Top things to pack for Japan travel

Some of my dear family, friends and colleagues are planning their trips to Japan and I’ve been asked about what to pack. Besides the obvious, there are some additional things you will need when travelling in Japan.

Passports and Visas

Passports – make sure they are still valid for 6 months after you plan to leave Japan.

Visas – currently not required for Aussie travelers. Other countries check out your local Japan embassy for requirements.

COVID Certificates are no longer required. However, keep up to date with Visit Japan Web and online immigration to save time when you land.

Cash

Japan is a tech savy country but most purchases are still in cash. You will need lots of cash! Some restaurants and hotels take cards but most places are cash only. Be aware that many ATM’s won’t accept foreign cards for cash withdrawals. Consider a transaction free international card, these will work at ATM’s in 7/11 stores, bank ATM’s and post office ATM’s.

We have used Citibank debit cards and loaded cash onto Qantas cards and used both of these to withdraw cash with no issues in Japan.

SIM card

Foreigners can purchase a data only SIM card to use while in Japan.

A data sim can be purchased at the airport or at electronic stores in Japan or in Australia before you travel. For our last trip (2023) I purchased a SIM from SIMS direct and it was so easy, as soon as the plane landed I swapped the SIM and immediately had connection. You could even do it while waiting in the immigration line! It is a little bit more expensive than purchasing in Japan but incredibly convenient and we will be doing this again next trip.

Once you have your Japanese SIM, you can use WhatsApp/Line account to message and call each other in Japan or family and friends in Australia (as long as they have WhatsApp/Line). You will need to set up WhatsApp in Australia before you go, it won’t let you set up in Japan, I’ve tried. Many accommodation places also offer free portable WiFi which we gave to the kids so their ipad would work if they were separated from us.

Download Apps to your phone

If you don’t already have these apps, then download these apps BEFORE you leave.

WhatsApp. As per above! You will need to do this in Australia before you go. It uses your phone number which is registered in Australia and so this needs to be set up in Australia. Kids that have an ipad without a phone number will not be able to set up this app.

Google maps has given the best directions while in Japan. It gives details including the exit needed from train stations. It does struggle a little with recognising when you are underground at the station but overall the directions have been brilliant.

Google Translate has been really useful to translate menus, food, directions, signs and audio. However, it’s not always accurate! Fortunately there was no retribution from this Japanese toilet, or video!!!

Small bag for the kids

We found a small bag for each of the kids was brilliant. Attach a retractable wallet for their train pass – this makes it so much easier when juggling passes and kids in and out of the stations. Then they can carry the portable WiFi and a book or games for the trains. There are not many bins on the streets in Japan, you are expected to take rubbish with you so I also find it useful to tuck in a small rubbish bag.

Japanese adaptor

In Japan power plugs use two straight pins, same as for USA and Canada. So Aussies will need an adaptor. Many new hotels have USB plugs for charging phones and portable WiFi. The voltage in Japan is 110V compared to Australia’s 240V so you may need to check your devices. There is usually no issue with charging phones, laptops and cameras.

International drivers license

If you are only visiting major cities, you won’t need an international license (Unless you are wanting to go cart). However, if you are planning on visiting more remote or rural areas of Japan then driving is the way to go. An international license is all you need and in Australia this is obtained from NRMA. The internal navigation systems in hire cars in Japan or ‘navi’ are brilliant and available in English. In Japan, driving is on the same side of the road as in Australia. For more check out this page.

Go carts require an international license.

Good shoes

In Japan you will do lots of walking! So comfortable shoes are highly recommended. It’s also so much easier of you have shoes that are easy to take on and off. There are lots of times you will need to take off your shoes in Japan and so shoes that are easy to remove can be a lifesaver, particularly if you have younger kids. To avoid a tantrum or two, go for zips, velcro or no tie shoelaces like Hickies if you can.

Tickets

Some of the popular attractions will require ticket purchase in advance before you travel to Japan. This includes tickets for Ghibli, Pokemon Cafe, Sumo, Disneyland and USJ. If you need help with tickets contact JTB travel.

JR Pass

Once you have your itinerary planned, consider if it’s worth purchasing a JR rail pass. This pass is only for foreigners and is purchased before your travel. There have been options in the past for purchasing when in Japan, however this is not currently available (Jan 2023). The JR Rail pass covers all travel on JR trains including the Shinkansen or bullet train and the local trains that are owned by Japan Rail (JR) across the country. Note that not all treaijn lines are owned by JR and so you will still need to purchase tickets for these trains. Hyperdia online calculator can help you decide if the JR pass will be cost effective.

The JR Pass needs to be pre-ordered and collected in Australia before you go. There are a different number of days that the pass can cover. For more information check out this page on transport in Japan. There are lots of online places to order your pass, although I’ve found the guys at JTB travel really helpful. Be aware that this is a physical card/voucher that you need to take with you to Japan and exchange once there, so be sure to purchase in advance with enough time for delivery.

NOTE JR Rail passes prices increased on 1st October 2023 so check to see if this is the most cost effective for you.

Hand Cloth

Hand cloth

Ok so I’m cheating a bit here – it’s something you need but it’s better to buy these in Japan. Many bathrooms don’t have paper towel or hand dryers (especially post COVID), instead everyone carries small cloths in their bags to dry hands after using public restrooms.

They are essentially a face cloth or washer and you will find them everywhere. They make awesome souvenirs from all the places you visit, like this one from Harajuku!

Toiletries

Make sure you bring deodorant, sun cream, cold and flu tablets, pain relief or any regular toiletries with you. The ones we have purchased in Japan are not as strong as we are used to in Australia. Particularly with three teenage boys – making sure we have adequate strength deodorant is a must!

To know if you can bring in your medications or over the counter medicines, check out the Japanese embassy site for your country.

Clothing

In Japan everyone takes pride in their appearance and this is true of their clothing as well. I don’t just mean brand names, although Japan loves the high end labels, their clothes are well looked after. They don’t wear clothes with holes or stains or worn through patches. So make sure you have socks without holes for when you take off your shoes! Oh and if you are thinking of packing in those daggy trackies just in case. Don’t.

If you are planning to go for a early morning jog through the Japan streets, it’s also important to be aware that ladies will never wear leggings without anything over the top. So that means wearing leggings and then running shorts over the top. It feels so strange, until you realise that is what everyone else is doing too and you will definitely get less stares that way. Who am I kidding! You will get stares anyway as it’s not really common to see gaijin (Japanese word for foreigners) jogging in Japan.

Out of respect, I would suggest you don’t wear leggings or gym wear out to the supermarket or tourist sites.

Seasonal clothing.
In winter a big coat or ski jacket works well as it’s easy to take off a layer when coming into the warm shops or trains. One that stuffs down into a small bag is ideal.
In summer, it’s very humid so light clothes are the way to go. Don’t forget the suncream (that is experience speaking)!
Autumn can start to get quite chilly so extra layers and a big coat are well worth taking.
Spring can be lovely and warm or rainy or cool, so be prepared for anything!

Journal or stamp book for the kids

Our boys have kept a journal for each of our trips to Japan. Each evening they record their adventures and stick in tickets and stamps. Stamp stations are found at popular Japanese tourist attractions and they are unique mementos for the kids journals. We all love going back through these memories.

Phone battery pack

We find that we use our phone a lot in Japan – google maps, google translate and there are just so many photos to take!!

Traveling on the Shinkansen can also run down the battery of mobile phones as the phone switches between mobile networks and increases the frequency of searching for mobile networks. One tip is to turn off Bluetooth and WiFi to save battery. Also remember to pack activities for the kids – books, activity books and their journals to write in to save phone battery on longer train trips!