What to pack

What-To-Pack

The type of clothing, footwear and other things to bring with you to Japan largely depends on the time of the year you are visiting. The following are suggested luggage checklists for what to pack for each of the four Japanese seasons:

Winter IconWinter (December, January, February)

Winter temperatures in Japan can dip to below zero degrees Celsius, particularly in the Hokkaido region, so ensure you take enough warm clothes to keep comfortable throughout your trip.

  • Thermal innerwear
  • Fleece jacket
  • Winter/ski jacket
  • Waterproof coat/windbreaker
  • Waterproof, insulated long pants
  • Beanie
  • Scarf
  • Gloves
  • Wool socks
  • Snow boots

Spring IconSpring (March, April, May)

In spring time, the weather is a bit less chilly, averaging between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius, just the perfect temperature to spend extended time outdoors enjoying the cherry blossoms.

  • Thermal base layer
  • Fleece jacket
  • Thick, waterproof coat
  • Thick long pants, such as jeans
  • Scarf
  • Beanie
  • Gloves
  • Wool socks
  • Regular closed footwear, such as sneakers

Summer IconSummer (June, July, August)

Japanese summers are known to be extremely hot and humid, with average daily temperatures of more than 30 degrees, so clothing made from light and airy materials is recommended.

  • Cotton t-shirt
  • Cotton shorts or pants
  • Denim jeans
  • Cotton socks
  • Hat or cap
  • Umbrella
  • Sunscreen

Autumn IconAutumn (September, October, November)

The start of the autumn season can still be a bit hot and humid during the day, so pack a number of sweaters and jackets that you can layer once the temperature becomes cooler later in the day.

  • Light long-sleeved tops
  • Sweater
  • Light jacket
  • Coat
  • Sneakers or boots
  • Cotton socks
  • Scarf

Essentials IconOther essentials, no matter the time of year

In addition to these, other essentials that you should include are:

  • Medicines – for headaches, diarrhea, colds, constipation, and other common illnesses
  • Towel – some accommodation options charge extra for towels
  • Deodorant – to keep you smelling fresh throughout the day
  • Earplugs – for noise cancellation while sleeping on the plane, train, or at your shared dormitory hostel room
  • Japanese phrasebook – for basic Japanese greetings and phrases
  • Smartphone, tablet, laptop, camera – for taking photos, internet use, communication etc.
  • Chargers – for all your electronics
  • Underwear

Soap, shampoo, toothpaste and other toiletries are available in convenience stores around the country.