The Ultimate Japan Packing List: 2025 Edition | Don’t Make This Mistake
Save on your Japan trip with 10% off your first booking through Klook for new users and 3% for existing users with my promo code: HOANGPHAM.
Klook: https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=93822&aff_adid=1085251&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2F
A comprehensive packing list for your Japan trip is assembled, taking into account the latest travel trends and essentials for 2025. This guide covers everything from must-have clothing items to practical items, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable journey through the Land of the Rising Sun. We’ll also dive into things you should NOT bring along with a few helpful tips to make sure you are prepared for everything Japan has to offer.
Follow my adventures on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoang.pham.photography/
My Current Camera Gear:
DJI Osmo Pocket 3(Game Changing Video): https://amzn.to/3zhdsdt
Sony A7iv(Photos): https://amzn.to/33ObCBb
Tamron 28-75 2.8: https://amzn.to/3fVMTx4
Peak Design Tripod: https://amzn.to/38YsaG2
DJI Mavic 3 Pro: https://amzn.to/416EhuQ
DJI RS3 Gimbal: https://amzn.to/4gVMcB4
Wonder where I get the awesome music I use in my videos?
Epidemic Sound: https://share.epidemicsound.com/ymmv4d
Chapters:
0:00 – Intro
0:32 – Luggage
3:20 – Electronics
4:14 – THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM
4:36 – Data
4:59 – Cash
6:03 – Credit Cards
7:14 – Clothes(Seasons)
8:54 – Rain
9:35 – Shoes
10:26 – Swimsuit
11:14 – Hand Sanitizer + Hand Towel
11:49 – Mosquitoes + Sun
12:17 – Toiletries
12:34 – Camera Equipment
13:10 – Travel Pillow
13:25 – Snacks
13:50 – Face Mask + Medication
14:29 – Pro Tip
As an Amazon and Epidemic Sound Associate I earn from qualifying purchases using the links above at no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting my channel.
24 Comments
Save 10% off your first booking through Klook for new users and 3% for existing users with my promo code: HOANGPHAM
Thank you SO much for this video. I've been planning my Nov trip since Jan, and the one thing I continue to modify on my packing list is how much more I can reduce bringing with me. I've got myself down to basically your exact same luggage setup, but for 2 weeks. Most of the talking points I was aware of, EXCEPT the ibuprofen limit. Crazy how they limit them to 100mg. Great info!
I have lived and travelled in Japan for years and haven't found the mosquitos to be a big deal at all. My daughter is very reactive to bug bites and hasn't experienced anything bad in particular either. One thing I was not prepared for was the cicadas. Big and noisy.
What about Japan in middle of March? Any advice?
Thank you so much! We are going to Japan in September so I appreciate all tips. 😍
Summer in Tokyo. 35 degrees or over. High humidity. Often still near 30 overnight and still humid.
people carry their own hand towels
Very nice brother.
I'm really honoured to find you.❤
can i bring my prescription medication?
Wondering if you have thoughts/experience on booking a hotels. Can 2 adults, 1 child (age 8) and 1 child (age 5) stay in a 3 person room of the 5 year old shares a bed? The reason I ask is because the price difference and room size is significantly more expensive and larger than what I believe we need. For example in Tokyo at Park Hyatt or Sequence Hotel the difference between 4 person and 3 person stay is almost double the cost. Will we get turned away if we book for 3 and show up with 4? Any insight on this would be much appreciated.
What about for individuals who have physical issues like bad knees, bad hips, are there opportunities to rent mobility scooters?
As a frequent flyer, yeah. Only carry minimum and important, cash, passport,ID and 1 visa and 1 Mastercard. Carry an empty thermos bottle and if possible, download apps that you gonna use. I usually use my mobile provider roaming. Very very helpful. For meds, just bring enough for the trip. They won’t really stop you if you have proper papers or documents on your mobile.
Japan is one of my favourite adventure spot for the autumn and winter. Yes, invest on a really good walking shoe and 1 good jacket. Get Uniqlo heat tech inner wear – the ultra warm ones. Just 1 pair goes a long way. ❤
Do prescription medications need to be in original bottles? I would prefer to have them in a pill container by the day. It would save a lot of space! Thanks for the great tips!
While I haven’t been yet, my friends and family suggested staying close to a station. So, all my hotels are within .25 miles of a major station. Only one issue is in Kanazawa, as the sites are 30 minute walking and the bus is 20-25 minutes. I’m thinking of renting a bike to get around, we’ll see.
Oh, my cousin is 5’7” and 160 and he says he had to buy XXL shirts in Japan.
Were going next year with 3 kids, so I'm bringing 4 suit cases😂 1 will be full of diapers and wipes, so that suitcase will be used for bringing home stuff we buy
The reason that Japan doesn’t have paper towels in bathrooms is that they want to minimize rubbish so a lot of people carry handkerchiefs or hand towels to dry their hands. Most places have soap in the bathroom
Hmm. I thought we fill out a form when we get to Japan, rather than before. 😅
What are your thoughts on mailing your luggage home?
14:00 Small correction: Japan does not ban ibuprofen or limit it to 100 mg — you can bring up to a two-month supply of ibuprofen or other common OTC painkillers with no issue. The real problem is with meds containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine (like Sudafed or Claritin-D), which are strictly prohibited under Japan’s stimulant laws. Prescription meds are fine up to a one-month supply, while larger amounts or injectables need prior approval. So Advil and Tylenol are okay, but cold meds with pseudoephedrine are not.
Other U.S. OTC ingredients that Japan restricts include diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Tylenol PM), codeine-based cough syrups, and high-dose dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, NyQuil). These can trigger narcotics or controlled substance rules, so it’s best to avoid bringing them in.
Japan has to deport chinese and russian communists, vietnamese and filipino shoplifters, muslims and indian streetsh****ters
Wait.. love that intro! We’re going in November and it’s our second time. I feel like the first time we barely scratched Tokyo so this time I’m doing as much research as I can and learn more tips 😅 Thank you!
I’am going on a cycling tour of Japan for two months,
I was told that it would be beneficial to get an additional policy even though my current health care provider would cover all my medical services in Japan if needed, perhaps this may be a prudent thing to do so right…
I went in late Nov early Dec 2023 according to the temps I was seeing it hit 25c..it was wonderful weather!..I certainly didn't take thermals and a winter coat. A t-shirt and thin zip hoodie was fine!…25c is a nice summers day here in Scotland…And the same for when I was in Japan in Jan of 2023…I did take a rain coat then (wasn't going to). But that's because it was raining when I needed to get to the airport here in Scotland…During the 5 weeks over two trips..it only rained twice…In Kumamoto (on my way to the station for my next stop)..and on my way down Mt. Misen (Itsukushima)…But was light and didn't last long.