This is a packing list of items I typically pack in my personal item bag for a flight to Japan. My personal item goes under the seat in front of me on the airplane. It’s where I pack items that I need to keep with me, such as valuables, and items I need to easily access on my travel day.
In addition to my personal item backpack, I either bring a carry-on suitcase onto the airplane with me, or check in a suitcase. Please keep in mind that even if you plan to bring a carry-on suitcase onto the airplane with you, it might get gate checked at the last minute. Plan accordingly!
Always pack your essential items into your personal item bag!
Personal Item Backpack with Purse Inside
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I’m using a Canvelle backpack as my personal item bag. This backpack was gifted to me by Canvelle. You can save 15% on Canvelle travel bags with coupon KENSHOQUEST15.
The Canvelle backpack has features that make it excellent as a personal item. It’s very lightweight, weighing only 1.25 pounds, and holds 15 liters. Best of all, it’s machine washable and has a water resistant lining. So there’s no need to worry if something spills on your bag or in your bag. The backpack dimensions are 15″ by 11″ by 5.5″.
When choosing which bag to use as your personal item, first check with the airline you’ll be flying for any size or weight restrictions. For example, when flying on Japan Airlines, my personal item plus carry-on suitcase can weigh up to 10kg which is 22lbs. Some airlines are even more strict, allowing the two bags to weigh up to 7kg or 15.4 pounds.
I will pack everyday essentials into the Uniqlo Mini Shoulder Bag ( crescent moon purse ), and then pack the Uniqlo purse into my backpack.
Personal Item Bag Packing Videos
You can watch this blog post in video format. Or see what I packed in my backpack on other trips to Japan.
Important Documents
Your passport and other important documents are the most essential items to pack! Keep your passport easy to access on your travel day.
- Passport
- Important documents
- Travel health insurance (referral link)
- Exchange order for train pass
- International driver’s permit ( US citizens can get at AAA )
- Prescriptions
Payment Methods
Either a digital or physical plastic IC card is a convenient form of payment in Japan! It can be used to pay for local train rides, subways, and buses. You can also pay by IC card at some vending machines, luggage lockers, and convenience stores.
If you’re headed to Japan and you have an iPhone, you can install a digital IC card through Apple Wallet. Click the “+” then “Transit Card”. Scroll down to “Japan”. Choose either ICOCA, PASMO, or Suica. I use PASMO and have not had any translation issues. Once you have installed the digital IC card, click on the three dots in the upper right hand corner. Then “Card Details” then “Express Transit Settings” and turn on “Express Transit”. This will allow you to tap your digital IC card without needing Face ID or your password.
If you don’t have an iPhone, you can get a physical IC card once you arrive in Japan at the airport or a major train station. Any one of the 10 major IC cards will do!
- IC card ( to pay for local transportation )
- Debit card ( that does not charge a fee to use a foreign ATM )
- Credit card ( that does not charge foreign transaction fees )
For more information on these topics, please watch these videos:
Electronics
The most essential electronics that I pack for Japan include a smartphone, power bank portable charger for charging my phone on-the-go, GaN charger for charging my electronics, cables, and Airtags for tracking my bags. You may wish to bring additional electronics such as a laptop, camera, or video camera.
Especially if your electronics are valuable or fragile, pack them in your personal item bag, to avoid them getting lost or damaged.
Japan uses Type A 2-pin outlets like the USA. Some outlets are Type B with a grounding pin. If you’re coming from the USA and your electronics plugs are 2 pins, you may not need a plug adaptor. Otherwise, please pack a plug adaptor.
- Smartphone
- Power bank portable charger
- GaN charger ( compact and charges multiple devices at once )
- Plug adaptor ( might not be necessary if coming from the USA with Type A 2-pin plugs )
- Charging cables
- Tracking device, such as Airtag
- Laptop with charging cable
- Camera, lens, batteries
- Video camera
Under TSA rules “Spare lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, including power banks and cell phone battery charging cases, must be carried in carry-on baggage only.” You cannot pack them in your checked suitcase!
Entertainment
The next category is entertainment, since that is likely to include more electronics. I keep it simple and bring either noise cancelling headphones or earbuds. Mine have a wire that can plug into the in-flight entertainment system.
If you want to use wireless headphones or earbuds, you can get a device that plugs into the in-flight entertainment system and transmits through bluetooth, such as the AirFly Pro.
