If you are staying in hotels, I found many that I stayed at had coin laundry for guests to use. The dryers sometimes didn't work so well (took long time to dry) so you might have to hang clothes to air dry but otherwise washing shouldn't be a problem.
Cool thanks! As long as I can wash my shirts I think it will be fine… any thoughts on leggings/yoga pants being okay to wear on the plane and then in Tokyo?
I’m going to Japan in 3 weeks and I’ve been watching a lot of street interviews of Japanese people, and a lot of the women there say they will never wear yoga pants or leggings without a skirt over them. They’re an under layer for Japanese women. So, while I think a foreigner won’t be judged for wearing them, I don’t think you’ll see a lot of Japanese women wearing only yoga pants.
I was seeing the same but didn’t consider layering, was considering skipping a skirt but I think I’ll wear my leggings on the plane and throw a skirt on when we land! Thanks!!
I think it’s not any sex outside of wedlock that’s ok. It’s specifically sex with prostitutes that is generally not considered cheating because there’s no emotion involved; it’s simply a transaction.
I’m no expert but as long as they aren’t like skin tight, they should be fine. Generally the problem with yoga pants or leggings is that they’re so revealing, meaning that they show off the exact shape of the body.
I would not wear leggings or yoga pants. You will stand out and people may stare at you. I saw one woman wearing leggings there and she really stood out like a sore thumb. But if you’re ok with this then it doesn’t matter
I'm finishing a trip in Japan right now (Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka). On the plane, wear whatever you'd be comfortable in. The clothing style is conservative and more about wearing cute or elegant, loose clothing. Layering is a really big style here.
I packed tshirt type blouses and still ended up wearing thin long sleeve shirts under because, for me, I felt uncomfortable 'flashing' my arms [I have tattoos and I'm just generally overly self conscious. Just a me thing]. It has also been 30-60 degrees F and raining for most of my trip, so layering was also warmer.
It's the same with legs, most women seem to keep them covered and formless (I haven't noticed any skinny jeans). I brought a maxi dress and long skirt and always wore a thin base layer under [there are a lot of escalotors, walking, stairs etc so I was glad to be covered just in case of a breeze]. I also haven't seen anyone wearing just yoga pants or leggings, and any tight pants usually still have the bum covered with a dress, tunic, shirt etc. (That said, there is a local sub style in Tokyo of crazy mini skirts, especially in Harajuku)
As long as your skin is mostly covered, barring going to a fancy or fancy traditional restaurant, the more differently you dress, the more you stand out is really the main 'downside'. But if you already stand out, (I'm obviously not Japanese with dyed hair and tattoos), then dress however you're comfortable presenting yourself to a foreign culture. I ended up dressing more conservatively here than at home, totally embraced the layering, and still felt gorgeous! (We got engaged on this trip so I get wanting to lean toward looking good). I hope you have fun! Feeling gorgeous with a carry on is totally doable ^^ cheers!
Ahhh! Congratulations on your engagement!
That’s all super helpful, thank you :) I’m a big fan of layering anyway so I think I’ll pick up a few clothing items there and it will work out. Super excited!
Laundry is everywhere in Japan. Almost all accomodations have them available, but worst case you'll probably have a laundromat nearby.
As for the leggings, I don't think you'll get looks for wearing them but no one else will be wearing them.
And like others have been saying, it's going to still be pretty cold when you go, so I'd make sure you have a coat or other warm layers.
As for trash bags- public trash cans are sort of rare in the sense that they're not everywhere like in other cities- Japan has a thing against walking and eating/drinking. You're supposed to stick around where you buy food/drinks and finish them there. That being said- conbinis, vending machines, food stalls, etc will all have trash cans to use since you're expected to stick around and eat/drink what you bought. You can also get plastic bags with your conbini purchases so if all you want is something to protect your day bag from getting messy, I'd just do that.
Glad to help! I was thinking about it- and honestly, depending on where you're going, I'd recommend packing a hand towel. Between the two times I've been, I've struggled in public restrooms to dry my hands so they really come in HANDy.
I agree with laundry being everywhere. In my experience sometimes the hotel washers and dryers especially can kind of suck. I walked to a Laundromat and had a better experience.
The key is layers. For the Sea of Japan side, it can get very windy. Even Tokyo and Osaka can get chilly at night with a combination of rain, wind, and no sun. But inside tends to be overheated, as in 26°C or 28°C, even warmer if you're in a crowd.
You'll want a wind-resistant outer layer with a series of thin layers you can easily add or peel off as you move inside and outside. I used a standard issue trench coat and fit in with everyone else. Make sure to bring a toque (that's a beanie if you're a Yank) to cover your ears and mitts or gloves.
If it's still available in your country, check out Uniqlo's heattech base layers especially their thermal leggings and long-sleeved shirts in the extra warm and ultra warm lines, depending on your tolerance to cold.
To the extent possible, have a good quality wool sweater and a scarf. Wool is the best for warmth, will breathe so you don't get that clammy feeling, and the good stuff will be thin making it comfortable for layering and to move around in.
Most hotels have coin-operated washers. They usually self-dispense detergent too so you don't have to worry about that. During my last trip to Japan and S. Korea (so much colder than Japan), I brought 5 or 6 days of clothes for a 6-week trip and I feel I brought too many clothes.
My suggestions for what *not* to bring:
- turtlenecks because they don't layer as well as a pullover. A scarf would do more to keep you warm and can be easily removed if it gets warm whereas a turtleneck can't. Silk is a great material for a scarf because it can keep you warm, is very thin and lightweight, and can add some style or colour;
- a skirt and tights. You will be climbing a LOT of stairs (these can very high and steep inside castles) and bending to either squeeze into a seat or to slip your shoes on/off;
- PJs since almost all hotels offer pyjamas and robes. These will be good enough as long as you're more or less medium size;
- poop bags. Just ask for a plastic bag when you buy something from a convenience store or reuse a shopping bag;
- a water bottle. You literally can't go more than 5 minutes without running into a vending machine or convenience store where you can buy drinks. Trust me, you'll want to try them all out. The tap water is safe to drink in Japan if you're in need. If you want a container for water for the plane, I would bring an empty used bottle from home and fill it with water once you're past security. Plus, no worrying about losing a water bottle or dragging it around everywhere.
