{"id":3720,"date":"2024-06-04T18:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-04T18:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/?p=3720"},"modified":"2026-03-20T14:17:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T14:17:12","slug":"10-must-haves-for-your-japan-packing-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/10-must-haves-for-your-japan-packing-list","title":{"rendered":"10 Must-Haves for your Japan packing list"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p>Got a trip east lined up? Then you&#8217;ll need to create a Japan packing list before you go. Luckily, we&#8217;re here to help. We&#8217;ve put together this guide of all the <strong>most important things to bring to Japan<\/strong>. You&#8217;ll soon be ticking them off and heading to the airport for an unforgettable adventure!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Travel documents<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Let&#8217;s start with the essentials. It may sound silly to say that you&#8217;ll need your passport, but we all know people whose holidays have been ruined before they even started \u2014 simply by forgetting this vital document. Keep it somewhere safe, and make sure you have enough days on it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Before you travel, check what kind of Japan visit visa you&#8217;ll need. Citizens of many countries can get a <strong>visa on arrival<\/strong>, but that&#8217;s not always the case. Be sure to check in advance because the Japanese authorities are pretty strict. You don&#8217;t want to fly all that way only to be sent home!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Finally, make sure you have <strong>travel insurance for Japan<\/strong>. We know it can sound like nagging, but trust us \u2014 travel insurance is really essential for every trip you take. If you&#8217;re lucky, you might never need to use it, but do you really want to take that bet? Remember, if you&#8217;re planning to do any kind of extreme sport or specialist activity, such as skiing or scuba diving, during your Japanese adventure, your regular insurance may not be enough. Make sure to take out a policy that will cover you for whatever activities you&#8217;ll be getting up to on holiday. We&#8217;ve read enough horror stories about travellers who ended up bankrupt after an accident abroad \u2014 don&#8217;t join their ranks!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Clothing: what to wear in Japan<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Of course, your Japan packing list will also involve plenty of clothes. This is where things get a little bit tricky. Japan has <strong>four very distinct seasons<\/strong>, and what&#8217;s more, there are <strong>regional variances in weather<\/strong>. If you&#8217;re just heading to one destination, it&#8217;ll be easy enough to check the weather forecast and pack. However, if you&#8217;re planning a trip around the country, then our best advice is to bring lots of layers. It might be mild and sunny in Okinawa but far colder in Tokyo!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If you&#8217;re travelling in summer, make sure to bring plenty of <strong>lightweight, breathable clothing<\/strong>, as the humidity levels are high. In spring and autumn, we recommend layers, along with some kind of rain jacket that will keep you dry. Winter will mean quite thick clothes, especially if you&#8217;re heading to the snowy north.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>It&#8217;s also worth mentioning that you might want to pack clothes that <strong>cover up your tattoos<\/strong> out of respect for Japanese culture. In Japan, body art is heavily frowned upon. If you&#8217;re planning to visit an <strong>onsen, one of the country&#8217;s traditional hot springs<\/strong>, you may well be turned away if you have visible ink. Hiding your tats is a courtesy that the locals are sure to appreciate.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Footwear<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Yes, we&#8217;re giving footwear its own special entry because things are a little different in Japan. In the West, people tend to be divided on the question of whether or not to wear shoes indoors. That&#8217;s not the case in the Land of the Rising Sun, where the answer is clear: take your shoes off before entering a private space.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>We recommend adding <strong>slip-on shoes<\/strong> to your Japan packing list unless you want to be bending down to deal with buckles and laces twenty times a day. What&#8217;s more, you should also bring <strong>clean, fresh socks<\/strong>. Forget those holey, bobbly old things your gran gave you five Christmases ago. When you&#8217;re in Japan, your socks will be on display far more than they would back home, so make sure that they look good.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Of course, depending on your itinerary, you may also want to bring other shoes like hiking boots or trainers for adventures outside. Just make sure that, whatever you&#8217;re bringing, you&#8217;re prepared to remove and re-don them whenever necessary, out of respect for the country you&#8217;re visiting.