Since there are countless sights to visit in Japan, a well-organized itinerary can make all of the difference. Although it may not be the first aspect that comes to mind, packing efficiently can really help save time, and stick to that picture-perfect itinerary you spent so long nailing down.
Based on my own experience, here are 10 essentials I would recommend carrying around when traveling in Japan so that you can stay exploring for as long as possible in a comfortable and happy state.
- Hand Towel
While clean public bathrooms are very common in Japan, they don’t always have paper towels or dryers. So, as many Japanese people do, it’s always helpful to carry around a hand towel or handkerchief with you for personal hygiene and also, wiping off sweat during the summer months.
- Sanitizer and/or Soap Sheets
To further elaborate on the first point, not all public bathrooms offer soap (surprisingly), especially in more rural areas. Hand sanitizers in small bottles are easy to carry around and perfect for ridding your hands of unwanted germs (always a good idea after using public transportation). Soap sheets, however, are my personal favorite. Just add some water on the sheet and you’ll have clean hands in no time.
- Tissue
Last bathroom point, I promise! If you didn’t know, blowing your nose in public is rather frowned upon in Japan and should be avoided. Of course, sometimes your nose has a mind of its own, and if that’s the case, carrying around a little tissue packet can be a life saver. If you want to be fully on-point with good etiquette in Japan, it’s best to take care of your nose-blowing in the privacy of a bathroom.
- ID/Transit Pass Holder
When you arrive in Japan, I recommend purchasing a PASMO, SUICA or ICOCA, which are the three most popular rechargeable prepaid travel cards (although there are many other regional ones). These IC cards come extremely handy for all kinds of purposes, from hopping on a train or bus, to purchasing an onigiri (rice ball) at the local 7-Eleven. Since you will probably be using it a lot, I recommend keeping it safe in a pass holder that’s easy to access so you don’t have to dig through your bag every time.
- Plastic Bag
People in Japan take great pride in keeping their homes, businesses and public spaces clean. One way they do this is by always being accountable for their own trash. Public trash cans are hardly ever around (except for pet bottle or aluminum can bins that are usually situated next to vending machines), so having a plastic bag on you can be very convenient.
- Bandages
Japan is very pedestrian-friendly, which is great for fully immersing yourself in the landscape of a big city or rustic little town. However, lots of walking can also mean blisters. I always carry a few bandages in different sizes just in case.
- Carry Around Cash
Card payments are becoming increasingly common in Japan, which means it’s certainly possible to get away completely digital in bigger cities like Tokyo or Osaka. However, a lot of rural areas, and even smaller local bakeries, cafes or restaurants may only accept cash so it’s always best to carry around enough.
- Basic Japanese Dictionary
Japanese people are very welcoming, friendly and helpful–it’s an excellent country to be a tourist. However, not everyone speaks English, of course. Thus, having a dictionary or little memo with a few phrases and words can get you a long way.