe and slippers
20:32 Swimsuit
20:56 Too much makeup
21:07 Perfume
21:32 Hair dryer
21:57 Reusable water bottle
22:35 Prohibited items
22:47 Selfie stick
23:07 BUY IN JAPAN
23:09 Toiletries provided by hotel
24:37 Food for Shinkansen
25:10 Child IC Card
25:25 Day bag essentials
27:36 Stamp book
28:26 Souvenirs
29:09 Subscribe for Japan travel tips!
#japantraveltips #japantravel #kenshoquest
🎞 WATCH NEXT
How to Wash Laundry in Japan: https://youtu.be/9VaffEAIDoA
Japan Packing Lists for Each Season: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaTfVBw5xI8Le45pC6cHJtFuh9qXP_aHc
Bringing Medication into Japan: https://youtu.be/Sbtx-YVG1gc
JAPAN TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
💖 We appreciate the commissions we earn when you purchase through our affiliate links!
🛏️ JAPAN HOTELS
Our Japan hotel recommendations: https://expedia.com/shop/kenshoquest/
✈️ TRAVEL HACKS
Powder shampoo that lathers with water! https://geni.us/thepowdershampoo
Solid travel toiletries: https://geni.us/ethique
Lightweight suitcases: https://julyus.pxf.io/09DxBV
Lightweight backpacks and weekender bags: https://geni.us/canvelle
Travel gear in our Amazon shop: https://www.amazon.com/shop/kenshoquest
🌺 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenshoquest/
21 Comments
Stay connected with a Ubigi eSIM https://ubigi.com/kenshoquest! Save 10% on your first purchase with code KENSHOQUEST. We appreciate the commissions we earn when you purchase through our affiliate link. Thanks to Ubigi for sponsoring this video!
Been loving your videos to prep for our family’s first trip to Japan! On the Suica card, does my son need his own, or can a parent just “tap twice” for example to pay for both of us?
One hotel we were in Nara they made us put our outside shoes in a locker
We got insurance that cover medical in case we need it. I beieve cover in case we needd ot including yravel back home if needed. Is thatbwhatvwe need?
Great 👍 thank you for sharing 🙏 japan trip
Speaking of the intl drivers permit, what is the best way to learning how to drive in Japan?
From my observations, it’s a mirrored version of how we drive in NA; surely there are nuances.
Hoping to drive to a hot spring Sapporo only.
Skechers Hands-Free Slip-ins saved my feet on my trip to Japan last year. And a fairly new pair will definitely be going with me on the next trip.
Mahalo for another great video. Excellent timing for us. We are taking some newbie visitors to Japan in less than a month, so I'll be sure to forward this to them so they can take advantage of your many tips! They have already seen some of your previous videos, I'm sure they will welcome the familiar faces!🤙🏼🤙🏼
12:48 whoa brah!! u from hawaii? 🤙🏾
For goshuin-cho, you can mix and match Buddhist and Shinto stamps.
Charles Schwab Investor Checking Account and the debit card is a great thing to have while traveling since they will refund any ATM fees at the end of the month, allowing you to withdraw cash in smaller increments as you need it guilt-free if you are trying to optimize not having cash leftover at the end of your trip. They also offer market rates for exchange rates so no need to get ripped off at any currency exchange counters at the airport, for example. Every traveler should have this checking account to use for travel.
I've learned recently that stations are starting to accept touch-to-pay, contactless, credit cards at the gates, including Apple Pay and Google Wallet. One page said that all of the Tokyo Metro will accept it by spring 2026. Do you have any experience with this? How widespread is it? I will still have a Suica card for all of the stations that don't.
My favorite shoes is my Skechers slip-in shoes. The older I get, the harder it is to touch my toes. I also pedicure to clip my toe nails.😂😂
I brought everything, always over pack, just gonna ship everything home
Great detailed video! Thank you. Sometimes I pack rubber zori flip flops depending on the weather or as an alternative to the hotel slippers.
I know… but still overpacking, swiss mentality, prepare for everything 😂 For me Daikoku Locker in Osaka is a Lifesaver! 😍 Store it, I don't need it for let's say X days or perhaps more🤷 Already have a suitcase full of things, ship to Narita when I go back in 20 days… 👍
I am listening to this video while I am packing for my trip to Japan 😀
I never understand this warning about overpacking. If you are staying at one hotel and not backpacking or something why not use your case and fill it with choice?
I find the flimsy, paper thin, hotel slippers, an actual tripping hazard as the soles sometimes fold under themselves. I prefer to pack a pair of lightweight plastic slides, preferably white, so I can see them easily if I need to slip them on for a nighttime trip to the toilet. You can purchase them from Daiso quite cheaply. However be aware shoe sizes don’t run very large in Asia.
Going to japan for thr 5th time and I do agree with most of the tips
Hello, you said as forgeiners i can't use the digital sucia card, for my information you can, – "Yes, as a foreigner, you can use the digital Suica (or similar cards like Pasmo and ICOCA), and for most travelers, it is actually the most convenient option."