I spent 3 weeks in Japan with one carry-on and a personal item. Here is everything I packed, what worked, and what I would do differently next time!
Here are all the exact items I mentioned in my “Unpack With Me” video—linked here.
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Most Useful Items for Japan:
In case you don’t want to read the whole post, here are the most useful items I would pack for every trip to Japan 👇
A phone lanyard – you wear it crossbody so it’s easy to check Google maps and translate things on the go
Or a phone crossbody bag – to hold your phone, a few cards, some cash & lip balm.
A small coin purse – I used this nano bag (or plan to buy one on your first day)
Japanese Yen Coin Organizer – so convenient to be able to pull out the appropriate amount of yen (especially if you’re not familiar with the denominations).
This long-sleeve shirt from Eddie Bauer – it’s light, doesn’t wrinkle, dries fast and has sun-protection. It runs large (for reference I wear a regular XS).
Travel hand soap – because there’s no soap in public bathrooms!
Crystal deodorant – western-style deodorant is hard to find in Japan, and you won’t run out with this type!
This is my must-have travel pillow for a long-flight (no other type has worked as well as this one)
Install your eSIM before you get on the plane!
Luggage & Bags:
Chris and I each traveled with one standard carry-on bag + a personal item.
We ended up buying a 45L duffle bag at the end of our trip and filled it with our clothes and checked that bag for the flight home (so that we could fill our carry-ons with souvenirs).
Away Carry-on (standard) – held up well to check on the way home
Away Softside Carry-On – this is one of the only soft-sided top opening carry-ons I can find with a compression pad…I love this bag!
BEIS Expandable Backpack – I liked having a backpack, would use again!
Everywhere Bag – Chris uses this as his personal item, we both love how wide it opens
BEIS Mini Backpack – I brought this as my ‘daily’ bag
What Worked & What I would do different next time:
Next time, I would pack a duffle bag with me so that I wouldn’t have to spend time buying one (and this would also be helpful because I would know how much room I have for souvenirs).
The mini backpack was a little too small for what I needed to carry around, so I would have brought something bigger, like my tan backpack that I usually travel with.
Clothing (Women’s)
I loved these shorts from Athleta (they were long enough for the modest style and nice and breezy on warm days).
And my black pants also from Athleta were comfy to wear on the plane, but also looked dressed up enough to go out for dinner!
I always travel with merino wool t-shirts (they’re great for long travel days).
I packed 5 pairs of socks & underwear and this was the perfect amount.
I packed one pair of pajamas, but bring two if you have room.
What I would do different next time:
I would have packed a pair of jeans (because that’s my style)!
If skirts are your style, I would definitely recommend a maxi skirt or maxi dress.
Laundry Tips:
Most of our hotels had washing machines available, but we found that they were always busy in the evening.
So if you plan to do laundry, plan to do it during off-peak hours.
We also found that the dryers took forever to dry, and we ended up just hanging our stuff up in our hotel room.
My clothesline was a must-have.
And I wish we would have packed some foldable hangars (there were never more than 4 – 6 hangars per room).
Clothing (Men’s – Chris’s Picks)
Link to his t-shirts (he wears size L)
Link to his toiletry kit (that comes with an extra tube cube, that he puts his flip flops in)
Shoes
I recommend bringing two pairs of your most comfortable walking shoes.
I alternated between my New Balance Shoes and my Roxy Sneakers.
We didn’t need waterproof shoes, but we did use waterproofing spray just in case.
What I would do differently next time:
Nothing! I’m glad I only had 2 pairs of shoes.
Toiletry Items
You really don’t need to pack too many toiletry items! You can go pretty lightweight. But if there are any speciality items you use, bring those.
Pill pouches: for over the counter medications and supplements!
I recommend a hanging toiletry bag because the hotel rooms are small and we had very little counter space.
I love this toiletry bag and this one.
What I would do different next time:
I would have packed more hair products (leave-in conditioner, curling cream, etc.).
I had planned to buy all my hair products on the first or second day, but as someone who has thick, wavy hair, I felt like it was hard to find products (since many products are tailored for more straight and fine hair).
I’m sure it exists, but I spent a lot of time trying to translate products and I would have just preferred to bring my own.
Do You Need Hair Tools?
All the hotels had high quality hair dryers, but if you have thick, long hair I would recommend bringing your favorite hair brush.
If you use hair curlers or flat irons, I would pack those.
Other Useful Things
If you have light colored eyes or are sensitive to sunlight, don’t forget your sunglasses!
We definitely made use of our hero clips to make it easier to carry extra bags through the train stations.
I love having a couple of these mini pouches – I used one for a small first aid and amenity kit and a second one to keep all our supplements and electrolytes in.
What You Don’t Need to Pack for Japan
Shampoo, conditioner and body wash – all available at the hotels and they were good quality!
A swimsuit, since bathing in the onsens (hot springs) is done without clothes.
A reusable water bottle – I hate to use too much plastic, but it was so easy to make stops at the convenience stores for water & other drinks, that I’m glad I didn’t haul around a heavy water bottle.
Slippers – all the hotels provided disposable slippers.
An umbrella – buy one when you’re there!
Sunscreen! Buy some on your first day, I loved the Biore sunscreen.
Curious What I’d Pack Differently Next Time?
Watch the full Unpack With Me video on YouTube to see what I used the most, what sat in my suitcase untouched, and what I’d definitely tweak next time.