What to pack for Japan — the complete guide

The most important Japan-specific packing rule: pack small

Japan's train stations — including the shinkansen (bullet train) network — are not designed for large suitcases. Overhead luggage racks are compact. Station elevators exist but are often crowded or hard to find. Narrow turnstiles make wheeling a 30kg case through rush-hour Tokyo genuinely difficult and embarrassing.

The ideal Japan luggage setup is a carry-on bag (45L or under) as your main bag, with a day pack inside for sightseeing. Alternatively, Japan has an excellent luggage forwarding service (takuhaibin) — you can ship your bag between hotels for ¥1,500–2,500 per item, which is remarkably cheap and frees you to travel light on travel days.

Clothing: layers are everything

Japan's climate varies dramatically by region and season. Tokyo in March can be 5°C and rainy; in August it's 35°C and humid. Kyoto in November is cool and perfect; in July it's oppressively hot. The common thread across seasons is that Japanese indoor spaces — trains, shops, restaurants, temples — can be heavily air-conditioned in summer or poorly heated in winter.

The solution is layers. A lightweight merino t-shirt, a mid-layer, and a packable outer layer covers most conditions. In summer, linen or lightweight cotton breathes better than synthetics in the heat and humidity.

• Comfortable walking shoes that slip on and off easily — many temples, traditional restaurants, and ryokan require removing shoes frequently. Lace-up boots are impractical.
• Modest clothing for temple visits — shoulders and knees covered for major shrines and temples, though this is less strictly enforced than in some other countries.
• A compact umbrella or packable rain jacket — rain is common and unpredictable year-round in most of Japan.

What Japan provides — things you don't need to pack

Japan's convenience stores and 100-yen shops (Daiso, Seria) are extraordinarily well-stocked. Almost everything you've forgotten can be replaced cheaply within minutes of arriving:

• Toiletries of every kind — often better quality than what you'd bring from home
• Over-the-counter medication — note that some common Western medications are not available; bring anything prescription or specific
• Phone charging cables and accessories
• Umbrellas — ¥500 at any convenience store
• Towels — most ryokan provide them; business hotels provide small ones

What Japan doesn't have — things you should bring

Japan is excellent at providing everyday items but specific Western products can be hard to find or significantly more expensive than at home:

• Deodorant — Japanese deodorant products are mild by Western standards. Bring your preferred product.
• Large shoe sizes — if you're above EU 44 / UK 10 / US 11, shoe shopping in Japan will be very limited.
• Plus-size clothing — Japanese sizing runs smaller than European or American; clothing shopping may be difficult above a European L.
• Prescription medication — Japan has restrictions on some medications common in Europe. Check the Japanese customs website for your specific medication before travelling.
• Credit card backup — Japan is rapidly becoming more card-friendly but cash is still widely preferred, especially at smaller restaurants, temples, and rural areas. Bring a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees and some yen in cash.

Tech essentials for Japan

Japan uses Type A plugs (same as the USA) at 100V — most modern electronics handle 100–240V without an adapter needed. The socket shape is the same as a US two-prong plug, so European travellers need a Type C to Type A adapter.

A pocket Wi-Fi router or SIM card is worth organising before arrival. Pocket Wi-Fi can be pre-ordered and picked up at the airport; a data SIM is available at convenience stores for ¥3,000–5,000 for 30 days of data. Japan's mobile network coverage is exceptional even in rural areas.

The Japan packing checklist — essentials