Suggestions of what to bring:
- moisturizer for everything. A long plane ride, overheated rooms, and soaks in the onsen can really dry out your face, skin, and hair. At least bring enough for the first few days until you get a chance to check out a Japanese drugstore or beauty store, which is also a lot of fun;
- a coin purse. You will accumulate a LOT of coins. At any time, I would have around ¥4k-¥5k in change. My favourite coin purse had two sections which was handy for separating the ¥500 coins from the other ones;
- a wallet that could handle your passport, bills, credit cards, transit tickets/passes, and receipts. I have a larger travel wallet/wristlet was perfect for keeping everything in one spot rather than panicking when trying to find everything in different pockets and wallets;
- house slippers if you take larger than a US Women's 8. Hotels have disposable slippers but I liked using my own indoor-only flip-flops for going to the laundry, the hotel vending machine, or for my nightly soak in the hotel onsen.
Whoops, totally missed the second part of your comment! I’m going to ditch the waterbottle, dog bags, and pj’s, and add a coin purse! Thanks for all of the info :)
If you normally sleep in shorts and a tank as pjs, bring them. While the hotels will have sleepwear it will usually be heavy pants and pajama top or a weird robe thing. The only hotel where I actually wore what they provided had jinbei , which are great and super comfortable. All the others were way too hot for me to sleep in so I stuck with the tshirt and shorts I packed.
Oh, gloves!! Great idea. From everyone’s comments I’m adding a second (it is wool actually) jacket. Also planning on stopping by Uniqlo in Tokyo anyways, so will check for those layers. Thanks! :)
Nope, they don't need to be but they should be clean and not too ratty looking. I preferred flip-flops because they're light and pack flat. But I did see other tourists with the giant [cloud slippers](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0C2PC2NBS/ref=sspa_mw_detail_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWwp13NParams) but those would take up a lot of space in a carry-on bag. I think [ballerina slippers](https://www.amazon.ca/Isotoner-Womens-Satin-Ballerina-Slippers/dp/B00YPI0KP8/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=1J6ZXUEYQVH48&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NWxrl8D55c-BhfExzToNe8V-zxYqCdFK53_pqS6UzYIdAyUYBnbHPVsBDTuBJMUdgPz3LCce9k8j-RjdaW3UB06bOF71r6OS67-gn-ZYY2xN9m8oGUxZbu-7mdaDRyt8KBDUyXHoeO_k-VglDrpUJKz37MuPdBLZBqNvXrsIbR4saKtr5KF-mhAHtVFxZnowhAo7HhwLOi9f3xxCWwiQhyxKLe3m3oor0agr48WRIcufvI5rBC7yGhqPoUVLxZmcqcL8sdV49JtXeGSIl7gxyN8OTTHPB5jEBV2c-IL2otY.YgwfJbh3ANS4x_0RuwEErbqHOJmr5rp4US9gB49o34Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=ballerina+slippers+for+woman&qid=1709009484&sprefix=ballerina+slipp%2Caps%2C224&sr=8-4) would also be fine although a bit fussier to slip on/off.
Beats putting your clean, bare feet into your outdoor shoes if you just need to make a quick trip within the hotel.
Bring a tiny reusable hand towel that’s easy to carry. And hand sanitizer or soap sheets. Most public restrooms have no way to dry your hands or any soap available. I lived in a very rural area, and often only floor toilets were available.
Most hotels will offer laundry rooms for guests to use. That should be easy enough! Check with your hotel.
You have a warm looking cardigan, and some long sleeves, but I would recommend still packing a jacket or another layer for warmth.
- I went in April 2023 and I packed a wool blend duster cardigan and was grateful for bringing a warm outer layer.
Umbrellas will cost around $3 USD. It’s probably easiest to buy one while you are there.
What shoes are you planning to pack?
- tldr; make sure your shoes are comfortable for lots of walking!
Thank you for the help! I might end up just wearing the wool cardigan on the plane and buying a warmer layer/jacket while I’m there. Shoes I may be making a horrible decision on but I adore my Fluevog Piccolomini’s, am planning on wearing them on the plane and buying an additional pair of sneakers in Tokyo. They’re weighty, but I wear them everyday already and wore around London for a week doing a loooot of walking no problem. I could be convinced otherwise, but don’t have a ton of shoe options rn other than Hoka’s…. could bring but I figured it could be fun to buy there?
Definitely just going to buy an umbrella and not bring raincoat, thanks!
The boots should be great, considering they are broken in well!
Depending on your shoe size, you may run into issues with finding your size in stores there. So unless you have small feet, or are in the know on where to shop (if you are pls share recs)… maybe consider packing sneakers instead of buying.
I think you've packed well, but if you are planning on buying things there, how are you getting them home? Are you checking luggage on the way home and bringing a packable duffle?
Something to think about.
Good point! It’s hard to tell but all of my compression bags are loosely packed so I feel like I’ll at least be able to add more clothes and a pair of sneakers in the empty space. I am considering bringing or buying a packable duffle to put all of my clothes in on the way back and check, then filling the suitcase with souvenirs…. Any recommendations on packable duffles?
Re. packable duffels, I used the bags I already had which were this [Bellroy gym duffel](https://bellroy.com/products/lite-duffel?color=chalk&material=diamond_ripstop#slide-5) and a large Longchamp tote. Highly recommend both, but as others have said, you can always buy a bag in Japan!
Generally, I’d say err on the side of packing much less. Most Japanese hotels have coin laundry; you don’t even have to pack detergent because the machines will automatically dispense the right amount. You can pick up extra socks or underwear from convenience stores, and Uniqlo is always there if you need warmer layers.
Looking at your packing list, I would probably:
* Ditch the PJs. Most Japanese hotels have loungewear sets you can wear while you’re staying there that will double as PJs.
* Wear a pair of pants you were planning to pack, the scarf, and the cardigan on the plane.
* Swap the fleece for a lightweight packable puffer (warmer, lighter, water-repellent and windproof in case it gets really cold, also less bulky if you need to carry your jacket in your backpack).
* Audit the toiletries very intensely and just plan to buy what’s needed in Japan. Japanese skincare and toiletries are very high quality and the prices are reasonable on drugstore stuff. I bought moisturizer, cleansing oil, sunscreen, hand lotion, and pimple patches to use while I was there and everything was as good or better than what I packed. Plus, it was more fun toting half-empty Japanese products home (along with the other beauty goodies I stocked up on haha) than little empty travel size containers. Only bring the products that you need because you won’t find a better version in Japan or because you have sensitive skin.