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Portable Wi-Fi or SIM card<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>You can pick up a SIM or e-SIM on arrival at the airport, but it might be cheaper if you organise one in advance. An <strong>e-SIM<\/strong> is often the most convenient option for overseas travel, as you won&#8217;t need to open up your phone to insert it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>It&#8217;s always a good idea to <strong>get a SIM for international travel<\/strong>. That&#8217;s particularly true when you&#8217;re going to a country like Japan. Let&#8217;s be clear: most Japanese people do not speak English, so unless you&#8217;ve really been swotting up on your language skills, you&#8217;ll need access to a <strong>translation app<\/strong>. This will prove to be your best friend as you travel, especially when it comes to things like translating menus. If you&#8217;re heading off the beaten track into less touristy areas, then a good mobile signal is absolutely essential.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If you&#8217;re looking for an e-SIM, you can get one from companies such as <strong>Ubigi<\/strong> and <strong>Airalo<\/strong>. It&#8217;s quite easy to buy one prior to your trip and set it up before your plane lands, giving you one less thing to worry about on arrival.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Power adapters<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Officially, Japan uses both Type A and Type B plugs. In practice, you&#8217;ll find that <strong>Type A<\/strong> is far more common. If you&#8217;re not sure what that means, then look for adapters with two flat prongs \u2014 the same kind that they use in the United States.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>However, don&#8217;t just think you can add your regular USA adapter to your Japan packing list. Japan is quite unusual because it uses a very low <strong>100 volts<\/strong> as standard. This means that devices made for higher voltage countries \u2014 which is basically every other country in the world \u2014 may not work and could even short-circuit or blow a fuse. You&#8217;ll need a special adapter designed specifically for Japan&#8217;s voltage system.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Medications<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If you have any prescriptions, you might be wondering about bringing medicine to Japan. Before you travel, it&#8217;s worth checking online about your specific prescription. That&#8217;s because <strong>some medicines are banned in Japan<\/strong>, and any attempt to bring them into the country could land you in serious hot water.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Prescriptions that are legal in some other countries but banned in Japan include pseudoephedrine, codeine and medicinal cannabis. Adderall, a popular ADHD treatment in many countries, is also on the prohibited list.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If your prescription isn&#8217;t on the list, then make sure to bring your meds with you. Don&#8217;t expect to be able to find them easily in Japan. Besides the language barrier, there&#8217;s also the fact that many medicines that are common in the West are rare here, such as birth control pills. You may also want to add any <strong>over-the-counter medicine<\/strong> that you take frequently to your Japan packing list. Substances like painkillers are readily available in Japan, but they&#8217;re far weaker than they are in the West.<\/p>\r\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">    <div class=\"tip not-prose flex gap-3.5 rounded-xl border border-gray-400  p-7.5 pt-11.25 relative items-start\">\n      \n      <span class=\"absolute flex items-center justify-center w-15 h-15 rounded-full border border-gray-400 bg-white p-1.25 left-[50%] -ml-7.5 -top-7.5 lg:relative lg:top-0 lg:ml-0 lg:left-0 lg:p-0 lg:border-0 lg:w-auto lg:h-auto lg:mt-1.5\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n        <svg class=\"h-12.5! lg:h-5!\"  width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n          <path d=\"M16.0022 3.33398C15.3889 3.33398 14.7622 3.38732 14.1355 3.52065C10.4555 4.22732 7.52221 7.20065 6.82888 10.8807C6.18888 14.3607 7.46888 17.5607 9.78888 19.6273C10.3622 20.134 10.6689 20.8407 10.6689 21.5873V24.6673C10.6689 26.134 11.8689 27.334 13.3355 27.334H13.7089C14.1755 28.134 15.0155 28.6673 16.0022 28.6673C16.9889 28.6673 17.8422 28.134 18.2955 27.334H18.6689C20.1355 27.334 21.3355 26.134 21.3355 24.6673V21.5873C21.3355 20.854 21.6289 20.134 22.1889 19.6407C24.1222 17.934 25.3355 15.4407 25.3355 12.6673C25.3355 7.50732 21.1622 3.33398 16.0022 3.33398ZM18.6689 22.0007H13.3355V20.6673H18.6689V22.0007ZM13.3355 24.6673V23.334H18.6689V24.6673H13.3355ZM20.4155 17.654C20.2955 17.7607 20.2022 17.894 20.0955 18.0007H11.8955C11.7889 17.8807 11.6955 17.7473 11.5755 17.6407C9.81555 16.0673 9.02888 13.7207 9.45554 11.374C9.93554 8.78732 12.0689 6.64065 14.6422 6.13398C15.0955 6.04065 15.5489 6.00065 16.0022 6.00065C19.6822 6.00065 22.6689 8.98732 22.6689 12.6673C22.6689 14.574 21.8555 16.3873 20.4155 17.654Z\" fill=\"#323232\"\/>\n          <path d=\"M16.6689 14.0007H15.3355V18.0007H16.6689V14.0007Z\" fill=\"#323232\"\/>\n          <path d=\"M13.8415 11.1656L12.8987 12.1084L15.7271 14.9368L16.6699 13.994L13.8415 11.1656Z\" fill=\"#323232\"\/>\n          <path d=\"M15.3369 14.0076L16.2797 14.9504L19.1081 12.122L18.1653 11.1792L15.3369 14.0076Z\" fill=\"#323232\"\/>\n        <\/svg>\n\n      <\/span>\n      <div class=\"tip__content prose  max-w-none\">\n        <p>Before packing your medicine, <strong>check Japanese regulations carefully<\/strong>. Common prescriptions like pseudoephedrine, codeine, and Adderall are banned in Japan. Over-the-counter painkillers are available locally, but they&#8217;re much weaker than Western equivalents, so stock up on your usuals before you go.