Packing is an inevitable step before traveling. In addition to the typical items, such as your passport, there are a couple of useful things that we now pack for Japan. Sure, they can all be purchased once you have landed. But we prefer to bring them with us to save time and money. After all, the items listed below don’t take up much space.
What to Pack for Japan
Important: If you bring an Electric Suitcase or Smart Suitcase to Japan, please don’t ride it. There have been cases where tourists who rode their electric suitcases were arrested, as the electric suitcases were treated as vehicles.
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A Photocopy of Your Passport Photo Page
When traveling overseas, it is recommended that you carry an extra copy of your passport’s photo page in your wallet or bag to avoid being unable to verify your identity if your passport is lost. Having a photocopy of the photo page will also make it easy for you to seek assistance from the local police.
Wise Card
Because foreign exchange rates can fluctuate dramatically, we recommend purchasing the Japanese yen beforehand if the rate is at a historical low. Instead of heading to a local bank for physical Japanese yen notes, consider getting a Wise Card.
The Wise card is a great money exchange tool that offers competitive exchange rates. We buy the yen when the rate is good and use it when we visit Japan. After arriving in Japan, we withdraw cash from 7-11 ATMs to the free monthly threshold and use the physical card to pay as much as possible.
Currently, there is a campaign to give all new account holders a free physical debit card. The card is crucial for your Japan trip, as you will need it to withdraw cash from ATMs. Additionally, a physical card is required to pay by card at many attractions in Japan.
How Much Money to Bring to Japan
The amount of yen to bring to Japan per person depends on the duration of your trip and the part of Japan you plan to visit. The longer your trip and the more countryside destinations you have on your Japan itinerary, the more cash you need to bring to Japan. If you have followed our advice and obtained a Wise card, don’t worry about bringing cash to Japan. Withdraw it upon arrival.
Card payments are widely accepted in Japan’s major cities, including Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. You will still need cash, but not too much. The further you head into the countryside, the more cash you need. Below is a general rule of thumb for the common question: How much cash should I bring to Japan?
- 20,000 yen to 30,000 yen per person for a 14-day trip exploring the main cities in Japan.
- Putting in percentage terms for how much cash I need for traveling in Japan, we recommend:
- 15% to 25% of your total day-to-day spending budget for a trip to Japan’s big cities
- 50% to 70% of your total day-to-day spending budget for a trip to Japan’s countryside
Pocket WiFi/SIM/eSIM
When traveling abroad, you must have access to the internet. Even if you have a phone, it won’t be much use as most apps on your phone won’t function without it. Especially if you don’t speak the language, an internet connection is essential when you want to find information about good restaurants and scenic spots nearby, and, most importantly, communicate with the locals.
So, if you haven’t already done so, order your Pocket WiFi/SIM/eSIM. It is usually cheaper, and having the internet connection sorted beforehand means you need not worry upon arrival.
For the difference between each product and the best providers, refer to our Japan SIM Card, eSIM, or Pocket WiFi article.
Are Any of the Transportation Passes Worth It for Your Trip?
If you have a detailed itinerary and plan to take the train frequently, it is worthwhile to consider whether any of the transportation passes are worth the cost of the trip.
While some passes can be purchased on the spot, many are usually cheaper or can only be purchased overseas. So, ensure the exchange voucher is in your bag before heading to the airport. For e-vouchers, we suggest printing them out in case your phone isn’t working upon arrival.
Note that the nationwide JR Pass isn’t worth it for most people after the price hike in 2022. However, if you plan to make a round trip from Tokyo to Hiroshima within 7 days, the 7-day pass is still worthwhile.
For more information on how to determine whether a JR Pass is worth it for your trip, refer to our “Do I Need a JR Pass” article.
The most common tourist pass in Tokyo is the Tokyo Subway Pass. The pass allows you to take the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway unlimitedly. Most attractions in Tokyo (excluding Tokyo Disney Resort) are conveniently located near a station of one of the two major rail companies.
For other transportation deals that might save you money, refer to our Guide to Tokyo’s Transportation Passes.
In the Kansai region (Osaka, Kyoto, Hyōgo (where Kobe is located), Nara, Shiga, and Wakayama Prefecture), many people either get the Kansai Area Pass or the Kansai Rail Pass. Refer to our article on the Most Useful Transportation Passes in the Kansai Region for more information.
