10 Things to Leave Behind When Packing For Japan Trip

When preparing for a trip to Japan, it’s essential to pack smart and avoid bringing unnecessary items that will only weigh you down. By learning from the experiences of seasoned travelers, you can streamline your packing list and focus on the essentials.

In this article, we’ll explore 10 things you might want to reconsider packing for your Japanese adventure.

1. Nintendo Switch or Other Gaming Devices

While it may be tempting to bring your gaming devices to keep you entertained during downtime, many travelers found that they never used them.

As one Redditor shared, “I bought my Nintendo Switch with me. I did not play my Nintendo Switch. I remember on my flight back, I thought I’d have all the time for a movie marathon. I watched one film and then fell asleep lmao.”

2. Too Much Clothes

Japan is known for its incredible shopping options, and many hotels offer laundry facilities, making it easy to pack light and buy clothes as needed.

As one traveler advised, “Too many clothes! especially for winter – you end up prioritising warmth and comfort over variety. One warm jacket you like, two pairs of pants and more inner layers that can be swapped out daily.”

3. Toiletries

Most Japanese hotels provide high-quality toiletries, so you can save space by leaving your shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel at home.

However, as one Redditor pointed out, “You’re good to leave everything at home EXCEPT for deodorant because you will not be able to find real deodorant in Japan.”

4. Bulky Shoes

Stick to a comfortable pair of walking shoes and consider buying any additional footwear in Japan.

A traveler shared their experience: “Even if they didn’t, a lot of convenience stores sell them too. I was seriously considering throwing them away, for the extra space.”

5. Laptops, iPads, and Books

Unless you’re certain you’ll use them, many travelers found they were too busy exploring to use their laptops, iPads, or books.

As one Redditor mentioned, “I thought I would play it in between shinkansen traveling but I either slept, eat or stare out the windows.”

6. Hair Styling Tools

Japanese hotels typically provide hair dryers, and the voltage difference may make your tools unusable.

One traveler learned this the hard way: “The dyson hair dryer i bought in my home country. Incompatible voltage, rendering it a heavy, useless appliance.”

7. Excess Bags

Many travelers regretted packing an extra suitcase for purchases, suggesting that a packable duffel or buying an affordable suitcase in Japan is a better option.

A Redditor shared, “My shortlist of stuff to never take when visiting Japan, with focus on major metropolitan areas: Excess Electronics, Leave behind any extra gadgets – you don’t need them.”

8. Fancy Clothes

Apart from one nice outfit, most travelers found they prioritized comfort over style and didn’t need dressy clothes.

One person’s experience: “I packed a couple of linen dresses that I typically wouldn’t wear in my everyday life but I thought ‘Hey it’s my chance to dress the way I’ve always wanted!’ Since it was summer too and it seemed like they’d be light and easy to wear… well I wore them maybe three times for whole month I was there.”

9. Towels and Pajamas

Japanese hotels often provide these amenities, so you can save space by leaving them at home.

A traveler shared, “Pajamas and slippers. Every hotel we stayed at provided nice sleep sets.”

10. Umbrellas

While a compact umbrella can be handy, many hotels provide umbrellas for guests, and you can easily purchase one in Japan if needed.

As one Redditor mentioned, “An umbrella. I bought my own that fit in my handbag. All of those umbrella stands are designed for the ‘default’ tall plastic umbrella which is for sale everywhere, and mine would just fall down into the water at the bottom of the stand.”

By avoiding these 10 items, you can save valuable luggage space and focus on enjoying your Japanese adventure without being weighed down by unnecessary belongings.