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cash<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>We always recommend changing money in advance. Yes, you can do it at the airport on arrival, but you&#8217;ll usually get worse exchange rates, and you may have to queue for quite a while. Who wants to spend any more time at the airport than they absolutely have to?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If you&#8217;re only visiting Tokyo, then you might be able to get away with just using your card. However, outside the big city, Japan is still <strong>a cash-based society<\/strong>. In smaller shops and restaurants, you may not be able to pay with a card. Additionally, some establishments also have a minimum spending threshold you have to meet. For these reasons, it&#8217;s definitely worth getting some yen before you travel \u2014 plus, it&#8217;s always fun to play with foreign currency, isn&#8217;t it?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"wp-image-3721\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Yen.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese yen banknotes spread out with a notebook on a table\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Yen.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Yen-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Yen-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sleeping mask<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>This may seem like an odd one to add to the list, but you should hear us out. During your trip, you might want to stay at a <strong>ryokan, which is a traditional Japanese inn<\/strong>. These places are usually pretty high on travellers&#8217; lists, as they&#8217;re extremely evocative and cool, with an atmosphere that will instantly transport you back to the days when brave samurai roamed the land. However, there&#8217;s a downside.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Ryokans have wooden and paper shutters covering the windows, and they tend to let in quite a lot of light \u2014 so much that you might not be able to get any shut-eye without help. If you tend to find that you need darkness to sleep, then an eye mask is a must.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1280\" class=\"wp-image-3722\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Sleeping-mask.jpg\" alt=\"Woman with sleeping mask\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Sleeping-mask.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Sleeping-mask-640x800.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Sleeping-mask-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Sleeping-mask-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Sleeping-mask-864x1080.jpg 864w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Face masks<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Here&#8217;s one that you might want to bring with you. Like in most East Asian countries, Japan has a culture of wearing face masks, even long before the COVID-19 pandemic. People tend to don a mask <strong>out of courtesy if they have a cold<\/strong> but also <strong>to avoid pollution<\/strong> when wandering around large urban areas.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Coughing and sneezing in public without a mask may get you a few frowns. Japanese people will rarely criticise someone in public, but out of respect, we recommend adding a pack of face masks to your Japan packing list.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1434\" class=\"wp-image-3723\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Face-masks-Japan.jpg\" alt=\"Passengers with face masks sitting and standing inside a crowded Japanese subway train\r\n\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Face-masks-Japan.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Face-masks-Japan-571x800.jpg 571w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Face-masks-Japan-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Face-masks-Japan-768x1076.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Face-masks-Japan-771x1080.jpg 771w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A camera<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Finally, let&#8217;s be honest: this is going to be the holiday of a lifetime. Your Japanese adventure is a truly amazing opportunity, and you&#8217;ll want to remember it. That&#8217;s especially true if you&#8217;re visiting during the <strong>cherry blossom season in spring<\/strong> \u2014 or in the fall foliage months of autumn when Japan is easily one of the most beautiful places in the world.