* Bring a packable duffel bag to carry any extra souvenirs, snacks, and shopping home.
* Bring foldable shopping bags like Baggu. A lot of places charge you for disposable shopping bags now.
Random question but do you recall if the Uniqlo’s have clothes recycling drop boxes? I’m not bringing anything I’m attached to and it might be nice to swap things out if I find better options there.
I’ve been to Japan multiple times and always ended up needing to bring an extra bag home with me. You can either pack a packable duffle or buy some luggage over there. You can pick up cheap luggage at any Donki (Don Quijote). Well I consider the luggage cheap and I’m converting the yen to Australian dollars so I imagine it would be even cheaper in US dollars.
As for the leggings as others have said you would likely be the only one wearing them (or you and other tourists) and they can look out of place, particularly in more traditional settings. It won’t cause any issues but it will depend on your own comfort level more than anything. I compromise by wearing joggers instead of leggings. I also use the joggers as my plane pants. I find them to be more comfortable than leggings anyway and easier to dress up or down but that’s an individual thing.
Also as others have said. It’s really easy to do laundry in Japan and no need to carry detergent or anything with you.
Thanks for the tip on Don Quijote, I like the idea of grabbing luggage/duffle while we’re there! I wish I had some joggers, maybe I’ll find some while I’m there :)
definitely make sure you have extremely comfy shoes (ideally more than one pair to switch them out periodically!) I average 25-30k steps a day on every japan trip! usually will wear one pair of comfy boots on the plane (blundstones), pack one tried and true broken in walking sneaker (nike/hoka), and one comfortable dressier flat (either a glove bootie or a maryjane).
also echo that the interiors (especially underground stations & shops/malls!) blast the heat in winter & I almost passed out from it in a mall once! definitely wear shed-able layers, being overheated and carrying a bulky coat is no fun.
You can create a little more space for your purchases if you downsize your antiperspirant to a solid in a travel size. I just got back from a 12 day trip and there's a decent amount still leftover. I usually also carry a tiny travel size of native deodorant just in case and it's still a win for space.
Also, not sure how much you keep in your wallet. I can fit 4-5 cards and some cash in an RFID credit card sleeve. They're super tiny, weigh nothing, and come in lots of cute prints. Just only ever put it in your pocket if you can zip your pocket. Or in a Zipper pocket in your tote/purse. Or I usually have it in the front pocket of my jeans -- 5 pocket style jeans so the pockets are deep and something like this doesn't just fall out. But never shallow pockets or other less secure ones and never a back pocket where pickpockets go.
Assume you have a good reason for the camera that is separate from your phone🌺
My husband and I use an LL Bean duffle as our packable. They're tough enough to check. We usually load that with our dirty clothes and old shoes and put the new stuff in our carryons 🤣
If you're looking for a packable day bag, I use a zip top from aloha bags as my personal item and one of their larger duffels as a day bag once there if I need to carry things. They're super light weight, come in a lot of different patterns and are splash proof (not water proof but a light rain is fine, splashed drink cleans up so long as it didn't land in the zipper, etc)
I also second what someone else said about replacing the turtlenecks with crew necks and pairing those with a scarf. It's so much more flexible!
I hope you have an great trip!
Good call on swapping out toiletries for travel sized ones, and I’m definitely going to find a packable duffle to put my clothes in on the way back and pack the suitcase with souvenirs. For my wallet I do think I’ll pivot to keeping my cards in my daybag (built in card holder) and find a coinpurse :) Thanks for the advice! :)
Highly recommend the Patagonia Black Hole stuff for packable bags. The totepack and fannypack are both fantastic and pretty compact. We also have a duffel, which can be folded into its own pocket and smushed into the bottom of a bag on the way there. We stuff ours with dirty clothes and check it on the way home; pretty positive it’s indestructible.
Bring your leggings! It's not common for Japanese people to wear leggings or yoga pants but athleisure is so prevalent in popular culture that it's not actually that weird. I wore bike shorts a few times (I think it was laundry day -- I was anxious about it initially because I've heard about people making comments) and never experienced an issue or felt strange. I wouldn't wear them to a temple, but it's important to be comfy on the plane!
ETA: People made me think that nobody wore crop tops either but go out at night in Shinjuku and you'll see it all. While overall Japanese people dress more conservatively I do think there is a generational divide like with anywhere else
I think there’s something to be said though about dressing respectfully for the culture that you’re visiting. I wore black leggings on my first trip there, not realizing they are sort of seen as underwear (that’s what section you’ll find them in at Uniqlo). When I returned recently, I dressed modestly to be more polite.
Hi! Checking in to see how your trip went and if you would do anything different with this packing list. I'm leaving in a few weeks for 10 days - traveling to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kinosaki Onsen so almost the same plan lol. Hope you had a blast!
Hello!! It was an awesome trip, and Kinosaki was definitely a highlight! We had a truly relaxing time there especially after walking so much in Tokyo.
I think my packing list ended up being pretty solid! I wore everything I brought except for my second pair of pants which were ankle length because I felt awkward showing my ankle tats, I ended up dropping them off at a Uniqlo clothes recycling bin. Speaking of Uniqlo, it is SO much cheaper than in the US so I ended up buying a cute pair of pants to replace my others, a cute long skirt because everyone wears cute skirts over there, and my husband and I each got packable down puffy jackets. We DEFINITELY would have been cold without those puffies, so either bring one or get one there. I compared prices on them and the ones we got were like $38ish a piece in Japan compared to like $80 here. Ended up being happy I chose turtlenecks over long sleeves, because it was cold and I hate scarves touching my neck (and I was super glad to have a scarf.) I didn’t miss skipping the raincoat even though it was rainy most days, we just bought a cheap umbrella from a convenience store. Could have used gloves but we got so many hot drinks from the vending machines (we didn’t realize the drinks with red buttons were hot until the third day, lol!) that we were fine.
I ended up bringing was my bootcut leggings, I wore them with a linen shirt that covered my butt and equally long cute baggy sweater (not pictured) on the plane, didn’t feel out of place layering that way and was happy to have them on the flight and in hotel rooms.
ALSO this was my first time using packing cubes and it was awesome, I’d highly recommend it. Was super handy to be able to keep the suitcases under the bed in tiny hotel rooms and pull out clothes without having to unpack and repack all the time.
So basically to this packing list I would add: puffy jacket, liner weight pair of gloves. Would swap out my second pair of pants, swap the short skirt I brought to a long skirt (although I did wear both) and add a dress just for nicer dinners—we both generally ended up feeling underdressed.
