20 MUST-HAVES to pack for Japan in 2025
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Time to get packing for Japan? Make your trip go smoothly with these 20 essential items.
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UV Forecast
https://www.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/env/uvindex/en/index.html?elem=0&area=0&lat=34.2&lng=138.53&zoom=5
Umbrella (can block UV): https://amzn.to/4fsWGqW
Rain jacket: https://amzn.to/41MEZzo
Collapsible cup: https://amzn.to/3Dswak8
Coin purse: https://amzn.to/4goWnPj
Pass case with reel: https://amzn.to/4fxj7LJ
Sunscreen: https://amzn.to/3DuFYdt
Pocket tissues: https://amzn.to/4gq1v5I
Multi-usb power brick: https://amzn.to/4gpFLXC
Hand cream: https://amzn.to/3P8rXVg
Eco bag: https://amzn.to/4iFSJC9
Power bank: https://amzn.to/41FZ7Di
Slip-on shoes https://amzn.to/41M2qJ9
Zubits – magnetic shoelace clips: https://amzn.to/3VSaJPP
Darn Tough socks: https://amzn.to/4h4ImpZ
Paper soap: https://amzn.to/4iLDRSy
Small towel https://amzn.to/4iLDRSy
Day bag: https://www.tombihn.com/
Sleep mask: https://amzn.to/3ZNnJYj
Antiperspirant: https://amzn.to/49OxPMW
27 Comments
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Comment 4 Algo
I bring my own coffee/tea cup where ever I travel. The perfect size for me every time. ๐
Forget sunscreen, I use an umbrella to sheild me from the sun in Japan.
Always enjoying your content, And the fact that you do not make neither shorts or live streaming.
Finally, one with the same problem as me regarding cups. i bought the same collapsible type you showed before the pandemic and it is always with me when I travel. And your choice of tea is excellent as well. I always bring a couple of teabags with me as well, even to England as one never knows what type of tea is on offer at the hotel *or when traveling in Europe, if tea is even offered.
If you still have luggage space on your way to Japan, I'd recommend packing 1-2 rolls of toilet tissue. The Japanese version is so thin it's practically see-through. Same for napkins/pocket tissues.
very good list!! and it's nice to see content that isn't catered to just tokyo (:
"If you think it looks silly come back and laugh at me when you're dying from skin cancer" ๐๐
I adore your sense of humour
15:31 deodorant kills the bacteria that cause bad smells; it doesn't just hide the smell.
Thanks for the info! Sidebar question, If I'm arriving to Tokyo @ the end of March, when should I purchase a JRpass/ Sukansen, I believe that I'm only going to purchase a 7 day pass, or do I need one at all? I am not trying to run myself crazy trying to visit so many places on my first trip, i'm the kind of guy there whatever I feel like doing or whichever way the wind blows. If it tickles my fancy, then I may want to do it. I'm there for 2wks. Thanx astack!!
Yep, the sweating in the summer is real. You shower in your own sweat while walking outside. ๐
Well done Andrew another practical and informative 5โญ video.
It bewilders me how little we use umbrellas for shade in the West. It's a no-brainer, but we're all hung up on "Oh a man's holding an umbrella is that ok" I take a folding shade umbrella with me on my Japan trips and love it.
It's like the stupid western cultural norm of shaking hands … and then we wonder why colds & flus are so rampant … Bowing or even a simple head nod is surely a sufficient greeting worldwide.
Alongside tissues and wet wipes in my day pack I include expanding wet towels (thanks to my wife) … Have you seen these ? They're the size of a thick postage stamp and when wet become the most incredible tough absorbent 'man size' disposable hand towel. (I've never seen anyone mention them, now the secret's out ๐ซข).
Loved seeing you loading your Brompton(?) folding bike into the lockers … a man after my own heart ๐ฒ I'm travelling with my folding e-bike now every trip.
Ya gotta absolutely include a battery pack, get a slimline designed one. In fact they're only 1000Y in Daiso.
I've got to look into that magnetic shoe lacing system, thanks ๐ค
Coincidentally trip #11 for the first time I ran out of deodorant, ยผ bottle ๐ซฃ … A supermarket vist surprised me of the price of deodorant and antiperspirant in Japan ๐ฐ. I got a small bottle for around 700Y which must have been an antiperspirant that kept me drier than I've ever experienced before ๐ฎ
Great content keep it coming.
Oh and for what it's worth, I'd love to see you do live Q&A streams. Your down to earth logical approach to travelling in Japan would be welcomed LIVE ๐ค
Yep Darn Tough socks are the best!
4:13 we put the card on our iPhone. In the Apple wallet and you can top up easily.
Very useful, thoughtful list!! Thank you ๐
I thank you so very much for this video. Very helpful. I am traveling to Tokyo in May of this year with my wife. So excited and trying to find as much information as I possibly can before headed out.
Ah yes, cash. When you eventually find the balance on your Suica/Icoca/whatever card running low and want to top it up, you WILL need cash, as the machines for the cards that accept debit/credit cards are few and far between.
On my last trip I bought a compact telescopic umbrella, that one will definitely be in my suitcase next time I'm going.
I didn't know about the lack of remedies to dry hands in publick toilets, so I bought a hankerchief in Sendai. And since it was Sendai, of course it had Date Masamune on it. ๐
If you end up realizing your "comfortable walking shoes" aren't very good walking shoes I advise you to go to a konbini like Lawson and get some things.
โขbandaids, use them to wrap your toes and prevent blisters.
โขkonbini socks, socks from convenient stores are pretty thick and tough. So if your feet hurt already, you might want to double up your socks to pad out the inside of your shoes.
I had to do these things on my trip. If I hadn't done them, I wouldn't have done most of the things I wanted to and would be resting too much.
Excellent video Iโm going to Japan in feb
Having visited Japan a number of times I highly recommend this video!
I have that exact collapsible cup but it always leaks ๐ข
Good list indeed! Don't forget some painkillers also! They can be hard to get and are lighter then what youre used to. And if you're like me and you get sick on the plane youre not gonna have a nice time the first night because you cant get any till morning
Excellent list. Thank you!
Thanks Andrew for the list – the business card holder for long-distance tickets was something that I should have figured out earlier, especially as I have a business card holder in the shape of an old style suitcase (perfect for this usage)
That blackberry
While westerners likes tanning, east asians wants to be tofu. They will do anything to keep their skin white, that's why they wear sun screen, UV umbrella, and men even wear long and thick pants and tops in summer ๐
Thank you this was actually really useful and practical!