Little City Trips

What to pack for Tokyo

Here we help you prepare what to pack for Japan and Tokyo based on our insider knowledge.

Our first tip for packing for Japan is to pack light. Public transport and train stations are often crowded so you don’t want to be lumbered with lots of luggage.

Also, be sure to leave room in your suitcase for shopping. Tokyo is a shopping paradise and you are sure to want to buy lots of extra things to squeeze into your suitcase!

Clothes-wise, your Japan packing list will depend on what time of year you are visiting. The seasons in Japan are very distinct and so your Japan winter clothes will be very different from what you wear during the Japan summer months.

Click here to read more about the different seasons in Japan and the best time to visit Tokyo.

Japan packing list

We have more suggestions on what to bring to Japan during the different seasons below. No matter what time of year you travel to Tokyo, it is a good idea to bring comfortable walking shoes that can be easily slipped on and off for entering temples, ryokans and some restaurants or izakayas.

Tokyo is a busy city, and you will likely be traveling around by public transport, in particular, Tokyo Metro. Note that not all metro stations have elevator access. For this reason, if you are traveling with a baby or younger toddler, another of our Japan packing tips is to use a baby carrier rather than a stroller.

Click here to read more about public transport and how to get around Tokyo.

You may still want to bring your stroller if you plan to spend the day at Tokyo Disneyland – and of course, it’s always useful for the airport. We talk more about getting around Tokyo in our Podcast guide to Tokyo with Kids.

Japan packing list

Some of our favourite Japan travel essentials are highlighted below. We have included links to Amazon to make your pre-travel shopping super easy and have all your travel essentials delivered to your door.

You can download a full printable packing list at the bottom of the page, with checkboxes to tick off all your travel essentials for Japan as you put them in your suitcase.

Travel accessories for Tokyo

Baby Carrier

If you are visiting Tokyo with a baby or small toddler then we definitely recommend using a baby carrier instead of a stroller for most of your Tokyo sightseeing, as navigating the city with a stroller can be tricky.

Stroller

A stroller is still good to have for trips to Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea, and obviously for the airport. Look for a lightweight stroller that is easy to fold, and also look for things like good storage and the ability to recline for naps.

Portable booster seat

You will probably find you use the Tokyo Metro for most of your Tokyo sightseeing. However, you should also be prepared to take the odd taxi. A portable booster seat is a great investment to keep your little ones safe for airport transfers and taxi rides around town.

Money belt

Tokyo is a safe city and even petty theft is unusual. However it is always a good idea to take precautions to keep all your money and important documents safe when you travel. A money belt is a great option for this.


Daypack

Having a day pack is always a good idea for city trips with kids, so that you can carry all the wet wipes, snacks, tissues, sun cream etc and still keep your hands free to keep hold of the kids. Look for a lightweight backpack that can be easily packed in your suitcase when not needed.

Collapsible water bottle

Do your bit to save the environment and include your own refillable water bottles on your things to take to Japan list, instead of relying on buying plastic bottles of water. We love a collapsible water bottle that can easily be packed in the suitcase when not needed.

Umbrella

Weather in Tokyo during Spring and Autumn particularly is notoriously fickle, so it is always a good idea to have an umbrella in your things to pack for Japan. Go for a compact umbrella that can easily be tucked into your daypack.

Travel gadgets

Multiple charger

When you are traveling as a family, it is inevitable that you will end up with multiple accessories needing charged: phones, tablets, cameras, kindles etc. Don’t ruin the holiday by fighting over the charger; opt for a multiple charging station instead.

Travel adaptor

The standard electrical voltage in Tokyo is 100V. Standard sockets are for a two-prong plug, similar to North America. Depending on what country you are travelling from, you may need to add a travel adapter to your Japan travel checklist.


Portable Charger Power Bank

Have you ever been caught out sightseeing with a low-battery phone and not been able to take photos? Or found your child’s iPad has run out of battery half way through a long haul flight? Don’t let it happen again! Go prepared with a portable charger power bank, a great tool to have in your travel arsenal.

