Packing for Kyoto and Tokyo

[Anonymous]

So true. You carry your trash with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those of you who’ve been or are from there, what is appropriate for a 45 year old woman to wear while at business meetings, dinners, outings and sightseeing?

I spent years doing business there, with the military and in the defense industry. I mention that because it skews conservative and your industry might be less so. Wear business suits, either skirts or slacks. Don't wear bold or loud prints. Hair neat, and if very long, consider pulling it back or up. Make sure you take business cards with both hands. If you're the boss, sit in the middle of the table. If you're not, don't--or sit at the right hand of your boss.

For dinner, wear a nice dress or silk blouse/slacks. Don't show cleavage if you want to be taken seriously. (Not that easy for me, I look like a barbie doll. Well, an old one. But jeez)

For tourist stuff, doesn't really matter. Whatever is comfortable. Shopping is great in both places if you have time, and if you are a smaller size.

[Anonymous]

Navy blue is good, too.

[Anonymous]

Ugh I wrote a long response and somehow lost it. I’m sorry I don’t have time to rewrite it for you, but the number one thing that needs to be emphasized more (on top of the great advice you’ve already gotten above), is that everything you wear should look clean and tidy, like-new. No stains, nothing “well-worn”, no holes. Shoes, bag, coat should also look clean and not be worn down. Your hair should be tidy, “clean girl” -type makeup. This is part of good personal comportment, hygiene, and etiquette in JP. De-emphasize the figure and stay covered up. The humidity does not feel significant until the later half of the year…right now feels similar to the area, but you will need to plan to layer and unlayer and account for rain. Consider buying a tiny folding umbrella at the airport to keep in your bag, much smaller than anything you can find in the US. Also carry lots of cash bc some of the best places do not take card. If you’ll be going sockless w your shoes, consider keeping a small pair of ankle socks in your bag in case you go anywhere that shoes must be removed (though this may not happen - it’s possible your colleagues would avoid such places in consideration of the fact that you are a foreigner and may not feel comfortable). Thank you for caring to ask and being attentive of local norms as a traveler. I hope you have a wonderful trip and that you love Japan!

[Anonymous]

^also to add a quick note to piggy back off of the defense contractors notes above about sitting at tables, back to the wall, facing out into the room, is a more VIP position than facing just the wall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those of you who’ve been or are from there, what is appropriate for a 45 year old woman to wear while at business meetings, dinners, outings and sightseeing?

I spent years doing business there, with the military and in the defense industry. I mention that because it skews conservative and your industry might be less so. Wear business suits, either skirts or slacks. Don't wear bold or loud prints. Hair neat, and if very long, consider pulling it back or up. Make sure you take business cards with both hands. If you're the boss, sit in the middle of the table. If you're not, don't--or sit at the right hand of your boss.

For dinner, wear a nice dress or silk blouse/slacks. Don't show cleavage if you want to be taken seriously. (Not that easy for me, I look like a barbie doll. Well, an old one. But jeez)

For tourist stuff, doesn't really matter. Whatever is comfortable. Shopping is great in both places if you have time, and if you are a smaller size.

Gosh, would you be open to a coffee? I’m starting to do business there and my first trip was in December. I went into three business buildings in Tokyo where I had meetings and I did not interact with a single woman except for the receptionists. I’ve now been invited to speak at a conference and they are flying men speakers business class and women premium economy. Don’t get me wrong, not complaining about class of travel, but I am not sure how to deal with the lack of women in business.

[Anonymous]

First, congrats at having a seat at the table. How do you know that the trip is planned differently for women speakers? I personally would hold out or upgrade to business class. You'll be compared to well rested speakers and a woman has to be perfect.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any advice for Tokyo Disney? We're going in early May and while I have clothing for Tokyo itself, I don't know what to wear to take my 7-year old to Disney World. I assume the leggings and sneakers that would be fine for Orlando won't quite be up to snuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another note: you will not find trash cans as you walk around Tokyo. So if you buy that coffee to go - you're carrying it until you get to your hotel. Which is when I noticed that people don't really walk around with open drinks and food the way you see in US cities. And it's Japan that's litter-free.

Eating in public while walking around is really bad manners in Japan

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any advice for Tokyo Disney? We're going in early May and while I have clothing for Tokyo itself, I don't know what to wear to take my 7-year old to Disney World. I assume the leggings and sneakers that would be fine for Orlando won't quite be up to snuff.

I just got back from Tokyo. Leggings and sneakers don't stand out anywhere. You'll want to be comfortable as sightseeing, esp. Disney, is a workout.
You walk a lot. I would suggest not tight all over, e.g. a vest, tunic topper or light loose jacket would look more appropriately conservative and polished. I wore this in black.https://shop.lululemon.com/p/jackets-and-hoodies-jackets/Down-For-It-All-Vest/_/prod9200030?color=33454 everywhere , even Michelin restaurants at end of day and not out of place.

[Anonymous]

I was just in Tokyo two weeks ago. It was chilly and rainy. Lots of black. Women were wearing wide leg pants with sneakers and coats. Some dresses when it was a little warmer. Jeans are fine but I saw them less frequently. No leggings. Business meeting would probably be more formal than here. Heels and suits (skirt or pants). Research how to take/give business cards and practice doing a little bow/head dip).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any advice for Tokyo Disney? We're going in early May and while I have clothing for Tokyo itself, I don't know what to wear to take my 7-year old to Disney World. I assume the leggings and sneakers that would be fine for Orlando won't quite be up to snuff.

I just got back from Tokyo. Leggings and sneakers don't stand out anywhere. You'll want to be comfortable as sightseeing, esp. Disney, is a workout.
You walk a lot. I would suggest not tight all over, e.g. a vest, tunic topper or light loose jacket would look more appropriately conservative and polished. I wore this in black.https://shop.lululemon.com/p/jackets-and-hoodies-jackets/Down-For-It-All-Vest/_/prod9200030?color=33454 everywhere , even Michelin restaurants at end of day and not out of place.

I did not see any leggings at all in recent 12 days in Tokyo or any of the many times I’ve been there previously. I’d go for looser casual clothes.

[Anonymous]

Keep it classic and avoid anything too tight or revealing. Modesty is the key. What a 45 yo adult woman may wear in Japan.

[Anonymous]

PP here (not OP). Walking and eating or drinking is frowned upon in Japan. Even at Starbucks, you are encouraged to sit and eat. A meal is a meal - sit and take the time to eat it. There's a reason why there are no trash cans - take the hint and respect the culture around you.

[Anonymous]

The only people wearing leggings in Japan are Americans.