What to pack for Japan: packing list 2026

Essential documents

Document	Essential	Notes
Passport	Yes	At least 6 months' validity from the entry date. Carry a separate photocopy.
Travel insurance	Yes	With minimum medical cover of €30,000 and repatriation. Japanese healthcare is expensive without insurance.
Flight ticket, printed or on phone	Yes	Always keep an offline copy in case there is no wifi.
Hotel reservations	Yes	You need the address of the first accommodation for the immigration form.
International driving permit	Only if you rent a car	Mandatory to drive in Japan. Arrange it before leaving.
Credit/debit card	Yes	Visa or Mastercard. Bring at least two different cards in case one fails.

Electronics and connectivity

Type A plug adapter — mandatory from Europe. The Japanese plug has two flat pins and the current is 100 V at 50/60 Hz (50 Hz in the east, including Tokyo; 60 Hz in the west, Osaka and Kyoto); the European one does not fit without an adapter. Buy one before leaving (2–5 €) or in any Daiso on arrival (100 ¥). All the details in the guide to plugs and voltage in Japan.
eSIM or tourist SIM — the cheapest and most convenient option to have data as soon as you land. An eSIM for Japan is activated before leaving and costs around 10–20 € for 2 weeks. If your phone does not support eSIM, buy a tourist data SIM at the airport on arrival (from about 1,500 ¥). See the full comparison in the guide to internet and connectivity in Japan.
Charger or power bank — the days in Japan are long and your phone with Google Maps drains. A 10,000 mAh battery is enough for a full day.
Universal charger with USB-C and USB-A — modern phone and laptop chargers are universal (100–240 V) and work in Japan with just the shape adapter.
Headphones — on trains it is forbidden to talk on the phone; headphones are essential for podcasts and music.

What you can leave at home: the pocket WiFi (the eSIM is cheaper and more convenient), the voltage transformer (modern chargers are already universal).

Clothing by season

Season	Temperature	Essential clothing	Notes
Spring (Mar–May)	8–24 °C	Layers: t-shirt + jumper + light jacket	Mornings are cool; midday can be warm. Bring a folding umbrella.
Summer (Jun–Aug)	24–36 °C	Very light, breathable, short-sleeved clothing	Extreme heat and humidity. Factor 50 sunscreen. Cooling wipes (sold at konbini).
Autumn (Sep–Nov)	10–28 °C	Layers + light waterproof	October is ideal: neither cold nor hot. November requires a coat for the evenings.
Winter (Dec–Feb)	2–12 °C	Coat, thick jumper, gloves, scarf	The inside of buildings is very heated; use layers.

Tips specific to Japan

Socks without holes — you will visit many temples and traditional houses where you have to take off your shoes.
Comfortable walking shoes — you will do 15,000–25,000 steps a day. Do not break in new footwear in Japan.
Modest clothing — Japan is fairly conservative about dress for entering temples and shrines. Avoid very revealing clothing in these contexts.
Small umbrella — it rains without warning; in Japan there are cheap umbrellas in any konbini for 500 ¥.

Not sure what season you are travelling in yet? The guide to when to travel to Japan compares the four seasons (climate, crowds and prices) so you can adjust your packing to your dates.

Medication and health

Japan controls the entry of medication more strictly than other destinations. Without prior paperwork, you can bring up to one month of a prescription medication and up to two months of an over-the-counter medication for your own use; for larger quantities an import permit is needed, the Yunyu Kakunin-sho (formerly called Yakkan Shomei), which is worth applying for at least a couple of weeks before the trip. Always carry medication in its original packaging with the leaflet and the prescription.

Important: some substances very common in Europe are banned in Japan, even if you buy them without a prescription. This is the case for pseudoephedrine (cold and flu decongestants, Vicks-type nasal inhalers) and codeine (present in some cough syrups and painkillers). Do not pack them. If in doubt about any drug, consult the Japanese embassy in your country before leaving.

Regular medication — bring enough for the whole trip plus a few extra days, within the one-month limit with a prescription, and keep the prescription handy in case it is requested at customs.
Painkiller — ibuprofen and paracetamol are available in Japanese pharmacies, but the packaging is in Japanese. Bring your own.
Anti-diarrhoeal — the change in diet can affect you. Loperamide is sold in Japan but with instructions in Japanese.
Sunscreen — in summer, factor 50 minimum. Japanese sunscreens are excellent and can be bought in any drugstore (Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Sundrug), but they are more expensive.
Foot cream or anti-blister — you will cover many kilometres on foot. Blisters can ruin days of travel.
Travel insurance with medical cover — Japanese healthcare is excellent but expensive. An emergency consultation can cost 200–500 €.

See also Travel insurance for Japan Visa and documents for Japan

What to leave at home (or buy in Japan)

Item	Bring it?	Alternative in Japan
Hair dryer (220 V only)	No	Hotels and ryokan have one; if it is dual voltage (100–240 V), you can bring it.
Large towels	No	All accommodation includes them. The ryokan includes a yukata too.
Soap and shampoo	No	Included in almost all accommodation; at the konbini for 200–500 ¥.
Large umbrella	No	At konbinis and supermarkets for 500 ¥. Bringing a small folding one does make sense.
Plastic bags	No	At any konbini. In Japan they are charged for.
Home currency in cash	No	Withdraw yen directly at the 7-Eleven ATM on arrival or exchange beforehand. Details in the guide to money in Japan.
Basic over-the-counter medication	Bring your own	They exist in Japan but the packaging is in Japanese.