Waterproof/shockproof camera

Of course you have to record all your happy holiday memories, and having an easy-to-use waterproof and shockproof camera means everybody in the family can share in the photo taking, without having to worry about the camera getting damaged.

Toiletries

Bug Spray

Mosquitos are common in Tokyo during the summer months, so be sure to add bug spray to your things to bring to Japan list. Mosquito patches for the kids clothes are a good idea too.

Hand Sanitizer

It’s always good to have some hand sanitizer in your bag when you are travelling, for times when you can’t wash your hands before having a snack, or have been traveling on public transport.


Sun Cream

Be sure to include suncream on your Tokyo packing list for the summer months. Even on a cloudy day the sun can be stronger than you realize.

Tangle Teezer

The Japan humidity in the summer can wreak havoc on long hair. We love the Tangle Teezer, for taking away tears at hair brushing time!

Books and Games

Tokyo Travel Guide Book

No matter how much research you do online before you travel, it can still be handy to have a travel guidebook in your bag.

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Activity book

It’s always handy to have a few activity books in your bag for your kids, for airports, flights, or when they just need some downtime after a hard day of sightseeing.

Travel Games

The family that plays together stays together! Pack a few fun travel games for fun family evenings, rainy days or airport layovers.

What to wear in Japan

The Japanese are renowned for their eclectic fashion sense, and you will notice that the Tokyo dress code ranges from the plain and conservative to the downright whacky.

So in short: anything goes. Casual dress for sightseeing around Tokyo is fine, although you may feel more comfortable including some nicer clothes for the evening in your Japan travel packing list.

When choosing what shoes to wear in Japan, firstly opt for something than you can comfortably walk around in all day for sightseeing. Secondly, choose a pair of shoes that you can easily slip on and off.

You often need to remove your shoes when entering temples, ryokans and some restaurants (ones with tatami matting particularly). It may be an idea to carry a spare pair of socks in your bag so you don’t have to go barefoot in restaurants.

What not to wear in Japan

Although the Japanese are modern and fashionable (and occasionally a little quirky), they also tend to be modest. So try to dress respectfully and avoid plunging necklines and short skirts.

Modest dress is particularly important when visiting temples. Although there is no strict dress code for temples in Japan, it is still important to dress respectfully.

What to wear in Japan in Summer

If you are trying to work out what to wear in Japan in summer, just remember that Tokyo will be hot and humid. Focus on lightweight natural materials and light clothing, such as t-shirts, shorts and sundresses for your Japanese summer fashion.

Although the weather may be hot and humid, inside the air-conditioning can be cold! So add a pashmina or lightweight sweater to your Japanese summer clothes list, and keep it in your daypack.


We recommend including the following for your Japan summer outfit:

  • Cotton t-shirts
  • Shorts or skirts
  • Sundresses
  • Comfortable walking shoes that can easily be slipped on/off
  • Nicer clothes/shoes for more upmarket bars & restaurants
  • Sunhat
  • Sunglasses
  • Pashmina or lightweight sweater for air-conditioned restuarants/shops

What to wear in Japan during Autumn

When planning your Autumn outfit in Japan, think layers. Autumn weather in Japan benefits from light breezes and mild temperatures, but it can be notoriously fickle. A warm sunny day one day can quickly turn into a cold and rainy day the following day. For this reason, we recommend layering your Autumn clothes in Japan.

A pair of jeans with a long-sleeved top, light cardigan, lightweight jacket and lightweight scarf would be ideal for sightseeing. Note that temperatures can drop substantially after dark at this time of year, so you should pack a warmer jacket for evenings.

Note that typhoon season in Japan is in September, so be prepared for rain! A waterproof jacket is a good idea at this time of year.


We recommend including the following for your Autumn attire in Japan:

  • Long-sleeved tops/shirts/blouses
  • Lightweight cardigans and sweaters
  • Jeans
  • Comfortable walking shoes that can easily be slipped on/off
  • Nicer clothes/shoes for more upmarket bars & restaurants
  • Lightweight scarf
  • Lightweight jacket
  • Warmer jacket for the evenings

What to wear in Japan in Winter

Japanese winters are usually crisp and clear, with cold temperatures (though not too cold, usually around 5-10 degrees Celsius). Japan winter fashion reflects this, with people wearing heavy coats, boots, scarves, hats and gloves.

