Family Travel Essentials: What to Pack for Your Japan Adventure

Packing for a family trip to Japan can feel like a monumental task, but we can help you figure out what you need (and what you don’t need) to make packing a breeze! Traveling in Japan means a mix of scenic natural places and fast-paced cities, so having the right gear is key to keeping everyone comfortable and prepared. And as much as we LOVE the widespread public transit in Japan, carrying luggage on the train is something you and your family will need to consider when packing. Having the essentials like comfortable shoes for all the walking and easy layers to keep you comfortable in any weather, and packing light but smart can make the difference between a smooth adventure and a ton of unnecessary stress. This guide will help you pack efficiently for an easy and unforgettable family journey to Japan!

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Packing list

So lets jump right in! Now that you’re ready to start packing, here are our recommendations for everything you need for your family trip to Japan. These items will help ensure that everyone stays comfortable, prepared, and ready to explore, no matter where your adventure takes you!

Shoes

Comfortable shoes are a must! Pick something supportive and well cushioned to protect your feet from the concrete. Many families report that they walk, on average, 10 miles a day while in Japan! We love Hokas for both kids and adults.

No matter how comfortable your shoes are, feet get tired and its nice to have a second pair of shoes. Your feet need a break from the shoes you’ve been wearing all day long! For myself, I love Birkenstocks– they are just so comfortable and easy to slip on! For the kids, Crocs are a great, lightweight option. My kids LOVE them and they feel different enough from sneakers to really give your feet a break.

Clothing

When traveling in Japan, packing light is so important. And packing light means carefully planning each item in your suitcase. For clothing, make sure that each piece can be worn with every other piece. All tops should go with all bottoms, for example. Then you can make numerous combinations depending on occasion, weather, and mood.

For spring and fall travel to Japan, here’s what we pack:

Women:

Men

Kids

Toiletries

  • Prescriptions. Remember that Japan has different laws regarding drugs, so you’ll need to double check for each prescription you are bringing
  • Over the counter medicine like ibuprofen for adults and kids as these aren’t as readily available over there.
  • Makeup, if you require it
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste (but many hotels will provide this- check with your hotel)
  • Only bring shampoo, conditioner, soap, moisturizer, comb/brush if you are particularly sensitive or very particular about what you use. Hotels will provide products for your use.
  • Contacts or glasses

Other items

  • Entertainment for the flight and entertainment to keep kids quiet on the train – need some ideas for entertaining your kids? Check out our article here
  • portable chargers
  • charging cords
  • Sleep comfort items so kids will sleep well away from home
  • day bag for walking around. We love this one for kids because its cute and big enough to carry a Nintendo Switch, and this one for adults because its comfortable and large enough to carry passports, water, etc.
  • A collapsible duffel to bring home, filled with everything you buy in Japan!

Packing Considerations

Now that we’ve shared our packing list, you may be questioning why we’ve chosen those particular items. And this is such a great question because even if your list doesn’t wind up exactly matching ours, we can still share our knowledge and make sure you are perfectly well prepared and have packed everything your family needs!

When you’re prepping for a family adventure in Japan, there’s a whole bunch of stuff to think about beyond just tossing some clothes in a bag. We’re talking weather, culture, and of course, your kids who have their own special needs. But no need to stress! We’re here to break it down for you, one fun-sized tip at a time

The weather

Of course, you’ll need to take a look at the weather during your visit. The weather in Japan will vary widely depending on what time of year, and where in Japan you will be visiting. Summer months can be extremely hot and humid, and winter can be cold and snowy. We always look at monthly weather trends for average high and low temperatures, days of rain, etc. to get a feel for what we should expect.

However, most visitors will be coming in either the spring or the fall, when temperatures are mild. And during those months, temperatures will typically be pleasant- I’m usually comfortable in tees and pants and with a light jacket. But you’ll need be prepared for rain and/or wind at times.

Trains are not well heated/cooled, and you’ll likely end up walking a lot outside. Indoors, temperatures are usually kept pretty warm. So easy layers, and dressing for outdoor temperatures is important in Japan.