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Pack a camera to make sure you capture plenty of those incredible moments. Yes, you could rely on your phone, but who wants to run out of battery when you&#8217;re in the middle of admiring Mount Fuji? If you&#8217;ve got a separate camera, then make sure it&#8217;s in your suitcase. We can definitely promise you that you&#8217;re going to use it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Now you know what to pack for Japan, why not <strong>join us on a trip<\/strong> to this legendary destination? Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/destinations\/japan-360\">Japan tour<\/a> will take you on an 11-day whirlwind all around the country. You&#8217;ll see famous cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Osaka and get a chance to marvel at the natural beauty, the great cuisine, and the intriguing culture. Plus, you&#8217;ll be able to meet some awesome new people as you get to know your fellow adventurers!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Discover authentic Japanese cuisine &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/food-in-japan-what-to-eat\/\">Food in Japan: what to eat<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">    <section class=\"faq not-prose rounded-lg py-7.5 px-5 flex flex-col gap-y-8 bg-violet\">\n              <h2 class=\"text-gray-900\">FAQ: Packing Essentials for a Trip to Japan<\/h2>\n\n      \n      <dl class=\"space-y-4\">\n                  <details class=\"faq__item group rounded-[0.625rem]  bg-white\/50 overflow-hidden px-4 py-2.5\">\n            <summary class=\"faq__question flex items-center justify-between gap-4 cursor-pointer  text-gray-900 font-semibold text-base select-none list-none transition-colors lg:text-lg\">\n              <dt>What kind of shoes should I pack for Japan?<\/dt>\n              \n              <span class=\"flex-shrink-0 w-4 h-4 flex items-center justify-center text-gray-700 transition-transform duration-200 group-open:rotate-180\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-2 h-2!\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.75\">\n                  <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19 9l-7 7-7-7\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n            <\/summary>\n            <dd class=\"faq__answer prose prose-sm max-w-none text-gray-800 mt-2.5\" >\n              <p>You should prioritize comfortable shoes suitable for a lot of walking. It is highly recommended to pack shoes that are easy to slip on and off, as you will be required to remove your footwear frequently when entering temples, shrines, traditional restaurants, and some accommodations.<\/p>\n            <\/dd>\n          <\/details>\n                  <details class=\"faq__item group rounded-[0.625rem]  bg-white\/50 overflow-hidden px-4 py-2.5\">\n            <summary class=\"faq__question flex items-center justify-between gap-4 cursor-pointer  text-gray-900 font-semibold text-base select-none list-none transition-colors lg:text-lg\">\n              <dt>How should I dress for the weather in Japan?<\/dt>\n              \n              <span class=\"flex-shrink-0 w-4 h-4 flex items-center justify-center text-gray-700 transition-transform duration-200 group-open:rotate-180\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-2 h-2!\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.75\">\n                  <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19 9l-7 7-7-7\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n            <\/summary>\n            <dd class=\"faq__answer prose prose-sm max-w-none text-gray-800 mt-2.5\" >\n              <p>Dressing in layers is the best strategy. The weather can be unpredictable, and temperatures can vary significantly between the outdoors and indoor air-conditioned spaces. Pack items like:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>T-shirts or base layers<\/li>\n<li>Sweaters or cardigans<\/li>\n<li>A light, versatile jacket<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n            <\/dd>\n          <\/details>\n                  <details class=\"faq__item group rounded-[0.625rem]  bg-white\/50 overflow-hidden px-4 py-2.5\">\n            <summary class=\"faq__question flex items-center justify-between gap-4 cursor-pointer  text-gray-900 font-semibold text-base select-none list-none transition-colors lg:text-lg\">\n              <dt>Do I need to pack rain gear for Japan?<\/dt>\n              \n              <span class=\"flex-shrink-0 w-4 h-4 flex items-center justify-center text-gray-700 transition-transform duration-200 group-open:rotate-180\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-2 h-2!\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.75\">\n                  <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19 9l-7 7-7-7\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n            <\/summary>\n            <dd class=\"faq__answer prose prose-sm max-w-none text-gray-800 mt-2.5\" >\n              <p>Yes, packing rain gear is a wise decision. A compact travel umbrella or a lightweight waterproof jacket will be very useful, as Japan can experience sudden rain showers, especially during its rainy seasons.<\/p>\n            <\/dd>\n          <\/details>\n                  <details class=\"faq__item group rounded-[0.625rem]  bg-white\/50 overflow-hidden px-4 py-2.5\">\n            <summary class=\"faq__question flex items-center justify-between gap-4 cursor-pointer  text-gray-900 font-semibold text-base select-none list-none transition-colors lg:text-lg\">\n              <dt>What travel adapter is needed for Japan?