When packing for your Japan winter outfit, include jeans, warm sweaters, fashionable boots and a winter coat. Remember that the Japanese love cute accessories and Tokyo winter fashion can often include quirky earmuffs, animal print gloves or fun and funky scarves. Have fun!


We recommend including the following for your Japan winter wear:

  • Jeans
  • Long-sleeved tops
  • Warm sweaters
  • Fashionable boots
  • Nicer clothes/shoes for more upmarket bars & restaurants
  • Warm scarf
  • Warm hat
  • Gloves
  • Winter coat

What to wear in Japan in Spring

Spring is a great time to visit Tokyo, with warm days and sunshine common. However, the weather can be fickle, so like autumn we recommend your rely on layers for your spring outfit in Japan.

The best option for spring wear in Japan therefore is warmer-weather clothes or even jeans with a tank top, with added layers such as a cardigan or lightweight sweater.

Some spring days in Japan can be cooler, so you should also pack a lightweight jacket. Evenings are definitely cooler, so it will be handy to have this and a lightweight scarf included in your spring attire in Japan.


We recommend including the following for your spring clothes in Japan:

  • Short-sleeved tops and t-shirts
  • Lightweight cardigans and sweaters
  • Jeans
  • Comfortable walking shoes that can easily be slipped on/off
  • Nicer clothes/shoes for more upmarket bars & restaurants
  • Lightweight scarf
  • Lightweight jacket

Travel accessories for the plane

Multiple Passport holder

A multiple passport holder is invaluable for keeping all the family’s passports together in one place. Look for one that makes it easy to remove the passports, and that has space to store luggage tags, frequent flier cards etc.

Travel Pillow (neck)

We all know how uncomfortable it is trying to sleep on the plane. While we can’t promise you a good sleep, we can recommend using a travel neck pillow to help ease your aches and pains once you get to your destination.


Travel Pillow (leg support)

Travel leg rest pillows have been a bit of a game changer for long haul flights with small kids. These inflatable pillows allow you to fill the leg gap between the seats, allowing small children to stretch out or even lie down flat. Note that some airlines have banned the use of these travel leg rest pillows. Check with your airline before you go to the airport.

Headphones

We highly recommend headphones for everyone in the family. Noise cancelling headphones for mums and dads are great for cutting out the ambient sound of the plane, while kid-sized headphones with volume limits will ensure kids can watch their iPads without disturbing others, and without damaging their eardrums.

Packing Accessories

Suitcase

If you’re looking for a new suitcase for your Japan trip, we love the foldable luggage from Biaggi – these can be folded down into a small pouch for easy storage and saves you from having to step over your suitcases in your hotel room. We love the easy-glide spinner wheels on them too.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are so useful when you are traveling with kids. You can save so much time on searching through your suitcase by segregating clothes into their own cubes. Look for cubes with a peekaboo window so you can easily see what is inside.


Electronics Organiser

How many times have you found yourself rummaging around in your suitcase looking for a phone charger? An electronics organizer can save you plenty of time and frustration by keeping all your chargers, cables, memory cards, headphones and adapters in one handy pack.

Ziploc Bags

Ziploc bags are a parent’s secret weapon when traveling. You can use them to store snacks, dirty clothes, nappy changing kits, puzzle pieces, small toys, crayons and leaky shampoo bottles. Be sure to add a few to your case!

Take me to the full Tokyo City Guide.

FREE DOWNLOAD!

Be super organized for your next city trip. Download our fully comprehensive printable packing list, with checkboxes to ensure you don’t forget anything.

Click here to download the packing list now.

Travelling to Tokyo? City travel experts Little City Trips talk you through all the most important items you need to pack for Tokyo. Print off our Tokyo packing list for your next city trip.

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