What To Pack For Japan
Table Of Contents
Unlocked Phone
Having a fast, reliable internet connection on your phone is one of the best ways to have a great time in Japan since you’ll most likely be using Google Maps, Google Translate, and other useful apps to get around and experience Japan.
Buying a SIM card for your unlocked phone is pretty easy in Japan. I recommend going with either b-mobile or Mobal. Both offer free pickup at airports or delivery to your hotel/home, with Mobal having an easier checkout process for pre-purchasing.
If you want to buy a SIM card in Japan - you’ll want to go with b-mobile and stopping by any major electronics store like BIC Camera or Yodabashi Camera. You can also buy one at the airport at landing.
Smartphone Apps
Some say traveling with a smartphone takes you away from being present, but I think with the right intentions, you can use your smartphone to enhance your trip.
I do a fair amount of research on places to see, eat, and sleep and save them all via custom bookmarks on Google Maps. When I get to my destination, everything is easy to find due to all the bookmarks I made in advance. If I hear of anything cool, I’ll also add it to Google Maps. In addition, you can use it for transit info, traffic info, walking directions, and find more info such as opening hours. It’s easily my most used app when I’m traveling.
Easily my second most used app while traveling, I can’t count how many times I’ve used it to communicate with locals when neither of us speak our corresponding languages. The other handy part is the live view translation via the camera. For example, this allows you to see a live translation on your phone screen of a menu completely written in Japanese! Sometimes, the translations are hilariously wrong but most of the time it’s fairly correct.
Using data from HyperDia, this user friendly app is one of the best ways to navigate the complex rail system in Japan. Just enter in your origin and destination and it'll give you a list of exact train times/stops with filtering allowed to show JR Pass routes first.
Basically the Yelp of Japan, this extensive food obsessed website is very trustworthy when it comes to discovering food, as Japanese people are way more picky than the average Westerner when it comes to food. Since the app is only available to Japanese users, I recommend looking through the English site (https://tabelog.com/en/) on your laptop, finding all the great recommendations for sushi/ramen/noodles/etc, and then bookmarking the places in Google Maps for easy referencing later on your smartphone.
Power Adapter
Japan uses Type A and B sockets with voltage of 100V and 50/60 Hz.
If you live in North America, Central America, or China - you’re in luck since these are the same types of power plugs used.
If you're from a country that uses voltage 220-240V (UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia) - most likely you’ll be ok using your appliances without converter. The appliances will most likely just look like they’re running on half power.
But take care to see if your appliance is within the 50/60 Hz range, since anything outside these ranges could break your device.
Best case is if your device says ‘100-240V, 50/60 Hz’ which usually applies to chargers of most laptops, cameras, cell phones, etc.
Power Bank
I'm always snapping photos, consulting my notes/bookmarks on where to go, and getting inspiration from local Instagram hashtags when I’m traveling. This drains my phone battery quick!
To keep my phone juiced and ready to go - I make sure to have a power bank charged so I don’t have to sit at a cafe, hunting for a power outlet in the middle of the day.
I've always loved my Anker 13,000 mAh Power Bank since it has two ports for charging two phones at a time and holds about 5 full iPhone 8 charges! I’ve had mine for about 4 years now and the charge is still going strong!
If you want something smaller for solo travel, the Anker 5,000 mAh Power Bank holds about 2 iPhone 8 charges and is half the weight of the 13,000 mAh Power Bank.
Japan Rail Pass
If you're traveling to more than one city in Japan, getting a Japan Rail Pass before landing in Japan is a must since it’ll save you time and money.
To find out of the Japan Rail Pass is for you, check out our handy dandy guide here.
The Right Clothes
Probably an obvious thing to say, but make sure you bring the right clothes for the season.
For example, Cherry Blossom season in Japan is actually quite cold, windy, and rainy! I think most people think it’s warm there in the spring but I can assure it’s quite the opposite at times! :)
The summer in Japan is very hot and humid on the other hand.
Small Suitcase
Japan is known for its tiny, compact spaces - so it’s best to travel light if you can. Many of the high speed trains have limited suitcase space as well as hotel rooms not having too much space. If you forget anything like toiletries, extra jackets, or what not - it all can be bought in Japan.
Don't forget to leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs! Japan is known for their amazing packaging which your friends and family back home will appreciate!
Comfortable Shoes That Can Be Slipped On and Off
Like many Asian countries, it’s polite to take your shoes off before you enter a house or restaurant. So it’ll be in your favor to find shoes that easy to slip on and off.
Some of our all time favorite travel shoes are Allbirds! They're comfortable, fashionable, sustainably made, and easy to slip on and off! We took them around the world for a test and handily approve of them!
Visa Passport Travel Insurance
Most countries don't need a visa to visit Japan, but definitely double check before you go. There are many sites that can give you info. Japan Visa Requirements | Japan Travel Visa Information | JNTO
Also, make sure you have around 2-4 blank pages left in your passport for visa stamps.
I'd also strongly suggest getting travel insurance. I’ve always had good service from World Nomads and luckily I haven’t had to cancel any of my trips due to health yet.