Packing list
Japan Packing List & Travel Checklist
Tokyo runs from 1 °C (34 °F) nights in January to 32 °C (89 °F) days in August, and July is the wettest month, with about 13 days of rain. For your own dates, trip length and group, use the packing list generator.
What to pack for Japan
Counts are per person for a 7-day trip. Weather gear depends on the month, so it is in the table below the list; the download adds it, marked with the months that need it.
Documents & Money
Buy travel insurance and save the policy offline
Keep a backup card and emergency cash apart from your wallet
Get JPY cash / a no-forex-fee card
Check visa requirements for Japan
Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
Copies of passport and bookings (paper + phone)
Tell your bank your travel dates and check foreign transaction fees
Leave your itinerary, emergency contacts and a passport copy with someone at home
Register with your embassy's traveler program (STEP for US citizens)
Japan Rail Pass
Passport (valid 6+ months past your return)
Wallet with ID and payment cards
Transit card: Suica (also Pasmo, ICOCA) · Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka
Coin purse
Pen for arrival forms
Coin locker change
Clothing
Underwear ×8
Per person
Socks ×8
Per person
Everyday outfits (tops and bottoms) ×5
Per person
Comfortable walking shoes
Modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered)
Slip-on shoes
Sleepwear
Light layer (sweater or hoodie)
Change of clothes in your carry-on
Flip-flops or shower sandals
Swimsuit
Compression socks
Light scarf or shawl for cold planes and buses
Tech & Accessories
Set up an eSIM or roaming plan for data
Install local apps: Japan Transit by Jorudan, SmartEX, Navitime for Japan Travel, Tokyo Subway Navigation, Navitime for Japan, Navitime, Klook
Save your two-factor backup codes in case you lose your phone
Download an offline map & language pack for Japan
Phone charger and cable
Power bank
Headphones or earbuds (noise-canceling for flights)
Travel adapter
Japan uses Type A/B sockets.
Japanese phrasebook
Multi-port USB charger or short extension cord
Luggage tracker (AirTag or similar) in checked bags
Health & Safety
List your medications by generic name, with a doctor's note
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Toiletry bag (deodorant, shampoo, razor)
Prescription medication (with a copy of the prescription)
Glasses or contacts, solution and a spare pair (if you wear them)
Insect repellent (DEET or picaridin)
Basic meds: pain relief, antidiarrheal, antihistamine
Small first-aid kit
Hand sanitizer
Travel wet wipes
Earplugs
Sleep eye mask
Lip balm with SPF
Nail clippers and tweezers
Period products (if you need them)
Blister plasters and anti-chafe balm
Pocket tissues or a small roll of toilet paper
Electrolyte powder packets
Bite relief cream
Motion-sickness tablets or bands
Face mask for the plane
Gear & Activity
Reusable water bottle
Daypack
Zip bags in a few sizes
Packable tote or shopping bag
Laundry bag for dirty clothes
Luggage lock
Anti-theft crossbody bag
Temple stamp book
Mini sewing kit and safety pins
Small flashlight or headlamp
Extras
Reserve Ghibli Museum tickets
Reserve Kyoto Imperial Palace tour
Reserve teamLab Botanical Garden tickets
Travel neck pillow
Book or e-reader
Download or print this list
Weather gear by month
A tick means at least one city on this route meets that weather in that month: 8 or more rainy days, nights at 8 °C (46 °F) or colder, or days at 24 °C (75 °F) or warmer.
| Month | Rain gear | Warm layers | Sun protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | · | ✓ | · |
| Feb | · | ✓ | · |
| Mar | ✓ | ✓ | · |
| Apr | ✓ | · | · |
| May | ✓ | · | ✓ |
| Jun | ✓ | · | ✓ |
| Jul | ✓ | · | ✓ |
| Aug | ✓ | · | ✓ |
| Sep | ✓ | · | ✓ |
| Oct | ✓ | · | ✓ |
| Nov | ✓ | · | · |
| Dec | · | ✓ | · |
Rain gear
- Packable rain jacket or travel umbrella
Warm layers
- Warm insulated jacket
- Warm hat and gloves
- Thermal base layer
Sun protection
- Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
- Sunglasses
- Wide-brimmed sun hat
What to wear in Japan
By the average daytime high in Tokyo.
Jul–Aug: highs 87–89°F (30–32°C)
Light, breathable fabrics: linen or cotton tops, shorts or light skirts, sandals.