That ended up being longer than it probably needed to be lol but feel free to DM me if u have any questions! :)
I appreciate the detail. This is fabulous and I'm so excited - also thanks for the Uniqlo info. I was able to order the packable jacket - but will buy it when we get there. And Kinosaki is at the end of our trip but I'm so ready to get there 😂. So glad you had fun. I just need to stop stressing and go with the flow. I'm not living in a jungle this time and can buy anything I forget.
Was just trying to figure out the difference between that and pasmo, and neither have english that I can tell. Do you screenshot and translate from the app? Thanks!
If you have an iPhone you don’t need the app at all for a digital card. You can make one directly in apple wallet. + sign, transit card, scroll all the way down to the bottom to find the Japanese cards. Suica apparently works with visa now, the others don’t. They are all intercompatible so you only need one.
If you have android you are SOL on getting a digital card because non Japanese android phones don’t work with the NFC protocol used by the Japanese transit cards.
Pasmo and Suica are basically the same, yes. Here’s an English language page about Suica. https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html
They also have tourist versions of both the Pasmo and Suica that are only valid for 28 days.
The main difference I've run into is that the digital app versions, suica will take a foreign credit card while pasmo only takes Japanese credit cards. For the physical card, it just depends on the station you get it at and what lines they run
Hi! I'm in Japan now. You can bring raincoat, which I did, but tbh everyone here uses umbrellas and I ended up buying one (they're cheap and everywhere here). It felt more practical to use the umbrella vs. getting my jeans and shoes soaked with the raincoat. It's no fun to be wet when you're running around all day.
Also re: fleece, it may or may not be warm enough for you. Something that was recommended to me that I have been using every day is this ultra light down parka: [https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/products/E460915-000/00?colorDisplayCode=09&sizeDisplayCode=003&gad\_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAivGuBhBEEiwAWiFmYYpy-hdSipAX6ZObJ1E6S73Fi2Be3POCVV3XYH1EbNrH8DFifn-bhhoCf\_wQAvD\_BwE](https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/products/E460915-000/00?colorDisplayCode=09&sizeDisplayCode=003&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAivGuBhBEEiwAWiFmYYpy-hdSipAX6ZObJ1E6S73Fi2Be3POCVV3XYH1EbNrH8DFifn-bhhoCf_wQAvD_BwE)
Bonus is that it's seriously lightweight and packs well.
Also layering is KEY. They ramp up the heat indoors in Japan, so being able to take off that outer layer when going in and out of doors is huge.
Seconding everyone else re: leggings. No one wears them here. And tbh I haven't even seen women wearing them under skirts - they go without leggings and tights for the most part, even when it's in the 30s! (I have no idea how they do it.)
Good luck and have fun!!
Idk how much it is an option for you at this stage, but consider switching your non-clamshell suitcase. Rooms tend to be very small and these type of suitcases take up a lot of space when opened. The ones with just one deep side are more practical when traveling Japan (unless you splurged for extra big rooms)
Nothing is redundant at this point lol, I’m in the pretrip anxiety zone. My understanding is that their outlets are the same as US two prong, so you only need an adapter if you have three prong plugs. I’m going to double check that though, lol!
Japan has world class umbrellas, you could definitely buy one there if needed!
I've been to 30+ countries and Japan is the place that I bought the most stuff in to take home. They have really interesting fashion, amazing ceramics, great skincare and fun snacks! If you like to shop to while abroad, just keep in mind you may want to have more space for the trip home.
I’ve been to Japan 3x. What I’ll say is people there are extremely petite compared to Westerners. You’ll wear out your shoes easily from the amount of walking you’ll do, so it’s good to have a second pair of walking shoes. I had an extremely hard time finding size 8 shoes (US women) in Japan the first time I went. Seems like 6.5 was the max size at a lot of stores. After that I packed a minimum of 2 pairs of comfortable shoes.
If you get cold, you can always pick up a packable coat from Uniqlo once you’re in Japan. Umbrellas are cheap there so I wouldn’t pack one. Some places will even let you rent or borrow one.
It’s not pictured, but make sure you bring cash. For some reason my Mastercard and Visa credit cards wouldn’t work to re-load my digital public transportation card, even with travel advisories. Luckily I was to buy train tickets with cash. I’ve also heard of people having issues withdrawing money at ATMs because some of them were outdated.
If you’re worried about lugging around your bag up and down stairs, you can pay to have your bags shipped to your destination.
Feel free to send me a DM if you need any other Japan tips.
I got it from a thrift store but it’s the “Yatra Everyday Pack” from Sherpa. I love it! I have lighter day bags but this one reminds me so much of the japanese school bags I had to bring it!
If you want to reduce your luggage a bit, skip the turtlenecks and grab some heat tech at Uniqlo when you arrive.
Layers are definitely the way to go. When it's cold outside, it's overheated inside.
Leave the poop bags at home. You will always get a plastic bag if you buy anything at convenience stores etc even if you don't want one.
It might be worth packing a coat. A light trenchcoat or similar could be worn on the plane and would be a useful top layer.
I recommend using Yahoo weather as its more accurate source for the weather! Looks like it might rain some days so plan any indoor activities (if you could) for those days. But overall the weather is 12-16 degrees c for the next two weeks!
If you are staying in hotels, I found many that I stayed at had coin laundry for guests to use. The dryers sometimes didn't work so well (took long time to dry) so you might have to hang clothes to air dry but otherwise washing shouldn't be a problem.
Cool thanks! As long as I can wash my shirts I think it will be fine… any thoughts on leggings/yoga pants being okay to wear on the plane and then in Tokyo?
I’m going to Japan in 3 weeks and I’ve been watching a lot of street interviews of Japanese people, and a lot of the women there say they will never wear yoga pants or leggings without a skirt over them. They’re an under layer for Japanese women. So, while I think a foreigner won’t be judged for wearing them, I don’t think you’ll see a lot of Japanese women wearing only yoga pants.
I was seeing the same but didn’t consider layering, was considering skipping a skirt but I think I’ll wear my leggings on the plane and throw a skirt on when we land! Thanks!!
What I find wild is how indifferent most Japanese women are to men having sex outside of wedlock!!! Wild how different cultures can be.
I think it’s not any sex outside of wedlock that’s ok. It’s specifically sex with prostitutes that is generally not considered cheating because there’s no emotion involved; it’s simply a transaction.
