Japan Packing List
Japan has excellent shopping for almost everything — but some items are hard to find in large sizes or non-Japanese formats. Here's exactly what to bring and what to skip.
Contents
- 1. Documents (essential)
- 2. Tech & electronics
- 3. Clothing
- 4. Health & toiletries
- 5. What to leave at home
- 6. Buy when you arrive
📄 Documents (Essential)
✓Passport — Must be valid for the duration of your stay. 6+ months recommended.
✓Return / onward ticket — Immigration may ask to see proof you're leaving Japan.
✓Travel insurance — Japan healthcare is good but expensive. Strongly recommended.
✓Accommodation confirmations — First hotel address needed on arrival form.
✓International Driving Permit — Only if you plan to rent a car.
✓Digital copies of everything — Keep copies in cloud storage and email them to yourself.
📱 Tech & Electronics
✓SIM card or pocket WiFi — Order online before departure or pick up at the airport. Essential for Google Maps.
✓Universal power adapter — Japan uses type A plugs (same as US/Canada). 100V — most modern devices handle this fine.
✓Portable power bank — Full days of sightseeing drain your phone fast. 10,000mAh+ recommended.
✓Google Translate (offline) — Download Japanese offline pack before departure. Camera translate is incredibly useful.
⚡ Japan uses 100V electricity (vs 110V in North America, 220–240V in Europe). Most phones and laptops are dual-voltage and work fine. Check your hair dryer or appliance label — it may not be compatible.
👟 Clothing
Japan involves a lot of walking — 15,000–25,000 steps per day is common. You'll also be removing shoes frequently at temples, ryokans, and some restaurants.
✓Comfortable walking shoes — slip-ons are ideal since you'll remove them often
✓Layers — Japan's indoor air conditioning can be extreme in summer
✓Light rain jacket or compact umbrella (convenience stores sell cheap ones too)
✓Socks without holes — you'll be showing them a lot at temples and traditional restaurants
✓Modest clothing for temple visits (nothing overly revealing)
⚠️ Size warning: If you wear larger clothing sizes (XL+ in Western sizing), finding clothes in Japan can be difficult. Pack enough, or order from Japanese retailers that ship internationally before your trip.
💊 Health & Toiletries
✓Prescription medications — 3+ months supply. Bring a doctor's letter. Some common Western medications are banned in Japan — check before packing.
✓Over-the-counter basics — Pain relievers, antihistamines, stomach medicine. Western brands may be hard to find.
✓Sunscreen (SPF 50+) — Japan has high-quality sunscreen but buying in advance saves time.
✓Deodorant — Available in Japan but choices are limited and products differ.
✓Small hand towel — Many public restrooms don't have dryers or paper towels. Japanese people always carry one.
❌ What to Leave at Home
✗Towels — All hotels and ryokans provide them. Hostels usually do too.
✗Hair dryer — Provided at almost all accommodation. Voltage incompatibility is also a concern.
✗Oversized luggage — Shinkansen overhead racks and narrow hotel corridors make giant suitcases a nightmare. Consider shipping luggage between cities (takuhaibin service).
✗Excessive toiletries — Japan's drugstores have great, often cheaper alternatives for everything.
🛒 Buy When You Arrive in Japan
→IC card (Suica / PASMO) — at the airport vending machines
→SIM card or pocket WiFi — at airport counters on arrival
→Cheap umbrella — at any 100-yen shop or convenience store
→High-quality skincare and beauty products — Japan's drugstores are exceptional
→Comfortable walking shoes — Asics, Mizuno factory stores have great options
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