trying to pack light for Japan - what do we REALLY need?

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to pack really lightly for 10 days in Japan in August. We will be able to do laundry once or twice while there, so that helps.

Please help - what do we need/not need on this trip? This not a comprehensive list but are the things I have questions about. We've never been so I just don't know what is expected to wear in Tokyo/Kyoto.

Me (45 year old woman):
- planning on just bringing dresses, skirts, and shorts. No pants. Seems too hot for jeans/pants. Agree?
- shoes: bringing running shoes, Vejas, 1 pair of comfortable walking sandals that work with dresses or shorts, and 1 pair of nicer sandals that can be worn with nice dresses out to dinner

Husband:
- khaki/dress pants & button down shirt
- same question on jeans - would he want/need any?
- will bring shorts, polo shirts, t-shirts

Teen son (who prefers to wear athletic shorts and t-shirt whenever possible)
- bringing 1 pair of khaki pants
- 2 polo shirts
- 2 pair of khaki/cotton shorts
- jeans? He doesn't really like to wear jeans but should we bring a pair for any reason?
- shoes: sneakers, keen sandals. I guess he will have to wear the sneakers w/ the khaki pants should we go somewhere nicer to dinner.

Any advice/tips would be great. Hoping to keep everyone's items in one carry-on bag each and then one small bag to check that will have liquids and anything else that doesn't fit in the other bags.

[Anonymous]

Why are you packing so light? Japan has the Takkyubin service for parcel delivery between hotels/airports/train stations. I used it a few years ago to send two checked bags from a Tokyo hotel to Kansai Airport for less than $20. Picked them up two days later right before the flight home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you packing so light? Japan has the Takkyubin service for parcel delivery between hotels/airports/train stations. I used it a few years ago to send two checked bags from a Tokyo hotel to Kansai Airport for less than $20. Picked them up two days later right before the flight home.

I don't want to have two suitcases per person.

After Japan we are spending another week on vacation on the west coast. We're moving hotels every few days in Japan, and I feel like one bag per person plus a checked bag is plenty, particularly when we can do laundry a few times on the trip. What do you think we need that would necessitate more bags?

[Anonymous]

I would stick to one, max two pairs of shoes per person; they take up so much space and weight. Choose something you can walk in comfortably. You will not want jeans. I would just pack knee length shorts or very light weight trousers or skirts. Lots of bug spray, though; the mosquitoes are intense. For tops, again, aim for lightweight. Many Japanese women still wear long sleeves in the summer for UV protection but always super thin fabric because it will be very hot and very very humid. Japan tends to not air condition as strongly as the US in order to save energy so you’ll only want one warm outfit for the plane. There’s not really a “should” for tourists in Japan; the Japanese tend not to apply their social norms to outsiders.

[Anonymous]

It’s going to be extremely hot and you walk EVERYWHERE. I ended up walking 10+ miles one day (in jeans) and was chafing painfully.

So yeah, light cool clothes, shorts as much as possible, sneakers (and any non-sneakers should be good for walking).

If you’re going for kaiseki or any kind of traditional restaurant have a nice outfit that also allows you to sit on the floor.

[Anonymous]

I can't think of why you'd need jeans in the summer in Japan. But are you someone who'd rather have the extra thing just in case, or are you someone who'd rather just deal with it if it turns out you wish you'd brought something you didn't think you'd want?

You can also run into a Uniqlo or Muji (or another store) and pick up whatever you wish you had with you.

That said I think I would commit hari kari if I was in sweaty Japan for 10 days and had all of two shirts to swap between. It is HUMID (if I am remembering right) and it's nice to change your shirt at least once a day so you don't stink and so you feel better.

Why do you get 4 pairs of shoes, but your son only gets two shirts?

If you're checking a bag with liquids, can't you fit some extra clothes in there so you guys aren't walking around these cities in dirty clothes?

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of places where you will need to remove your shoes, so shoes that can be worn with socks but you can put on and take off easily are a good idea

[Anonymous]

Don't bring jeans, you'll die of heatstroke.
Foreigners have "privilege" as in they can wear whatever they want without fear of disapproval.
One thing I noticed is that Japanese women will wear micro mini skirts but will not show any decolletage, not even the collarbone!
Personally I bought a lot of clothes because they were so cute! So you might not need much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't think of why you'd need jeans in the summer in Japan. But are you someone who'd rather have the extra thing just in case, or are you someone who'd rather just deal with it if it turns out you wish you'd brought something you didn't think you'd want?