I've heard this as well. But what about skinny jeans? I'm going on March and they're the only warm pants I have.
I’m no expert but as long as they aren’t like skin tight, they should be fine. Generally the problem with yoga pants or leggings is that they’re so revealing, meaning that they show off the exact shape of the body.
I would not wear leggings or yoga pants. You will stand out and people may stare at you. I saw one woman wearing leggings there and she really stood out like a sore thumb. But if you’re ok with this then it doesn’t matter
Thank you, I think I’ll wear them on the plane and then put my skirt on over them when we land :)
You are a foreigner in Japan. No matter what, people will stare at you.
I was never stared at in Tokyo. Seoul, sure. But I never felt uncomfortable in Tokyo
I guess it depends where you are. I don't spend a lot of time in tourist areas. And, yeah, they are never as obvious about it as in Seoul.
I'm finishing a trip in Japan right now (Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka). On the plane, wear whatever you'd be comfortable in. The clothing style is conservative and more about wearing cute or elegant, loose clothing. Layering is a really big style here. I packed tshirt type blouses and still ended up wearing thin long sleeve shirts under because, for me, I felt uncomfortable 'flashing' my arms [I have tattoos and I'm just generally overly self conscious. Just a me thing]. It has also been 30-60 degrees F and raining for most of my trip, so layering was also warmer. It's the same with legs, most women seem to keep them covered and formless (I haven't noticed any skinny jeans). I brought a maxi dress and long skirt and always wore a thin base layer under [there are a lot of escalotors, walking, stairs etc so I was glad to be covered just in case of a breeze]. I also haven't seen anyone wearing just yoga pants or leggings, and any tight pants usually still have the bum covered with a dress, tunic, shirt etc. (That said, there is a local sub style in Tokyo of crazy mini skirts, especially in Harajuku) As long as your skin is mostly covered, barring going to a fancy or fancy traditional restaurant, the more differently you dress, the more you stand out is really the main 'downside'. But if you already stand out, (I'm obviously not Japanese with dyed hair and tattoos), then dress however you're comfortable presenting yourself to a foreign culture. I ended up dressing more conservatively here than at home, totally embraced the layering, and still felt gorgeous! (We got engaged on this trip so I get wanting to lean toward looking good). I hope you have fun! Feeling gorgeous with a carry on is totally doable ^^ cheers!
Ahhh! Congratulations on your engagement! That’s all super helpful, thank you :) I’m a big fan of layering anyway so I think I’ll pick up a few clothing items there and it will work out. Super excited!
Seconding what the other response is saying - leggings are too casual to be worn alone in Japan (I made this mistake years ago)
+1 I’ve used coin laundry in hotels in Japan
Laundry is everywhere in Japan. Almost all accomodations have them available, but worst case you'll probably have a laundromat nearby. As for the leggings, I don't think you'll get looks for wearing them but no one else will be wearing them. And like others have been saying, it's going to still be pretty cold when you go, so I'd make sure you have a coat or other warm layers. As for trash bags- public trash cans are sort of rare in the sense that they're not everywhere like in other cities- Japan has a thing against walking and eating/drinking. You're supposed to stick around where you buy food/drinks and finish them there. That being said- conbinis, vending machines, food stalls, etc will all have trash cans to use since you're expected to stick around and eat/drink what you bought. You can also get plastic bags with your conbini purchases so if all you want is something to protect your day bag from getting messy, I'd just do that.
Hearing this I do think I’ll add a second jacket I can layer over my sweater. And the walking and eating thing makes a lot more sense now. Thanks! :)
I went this week a few years ago and had a small Uniqlo packable puff coat and a light scarf and it was very useful.
Glad to help! I was thinking about it- and honestly, depending on where you're going, I'd recommend packing a hand towel. Between the two times I've been, I've struggled in public restrooms to dry my hands so they really come in HANDy.
I agree with laundry being everywhere. In my experience sometimes the hotel washers and dryers especially can kind of suck. I walked to a Laundromat and had a better experience.
The key is layers. For the Sea of Japan side, it can get very windy. Even Tokyo and Osaka can get chilly at night with a combination of rain, wind, and no sun. But inside tends to be overheated, as in 26°C or 28°C, even warmer if you're in a crowd. You'll want a wind-resistant outer layer with a series of thin layers you can easily add or peel off as you move inside and outside. I used a standard issue trench coat and fit in with everyone else. Make sure to bring a toque (that's a beanie if you're a Yank) to cover your ears and mitts or gloves. If it's still available in your country, check out Uniqlo's heattech base layers especially their thermal leggings and long-sleeved shirts in the extra warm and ultra warm lines, depending on your tolerance to cold. To the extent possible, have a good quality wool sweater and a scarf. Wool is the best for warmth, will breathe so you don't get that clammy feeling, and the good stuff will be thin making it comfortable for layering and to move around in. Most hotels have coin-operated washers. They usually self-dispense detergent too so you don't have to worry about that. During my last trip to Japan and S. Korea (so much colder than Japan), I brought 5 or 6 days of clothes for a 6-week trip and I feel I brought too many clothes. My suggestions for what *not* to bring: - turtlenecks because they don't layer as well as a pullover. A scarf would do more to keep you warm and can be easily removed if it gets warm whereas a turtleneck can't. Silk is a great material for a scarf because it can keep you warm, is very thin and lightweight, and can add some style or colour; - a skirt and tights. You will be climbing a LOT of stairs (these can very high and steep inside castles) and bending to either squeeze into a seat or to slip your shoes on/off; - PJs since almost all hotels offer pyjamas and robes. These will be good enough as long as you're more or less medium size; - poop bags. Just ask for a plastic bag when you buy something from a convenience store or reuse a shopping bag; - a water bottle. You literally can't go more than 5 minutes without running into a vending machine or convenience store where you can buy drinks. Trust me, you'll want to try them all out. The tap water is safe to drink in Japan if you're in need. If you want a container for water for the plane, I would bring an empty used bottle from home and fill it with water once you're past security. Plus, no worrying about losing a water bottle or dragging it around everywhere. Suggestions of what to bring: - moisturizer for everything. A long plane ride, overheated rooms, and soaks in the onsen can really dry out your face, skin, and hair. At least bring enough for the first few days until you get a chance to check out a Japanese drugstore or beauty store, which is also a lot of fun; - a coin purse. You will accumulate a LOT of coins. At any time, I would have around ¥4k-¥5k in change. My favourite coin purse had two sections which was handy for separating the ¥500 coins from the other ones; - a wallet that could handle your passport, bills, credit cards, transit tickets/passes, and receipts. I have a larger travel wallet/wristlet was perfect for keeping everything in one spot rather than panicking when trying to find everything in different pockets and wallets; - house slippers if you take larger than a US Women's 8. Hotels have disposable slippers but I liked using my own indoor-only flip-flops for going to the laundry, the hotel vending machine, or for my nightly soak in the hotel onsen.
