Pack smart for Japan across any season. Covers clothing layers, electronics and adapters, toiletries, cultural items, and transit essentials with tips on what to buy there versus bring from home.
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Clothing & Layers
Pack layerable clothing for temperature swings
Japan's buildings are heavily heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer. You'll constantly move between extreme indoor and outdoor temperatures. A zip-up mid-layer you can stuff in a day bag is more useful than a heavy coat.
3-4 moisture-wicking base layers or t-shirts
1-2 mid-layers (fleece, cardigan, or light sweater)
1 weatherproof outer layer (rain jacket or insulated coat by season)
Pack 2-3 comfortable pants
You'll walk 15,000-25,000 steps per day in Japanese cities. Stretchy, wrinkle-resistant fabrics work best. Shorts are fine in summer but less common on Japanese adults — lightweight chinos or linen pants blend in better.
Bring slip-on walking shoes
You remove shoes constantly — entering temples, ryokans (traditional inns), fitting rooms, and some restaurants. Lace-up boots waste time. Choose supportive slip-on sneakers or shoes with easy pull-tabs. Break them in before your trip.
Pack 7+ pairs of clean, presentable socks
Your socks are visible in every temple, inn, and many restaurants. Holes or stains are embarrassing in a culture where shoe removal is constant. Bring more socks than you think you need — they're the hardest item to dry overnight.
Bring a compact folding umbrella
Rain is common year-round in Japan and locals always carry umbrellas. Convenience stores sell cheap clear umbrellas for 500-800 yen, but a quality compact umbrella packs smaller and lasts the trip.
Electronics & Connectivity
Pack a Type A plug adapter (same as US/Canada)
Japan uses Type A plugs (two flat prongs), identical to North American outlets. European and UK travelers need an adapter. Japanese outlets are often ungrounded (2-prong), so a 3-to-2 prong adapter is useful for laptop chargers.
Arrange a pocket WiFi or eSIM before arrival
Pocket WiFi devices rent for 500-1,000 yen per day and provide unlimited data for up to 10 devices. eSIMs are cheaper (2,000-3,000 yen for 2 weeks) but only connect one device. Order either online before your trip and pick up at the airport.
Bring a portable battery pack
Heavy phone use for maps, translation apps, and transit lookups drains batteries fast. A 10,000 mAh pack is enough for 2-3 full charges. Japan's convenience stores sell emergency chargers, but they're expensive for single-use.
Download transit and translation apps before departure
A train route planning app is non-negotiable — Japan's rail system is vast and complex. Download an offline translation app with a camera feature for reading menus and signs. Offline maps cover you in subway stations where cell signal drops.
Toiletries & Personal Items
Pack minimal toiletries — buy the rest in Japan
Japanese convenience stores and drugstores carry high-quality toiletries, often better than Western brands. Travel-size everything is available in every convenience store. Bring prescription medications and specialty items; buy shampoo, soap, and skincare on arrival.
Most Japanese public restrooms have no paper towels or hand dryers. Locals carry a small hand towel (tenugui) for drying hands. A thin microfiber towel works and doubles as a gym or onsen towel.
Carry pocket tissue packs
Some public restrooms (especially at train stations and parks) don't provide toilet paper. Pocket tissues are handed out free on Tokyo streets as advertising — grab them when offered. Otherwise, convenience stores sell packs for 100-200 yen.
Cultural & Practical Items
Bring cash — Japan is still cash-heavy
Many restaurants, temples, vending machines, and small shops are cash-only. Withdraw yen from ATMs at convenience stores (7-Eleven and Lawson accept foreign cards). Carry 10,000-20,000 yen ($70-140) at a time. Coins accumulate fast — a small coin purse helps.
Bring a foldable tote bag for daily use
Plastic bags cost 3-5 yen at every store in Japan. A compact tote in your day bag saves money and hassle across dozens of convenience store and souvenir shop visits.
Research and order a Japan Rail Pass before departure (if eligible)
The JR Pass covers unlimited rides on most JR trains including the Shinkansen (bullet train). A 7-day pass costs about 50,000 yen — it pays for itself with just 2 long-distance trips (e.g., Tokyo to Kyoto round trip). Must be activated at a JR office after arrival.
Pack a small day bag that fits in a coin locker
Coin lockers at every train station cost 400-700 yen per use and fit bags up to 57 cm wide. A compressible daypack lets you stash your bag while exploring. Luggage forwarding services (takkyubin) ship your suitcase between hotels for 2,000-3,000 yen — use them instead of hauling luggage on trains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bring cash to Japan?
Japan is still heavily cash-based outside major hotels and chain stores. 7-Eleven ATMs accept foreign cards reliably and charge no withdrawal fee on their end. Carry 10,000-20,000 JPY ($70-140) daily for meals, transit, and temple entry fees since many small restaurants, shrines, and local buses are cash-only.
What type of power adapter do I need for Japan?
Japan uses Type A plugs (two flat prongs) the same as the US and Canada. The voltage is 100V versus 120V in the US, but modern phone chargers and laptop adapters handle 100-240V automatically. Hair dryers and straighteners from Europe (220V) will run at reduced power and may overheat without a voltage converter.
Should I get a Japan Rail Pass?
A 7-day JR Pass costs 50,000 JPY ($350) and pays for itself with one Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo round trip on the Shinkansen (27,000 JPY round trip) plus local JR trains. If you are staying in one city, the pass is not worth it. Activate the pass on your first long-distance travel day, not your arrival day.
What clothes should I pack for Japan in spring?
Cherry blossom season (late March to mid-April) averages 12-18C so bring layers including a light jacket and one warmer layer for evenings. Temples require removing shoes frequently, so slip-on shoes save time across dozens of daily entries. Pack at least one smart-casual outfit for upscale restaurants that enforce dress standards.
How do I use the train system in Japan?
Buy a Suica or Pasmo IC card at any station. It works on all trains, buses, and convenience stores nationwide. Tap in at the gate when boarding and tap out when exiting; the fare deducts automatically. Google Maps provides accurate real-time Japanese train schedules including platform numbers and transfer walking times.