The 5 Best Things I Packed for Japan | An Essential Japan Packing List

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Packing for any trip can be a challenge, but Japan has some unique packing needs that I’ve not encountered for any other trip I’ve taken so I’m sharing my essential Japan Packing List.

Japan Packing List

Keychain Coin Organizer

Japan is still a very cash-based country and you end up with so. many. yen! As someone who rarely pays with cash and is unfamiliar with Japanese currency, this keychain coin organizer is perfect because it allows you to sort your yen coins, which makes paying faster because you’re able to find what you need that much quicker.

A Quick-Drying Hand towel

Public restrooms are abundant (and shockingly clean) in Tokyo, but they often lack paper towels or hand dryers. Having a quick-drying hand towel in your bag will save you from having to do the old wipe your hands on your pants to dry them maneuver. Bonus points for one like this that has a little tab to hang off your bag to dry faster.

A Camping Spork

You’re probably thinking “Say what?!” but hear me out. I take this little camping spork with me on every trip. Ever bring leftovers back to your hotel room and go to eat them at the jet-lagged hour of 3:30 am and not have the necessary fork? Between that and the fact that cheap and delicious convenience store noodles are abundant (Japanese 7-Eleven puts its American counterpart to shame, but that’s another blog post) and that I often forgot to grab chopsticks with my purchase this camping spork was a lifesaver!

The World’s Smallest Umbrella*

If you’re heading to Japan during the rainy season (months), you’ll definitely want an umbrella and if you’re like me, you hate lugging one around. Enter this tiny umbrella (*probably not the world’s smallest, but small enough that even Derek Zoolander would approve) that easily fits in your bag, yet keeps you dry when the showers start.

Compression Packing Cubes

These compression packing cubes will help you coming and going on your trip to Japan (or anywhere)! You’ll want to pack fairly light for Japan, especially if you’re planning on taking the Shinkansen (bullet train) between cities and will be toting your luggage. But the other reason to pack light is to have more room to bring back all the kawaii Japanese souvenirs! Compression packing cubes not only help keep your luggage organized, but they also help you stuff, well, more stuff in your bag!

Did I forget anything on my Japan Packing list?