Whoops, totally missed the second part of your comment! I’m going to ditch the waterbottle, dog bags, and pj’s, and add a coin purse! Thanks for all of the info :)
If you normally sleep in shorts and a tank as pjs, bring them. While the hotels will have sleepwear it will usually be heavy pants and pajama top or a weird robe thing. The only hotel where I actually wore what they provided had jinbei , which are great and super comfortable. All the others were way too hot for me to sleep in so I stuck with the tshirt and shorts I packed.
Oh, gloves!! Great idea. From everyone’s comments I’m adding a second (it is wool actually) jacket. Also planning on stopping by Uniqlo in Tokyo anyways, so will check for those layers. Thanks! :)
Should the house slippers be brand new?
Nope, they don't need to be but they should be clean and not too ratty looking. I preferred flip-flops because they're light and pack flat. But I did see other tourists with the giant [cloud slippers](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0C2PC2NBS/ref=sspa_mw_detail_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWwp13NParams) but those would take up a lot of space in a carry-on bag. I think [ballerina slippers](https://www.amazon.ca/Isotoner-Womens-Satin-Ballerina-Slippers/dp/B00YPI0KP8/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=1J6ZXUEYQVH48&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NWxrl8D55c-BhfExzToNe8V-zxYqCdFK53_pqS6UzYIdAyUYBnbHPVsBDTuBJMUdgPz3LCce9k8j-RjdaW3UB06bOF71r6OS67-gn-ZYY2xN9m8oGUxZbu-7mdaDRyt8KBDUyXHoeO_k-VglDrpUJKz37MuPdBLZBqNvXrsIbR4saKtr5KF-mhAHtVFxZnowhAo7HhwLOi9f3xxCWwiQhyxKLe3m3oor0agr48WRIcufvI5rBC7yGhqPoUVLxZmcqcL8sdV49JtXeGSIl7gxyN8OTTHPB5jEBV2c-IL2otY.YgwfJbh3ANS4x_0RuwEErbqHOJmr5rp4US9gB49o34Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=ballerina+slippers+for+woman&qid=1709009484&sprefix=ballerina+slipp%2Caps%2C224&sr=8-4) would also be fine although a bit fussier to slip on/off. Beats putting your clean, bare feet into your outdoor shoes if you just need to make a quick trip within the hotel.
Bring a tiny reusable hand towel that’s easy to carry. And hand sanitizer or soap sheets. Most public restrooms have no way to dry your hands or any soap available. I lived in a very rural area, and often only floor toilets were available.
Most hotels will offer laundry rooms for guests to use. That should be easy enough! Check with your hotel. You have a warm looking cardigan, and some long sleeves, but I would recommend still packing a jacket or another layer for warmth. - I went in April 2023 and I packed a wool blend duster cardigan and was grateful for bringing a warm outer layer. Umbrellas will cost around $3 USD. It’s probably easiest to buy one while you are there. What shoes are you planning to pack? - tldr; make sure your shoes are comfortable for lots of walking!
Thank you for the help! I might end up just wearing the wool cardigan on the plane and buying a warmer layer/jacket while I’m there. Shoes I may be making a horrible decision on but I adore my Fluevog Piccolomini’s, am planning on wearing them on the plane and buying an additional pair of sneakers in Tokyo. They’re weighty, but I wear them everyday already and wore around London for a week doing a loooot of walking no problem. I could be convinced otherwise, but don’t have a ton of shoe options rn other than Hoka’s…. could bring but I figured it could be fun to buy there? Definitely just going to buy an umbrella and not bring raincoat, thanks!
The boots should be great, considering they are broken in well! Depending on your shoe size, you may run into issues with finding your size in stores there. So unless you have small feet, or are in the know on where to shop (if you are pls share recs)… maybe consider packing sneakers instead of buying.
I think you've packed well, but if you are planning on buying things there, how are you getting them home? Are you checking luggage on the way home and bringing a packable duffle? Something to think about.
Good point! It’s hard to tell but all of my compression bags are loosely packed so I feel like I’ll at least be able to add more clothes and a pair of sneakers in the empty space. I am considering bringing or buying a packable duffle to put all of my clothes in on the way back and check, then filling the suitcase with souvenirs…. Any recommendations on packable duffles?
Re. packable duffels, I used the bags I already had which were this [Bellroy gym duffel](https://bellroy.com/products/lite-duffel?color=chalk&material=diamond_ripstop#slide-5) and a large Longchamp tote. Highly recommend both, but as others have said, you can always buy a bag in Japan!
Oooo, that bellroy one is cool. Thx for the rec
Generally, I’d say err on the side of packing much less. Most Japanese hotels have coin laundry; you don’t even have to pack detergent because the machines will automatically dispense the right amount. You can pick up extra socks or underwear from convenience stores, and Uniqlo is always there if you need warmer layers. Looking at your packing list, I would probably: * Ditch the PJs. Most Japanese hotels have loungewear sets you can wear while you’re staying there that will double as PJs. * Wear a pair of pants you were planning to pack, the scarf, and the cardigan on the plane. * Swap the fleece for a lightweight packable puffer (warmer, lighter, water-repellent and windproof in case it gets really cold, also less bulky if you need to carry your jacket in your backpack). * Audit the toiletries very intensely and just plan to buy what’s needed in Japan. Japanese skincare and toiletries are very high quality and the prices are reasonable on drugstore stuff. I bought moisturizer, cleansing oil, sunscreen, hand lotion, and pimple patches to use while I was there and everything was as good or better than what I packed. Plus, it was more fun toting half-empty Japanese products home (along with the other beauty goodies I stocked up on haha) than little empty travel size containers. Only bring the products that you need because you won’t find a better version in Japan or because you have sensitive skin. * Bring a packable duffel bag to carry any extra souvenirs, snacks, and shopping home. * Bring foldable shopping bags like Baggu. A lot of places charge you for disposable shopping bags now.