See also Plugs and voltage in Japan Internet and connectivity in Japan Basic Japanese phrases Tipping in Japan

Travel light: how to get around without dragging your suitcase

In Japan you travel better with less. The rooms in business hotels are small, the trains are full at rush hour and every change of city means carrying everything up platforms and stairs. Three resources let you bring half the luggage:

Takkyubin: door-to-door luggage forwarding

The takkyubin (or takuhaibin) is the courier service the Japanese use to send suitcases from one hotel to another. You arrange it at your accommodation reception or at any konbini: for 1,500–2,500 ¥ per suitcase they pick it up and deliver it the next day at your next hotel. It is ideal for the Shinkansen legs or for arriving at Hakone with just a day pack while the large suitcase travels straight to Kyoto. Send it with a day's margin: it is not same-day delivery.

Laundry: wash mid-trip and bring clothes for a week

You do not need to bring clothes for the whole three weeks. The coin laundries (self-service launderettes) are in every neighbourhood and many hotels have a washer-dryer on the floor: a full wash with drying costs 200–400 ¥ and takes about an hour. Washing once or twice during the trip lets you pack for 5–7 days instead of for the whole trip, which completely changes the weight you carry.

Lockers in stations for day-trip days

The large stations have coin lockers (300–800 ¥/day depending on size). They are very handy on the departure or arrival day, when you have already checked out but want to make the most of the day without your suitcase in tow.

The large luggage rule on the Shinkansen

Since 2020, on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu lines, luggage whose three dimensions add up to more than 160 cm (a large checked suitcase) needs a seat with space for oversized baggage, which is reserved free when buying the ticket. If you bring a suitcase of that size without the reservation, there is a 1,000 ¥ fee on board. The measurement is the sum of height, width and depth including wheels and handle; if you travel with cabin luggage it does not affect you, but it is worth knowing when reserving a seat with a JR Pass.

See also Transport around Japan and the Shinkansen Comparison of itineraries by duration

With your suitcase ready, plan the route The planner distributes the nights between cities, calculates the budget and suggests accommodation and activities for each stop.

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Frequently asked questions

What documents do I need to enter Japan?

A passport with at least 6 months' validity from entry, a return ticket and sufficient funds. Citizens of many countries (EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia and others) do not need a visa for Japan for tourist stays of up to 90 days. It is recommended to register on Visit Japan Web before the trip to speed up immigration.

Do I need a plug adapter for Japan?

Yes. Japan uses the Type A plug (two flat pins) and the current is 100 V at 50/60 Hz, compared with the 230 V of Europe. Europeans need a shape adapter (2–5 €). Most modern chargers are universal (100–240 V) and do not need a transformer, just the adapter. All the details in the guide to plugs in Japan.

How much cash to bring to Japan?

Bring the equivalent of 200–300 € in yen for the first few days (temples, metros, small restaurants). The rest you withdraw at the 7-Eleven or Japan Post ATMs, which accept international cards. Always have between 5,000 and 15,000 ¥ in cash available. You can check the current exchange rate in the euro to yen converter.

Is it better to bring a suitcase or a backpack to Japan?

It depends on the type of trip. Japanese trains have space for suitcases, but at rush hour it can be uncomfortable. The takkyubin service (luggage forwarding between hotels, 1,500–2,500 ¥) lets you travel light. For routes with many cities, a backpack or cabin suitcase works better. Check the comparison of itineraries by duration to see how many cities your route includes and adjust your luggage accordingly.

Is there a hair dryer in Japanese hotels?

Yes. Practically all hotels and ryokan in Japan include a hair dryer in the room. It is one of the items you do not need to bring.

Can I do laundry during the trip in Japan?

Yes, and it is the most recommended way to travel light. The coin laundries (self-service launderettes) are spread across every neighbourhood and many hotels have a washer-dryer on the floor: a full wash with drying costs between 200 and 400 ¥ and takes about an hour. Washing once or twice mid-trip lets you pack for 5–7 days instead of for the whole trip.

How do I avoid dragging my suitcase between cities?

Use the takkyubin (takuhaibin), the door-to-door luggage courier service. You arrange it at the hotel reception or at a konbini: for 1,500–2,500 ¥ per suitcase they deliver it the next day at your next accommodation, so you travel by train with just a day pack. Send it with a day's margin, because it is not same-day delivery. More on getting around in the guide to transport around Japan.

What clothes to bring to Japan in spring?

In spring (March–May), temperatures range from 8 to 24 °C. The key is layers: t-shirt, jumper or sweatshirt and a light jacket. Mornings are cool and at midday it can be warm. Also bring a small folding umbrella and comfortable shoes for lots of walking. Check when to travel to Japan to know what to bring depending on the time of year.

Can I buy clothes in Japan if I forget something?

Yes. Uniqlo, H&M and Zara are in all large cities with European sizes. Local Japanese sizes tend to be smaller than European ones (about one size down). Konbinis have socks, underwear and basic items at reasonable prices.

What medications cannot be brought to Japan?

Some medications common in Europe are banned or restricted in Japan: pseudoephedrine (cold and flu decongestants, Vicks-type nasal inhalers) and codeine (certain cough syrups and painkillers), as well as certain psychotropics. Without prior paperwork you can bring up to one month of prescription medication and up to two months of over-the-counter medication for personal use; for more, the Yunyu Kakunin-sho permit is needed. Always carry the prescription and consult the Japanese embassy in your country if you have doubts before leaving. The guide to visa for Japan includes information on documents and entry restrictions.