Essential Packing Guide for a Japan Vacation
Before heading to the Land of the Rising Sun, here's a checklist of essential items to bring with you: - A cap for summer, along with sunscreen
Before heading to the Land of the Rising Sun, here's a checklist of essential items to bring with you:
- A cap for summer, along with sunscreen (the sun is intense from July to September).
- An umbrella for both summer and winter to protect you from rain or sun (sometimes provided complimentary at hotels like SunRoute in Tokyo)
- A backpack to carry your guidebooks, a sweater, souvenirs, a water bottle, and more.
- One or two water bottles depending on the weather
- Comfortable walking shoes (and easy to slip off for the temples of Kyoto)
- A watch since museums, temples... close early.
- An electrical adapter, or even two if you have multiple devices like a laptop, camera, camcorder, or iPhone (note: American adapters work as long as the male plug can retract).
- A sweatshirt for temperature differences between outdoors and heavily air-conditioned spaces like museums.
- An iPhone for the time and built-in maps to use with integrated GPS, but also to photograph small maps in cities to navigate (guidebook maps and free maps are often imprecise).
- A laptop to download photos if you don't have multiple memory cards or a large USB drive to use on hotel computers to back up your photos.
- Sunglasses
- A pen to write your postcards
- One or two travel guides to discover the country
- Extra space in your luggage to bring home souvenirs
- Your passport (allow 3 weeks to obtain it)
- In summer, cropped pants or shorts, and in winter, warm clothing
- A swimsuit for public onsens that accept swimwear (in some cases, you must go unclothed)
- If possible, a wide-angle camera especially for Kyoto's temples, which are very compact.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Japan uses Type A outlets (two flat pins) with 100V voltage. If you're coming from France, an adapter is essential. Good news: American adapters work directly in Japan, provided the male plug is retractable. Consider bringing one or two if you're traveling with multiple devices (smartphone, camera, laptop).
In summer (July-September), Japan is hot and humid. Pack light clothing (shorts, cropped pants, dresses), a cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Don't forget a lightweight sweater for heavily air-conditioned spaces like museums and shopping centers. A compact umbrella is also very useful for sudden showers.
The rules vary by establishment. In most traditional onsens, nudity is required and swimsuits are prohibited. However, some mixed or tourist-oriented onsens do accept swimwear. Always check with the facility before your visit. Bringing a swimsuit is still advisable to be prepared.
Choose comfortable walking shoes since you'll be on your feet most of the day. Opt for styles that are easy to slip off and on quickly, as you'll need to remove your shoes regularly at temple entrances, traditional houses, and certain restaurants, especially in Kyoto.
Yes, Japan remains a cash-oriented society. Many shops, restaurants, temples, and transportation services don't accept foreign credit cards. Remember to withdraw yen from ATMs at 7-Eleven or Japan Post, which typically accept international cards. Always keep a cash reserve with you.
Google Maps is your best ally, especially for the complex public transportation systems in major cities. Download offline maps before departure. The Google Translate app with camera mode (to read kanji) is also essential. For transportation, the Hyperdia or Japan Official Travel App will help you calculate train itineraries.