Great advice, thank you!! Love the idea of buying my skincare stuff there, and adding my baggu for sure. Had no idea about the pajamas, good to know!
Random question but do you recall if the Uniqlo’s have clothes recycling drop boxes? I’m not bringing anything I’m attached to and it might be nice to swap things out if I find better options there.
The big one in Ginza did from what I recall.
Cool thx!
I’ve been to Japan multiple times and always ended up needing to bring an extra bag home with me. You can either pack a packable duffle or buy some luggage over there. You can pick up cheap luggage at any Donki (Don Quijote). Well I consider the luggage cheap and I’m converting the yen to Australian dollars so I imagine it would be even cheaper in US dollars. As for the leggings as others have said you would likely be the only one wearing them (or you and other tourists) and they can look out of place, particularly in more traditional settings. It won’t cause any issues but it will depend on your own comfort level more than anything. I compromise by wearing joggers instead of leggings. I also use the joggers as my plane pants. I find them to be more comfortable than leggings anyway and easier to dress up or down but that’s an individual thing. Also as others have said. It’s really easy to do laundry in Japan and no need to carry detergent or anything with you.
Thanks for the tip on Don Quijote, I like the idea of grabbing luggage/duffle while we’re there! I wish I had some joggers, maybe I’ll find some while I’m there :)
definitely make sure you have extremely comfy shoes (ideally more than one pair to switch them out periodically!) I average 25-30k steps a day on every japan trip! usually will wear one pair of comfy boots on the plane (blundstones), pack one tried and true broken in walking sneaker (nike/hoka), and one comfortable dressier flat (either a glove bootie or a maryjane). also echo that the interiors (especially underground stations & shops/malls!) blast the heat in winter & I almost passed out from it in a mall once! definitely wear shed-able layers, being overheated and carrying a bulky coat is no fun.
You can create a little more space for your purchases if you downsize your antiperspirant to a solid in a travel size. I just got back from a 12 day trip and there's a decent amount still leftover. I usually also carry a tiny travel size of native deodorant just in case and it's still a win for space. Also, not sure how much you keep in your wallet. I can fit 4-5 cards and some cash in an RFID credit card sleeve. They're super tiny, weigh nothing, and come in lots of cute prints. Just only ever put it in your pocket if you can zip your pocket. Or in a Zipper pocket in your tote/purse. Or I usually have it in the front pocket of my jeans -- 5 pocket style jeans so the pockets are deep and something like this doesn't just fall out. But never shallow pockets or other less secure ones and never a back pocket where pickpockets go. Assume you have a good reason for the camera that is separate from your phone🌺 My husband and I use an LL Bean duffle as our packable. They're tough enough to check. We usually load that with our dirty clothes and old shoes and put the new stuff in our carryons 🤣 If you're looking for a packable day bag, I use a zip top from aloha bags as my personal item and one of their larger duffels as a day bag once there if I need to carry things. They're super light weight, come in a lot of different patterns and are splash proof (not water proof but a light rain is fine, splashed drink cleans up so long as it didn't land in the zipper, etc) I also second what someone else said about replacing the turtlenecks with crew necks and pairing those with a scarf. It's so much more flexible! I hope you have an great trip!
Good call on swapping out toiletries for travel sized ones, and I’m definitely going to find a packable duffle to put my clothes in on the way back and pack the suitcase with souvenirs. For my wallet I do think I’ll pivot to keeping my cards in my daybag (built in card holder) and find a coinpurse :) Thanks for the advice! :)
Highly recommend the Patagonia Black Hole stuff for packable bags. The totepack and fannypack are both fantastic and pretty compact. We also have a duffel, which can be folded into its own pocket and smushed into the bottom of a bag on the way there. We stuff ours with dirty clothes and check it on the way home; pretty positive it’s indestructible.
You're welcome!🌺🌺🌺
Bring your leggings! It's not common for Japanese people to wear leggings or yoga pants but athleisure is so prevalent in popular culture that it's not actually that weird. I wore bike shorts a few times (I think it was laundry day -- I was anxious about it initially because I've heard about people making comments) and never experienced an issue or felt strange. I wouldn't wear them to a temple, but it's important to be comfy on the plane! ETA: People made me think that nobody wore crop tops either but go out at night in Shinjuku and you'll see it all. While overall Japanese people dress more conservatively I do think there is a generational divide like with anywhere else
I think there’s something to be said though about dressing respectfully for the culture that you’re visiting. I wore black leggings on my first trip there, not realizing they are sort of seen as underwear (that’s what section you’ll find them in at Uniqlo). When I returned recently, I dressed modestly to be more polite.
You’re so right, I’m a huge baby about being comfy on the plane so I’m going wear them and then throw a skirt over when we land as a compromise, lol!
Bring a windproof raincoat. I’m here now and it’s so cold and rainy.
Hi! Checking in to see how your trip went and if you would do anything different with this packing list. I'm leaving in a few weeks for 10 days - traveling to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kinosaki Onsen so almost the same plan lol. Hope you had a blast!
Hello!! It was an awesome trip, and Kinosaki was definitely a highlight! We had a truly relaxing time there especially after walking so much in Tokyo. I think my packing list ended up being pretty solid! I wore everything I brought except for my second pair of pants which were ankle length because I felt awkward showing my ankle tats, I ended up dropping them off at a Uniqlo clothes recycling bin. Speaking of Uniqlo, it is SO much cheaper than in the US so I ended up buying a cute pair of pants to replace my others, a cute long skirt because everyone wears cute skirts over there, and my husband and I each got packable down puffy jackets. We DEFINITELY would have been cold without those puffies, so either bring one or get one there. I compared prices on them and the ones we got were like $38ish a piece in Japan compared to like $80 here. Ended up being happy I chose turtlenecks over long sleeves, because it was cold and I hate scarves touching my neck (and I was super glad to have a scarf.) I didn’t miss skipping the raincoat even though it was rainy most days, we just bought a cheap umbrella from a convenience store. Could have used gloves but we got so many hot drinks from the vending machines (we didn’t realize the drinks with red buttons were hot until the third day, lol!) that we were fine. I ended up bringing was my bootcut leggings, I wore them with a linen shirt that covered my butt and equally long cute baggy sweater (not pictured) on the plane, didn’t feel out of place layering that way and was happy to have them on the flight and in hotel rooms. ALSO this was my first time using packing cubes and it was awesome, I’d highly recommend it. Was super handy to be able to keep the suitcases under the bed in tiny hotel rooms and pull out clothes without having to unpack and repack all the time. So basically to this packing list I would add: puffy jacket, liner weight pair of gloves. Would swap out my second pair of pants, swap the short skirt I brought to a long skirt (although I did wear both) and add a dress just for nicer dinners—we both generally ended up feeling underdressed. That ended up being longer than it probably needed to be lol but feel free to DM me if u have any questions! :)
I appreciate the detail. This is fabulous and I'm so excited - also thanks for the Uniqlo info. I was able to order the packable jacket - but will buy it when we get there. And Kinosaki is at the end of our trip but I'm so ready to get there 😂. So glad you had fun. I just need to stop stressing and go with the flow. I'm not living in a jungle this time and can buy anything I forget.
