Are you excited for your upcoming trip to Japan? How much preparation have you done so far? Do you need help in deciding what essentials to pack to make your vacation smooth and stress-free?
When travelling to a foreign country, such as Japan, it is very crucial to plan several months ahead to not end up facing problems and forgetting some essential matters that could ruin your holiday. Below is a list of items that you should remember to take with you for a fun and memorable Japan adventure:
- Passport and/or Japan visa
You have to have a valid passport in order to enter Japan. Make sure that it does not expire in at least the next six months, or you will find yourself prohibited from boarding your flight to Japan or refused entry upon your arrival there.
Also, check whether you need a Japan visa or not. Certain nationalities can enter Japan visa-free and stay for a particular period of time, while there are also others that need to apply for a tourist visa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website provides information on which countries and regions are visa-exempt, how the visa application process works, and other information.
- Travel insurance
Purchase travel insurance before your trip so that you have some safety net in cases of medical emergencies, accidents, flight delays and cancellations, lost or stolen luggage, and others while you are in Japan.
- Return flights
You have to have confirmations for your flights to and from Japan. Print out a few copies and stash them in your backpack or suitcase, and also save soft copies to your phone or laptop. Triple check the departure and arrival dates, times, cities, and airports and terminals, and, if necessary, check with the airline for any changes or updates on your bookings.
- Accommodation arrangements
While it is not impossible to find a hotel or hostel to stay last minute once you are already in Japan, it will be time-consuming and too much of a hassle. It is strongly advised that you book your accommodations well in advance before you fly out.
Use online reservation websites, such as Agoda, Booking, Rakuten Travel, and Japanese Guest Houses, to help you search for lodging options across Japan that fit your budget and taste. Once you complete the booking process, print out the email confirmations and also save them to your phone.
- Cash and cards
Cash is still the most widely accepted mode of payment in Japan, though credit cards are becoming more commonly accepted in large restaurants, hotels, department stores, and other businesses.
Although you can just exchange your foreign money to yen upon arrival to Japan, it will not hurt to contact your local bank and see if you can buy some yen from them at a better rate. Having yen in the form of bills and coins is quite handy when visiting smaller diners, food stalls, and shops, as well as shrines, temples, and other tourist attractions.
If you run out of cash, there are ATMs at Japanese airports, post offices, and convenience stores nationwide where you can withdraw yen from.
- Luggage
How much luggage is too much? Backpack or suitcase? These are a couple of questions that usually come up when talking about Japan travel. The answer depends on what your itinerary looks like and what type of traveller you are.
If your itinerary involves having to change cities and accommodations every few days, and you have only a week’s worth of clothes and plan to just do your laundry some time along the trip, having a carryon-size backpack is a lifesaver. With a backpack, you can move more freely and quickly, especially when navigating train stations and riding the trains during rush hour.
If you do not want to burden your shoulders and back, and do not mind spending extra on luggage forwarding services and taxi rides for your large suitcases, then take as much luggage as you want.
- Clothing and footwear
The kind of clothes to pack on your Japan trip depends on when and where in Japan you are visiting. Japan has winter (December to February), spring (March to May), summer (June to August), and autumn (September to November), but weather and temperature conditions can vary greatly from north to south.
For example, winter days in Tokyo are generally in the 5 to 10 degree Celsius range and not snowy, so a winter jacket over a warm sweater, and ordinary shoes and socks might suffice. However, if you are going to Sapporo, winter days are almost always below 0 degrees and see several inches of snow. Thus, having more layers and thicker coats, and insulated, waterproof boots is recommended.
Regularly check the Japan Meteorological Agency website for weather forecasts and other information before and during your trip.
- Medications
Japan has strict laws on medicines and drugs imported from overseas. Before packing your over-the-counter and/or prescription medications, take the time to check whether they are included in the prohibited list or not, or if they require a permit or other documentation. If caught, violators may face jail time. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website has more details and information on bringing medications for personal use into Japan.
- Gadgets
Cameras and smartphones, for a lot of people, are necessities when travelling.
Cameras, whether a point-or-shoot or DSLR, let you keep lasting memories of the most beautiful scenery and views you come across on your journey. And smartphones with internet connection can make exploring Japan a lot easier, particularly for looking up bus and train timetables and directions to sightseeing spots wherever and whenever you need to. Before you fly out, you can order a Wi-Fi SIM card, such as Mobal’s Japan SIM card (check out our handy comparison SIM Card guide here), or rent a pocket Wi-Fi from here or here.
- Pre-purchased tickets for attractions and tours
Many tourist spots and events in Japan provide the public the opportunity to pre-purchase entrance tickets or require their guests to pre-purchase tickets to avoid long lines or soldouts, avail of discounted rates, or secure guaranteed spots in a limited slot system. The following are some of the most popular attractions, tours, etc. in Japan that you can buy tickets for before your trip:
- Ghibli Museum
- Sumo
- Universal Studios Japan
- Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea
- Highway buses
- Japan Rail Pass