<\/dt>\n              \n              <span class=\"flex-shrink-0 w-4 h-4 flex items-center justify-center text-gray-700 transition-transform duration-200 group-open:rotate-180\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-2 h-2!\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.75\">\n                  <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19 9l-7 7-7-7\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n            <\/summary>\n            <dd class=\"faq__answer prose prose-sm max-w-none text-gray-800 mt-2.5\" >\n              <p>For Japan, you will need a\u00a0<strong>Type A<\/strong>\u00a0travel adapter, which has two flat vertical pins. Japan\u2019s standard voltage is 100V, which is lower than in Europe and North America, but most modern electronics like phones and laptops are dual-voltage and will charge without any issues.<\/p>\n            <\/dd>\n          <\/details>\n                  <details class=\"faq__item group rounded-[0.625rem]  bg-white\/50 overflow-hidden px-4 py-2.5\">\n            <summary class=\"faq__question flex items-center justify-between gap-4 cursor-pointer  text-gray-900 font-semibold text-base select-none list-none transition-colors lg:text-lg\">\n              <dt>Is a portable power bank necessary for Japan?<\/dt>\n              \n              <span class=\"flex-shrink-0 w-4 h-4 flex items-center justify-center text-gray-700 transition-transform duration-200 group-open:rotate-180\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-2 h-2!\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.75\">\n                  <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19 9l-7 7-7-7\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n            <\/summary>\n            <dd class=\"faq__answer prose prose-sm max-w-none text-gray-800 mt-2.5\" >\n              <p>Absolutely. A portable power bank is an essential item. You will likely be using your smartphone extensively for navigation, photos, and translation apps throughout long days of sightseeing, which can drain the battery quickly.<\/p>\n            <\/dd>\n          <\/details>\n                  <details class=\"faq__item group rounded-[0.625rem]  bg-white\/50 overflow-hidden px-4 py-2.5\">\n            <summary class=\"faq__question flex items-center justify-between gap-4 cursor-pointer  text-gray-900 font-semibold text-base select-none list-none transition-colors lg:text-lg\">\n              <dt>Should I bring cash to Japan or are credit cards widely accepted?<\/dt>\n              \n              <span class=\"flex-shrink-0 w-4 h-4 flex items-center justify-center text-gray-700 transition-transform duration-200 group-open:rotate-180\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-2 h-2!\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.75\">\n                  <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19 9l-7 7-7-7\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n            <\/summary>\n            <dd class=\"faq__answer prose prose-sm max-w-none text-gray-800 mt-2.5\" >\n              <p>It is crucial to carry a sufficient amount of Japanese Yen (JPY) in cash. While major hotels, large chain stores, and department stores accept credit cards, Japan is still largely a cash-based society. Many smaller restaurants, local shops, markets, and entrance fees for temples and shrines are cash-only.<\/p>\n            <\/dd>\n          <\/details>\n                  <details class=\"faq__item group rounded-[0.625rem]  bg-white\/50 overflow-hidden px-4 py-2.5\">\n            <summary class=\"faq__question flex items-center justify-between gap-4 cursor-pointer  text-gray-900 font-semibold text-base select-none list-none transition-colors lg:text-lg\">\n              <dt>What is a Japan Rail Pass and when should I buy it?<\/dt>\n              \n              <span class=\"flex-shrink-0 w-4 h-4 flex items-center justify-center text-gray-700 transition-transform duration-200 group-open:rotate-180\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-2 h-2!\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.75\">\n                  <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19 9l-7 7-7-7\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n            <\/summary>\n            <dd class=\"faq__answer prose prose-sm max-w-none text-gray-800 mt-2.5\" >\n              <p>The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) offers unlimited travel on most Japan Railways (JR) networks, including the Shinkansen bullet trains. It is highly cost-effective if you plan to travel between multiple cities. Crucially, you must purchase the exchange order for the pass\u00a0<strong>before<\/strong>\u00a0you travel to Japan, as it is not sold within the country.<\/p>\n            <\/dd>\n          <\/details>\n                  <details class=\"faq__item group rounded-[0.625rem]  bg-white\/50 overflow-hidden px-4 py-2.5\">\n            <summary class=\"faq__question flex items-center justify-between gap-4 cursor-pointer  text-gray-900 font-semibold text-base select-none list-none transition-colors lg:text-lg\">\n              <dt>Are there any small, unusual items that are useful to pack for Japan?<\/dt>\n              \n              <span class=\"flex-shrink-0 w-4 h-4 flex items-center justify-center text-gray-700 transition-transform duration-200 group-open:rotate-180\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-2 h-2!