Power Bank
Bringing a power bank may not be intuitive if you normally charge your phone only once a day or even once every two days. However, you will likely use your phone more frequently during your trip. Navigation, taking photos, finding a good restaurant to eat, checking the reviews of shops/attractions, and using official apps of popular theme parks (Disney and Universal Studios Japan) will all drain your phone’s battery.
Power banks are sold in many places. Depending on where you base, you might even find a vending machine selling it. Amazon also has many great deals from which you can choose.
Japan Adapter Plug
If the electric outlet where you come from isn’t type A, like in the United States, you need a Japan travel power adapter if you plan to bring any electrical devices to Japan to charge them. Note that if the charger’s plug is a 3-prong plug, it is also advisable to pack a travel plug adapter for Japan, as most electric outlets in hotels in Japan resemble the ones shown in the photo below.
Since you might also travel to other countries in the future, it is recommended that you get a universal or Japan travel plug adapter with USB ports.
Medicine and Deodorant
Especially if you take prescribed medicine regularly, ensure the medicine is packed in your bag. But ensure you have checked the MHLW website for a list of medications that are allowed in Japan. When in doubt, please get in touch with the Ministry of Health to confirm. The contact detail is listed at the bottom of the MHLW website.
It is also recommended that you bring some cold medicine and cough drops. The dosage in each country can differ, so what works for the Japanese might not work well for you. Some people also bring painkillers and deodorant while they travel in Japan.
Moreover, you may also want to pack some motion sickness pills for a comfortable flight and a bus trip in Japan, if that is part of your itinerary.
Lastly, you will be surprised by how few vegetables are in your meal while dining in Japan. So, bringing some medicine for constipation is a good idea. On the other hand, having some anti-diarrheal medicine in your bag in case you get an upset stomach is also a good idea.
A Peeler and Fruit Knife
Especially in summer and autumn, Japan’s supermarkets are filled with fresh produce sections featuring sweet and juicy fruits. While fruits like grapes can be eaten straight away, you will need a fruit knife to eat other fruits, such as melons.
Except for Airbnb and service apartment-type hotels, knives aren’t rentable from the reception for safety reasons. So, having a fruit knife in your suitcase will be handy.
The peeler is a must for us as well. While apple’s skin, for example, can be eaten, we don’t want to eat the artificial wax that may have been used to cover the fruit.
If bringing a peeler and a fruit knife sounds like too much trouble, there is also a 2-in-1 peeler and knife set!
Plastic Bags
Increasingly, shops in Japan have begun charging for plastic bags. Bringing a couple of plastic bags can not only save you money but also be more environmentally friendly. You can use the bags for food and small items from the convenience store. Additionally, the bags can hold your trash when there is no garbage bin nearby.
Keep in mind that trash bins are usually only found at train stations or attractions. Not all malls have them either. The Japanese usually bring their garbage home to dispose of it. As a tourist, you can chuck small items in your room’s bin.
Important: If you want to dispose of large items, such as your old suitcase, please contact your hotel’s concierge. You will likely be charged a small fee, but this is the standard practice followed by the locals.
A Good Pair of Walking Shoes
When visiting Japan, most people accumulate more than 15,000 steps per day. Thus, a good pair of walking shoes is essential.
If you plan to wear sandals in summer, bring a pair of socks. Many traditional-style attractions, such as temples, require visitors to remove their shoes before entering the buildings. Wearing socks is seen as a basic manner of walking on a tatami mat-covered room, especially if you want to participate in a tea ceremony.
Not sure which walking shoes to get? Refer to our article on The Top Three Walking Shoes to Wear for an Overseas Trip!
If you see the sign “土足禁止” by the door at any attraction in Japan, prepare to take off your shoes.
A Small Face Towel
Hand dryers are a standard facility in public toilets in many countries. However, because many Japanese people have the habit of bringing handkerchiefs, not all toilets in Japan have hand dryers. So, if you prefer to dry your hands after washing them, bring a small face towel. It will be useful on a hot summer day as well.
Moreover, it is part of Japanese culture to wash hands at a purification fountain at a temple or shrine before worshipping the god or Buddha enshrined. As nothing is provided for pilgrims to dry their hands afterwards, your face towel will again prove its worth.
