This expert packing list draws upon our experience traveling to Japan numerous times over the past 20 years. It covers the essentials to pack for every Japan trip, regardless of the season. In a separate article I cover which clothing, shoes, and seasonal items to pack depending upon which time of year you will visit Japan. Let’s dive into the top Japan travel essentials!
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Printable Japan Packing List
You can download and print this Japan Packing List. Feel free to cross off whichever items don’t apply. Add in which clothing pieces you will pack. Use this as a starting point to customize your packing list.
Absolute Essentials for Japan Travel
These are the absolute essentials that I bring for every trip to Japan!
You can download our cheat sheet of various data plans for travelers to Japan, including Pocket WiFi and eSIM options. We’ve also included our coupon codes for discounts.
If you’re not sure which option to choose, watch our Guide to Japan Data Plans, explaining how to choose between a Pocket WiFi, eSIM, or physical SIM card. We also made a video on an eSIM that includes both data and a Japanese phone number.
Optional Additional Electronics
You may want to bring additional optional electronics. Personally, I bring my laptop and charging cable to edit videos while in Japan.
Payment Methods for Japan
These are the various payments method I bring with me to Japan.
You can watch our videos on using an ATM machine in Japan, payment methods that are accepted in Japan, and which IC card to get to pay for local transportation.
Travel Health & Hygiene
I keep these health and hygiene items with me in my personal item bag for airplane flights and train journeys. These are items I like to have easy access to, in case I need them urgently.
Medicine Pouch Contents
This is not medical advice, please consult with a medical doctor if necessary. Double check whether your medications are legal in Japan before importing them into Japan. I keep simple medication and first aid items in my personal item bag.
“Nice to Have” Travel Essentials
These items are nice to have while traveling in Japan, but not absolutely essential.
An umbrella parasol is perfect in the summer, for either rain or blocking the bright sun. If you don’t already have one, you can purchase a high quality umbrella in Japan. A water bottle would be nice to have, but my insulated Hydro Flask is too heavy for travel. There are vending machines with cold and hot drinks all over Japan. A small hand towel packed in a waterproof bag is handy, since the bathrooms often do not have paper towels or working hand dryers. I like to buy small cotton towels in Japan as souvenirs.
Toiletries & Personal Care
Packing toiletries is optional for Japan. If you stay in a hotel, they may provide almost everything you need. Most of the hotels we’ve stayed in provided: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face cleanser and moisturizer, toothbrushes with toothpaste, foldable hair brush, razors, wash cloths, and hair dryer. Certainly bring your own products if you have favorites that you can’t do without or are allergic to certain ingredients.
I recommend bringing at least your own deodorant, since you’re not likely to find the same brands in Japan. Lotion and moisturizer are not always provided by hotels, but they’re easy to purchase in Japan. The air is dry in the winter, so for winter I especially recommend moisturizer, hand lotion, and lip balm.
Sunscreen is good to have for all times of year.
I opt for solid and powder toiletries, since they are less likely to leak and not subject to TSA liquids restrictions for carry-on bags. My favorite brand of solid travel toiletries is Ethique. My favorite shampoo is The Powder Shampoo, which is super lightweight and lathers with water.
Emergency Items
A pen is important for filling out documents. These other items are nice to have in case of an emergency.
You can watch our videos on emergency preparedness for Japan and travel health insurance.
Lightweight Travel Bags
It’s important to pack as light as possible for Japan, in order to have a pleasant trip. It helps to start with lightweight travel bags. I’ve linked to the ones I recommend.
If you pack light heading to Japan but want to bring back souvenirs, you can pack or buy a lightweight foldable duffle bag, or purchase a suitcase in Japan.
These are some of the travel bags that I like using for Japan trips:
You can watch my video showing how to pack light for Japan using a carry-on suitcase. Or my One Bag Travel Packing List, showing how I pack all my essentials for Japan into just a backpack.
Clothing & Shoes to Pack for Japan
You can read our separate article on which types of clothing to pack for each season in Tokyo, Japan. Or watch the video version below. We also made videos of summer and winter travel essentials to pack for Japan. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to our Kensho Quest YouTube channel!
You can print this Japan Packing List and cross out or add in items. Have a wonderful trip to Japan!