Kids climbing on rocks at the Golden Temple in Kyoto. Light jackets keep kids warm on the chillier days, and are easy to carry if it gets warm.
Spring temperatures in Tokyo means warm one minute and chilly the next- comfortable layers make travel in Japan much more pleasant!

Looking for more Japan content? Check out this article on Delight Details we love in Japan!

Cultural Considerations

Dress codes for travelers are rare in Japan for both temples and restaurants. You can certainly dress how you please in Japan as a tourist. However, you’ll notice that most Japanese people dress much more formally than Americans.

Many of the Japanese people we saw were dressed in suits and ties for work. But even when not in work attire, we saw most men wearing collared shirts and dress pants, and women in dress pants or skirts and blouses. For women, low cut tops are not the norm. We spotted most children in school uniforms. But those not in uniform wore coordinated sets with skirts or trousers.

We also noticed that the vast majority of adults wear neutral colors- mostly black and navy, but some white or cream as well. Kids clothing has a bit more color but is often muted, compared to what you might see in the US.

Now that you know what is typical in Japan, you can decide what to do with that information. I don’t want to feel underdressed or sloppy, so I tend to dress up a little more than I typically would. And for my kids, I always prefer dressing them in bright colors while traveling to make them easier to spot, and I don’t feel it’s inappropriate in Japan, even though it’s not the norm. The bright colors trick works particularly well in Japan where we saw mostly a sea of people dressed in black or navy- so a bright red t-shirt is visible from a mile away.

Getting around

When traveling in Japan, transportation throughout the city and even across the country is primarily through trains or other public transit. Trains in Japan are amazing and so convenient, but they can also get extremely crowded. For trains within the city, there is no designated luggage area. And even on the Shinkansen, designated luggage areas are for carry-on size suitcases, not huge ones.

So hauling big suitcases may feel like much more of a burden than they would when you are traveling by car. In addition, you may find that you end up walking with your suitcase more than you would other places; from the train station to your hotel, from one train station to another, and even up and down stairs to get to underground trains. For us, having small, light, easily manageable luggage is a big priority in Japan.

Also, you can expect to walk a LOT in Japan. Walking 10 miles a day is not unusual. So bringing comfortable shoes and clothing is a must! For hot summer months, chaffing can certainly be an issue. Any time of year, clothing that is uncomfortable, doesn’t move well, or requires a lot of adjustment may be not be the best choice for Japan.

Strollers and Baby Carriers and Car Seats, Oh my!

Traveling with kids and babies means bringing a WHOLE bunch of extra stuff. And for a family trip to Japan, a stroller or a baby carrier is a definite must because there is just so much walking- 10 miles a day! So even families with preschoolers may want to bring the stroller, or risk carrying an exhausted kiddo long distances.

For babies and younger toddlers, I’d pick a baby carrier over a stroller because it is just so much easier to get around. But, if your child is too big or heavy for the carrier, just pick a stroller that isn’t huge and folds up easily because you’ll likely have to carry it up and down stairs at least once a day.

The good news? You can probably skip the car seat! On trains and buses, car seats aren’t required (and sometimes, are not even allowed).

Kids checking out Godzilla in Tokyo, Japan! Make sure you pack comfortable shoes and clothes for a family vacation to Japan!
There is SO much walking in Japan! Make sure you are set up for walking long distances- strollers, comfortable shoes, comfortable clothing, etc.

Pack Light

Let’s chat about the golden rule of travel: packing light! And this is especially important when traveling to Japan. Sure, it might seem like a challenge, especially when you’ve got kids and ALL the things they need. But traveling light is possible even for families, and can be a total game changer!

Why?

Getting around is just SO much easier when you have less luggage. This is true for any vacation, but in Japan, because you’ll likely be traveling by train, its extra important. Japan train stations often have lockers to store luggage, if you are switching hotels. But lockers for large suitcases are few and far between. EVERYTHING is easier if you have less luggage.

And in Japan, hotel rooms tend to be smaller. Shops are smaller. Even walkways are smaller. Things in Japan are just smaller and not meant for giant suitcases.

