If you’re planning on visiting Japan and wondering what to bring, this Japan packing list is filled with everything you should bring and what you shouldn’t.
For more help planning your trip, check out all of our Japan posts.
When I was packing for Japan recently, half of the top half of my suitcase was souvenirs for my friends and family in Japan. Which was great because that meant I could fill that space with souvenirs for myself on the way home.
That’s the thing with Japan. You’re going to be bringing so much back with you that you want to make sure you don’t overpack on the way there and have space.
But, of course, you want to make sure you have everything you need when you’re there.
It’s a delicate balance.
So I’m here to help.
We go back to Japan every few years, so I’ve been enough times where I know what I need to bring and what I can leave at home. And, after reading this post, you’ll know too.
Once you get to Japan, you need to figure out what to eat. Good thing we can help with that too.
Check out our post of the must-try foods in Japan. It is filled with everything that I eat every time I go back.
Japan Packing List
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What To Pack For Japan
Yen
Credit cards are widely used in America. Most people don’t carry cash anymore. But in Japan, cash is still really prevalent.
Some of the train stations only accept cash, so, if you’re relying on your credit card for everything and you get to one of those stations, you’re in trouble.
Personally, I prefer to use yen for everything. We don’t have a credit card that waives foreign currency fees, so every credit card transaction costs us an additional 3%. If you have a card that waives those fees, you may want to use that everywhere. That’s fine. But, you also want to have yen for the instances when you can’t use your card.
Yes, you can find ATM machines to get yen that way, but some of those places charge large fees. And the currency exchange counter at the airport charges a high fee too, so that might not be your best bet.
I suggest going to your bank and exchanging money for some yen before your trip.
A Coin Purse
Most of Japan’s currency is coins. Yes, there are bills for larger denominations, but for the most part, you’ll be using coins. American wallets don’t have enough space in the coin section for all the coins you’ll be carrying. So, I suggest carrying around a coin purse instead.
The one I used this time was spacious enough that I could fit all my coins, but also folded up bills in case we were going somewhere where I want both options.
eSIM
So, technically you don’t pack an eSIM because it’s virtual. But, we’re counting it because you could get a physical SIM card and because an eSIM was the best $8 I spent before our trip.
So, an eSIM is a way for your phone to use data over Japan’s cellular towers. It means you don’t have to use your phone’s home data plan. Verizon was going to charge us $100 per line to use our phone overseas. Instead, I bought an eSIM card through Airalo and got 5 gigs of data for $8.
I wasn’t able to text anyone who didn’t have an iPhone (because iPhone messages go over cellular data while Android messages use cellular service), but I was able to use WhatsApp. I could also use Apple Maps for directions, I could Google locations (which is really helpful when you’re in a train station with multiple floors), and to use Google Translate to read menus.
It was really easy to set up the eSIM before we left. And as soon as we got back into the country, my phone automatically switched back to Verizon. I really didn’t wanna spend $200 just to use a GPS for a couple weeks, so I am incredibly happy with how cheap that eSIM was and how easy it was to use.
Quick note: You can save 15% on your first Airalo Unlimited eSIM with promo code UNLIMITED4YOU (although I didn’t need unlimited data when I was away, you might).
Medication
If you take any prescription medications, you definitely want to pack those. And you want to pack any OTC medications that you know works for you in case you get sick because you don’t know how your body will react to Japanese medications.
But, there are certain medications that you actually can’t travel to Japan with because of how the Narcotics Control Department of Japan has classified those. And I’m not just talking about controlled substances. Japan will not allow you to bring Adderall into the country.
You can bring in some substances as long as you get pre-approval from the NCD. So, just double check what you pack against this list to see what the guidance is.
Comfortable Crossbody Bag/Day Bag
I am a shoulder purse-only person when I’m living my day-to-day life. But, vacation me is a two strap bag person. It’s so much easier to do all your walking in Japan when the weight of your bag is evenly distributed across both shoulders.
Plus, most places in Japan charge you for a plastic shopping bag. And if you’re like me and are frugal, you don’t wanna pay that. So you need to carry a bag that’s large enough to double as a shopping bag for the souvenirs you will inevitably buy.
A Power Bank
You’re going to be using your phone so much in Japan. Even if you’re someone who doesn’t use their phone that often, you’ll use it there.
Between Apple Maps and Google Maps to get around, Google Translate to help you read menus when you’re out to eat, and the exorbitant amount of photos you’re going to take, your phone battery will die quickly. So, carry a portable charger with you at all times. Make sure that you’re charging it at night so that you have it ready to go every day.
Quick note, though. As of April 2026, you’re not able to pack portable power banks in your checked luggage when you fly to Japan. They must be packed in your carry-on. And there are restrictions about the sizes that they can be.
So, just double check those restrictions here before packing. You would hate to lose your power bank because you packed it in the wrong bag or you just brought the wrong size.
Sunscreen
A lot of influencers will tell you to go to Daiso or Don Quijote for Japanese sunscreen. They claim that it’s better than American sunscreen.
Maybe it is. But, if you don’t wanna spend the first day of your trip running to the store for sunscreen, just pack some with you. If you end up at one of those stores and buy some to bring home, that’s cool. But pack some for your trip too.