Coin Purse and Coin Holder
Japan is still a country where cash is commonly used as a means of transaction. So, it is likely that you will end up with many coins in your purse after a few days in Japan. Thus, many find a Coin Purse useful for holding coins. When you are still unfamiliar with the country’s currency, a Coin Holder is handy. Having a coin holder makes it easy to find the coins you need without digging through a coin purse or even your pockets.
Another way to use a coin purse is to keep all your country’s currency in it and use your day-to-day wallet/purse in Japan. This way, you won’t be confused every time you need to pay in cash.
Nail Clippers Set
If your trip to Japan lasts more than a week, you will need a nail clipper set. Not only do your fingers and toes need to be trimmed, but the set will also be a lifesaver for treating the blisters you might get from all the walking.
Small Foldable Umbrella
Especially for our female readers, having a small foldable umbrella in your backpack is a must. This way, you won’t get wet if it suddenly rains on the day. On a hot summer day, the umbrella can also shield you from the heat of direct sunlight. Reading up to here, you might have already thought of it. It is best to choose those that have UV protection.
Masks and Hand Sanitizer
While wearing a mask is no longer a requirement in Japan, you might want to take this safety measure while traveling. After all, getting sick overseas is likely to ruin your trip. Hand sanitizer is another item that goes hand in hand with a mask. A travel-sized hand sanitizer can disinfect your hands before enjoying street snacks at tourist attractions.
It is recommended to bring more spare masks than the number of days of travel. A Mask Case is also useful when traveling. If you don’t want to spend money on a mask carry, you can create one with a plastic document folder.
Neck Fan or Neck Cooler
Japan’s summer is hot and humid. If you spend the entire day outdoors exploring, you are likely to get heatstroke. So, to survive longer in the heat, bringing a handheld fan, neck fan, or neck cooler would be a smart choice.
Electrical Tape
Electrical tape is probably the last thing you think of when packing for an overseas trip. However, it will be a lifesaver if the rubber of your suitcase’s wheels decomposes during your trip. So, if you haven’t traveled in a while or plan to bring old luggage, consider also throwing electrical tape into your bag.
Electrical tape, coupled with small scissors, such as those used for trimming eyebrows, can be used to wrap the wheels. When wrapping the electrical tape around the wheels, pull with force to ensure a better wrap. Don’t just wrap the wheel once; wrap it several times so the layer is as thick as a tire.
If you don’t have electrical tape, get some from Amazon!
Other Useful Things to Bring to Japan
| Insect repellant | Bandaids | Blister patches | Lip balm | Ear plugs | Document folder if you like collecting brochures and tickets |
Things That Can’t Be Brought Into Japan
Apart from prohibited medication and animal products, there are a few things that we don’t recommend bringing to Japan. We have also included items that some attractions prohibit on their grounds.
Refer to the Japan Customs Website for a list of items prohibited from being brought to Japan.
- Gold, including gold accessories: Japan is very strict about bringing gold into the country to prevent foreigners from using it to launder money. You might be required to pay taxes, or your gold items might be confiscated.
- Selfie stick and tripod: In some attractions in Japan, selfie sticks and tripods are forbidden. Tokyo Disney Resort is one of the spots where you can’t use these photography tools.
Important: The Japanese take personal privacy seriously. Deliberately taking pictures of strangers (including restaurant/shop staff) in Japan may cause disputes. Please check before pressing the shutter.
The Most Useful Apps for Traveling in Japan
In this day and age, smartphones are our new maps, translators, and guides! It is the most useful tool that helps us navigate when traveling to a foreign country like Japan.
But for it to be useful for your Japan trip, you will need to download a couple of apps. For more information, refer to our article on the Most Useful Apps for Traveling in Japan!
Planning Your Next Japan Trip?
Japan, where traditions, culture, and history intersect with the most advanced technology and modern conveniences, also boasts some of the most picturesque landscapes. It is no wonder that Japan has been voted one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world!
So if you are planning to travel to this beautiful country, refer to our article, Plan Your Next Japan Trip – When and Where to Start, for some helpful information, advice, and tips to keep in mind when planning your visit.
Great list Thanks
Thanks for the compliment! Enjoy your trip 🙂
Usefull tips. Thank you.
Thanks for the compliment and glad you find it useful 🙂