Some options include:
- Noise cancelling headphones or earbuds
- Kid’s headphones
- Book
- Tablet
- Gaming device
- Activity books for kids
Health & Medication
The next category is health and medication. This is not medical advice. Please consult a medical doctor.
It’s extremely important to bring any essential medications onto the airplane with you in your personal item bag. Keep in mind that your “carry-on suitcase” might get checked in at the last minute, and any checked luggage could get lost or delayed. Please also bring your prescription for any prescription medications.
Before traveling to Japan, check to see whether your medications are legal in Japan.
Medically necessary liquids can be brought through TSA security in containers larger than 3.4 ounces. You can pack them separately from your 3-1-1 liquids bag. Please remove them from your bag for inspection.
For this category, I pack:
- Face masks
- Disinfecting wipes
- Tissues
- Lip balm
- Ear plugs
- Medicine pouch
- Contact lenses and solution ( these are medically necessary liquids, but it’s better to pack them in a checked suitcase, since they can trigger additional screening at airport security )
- Spare eyeglasses
- Empty eyeglasses case ( for taking off my glasses on the airplane )
- Bathroom pouch
- Soap sheets
- Small trash bag
- Feminine products
Medicine & First Aid Pouch
In this Thirsties Simple Pouch I pack over-the-counter medications and first aid items that we might need on our travel day, including:
- Bandages
- Alcohol prep pads
- Mole skin
- Tipple antibiotic ointment ( liquid )
- Allergy relief
- Pain relief
- Probiotic for preventing food poisoning
- Activated charcoal
- Motion sickness relief
- Motion sickness patches
- Anti diarrheal
- Electrolyte
I pack a separate family first aid kit in my checked suitcase, since it has small scissors and liquids.
Comfort Items
- Hoodie sweatshirt or cardigan ( it can be very cold on long-haul flights )
- Socks ( compression socks are a popular option )
- Snacks, especially if you have food allergies
- Cough drops ( for clearing sinuses )
- Hand towel packed in waterproof bag ( restrooms in Japan often do not have paper towels )
- Eye mask ( optional )
- Neck pillow ( optional )
Toiletries & Liquids
It’s up to you whether you would like to pack your toiletries in your checked suitcase or bring them onboard the airplane with you.
I like to pack in my personal item bag a few essentials for freshening up on my travel day, such as:
I pack mostly solid travel toiletries, which I could pack in my carry-on suitcase, since they are not liquids.
If you are flying from the USA, any liquids you bring onto the airplane with you should comply with the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule for carry-on bags. Each liquid, gel, aerosol, or paste should be in a container that is 3.4 ounces or smaller, packed in a 1 quart size clear plastic bag. One bag per person.
- Hand lotion
- Hand sanitizer
- Travel size wool wash
- Mascara ( and any other liquid makeup you will bring onto the airplane )
Makeup
Any solid makeup does not need to be packed in your liquids bag. If you want to bring solid makeup onto the airplane with you, pack it in either your personal item bag or your carry-on suitcase.
My favorite sustainable makeup brand with the highest quality ingredients in Kjaer Weis. I also have un-powder by rms and lipstick by Ethique, which is where I buy my solid travel toiletries.
Everyday Purse Essentials
These are essentials I carry with me everyday in my purse.
- Measuring tape
- Fisher Space Pen
- Tiny flashlight
- Whistle
- Tweezers
- Nail clippers
- Foldable nail file ( from Muji )
- Shopping bag by Shupatto
Spare Outfit
Especially if your clothing is packed in a checked suitcase, it’s a good idea to pack a spare outfit in your personal item bag.
If something spills on you while on the airplane, you can change into your spare outfit. Or, if your checked suitcase gets lost, you at least have two outfits to alternate between.
I’ve packed my spare outfit in a waterproof pouch, which is handy in case I need to place a wet outfit inside.
My favorite outfit to pack is my Unbound Merino Travel Dress, since it’s lightweight and compact to pack. This dress was gifted to me by Unbound a couple years ago. It’s prefect for hot weather travel, since Merino wool naturally wicks sweat away from the skin and dries quickly. You can save 10% on an order from Unbound Merino with coupon KENSHOQUEST. My husband’s travel wardrobe is almost entirely by Unbound!
I hope that helped you figure out your personal item bag packing list. Some of these items are essentials, while others are just nice to have. Next you may want to read my full Expert Packing List for Japan. Or my blog post on What to Pack and Wear for Tokyo in Each Season.
We also have more packing videos on our Kensho Quest YouTube channel!