Winter clothing essentials

If you plan to travel to Japan in winter, then it is worthwhile purchasing your winter clothing towards the end of winter in Australia when you can find some excellent end of season bargains!

These are some of the items we recommend to pack when travelling through Japan in winter.

Jackets

We took snow jackets for each of us. This was useful when we were snowboarding of course but it was also really useful at night (remember the days are short) and when we went to visit the snow monkeys and the snow monsters. The kids also wore them walking around Osaka and Kyoto.

If you don’t have ski jackets, down jackets are also super warm and pack really small, while keeping out the wind.

For the kids, buying jackets a size larger not only makes them last longer but allows them to comfortably layer up underneath. Some jackets for kids have grow sleeves – stitching in the lining that can be unpicked to lengthen the sleeves.

Shoes

We bought everyone waterproof shoes, these are well insulated and kept little toes warm. One thing to keep in mind is that in many places in Japan you will be expected to take off your shoes – restaurants, accommodation, castles and tourist sites – so if you can find warm, waterproof shoes that are easy to take on and off then buy them!! Girls and womens look for zipper boots, boys are a little harder to find but there are some with elastic pulls for younger kids. Check out ski and hiking shops.

Thermals

Layers make it easier to regulate the temperature, although we did find we had to make sure that some of our layers didn’t have hoods, layers of hoods don’t always work as well…

If you don’t already have thermals, there are a few options. Look for sales at Kathmandu, Macpac and Anaconda. We bought some super soft merino thermals from Baselayers online and absolutely loved them.

Uniqlo is another great option for thermals and being a Japanese brand they are definitely suited for the Japanese winter! Their thermals are also super soft and come in different warmth ratings. Team up their thermals with their cashmere jumpers, fleece lined skirt, super warm tights and a down jacket and you are all set for Japanese winter – well Mum is anyway, just have to sort out the boys!

Most places in Japan are well prepared for the winter and most place are warm inside without being super hot. Even on the trains you will note that some carriages are heated to different temperatures, so if it’s too warm on the train in your coat, you can move to another carriage.

Gloves, beanies and scarfs

Warm gloves and beanies are a must and if your kids are keen to take photos with their phones, you may want to consider smart screen capable gloves, or you will inevitably come home with an uneven number of gloves!

Scarfs or a neck gaiter are a great idea, particularly if you are visiting the snow or doing any mountain hikes where it is likely to get a little windy.

Even if you are not planning on visiting the snow it can get pretty cold and has been known to snow in Tokyo. So unless you are planning your whole trip in Okinawa, you’ll need warm winter clothing. We found it really hard to imagine how cold it will be in the middle of our Aussie summer. If in doubt, pack more warm clothes!!