What to pack for Japan: checklist and plug adapter guide

Knowing what to pack for Japan saves money and effort: hotel rooms are small, stations have many stairs, and some bullet trains limit large suitcases. Almost everything can be bought in Japan, so the goal is to pack light and bring the few items that are hard to replace.

Plugs, voltage and the Japan plug adapter

Japan uses type A sockets with two flat pins, sometimes with a third round earth pin (type B). The voltage is 100 volts, with a frequency of 50 Hz in eastern Japan (Tokyo, Tohoku, Hokkaido) and 60 Hz in the west (Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto). Devices from the United States and Canada usually plug in directly. Visitors from Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia and much of Asia need a Japan plug adapter.

Phone, laptop and camera chargers accept 100 to 240 volts and only need the adapter. Hair dryers, straighteners and some kettles built for 220 to 240 volts work poorly or not at all on 100 volts, but most hotels provide a hair dryer. A Japan plug adapter with USB ports is handy, since rooms often have few sockets.

Clothes by season

• Spring and autumn: layers, a light jacket and a compact umbrella.
• Summer: breathable clothes, a hat, sunscreen and a small towel for the humidity.
• Winter: a warm coat, gloves and thermal layers, especially for Hokkaido or the mountains.
• All year: easy slip-on shoes, since shoes come off in temples, ryokan and some restaurants, and socks without holes.

Documents and money

• Passport valid for the whole stay, plus a printed and digital copy.
• Flight and hotel bookings, insurance details and the arrival QR code screenshot.
• A credit card and a debit card from different networks, and some yen in cash.
• A coin purse: coins add up quickly.

Health and medicine

Bring personal medicine in its original packaging with a copy of the prescription. Up to one month of prescription medicine and two months of non-prescription medicine can be brought without formalities, except prohibited substances such as amphetamine-based drugs. Some common cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine are also restricted, so check before packing. Details are in the customs guide.

Small items worth bringing

• A handkerchief: many public toilets have no paper towels.
• A small bag for rubbish, since bins are rare.
• A portable battery, carried in hand luggage.
• Earplugs for capsule hotels or night buses.

Luggage size and forwarding

On the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu bullet trains, bags with total dimensions between 161 and 250 cm need a reserved seat with an oversized luggage area. Luggage forwarding services send suitcases between hotels or to the airport, usually overnight, which makes city hopping easy. When deciding what to pack for Japan, a medium suitcase and a day bag are usually enough.

Laundry and toiletries

Coin laundries and hotel washing machines make it easy to pack for a week and wash on the road. Shampoo, soap and toothbrushes are provided in most hotels.

Official source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, bringing medicines into Japan

Frequently asked questions