\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.75\">\n                  <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19 9l-7 7-7-7\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n            <\/summary>\n            <dd class=\"faq__answer prose prose-sm max-w-none text-gray-800 mt-2.5\" >\n              <p>Yes, there are a couple of items that can be very convenient:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>A small towel or handkerchief:<\/strong>\u00a0Many public restrooms do not provide paper towels or hand dryers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A reusable bag:<\/strong>\u00a0Shops in Japan often charge for plastic bags, so having your own is useful for shopping and is environmentally friendly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n            <\/dd>\n          <\/details>\n                  <details class=\"faq__item group rounded-[0.625rem]  bg-white\/50 overflow-hidden px-4 py-2.5\">\n            <summary class=\"faq__question flex items-center justify-between gap-4 cursor-pointer  text-gray-900 font-semibold text-base select-none list-none transition-colors lg:text-lg\">\n              <dt>What essential documents do I need for my trip to Japan?<\/dt>\n              \n              <span class=\"flex-shrink-0 w-4 h-4 flex items-center justify-center text-gray-700 transition-transform duration-200 group-open:rotate-180\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-2 h-2!\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.75\">\n                  <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M19 9l-7 7-7-7\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n            <\/summary>\n            <dd class=\"faq__answer prose prose-sm max-w-none text-gray-800 mt-2.5\" >\n              <p>The most important document is your passport. It is also highly recommended to have both digital and physical copies of all your important travel documents, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Passport identification page<\/li>\n<li>Flight confirmations<\/li>\n<li>Hotel reservations<\/li>\n<li>Your Japan Rail Pass exchange order<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n            <\/dd>\n          <\/details>\n              <\/dl>\n    <\/section>\n    <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Got a trip east lined up? Then you&#8217;ll need to create a Japan packing list before you go. Luckily, we&#8217;re here to help. We&#8217;ve put together this guide of all the most important things to bring to Japan. You&#8217;ll soon be ticking them off and heading to the airport for an unforgettable adventure! Travel documents [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":3724,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[169],"mete":[214,219],"class_list":["post-3720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-info","tag-japan","mete-asia","mete-japan"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.3.1 (Yoast SEO v26.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Japan packing list: 10 must-haves - Stories<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The ultimate Japan packing list with essential items you need for a hassle-free and memorable trip to Japan.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/10-must-haves-for-your-japan-packing-list\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"10 Must-Haves for your Japan packing list\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The ultimate Japan packing list with essential items you need for a hassle-free and memorable trip to Japan.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/10-must-haves-for-your-japan-packing-list\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Stories\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/weroadtravel\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-06-04T18:30:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/japan-packing-list.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"683\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"WeRoad Team\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"WeRoad Team\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/10-must-haves-for-your-japan-packing-list#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/10-must-haves-for-your-japan-packing-list\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"WeRoad Team\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/cda50f51c03bd7a697399bb1e702b8e7\"},\"headline\":\"10 Must-Haves for your Japan packing list\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-06-04T18:30:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/10-must-haves-for-your-japan-packing-list\"},\"wordCount\":1788,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/10-must-haves-for-your-japan-packing-list#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/japan-packing-list.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Japan\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Travel Info\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/10-must-haves-for-your-japan-packing-list\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/10-must-haves-for-your-japan-packing-list\",\"name\":\"Japan packing list: 10 must-haves - 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