You can also run into a Uniqlo or Muji (or another store) and pick up whatever you wish you had with you.

That said I think I would commit hari kari if I was in sweaty Japan for 10 days and had all of two shirts to swap between. It is HUMID (if I am remembering right) and it's nice to change your shirt at least once a day so you don't stink and so you feel better.

Why do you get 4 pairs of shoes, but your son only gets two shirts?

If you're checking a bag with liquids, can't you fit some extra clothes in there so you guys aren't walking around these cities in dirty clothes?

sorry, yeah my post was unclear. My sons would absolutely be bringing several pairs of shorts and t-shirts!! Athletic ones, that they want to bring. I was just asking if they needed the items I listed. Same with me - I'll have several casual outfits to walk around in, just wondering if I also needed those other things.

No one will EVER wear dirty smelly clothes! We'll have enough to wear for 6-7 days and then do laundry, and re-wear those items once they've been laundered. Sorry for the confusion.

[Anonymous]

A passport. Essential meds. Everything else can be procured there quite easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't think of why you'd need jeans in the summer in Japan. But are you someone who'd rather have the extra thing just in case, or are you someone who'd rather just deal with it if it turns out you wish you'd brought something you didn't think you'd want?

You can also run into a Uniqlo or Muji (or another store) and pick up whatever you wish you had with you.

That said I think I would commit hari kari if I was in sweaty Japan for 10 days and had all of two shirts to swap between. It is HUMID (if I am remembering right) and it's nice to change your shirt at least once a day so you don't stink and so you feel better.

Why do you get 4 pairs of shoes, but your son only gets two shirts?

If you're checking a bag with liquids, can't you fit some extra clothes in there so you guys aren't walking around these cities in dirty clothes?

sorry, yeah my post was unclear. My sons would absolutely be bringing several pairs of shorts and t-shirts!! Athletic ones, that they want to bring. I was just asking if they needed the items I listed. Same with me - I'll have several casual outfits to walk around in, just wondering if I also needed those other things.

No one will EVER wear dirty smelly clothes! We'll have enough to wear for 6-7 days and then do laundry, and re-wear those items once they've been laundered. Sorry for the confusion.

OK, yeah, I misunderstood That makes more sense.

[Anonymous]

I’d look into how shorts are likely to be received. Japan remains a fairly conservative place. Have shoes you can easily take off when entering places. And I’m glad to see you’re aware of the importance of not smelling bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d look into how shorts are likely to be received. Japan remains a fairly conservative place. Have shoes you can easily take off when entering places. And I’m glad to see you’re aware of the importance of not smelling bad.

Shorts are fine. You won’t see many Japanese women wearing them without tights underneath but no one expects foreigners to subscribe to Japanese social norms. Kansai is moderately more conservative than Tokyo, but again: if you don’t look Japanese no one cares.

Shoes that are easy to take off and on is a very good idea; if you’ve visiting temples/historical buildings/traditional restaurants you’ll have to take your shoes off and there will be limited seating to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't think of why you'd need jeans in the summer in Japan. But are you someone who'd rather have the extra thing just in case, or are you someone who'd rather just deal with it if it turns out you wish you'd brought something you didn't think you'd want?

You can also run into a Uniqlo or Muji (or another store) and pick up whatever you wish you had with you.

That said I think I would commit hari kari if I was in sweaty Japan for 10 days and had all of two shirts to swap between. It is HUMID (if I am remembering right) and it's nice to change your shirt at least once a day so you don't stink and so you feel better.

Why do you get 4 pairs of shoes, but your son only gets two shirts?

If you're checking a bag with liquids, can't you fit some extra clothes in there so you guys aren't walking around these cities in dirty clothes?

Depends on your size. Japanese XL shoes are approximately size 8 US womens. Japanese XL clothes are somewhere around 6 or 8 in tops; Uniqlo only goes up to 4/6 in bottoms and trousers. So don’t bet on being able to buy clothes easily unless you’re small.

[Anonymous]

It’s humid and hot as f#ck. Pack accordingly. Bring a water bottle