Blister Bandages
I walk after dinner every night to get my steps in. But, that pails in comparison to the amount of steps you get when you’re in Japan. It doesn’t matter what you have planned for the day. You’re getting over 15,000 steps. It’s inevitable.
What’s also inevitable, unfortunately, is a blister or two. There’s a very good chance you’ll get one on the back of your heel, your toes, or somewhere else on your foot.
So, in anticipation of a Japan trip, I buy a pack of blister bandages. I prefer the gel blister pads, which I order as a variety pack with four different sizes, because they have extra cushioning in them as opposed to regular adhesive bandages. I feel like the gel pads protect my blisters, even when the blister pops, and at no point has having a blister slowed me down on my 15,000 step days.
Shirt That Covers Your Shoulders
There are so many temples and shrines in Japan, so there’s a very good chance that you’ll visit at least one when you’re there.
There’s no specific rule about what is or isn’t appropriate to wear to them, however, it is respectful to cover your shoulders. Yes, you’re sightseeing, and to you, these places may just be tourist attractions. But, to others, these are still religious halls and buildings. And so, you really want to be respectful in them.
On our most recent trip, we did see a lot of people wearing spaghetti straps, and crop tops to places like Katsuo-ji, which has become very inundated with tourists lately. But — and I say that with my entire chest — please be respectful and wear appropriate clothing when you’re visiting these places.
Portable Fan
If you go to Japan in the summer, it’s really hot. There are a ton of Japanese stores that sell portable fans, and you can buy one there, but if you already have one at home, just bring your own.
I have a 3-in-1 portable fan that’s a fan, phone charger, and flashlight. It’s really handy to keep in my purse all summer long, but it’s especially useful in Japan.
If you’re planning on going somewhere like Universal Studios Japan, you’ll see a lot of people using these. They also use sun umbrellas, but those will take way too much space in your bag, so we don’t suggest packing one.
Reusable Shopping Bag
Shops in Japan very rarely give you a free plastic shopping bag after you make purchases. The majority of them charge you for a bag. I’ve seen a few exceptions, so I’m not saying this is an always thing, but it’s an almost always thing. So, when you’re traveling around, you want to bring a reusable shopping bag (or extra yen to buy a bag).
You can buy incredibly cute shopping bags at various stores in Japan (I got the cutest Hello Kitty bag at the COLOR FiELD store in the train station). But, if you have some at home and want to save a little bit of money, bring your own from home.
Collapsible Suitcase
So, this is a maybe thing, but you may want to pack a small collapsible suitcase in your checked luggage.
There’s a very good chance that you’ll come back from Japan with a ton of souvenirs that may not fit in your suitcase if you overpacked.
So, you want a smaller collapsible suitcase that you can put your souvenirs and other items in and then use that bag as your carry-on. That way, your checked luggage won’t be overweight and you won’t have to worry about potentially paying a fee at the airport.
There are stores in Japan that do sell luggage, including cheap collapsible luggage for this instance. But, if you already have one at home, there’s no sense in buying another. Just pack yours.
What Not To Pack For Japan
Heavy Water Bottle
In the United States, everyone has an emotional support water bottle. We’ve been conditioned to not use plastic water bottles anymore, so everyone carries around a really heavy bottle. That’s not the case in Japan. In Japan, there are so many vending machines around, so when you’re thirsty, you can just buy a drink at one of those.
Also, when you’re in Japan, you’ll probably be walking at least 15,000 steps a day. Carrying a heavy water bottle isn’t something you want to do along all those steps.
So, leave your Stanley at home and opt for plastic bottles of Pocari Sweat when you’re in Japan.
Multiple Pairs Of Shoes
You’re going to be walking a lot in Japan, so wear one really good pair of sneakers on the plane. Those are the only shoes you’re gonna need.
In Japan, you take off your shoes when you enter a home. Certain restaurants require this as well. But, the ones that do have slippers that you can change into, so you don’t need to waste any space packing house shoes.
Plus, since you’ll be walking a lot, even when you’re going to a restaurant for dinner, you’re not going to be wearing heels or cute flats. Sneakers that can withstand walking but also look cute with your dresses are all you need.
All Your Clothes
When I go to Japan, I pack lightly. That means I don’t pack all of my clothes because I know I’m going to go to Uniqlo at some point and buy a few new tops. So, I don’t waste any of my suitcase space on extra clothes because I know I’m gonna buy some.
If you don’t shop while you’re there (you will), there’s a lot of coin-operated laundry in Japan, so you can wash your clothes halfway through your trip if you really need to.
Too Many Toiletries
If you’re staying at a hotel, your toiletries will be included in your room, so you don’t need to pack shampoo, conditioner, or body wash.
We stayed at an Airbnb this trip and all of those were included as well.
So don’t waste your suitcase packing those, especially because they’re heavy.
More Packing Lists:
Of course, Japan isn’t the only trip you’ll ever take in your life. So, if you need more help packing, you’re in luck. We have The Ultimate Guide To Packing Lists, filled with lists for day trips like the zoo and a waterpark and long trips, like Las Vegas.
What items did you find most helpful in Japan and what could you have left at home? Let us know in the comments.