What To Take With You When Travelling To Japan

Intro

Japan is an incredibly vibrant and diverse country. A nation of contrasts, from its spectacular cities to its traditional rural villages, from its quirky contemporary culture to its proud and ancient history, its subtropical beaches to its snowy winter resorts, Japan is varied and unique; a country with something for everyone. As such, it’s doubly important to arrive prepared by making sure you have packed the most essential items before you travel. In this quick start guide, we’ll give you our expert advice on what to take with you on a trip to the unforgettable country of Japan.

What To Pack For Travelling to Japan

Generally speaking, we recommend travelling light for a trip to Japan. Space can be at a premium in cities and on public transportation and it can be hard work getting around with a large amount of luggage. At the same time, there are a number of items that we highly recommend you take with you.  

1. Bring Plenty of Cash

Cash is still king in Japan and remains the main method of payment for goods and services across the country. While carrying large amounts of cash on your person is becoming more and more unusual for westerners used to contactless payments, you will definitely need plenty of Japanese yen for your stay. While Japan is slowly moving towards the use of electronic payment methods, particularly in big department stores, chains, and malls, you may also find many establishments that are cash only. As a result, it really does pay to carry cash. To do so safely, you might also want to invest in a travel money-belt or coin purse for travelling. Saying that, Japan is one of the safest countries in the world with very low levels of crime so you needn’t worry too much. Alongside cash, you’ll also want to bring debit and credit cards. If you need to take out extra money while in Japan, the best place to do this is at Japanese convenience stores (7-Eleven and Lawson), which have ATMs and are often open 24/7. 

2. Remember Your Essential Documents

Naturally, you’ll need to pack any documents you need while travelling in Japan. Depending on your country of origin, you may require a travel VISA for your stay, you’ll definitely need a valid passport, ID, and travel insurance documents, as well as print-outs of any booking confirmations or reservations, tickets and boarding cards, and potentially an International Driving Licence (IDP), if you intend on renting a car at any point. You may want to make copies of your passport and credit cards for safekeeping and if you’ve room in your luggage, it may also be worthwhile bringing a small general purpose Japan guidebook with a map in case of emergencies. Packing these essential documents is obviously very important and it’s actually a legal requirement to have a valid form of ID on your person at all times in Japan, so it’s doubly necessary.  

3. Choose Your Footwear Wisely

Taking your shoes off when you enter a temple, shrine, someone’s home, and other buildings and establishments, is an important custom in Japan. Alongside this, you may also be required to change from your outdoor shoes to communal indoor footwear such as geta (wooden sandals). It’s a good idea therefore to take shoes that you can easily take on and off as you could be doing this quite a lot. You’ll also want to take nice socks as bare feet are generally a no-no in Japan (except in specific circumstances). Comfortable footwear is generally advised too as you’ll likely get lots of steps in while you’re exploring Japan! 

4. Don’t Forget Your Phone, Travel Adaptors, and Chargers

It’s best to pack any travel adaptors, chargers, and extra battery packs, which you might need for your electronic devices before you travel rather than trying to source something in Japan. The country uses two types of electrical socket: Type A, which has a plug with two pins and no ground, and Type B, which has two pins plus a grounding prong. Both are 100V AC, 50/60 HZ. And definitely don’t forget your smartphone! As well as keeping in touch with home, it’s likely also your camera, main navigation tool, and language helper. 

5. Rent a Pocket WiFi device

There are some amazing apps out there that can make it easier than ever to get around in Japan. Alongside live travel updates, directions, and navigation, there are also apps that can help you instantly translate signs (including restaurant menus!), provide on-the-stop language tips, make restaurant restaurants, and more. However, to use these apps, you’ll need WiFi and that’s not always easy to find in Japan. The solution is to rent a Pocket WiFi device. These small, portable routers are an absolutely essential item to have on you while travelling in Japan. While these devices aren’t something you’ll be taking with you to Japan, you do need to order your Pocket WiFi rental before you travel. When you arrive, you simply pick up your router from the collection point at the airport and you’ll have safe, reliable, high-speed WiFi wherever and whenever you need it - even while travelling on the Shinkansen ‘bullet trains’.     

6. Pack Suitable Clothing

By suitable, we mean that you should take clothing that’s appropriate to the time of year you’re visiting Japan and the expected weather conditions as well as for the activities you intend to do. For example, if you’re arriving in summer you’ll want lightweight, breathable clothing and if you’re planning to hit the beaches of Okinawa then you’ll want swimwear too. Similarly, if you’re heading to northern Hokkaido and explore the walking and hiking trails of the stunning national parks then you may need to wear layers and you’ll definitely need the correct footwear.  As a bonus tip from the team at JapanDen, we also recommend having one or two ‘wildcard’ items of clothing regardless of the expected weather. For instance, if you’re visiting in the summer then yes, it’s likely to be hot and humid, but it might be wise to bring a light waterproof item of clothing just in case as summer also sees the rainy season. 