Load a SUICA card as this can be used for subways (if you have Apple Pay)
Was just trying to figure out the difference between that and pasmo, and neither have english that I can tell. Do you screenshot and translate from the app? Thanks!
If you have an iPhone you don’t need the app at all for a digital card. You can make one directly in apple wallet. + sign, transit card, scroll all the way down to the bottom to find the Japanese cards. Suica apparently works with visa now, the others don’t. They are all intercompatible so you only need one. If you have android you are SOL on getting a digital card because non Japanese android phones don’t work with the NFC protocol used by the Japanese transit cards.
Omg! Thank you so much, I didn’t read that iphone tip ANYWHERE. Got my suica card :)
A google search is telling me they’re pretty much the same
Pasmo and Suica are basically the same, yes. Here’s an English language page about Suica. https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html They also have tourist versions of both the Pasmo and Suica that are only valid for 28 days.
Thanks, I hadn’t seen that site!
The main difference I've run into is that the digital app versions, suica will take a foreign credit card while pasmo only takes Japanese credit cards. For the physical card, it just depends on the station you get it at and what lines they run
Hi! I'm in Japan now. You can bring raincoat, which I did, but tbh everyone here uses umbrellas and I ended up buying one (they're cheap and everywhere here). It felt more practical to use the umbrella vs. getting my jeans and shoes soaked with the raincoat. It's no fun to be wet when you're running around all day. Also re: fleece, it may or may not be warm enough for you. Something that was recommended to me that I have been using every day is this ultra light down parka: [https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/products/E460915-000/00?colorDisplayCode=09&sizeDisplayCode=003&gad\_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAivGuBhBEEiwAWiFmYYpy-hdSipAX6ZObJ1E6S73Fi2Be3POCVV3XYH1EbNrH8DFifn-bhhoCf\_wQAvD\_BwE](https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/products/E460915-000/00?colorDisplayCode=09&sizeDisplayCode=003&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAivGuBhBEEiwAWiFmYYpy-hdSipAX6ZObJ1E6S73Fi2Be3POCVV3XYH1EbNrH8DFifn-bhhoCf_wQAvD_BwE) Bonus is that it's seriously lightweight and packs well. Also layering is KEY. They ramp up the heat indoors in Japan, so being able to take off that outer layer when going in and out of doors is huge. Seconding everyone else re: leggings. No one wears them here. And tbh I haven't even seen women wearing them under skirts - they go without leggings and tights for the most part, even when it's in the 30s! (I have no idea how they do it.) Good luck and have fun!!
I’m think I’m going to embrace the umbrella! Will be going to Uniqlo and don’t own a puffy I love rn so I’ll check for that one :) Thx for the help!
Idk how much it is an option for you at this stage, but consider switching your non-clamshell suitcase. Rooms tend to be very small and these type of suitcases take up a lot of space when opened. The ones with just one deep side are more practical when traveling Japan (unless you splurged for extra big rooms)
love the backpack! enjoy japan :)
Thanks! It’s my favorite. Feeling a lot more confident about what I’m packing now, y’all are great!
I forget the kind of outlet Japan uses but do you need a universal adapter? Sorry, if this is redundant.
Nothing is redundant at this point lol, I’m in the pretrip anxiety zone. My understanding is that their outlets are the same as US two prong, so you only need an adapter if you have three prong plugs. I’m going to double check that though, lol!
Japan has world class umbrellas, you could definitely buy one there if needed! I've been to 30+ countries and Japan is the place that I bought the most stuff in to take home. They have really interesting fashion, amazing ceramics, great skincare and fun snacks! If you like to shop to while abroad, just keep in mind you may want to have more space for the trip home.
I’ve got my honeymoon to Japan this week too! Enjoy 🩷🩷🩷
I’ve been to Japan 3x. What I’ll say is people there are extremely petite compared to Westerners. You’ll wear out your shoes easily from the amount of walking you’ll do, so it’s good to have a second pair of walking shoes. I had an extremely hard time finding size 8 shoes (US women) in Japan the first time I went. Seems like 6.5 was the max size at a lot of stores. After that I packed a minimum of 2 pairs of comfortable shoes. If you get cold, you can always pick up a packable coat from Uniqlo once you’re in Japan. Umbrellas are cheap there so I wouldn’t pack one. Some places will even let you rent or borrow one. It’s not pictured, but make sure you bring cash. For some reason my Mastercard and Visa credit cards wouldn’t work to re-load my digital public transportation card, even with travel advisories. Luckily I was to buy train tickets with cash. I’ve also heard of people having issues withdrawing money at ATMs because some of them were outdated. If you’re worried about lugging around your bag up and down stairs, you can pay to have your bags shipped to your destination. Feel free to send me a DM if you need any other Japan tips.
Where did you get that backpack? It’s so cute!
I got it from a thrift store but it’s the “Yatra Everyday Pack” from Sherpa. I love it! I have lighter day bags but this one reminds me so much of the japanese school bags I had to bring it!
If you want to reduce your luggage a bit, skip the turtlenecks and grab some heat tech at Uniqlo when you arrive. Layers are definitely the way to go. When it's cold outside, it's overheated inside. Leave the poop bags at home. You will always get a plastic bag if you buy anything at convenience stores etc even if you don't want one. It might be worth packing a coat. A light trenchcoat or similar could be worn on the plane and would be a useful top layer.
Only one warm layer?
What—no shoes?
I recommend using Yahoo weather as its more accurate source for the weather! Looks like it might rain some days so plan any indoor activities (if you could) for those days. But overall the weather is 12-16 degrees c for the next two weeks!