May–Jun, Sep: highs 77–82°F (25–28°C)
Short sleeves by day, a light long-sleeve or thin layer for air-conditioning and evenings.
Apr, Oct–Nov: highs 64–72°F (18–22°C)
Layers: long sleeves or a light sweater, and a light jacket for the evening.
Dec–Mar: highs 51–60°F (10–15°C)
A warm sweater and a mid-weight jacket; closed shoes.
Japan weather by month
Average daily high and low, and rainy days per month. Source: Rain: contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information; Temperatures: TerraClimate (Abatzoglou et al.), CC0.
Tokyo
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 51°F / 10°C | 34°F / 1°C | 5 |
| Feb | 52°F / 11°C | 36°F / 2°C | 6 |
| Mar | 60°F / 15°C | 43°F / 6°C | 9 |
| Apr | 67°F / 20°C | 50°F / 10°C | 10 |
| May | 77°F / 25°C | 60°F / 15°C | 9 |
| Jun | 80°F / 27°C | 67°F / 19°C | 12 |
| Jul | 87°F / 30°C | 74°F / 23°C | 13 |
| Aug | 89°F / 32°C | 76°F / 24°C | 10 |
| Sep | 82°F / 28°C | 69°F / 20°C | 12 |
| Oct | 72°F / 22°C | 58°F / 15°C | 11 |
| Nov | 64°F / 18°C | 48°F / 9°C | 9 |
| Dec | 55°F / 13°C | 38°F / 3°C | 6 |
Kyoto
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 48°F / 9°C | 34°F / 1°C | 6 |
| Feb | 50°F / 10°C | 35°F / 2°C | 7 |
| Mar | 58°F / 15°C | 41°F / 5°C | 10 |
| Apr | 68°F / 20°C | 49°F / 9°C | 10 |
| May | 78°F / 25°C | 58°F / 15°C | 8 |
| Jun | 82°F / 28°C | 67°F / 19°C | 11 |
| Jul | 89°F / 32°C | 75°F / 24°C | 17 |
| Aug | 92°F / 33°C | 77°F / 25°C | 12 |
| Sep | 83°F / 28°C | 69°F / 21°C | 12 |
| Oct | 73°F / 23°C | 58°F / 15°C | 9 |
| Nov | 64°F / 18°C | 47°F / 8°C | 7 |
| Dec | 52°F / 11°C | 38°F / 3°C | 6 |
Osaka
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 50°F / 10°C | 36°F / 2°C | 4 |
| Feb | 52°F / 11°C | 37°F / 3°C | 6 |
| Mar | 60°F / 16°C | 43°F / 6°C | 8 |
| Apr | 70°F / 21°C | 51°F / 11°C | 8 |
| May | 79°F / 26°C | 60°F / 16°C | 7 |
| Jun | 84°F / 29°C | 68°F / 20°C | 10 |
| Jul | 90°F / 32°C | 76°F / 25°C | 14 |
| Aug | 93°F / 34°C | 78°F / 26°C | 11 |
| Sep | 85°F / 30°C | 71°F / 22°C | 12 |
| Oct | 76°F / 24°C | 60°F / 16°C | 8 |
| Nov | 66°F / 19°C | 50°F / 10°C | 7 |
| Dec | 55°F / 13°C | 40°F / 5°C | 6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes in Mar–Nov: in those months at least one of the cities here averages 8 or more days with rain. Outside them a compact umbrella is enough.
In Dec–Mar, yes: nights average 8 °C (46 °F) or colder somewhere on this route, so pack an insulated jacket, hat and gloves.
Yes. Mosquitoes or other biting insects are a real nuisance or health risk here, so pack a DEET or picaridin repellent and bite cream.
Japan uses type A/B plugs at 100 V. Check your chargers say 100-240 V before plugging in.
Japan Transit by Jorudan, SmartEX, Navitime for Japan Travel, Tokyo Subway Navigation, Navitime for Japan, Navitime, Klook.
Next: the trip itself
Going to Japan for 7 days? Get the day-by-day plan too.
Timed activities, restaurant picks, a budget that adds up, and a map for every day. What you told us is already filled in. Free, no sign-up.
Plan my Japan trip →More packing lists
Weather: Rain: contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information; Temperatures: TerraClimate (Abatzoglou et al.), CC0. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Updated 2026-09-30.