Tokyo Packing List 2026: The Essential Japan Packing Guide

👕 Clothing

Tokyo is style-conscious without being strict. The vibe is smart-casual.

• ☐4–5 versatile outfits (smart-casual is the Tokyo standard)
• ☐1–2 slightly nicer outfits for dinner reservations or Shinjuku nightlife
• ☐Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes — Tokyo requires serious walking (15,000–25,000 steps/day is normal)
• ☐Light jacket or cardigan (convenience stores and trains have aggressive air conditioning)
• ☐Compact umbrella or rain poncho (Japan is rainy)
• ☐Slip-on sandals or shoes — you'll remove footwear constantly at temples, some restaurants, ryokans
• ☐Socks without holes — you'll be showing them everywhere

🌸 Seasonal note: Cherry blossom (March/April) = layering. Summer (July/August) = brutal heat, dress as light as possible. Autumn = best weather.

📱 Electronics

• ☐Smartphone + charging cables (bring both USB-A and USB-C)
• ☐Type A travel adapter — Japan uses flat 2-pin plugs (same as US). European plugs DO NOT fit. This is the most common mistake.
• ☐Powerbank — public charging is rare
• ☐Pocket WiFi or eSIM — mobile data is essential in Japan. Rent a pocket WiFi at the airport or activate an eSIM before arrival
• ☐Headphones
• ☐Camera (optional, but Shibuya Crossing, Fushimi Inari, and autumn foliage deserve better than a phone)

💊 Hygiene & Health

• ☐Sunscreen (even in spring — Japan's UV index is higher than you'd expect)
• ☐Moisturizer (air con and heating are relentless on skin)
• ☐Check your medications — many common Western medicines are prohibited in Japan (some cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine, some ADHD medications). Verify on the MHLW website before you go
• ☐Small pack of tissues (many public toilets have no paper or hand towels — Japanese people always carry pocket tissues)
• ☐Hand sanitizer (standard in Japan, but good habit)
• ☐Feminine hygiene products — available in big drugstores (Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Sundrug) but harder to find on rural temple trails

📄 Documents

• ☐Passport (valid for 6+ months)
• ☐Visa: most EU nationals (including Germans) get 90 days visa-free under the Visa Waiver program
• ☐Health insurance (Japan is expensive for medical care)
• ☐Printed or offline hotel confirmations (helpful at immigration)
• ☐Copies of all documents
• ☐Hotel business card in Japanese — many taxi drivers don't speak English; having the address in Japanese is a lifesaver

🎒 Extras

• ☐IC Card (Suica or Pasmo) — buy at the airport. Use it for trains, metro, and convenience store purchases
• ☐Cash (JPY) — Japan is still heavily cash-based, especially outside Tokyo
• ☐Foldable daypack for excursions
• ☐Small reusable bag (plastic bags aren't freely given anymore)
• ☐Small notebook (for Kyoto café journaling — the vibe demands it)

🇯🇵 Japan-Specific Tips