The Ultimate Japan Packing List

The number of international visitors to Japan has steadily risen over the last century, as tourists look to experience the nation's traditions and culture first-hand. Use this packing list to keep track of every essential item, service and app you'll need to navigate your way through Japan.

Essential Travel Items for Japan

Eye Mask and Earplugs 

Due to its location in the Pacific Ocean, many international visitors to Japan will be arriving after a long journey across multiple time zones. Depending on the length of the trip, this could require 2-3 days of acclimatising to the Japanese timezone, and lots of napping during the daytime. Getting to Japan is expensive enough – maximise your hours there by adapting your sleep schedule as soon as possible. An eye mask, earplugs and an over-the-counter sleeping pill can help anyone sleep in the daytime. 

Japan Travel eSIM 

A travel eSIM for Japan is one of the first things most visitors will require on landing. These downloadable SIM profiles let travellers use mobile data on their phones at low-cost Japanese rates instead of paying international roaming charges. And unlike physical SIM cards, eSIMs from companies like BetterRoaming can be installed ahead of time - they activate automatically the minute the user arrives in Japan. BetterRoaming even provide Japan iPad eSIMs for those who need cellular internet on their tablets.

IC card

An IC card is a prepaid payment card used to make contactless payments on public transport throughout Japan. They’re an easy way to keep track of your spending, and can even be used in some cafes, shops and vending machines. They’re especially useful for foreign travellers as they allow them to make card payments without their domestic bank charging a fee, as can often happen when using a domestic credit or debit card abroad. 

There are many regional forms of IC cards, though they can all be used interchangeably throughout the country. It doesn’t really matter which brand you use. Some of the most common IC cards include Suica cards, issued in the greater Tokyo, Sendai and Niigata regions, and Pasmo, which are found within Tokyo city. Certain IC cards, such as the Kansai One Pass, offer discounts and perks in the area of Japan they’re issued in, so it pays to do your research beforehand and use the best IC pass for the region of Japan you’re travelling to. IC cards can be bought and topped up at airports, train stations and subway platforms.  

Travel Adapter

Japan uses two-pin A and B-type wall sockets (the same as in North and Central America). Visitors from anywhere else in the world will need to buy a travel adapter before they can plug anything into the walls in Japan. Try to buy a travel adapter before leaving home or after arriving, as the ones sold in airports and train stations are often needlessly expensive. 

Cash

Japan is famous for the high-tech efficiency of its public services. While many aspects of daily life such as public transport are state-of-the-art, foreign visitors are often surprised at the prevalence of cash in Japanese society. Even in the largest cities, independent shops, bars and restaurants are often cash-only. It’s wise to keep some notes and coins on your person, as they'll often be needed for smaller expenditures like taxis, shrines, drinks and tipping. In rural areas, cash is essential. When you land, use the airport or train station ATMs to withdraw enough yen for at least a few days. Other cash machines may not accept foreign cards or operate during the weekends or evenings. Apple Pay is sometimes accepted, though you’ll need to set up an active Suica account to use it (see below). Google Pay will not work with phones sold outside of Japan.  

Another practical consideration is having smaller denomination coins on you when travelling by rail. This will allow you to access the coin lockers found in most Japanese train stations, providing a safe place to stow luggage while you head out and explore.

Japan Rail Pass

The Japanese rail network is world-famous, with the speed, punctuality and cleanliness of its underground, overground and high-speed trains leaving awe-struck foreign tourists cursing the shoddiness of their home networks. The iconic Shinkansen, or bullet trains, pass through almost every major city and town at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. Window seats on the Tokyo-Osaka Tokaido Shinkansen route are famous for their views of view of Mt Fuji. 

A Japan Rail Pass is an open-ended ticket that offers unlimited travel on long-distance trains, including Shinkansen, and selected municipal rail, buses and ferry services for a single flat fare. Those who plan on taking several longer train journeys during their stay can save considerable amounts of money with a Japan Rail Pass – others may have to do the maths to see if it works for them. The freedom to hop on and off the country’s esteemed trains whenever desired adds a thrilling potential for spontaneity to any Japanese journey.

Phrasebook

Japanese is a fascinating language, with four separate alphabets and a unique pronunciation system. Even for a short visit, it's well worth committing a few basic phrases and courtesies to memory. A pocket phrasebook ensures that practical Japanese is always at hand if your phone breaks or runs out of battery. 

The Best Apps For Visiting Japan

As well as the physical items in your luggage, downloading certain apps before travelling to Japan will make your journey and stay there immeasurably easier and more enjoyable. From essentials like navigation and translation to finding the best ramen joint, these apps are popular with locals and tourists alike. A Japan travel eSIM will allow you the freedom to use them without worrying about spiralling data costs.

Google Maps

For most visitors to Japan, a navigation app like Google Maps will be one of the most-used items in their inventory. The interactive map guides the user from A to B, including recommendations for different modes of transport.

Rakuten Travel Experiences

For visitors who plan on seeing as many Japanese tourist attractions as they can, the Rakuten Travel Guide app is an all-in-one guidebook, booking platform and ticket wallet for thousands of events and sights across the country. Users can even purchase subway and train tickets through the app, making it a handy place to keep track of holiday expenses. Those planning a less structured trip may have little use for the app, but visitors with a packed itinerary will appreciate how much it simplifies holiday planning. Klook is another popular app in Japan that offers a similar service to Rakuten Travel Experiences.

Suica

Suica is the phone-based app of the Suica IC card. Most Japanese IC cards will have some form of app or online site, though the Suica app is the most popular, and is valid for journeys throughout the entire country. It provides all the functionality of the regular Suica card, in app format.

Tabelog

Tabelog is a must-have app for foodies in Japan. The crowd-sourced recommendations app lists thousands of cafes, izakayas and restaurants around the country, from fine dining to street food. The all-in-one reservations and reviewing platform is a constant source of inspiration for finding the next great meal in Japan.

DeepL / Google Translate

If you don’t speak Japanese, a translation app like DeepL or Google Translate will probably be one of the most frequently used apps during your trip. Using one together with a travel eSIM allows for unparalleled ease of communication in Japan, even for total non-speakers. While no translation software is perfect, DeepL provides a slightly less robotic output than Google Translate. Higher-end smartphones can use Google Translate to scan Japanese characters with the phone camera and translate them in real time. Google Translate also allows users to download the Japanese translator and use it even when offline.

Japan Packing List: a Summary

Essential Apps for Japan