7. Pre-order a Japan Rail Pass

If you plan on visiting more than one city or location during your time in Japan then a Japan Rail Pass is another essential item. Like the Pocket WiFi device we mentioned earlier, this isn’t something you’ll be bringing with you to Japan, but you do need to order it before you arrive so you can activate it once inside the country. It’s then valid for the duration of the pass and entitles you to unlimited travel on the vast majority of Japanese trains - even the famous shinkansen ‘bullet trains’. Japan’s rail system is generally considered to be the best in the world and extends the length and breadth of the country. As such, it’s simply the easiest and most cost effective way to explore the country, whether you’re going from city to city, or heading off the beaten path to more rural or coastal areas. A JR Pass also gives you the flexibility to be spontaneous as it costs nothing to hop on and off trains as you need to while travelling. You even get free seat reservations. Naturally, if you’re just staying in Tokyo for instance, then you may not need a pass, but if you wanted to do a day-trip to Kyoto or Osaka (or both - it’s doable by train!) then a pass is the way to go.

On a related note, for intercity travel on Japan’s metro system and subways, you’ll want an IC card. These cards - similar to London’s Oyster card system - are the easiest and most cost-effective way to get around Japanese cities. As such, you’ll definitely want to invest in a prepaid travel card such as an ICOCA, PASMO or Suica card. IC cards like these can be topped up and refunded as needed and they work by tapping or waving them over the card reader as you pass through the ticket gates. It’s also worth noting that the metro and subway systems do not run 24/7 in Japan and stop for the night between 11.30pm and 1am depending on your location, so be sure to keep an eye on the time and be aware when the last train leaves if you’re out late at night.

8. Don’t Forget Your Toiletries

This may seem obvious, but make sure you bring any toiletries you need for your trip to save time having to go shopping while in Japan. Common toiletries include toothpaste and toothbrush, shampoo and shower gel, deodorant, moisturiser, sunscreen, any medications you might need (do check in advance what you’re allowed to bring into Japan), and potentially a small travel first aid kit, alongside other items. Japan’s shops have everything you could possibly need if you run out or forget anything, but on a once-in-a-lifetime trip where you want to make every second count, who wants to spend precious time looking for toothpaste? Instead, bring anything you need with you.  

9. A Reusable Water Bottle (and possibly your own chopsticks)

Japan’s tap water is safe to drink and extremely clean so you can use it to refill your bottle throughout the day to stay hydrated while on the go. This will also save you money buying water bottles and it’s better for the environment as it cuts down on waste. On a similar note, while Japan has millions of disposable chopsticks available with its meals, you could bring your own (or buy a pair to keep while in Japan) and use these with your meals. 

10. Bags within bags

Yes, we’re suggesting you pack a bag inside your bag! It’s best to travel light in Japan so within your main luggage we recommend a light and portable backpack or travelbag that you can use on a day-to-day basis during your stay. Whether you’re exploring the city streets or taking a day trip to an onsen town on the coast, having a bag for essentials is indispensable. Japanese people tend to travel light themselves and it’s definitely best to follow their example while in their beautiful and unforgettable country.

Useful Links 

Here at JapanDen, we take a holistic approach to helping you plan the perfect trip to this incredible country. As well as providing guidance on where to stay, you’ll find expert travel advice, 24/7 support, portable WiFi devices, essential information, and in-depth articles on key topics such as Getting Around Japan, Japanese Cuisine, What To Pack For Japan, and more. At JapanDen, our mission is to bring together everything you could possibly want or need to know about Japan in one place to ensure the best possible travel experience. Find out more below: 

• For the perfect place to stay, visit our Hotels page and choose from more than 2,800 hotels and 1,800 traditional ryokans.

• Meanwhile, if you want to learn more about Japan’s regions and prefectures so you can decide the best area to visit, you should check out our Destinations page. 

• As we discussed above, if you’re looking to explore Japan then the country’s famously efficient trains are the way to go. Japan’s railways are renowned as being the fastest, cleanest, and safest in the world. The country’s rail network is so vast and interconnected that it can help you reach almost any corner of Japan you’d like to visit. Furthermore, with a Japan Rail Pass you can enjoy unlimited travel on the majority of the country’s trains, including the famous Shinkansen ‘bullet trains’. The JR Pass is by far the most cost effective and flexible way to get around Japan. Find out more by visiting our partners at www.jrpass.com today.

• We’ve already discussed how a portable WiFi device should be one of your essentials while travelling Japan. To find out more, including how to order a PocketWifi router from Ninja Wifi, check out our Pocket WiFi guide. 

• If you’re looking for information about Japan and want to speak with fellow travellers who have been there and done that, then you should join our Community. This welcoming and friendly forum is the place to go to share stories, knowledge, and experiences about Japan, ask questions, make new connections, and find travel inspiration.