How?

Packing light is easier than you think in Japan for a number of reasons. So lets get into it!

Clothing

Laundromats are extremely common in Japan. You’ll probably not have to walk farther than a block to find one. And, even better, many family-style hotels offer a laundry facility on-site, or even in the room! Our favorite is the in-room washer/dryer combo. Then I can put a load in before I go to bed, or before we leave for a day out exploring, and find the laundry washed, dried and ready to go!

With great laundry options, you can bring just a few items that easily mix and match, and have multiple outfits and clothing that works for different weather. It does take some planning to pick things that all go well together and everything you need to bring!

Toiletries

Hotels in Japan will, of course, have basic toiletries like soap, shampoo, and hairdryers. Some even have combs, toothbrushes, pajamas, and slippers! Make sure you check your hotel for a list of amenities!

The hard part? Giving up YOUR toiletries! I get it – it was hard for me at first. But honestly, a week with not-my-shampoo and conditioner isn’t that big of a deal. Of course if you have one or two must-have products for yourself or your kids, bring them in a small container. And if you have allergies, or super sensitive skin, you’ll have to just skip this step! But for many of us, using whatever the hotel has will end up making your life much easier!

And if you find you need something, convenience stores and drug stores are everywhere and will have whatever you need!

Baby stuff, kids stuff, etc!

When traveling with babies and kids, it seems like we just need a lot of STUFF. Diapers, wipes, tissues, snacks, milk, toys, medicine, etc. But you’ll find in Japan that you don’t need to pack enough of everything to last you through the vacation. Convenience stores are everywhere and have tons of snacks and drinks, toiletries, medicines, and even some toys. Drug stores are also quite easy to find and will have diapers and wipes and other baby care items you need.

And in Japan, because everything is SO walkable, picking a few things everyday, or even multiple times a day, just works better than buying in bulk. It’s super convenient to stop in really quick (no parking the car, unloading a kid, etc.) and grab what you need.

Kids arriving at the Mimaru Kyoto Shinmachi Sanjo with suitcases in hand. Its so much easier getting around in Japan with small suitcases.
Kids walking around with their suitcases. Its so much easier to have small suitcases!

Luggage recommendations

Picking great luggage is important, especially when you’re traveling with the whole family circus in tow! Finding the right luggage can really make or break your Japan adventure. But fear not, we can help with some great tips and recommendations for luggage for family travel in Japan.

Carry-on!

For family travel in Japan, we recommend sticking with carry-on size suitcases if at all possible.

Smaller, carry-on size roller bags are more common, and, we think, much easier for travel around Japan than a backpack. When trains are crowded, a backpack can be really tricky to manage especially for kids who may inadvertently hit people with it. Roller bags fit more easily on the floor.

You can expect to have to carry your bag up and down stairs occasionally, so make sure you pick a bag small enough that you can comfortably lift it. Also, many airlines have more strict carry-on requirements for international flights than domestic. So it’s possible the carry-on you’ve been using is actually too large to qualify as carry-on for your flight to Japan.

For adults and kids

I love the Beis Mini Roller for travel in Japan. Its small enough that, even packed full, it won’t be too heavy to lift. It’s well designed, sturdy, and rolls nicely. The front pocket makes it easy to access a tablet or book on the plane or on longer train rides. Its designed as a kids suitcase, and its great for that, but I like it for myself as well!

Looking for a more budget friendly option? The Carrywell 21″ is a great, well-made carry-on suitcase that comes in lots of fun colors!

Younger kids

For toddlers and preschoolers, we love the ride-on suitcases. Because lets be honest- they are going to try to ride on the suitcase either way! Buying one that is designed for it means it’s safer and won’t break from the weight of a kid.

The Jetkids bedbox is amazing because its a ride on suitcase AND it doubles as a comfortable place to sleep on the flight! But it is pricey.

For a more budget friendly option, check out the Trunki. It doesn’t have the in-flight bed, but it does have lots of great colors and designs that your kid will love, and a much nicer price tag.

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