How much should I pack for a 2 week trip?

Less is definitely more when packing for a trip to Japan, and having a smaller suitcase is such a benefit when hotel rooms are small, most taxis are sedans, and you’ll likely need to haul your bag on and off at least a few trains. Check out this post for more information on luggage seats on the bullet train, luggage forwarding, and storage lockers. Conveniently, most hotels in Japan have laundry rooms, so you can pack light and plan to do laundry in the middle of your trip. If you do end up buying too much on your trip, you can always head to Muji to buy a new suitcase.

What should you actually pack, and what should you leave at home?

Almost all hotels in Japan will provide pajamas and ryokan will provide yukata to wear to sleep. Some capsule hotels provide pajamas, and smaller guesthouses typically don’t provide sleepwear. Check when you book your accommodations - this is almost always noted! If you’re on the taller side or are plus size, there may not be pajamas or yukatas in your size.

Should I bring an umbrella?

Unless you have a great packable umbrella that you love, there’s no need to plan ahead and pack an umbrella. Once it starts raining, just head to the nearest convenience store and pick yourself up an umbrella for a few hundred yen. If you want to invest in a nicer umbrella, most department stores have a great selection of both rain and sun umbrellas for anywhere from ¥1,000 to ¥5,000.

What should I wear in Japan?

Overall, fashions in Japan are on the conservative and dressier side. To fit in, plan to cover more skin and wear less tight-fitting clothing. However, if you’re comfortable sightseeing in yoga pants, no one will be offended. Most temples and shrines do not have specific dress requirements, but to enter traditional buildings, you will need to take off your shoes, so plan to wear or bring socks. At nicer restaurants, athleisure and ripped clothing is generally not allowed. The most important part of dress requirements at higher-end restaurants is the rule against perfume or strong scents, as any strong scents can interfere with the flavor of the rice.

Can I bring my prescription medication to Japan?

For official advice, start with the US Embassy website on the subject. Unofficially, if you have a prescription and are bringing a few weeks worth of medication, you should be fine. Make sure you have your medication in the original container and bring a copy of your prescription with you.

If you’re traveling to Japan in the spring and suffer from seasonal allergies, I would strongly recommend bringing your preferred brand of allergy medicine to Japan (of course checking official regulations before doing so).