If going from Osaka or Kyoto to Tokyo send luggage the day before with luggage service, you check out as it takes about 1.5-2days to reach your Tokyo hotel when I used it in November '23. I over packed for sure for my first ever trip last year, now I know I'm bringing 3 sets of clothes only and making sure each hotel I stay has washer/dryer. One I stayed at said it had laundry service which I assumed meant the machines but it wasn't and they were asking 400yen per shirt and 600 yen per pants and more. I found a coin laundry nearby and did it myself for the price one pair of pants would have cost. Coin lockers are amazing when doing day trips, stick heavy things or your bag in them and have a lighter/smaller bag to walk around with then as you acquire items just return to the locker and store again unless you like heavy bag on your back. I learned so much watching yours and others but I didn't listen to some and now I know after visiting, cannot wait to my next trip this year.
I just got back from my trip. It was amazing!!! I had so much fun but also experienced the earthquake last week while in tokyo (guess it occured in saitama) it woke me up from my sleep but luckily it wasn't that bad. Very memorable trip. 10:02 luggage forwarding was AWESOME! I used it the whole time as i went to different cities.
Great stuff, last time I went for 10 days , I carried 7 kg cabin baggage only, I was one of the first out of airport , all my souvenirs were tiny under 5cm each , so easy to find , key chains, postcards, fridge magnets, then my wardrobe had tops and bottoms that all colour matched with each other which allowed me to have a different look each day without the weight ,bring shoes that are very light , stuff sneakers with stuff to save space , I bring my deodorant too , only use roll on anyway
I learned the hard way: if they say it's a slight chance of rain, plan for rain! I got caught walking through the Nara city outer limits for a country afternoon walk in the rain, no rain jacket or umbrella.
Best thing I could to is travel with just a carry on with whatever I could fit and just One pair of shoes for walking. I bought a cheap luggage case at Don Quijote and filled it with everything I bought, there’s tons of cool stores that are not available worldwide like UNIQLO and just bought the rest of my clothes during my trip! + The hotel luggage service HELPS A TON!
Luggage forwarding really is the ultimate travel hack right?! .. I wish i could just carry on but when im creating content its impossible due to the amount of stuff i carry.
As someone who will vacation there for 2 weeks, I'm only bringing 2 bags; 1 carry on and 1 backpack. Only 1 week's worth of clothes cuz I'll be taking advantage of the hotel's laundry. I'll have to disagree with the camera for not to bring cuz most smartphone cameras are terrible unless you got an iphone or google pixel. A pocket size camera is good like the sony RX100's or dji osmos pocket series. One thing that's not on list essentials list that absolutely should be is a portable battery bank. The constant use of the phone for navigation, translation, video/pictures, and web surfing will drain the battery. I also recommend bringing vitamins/supplements especially that strengthens your immune system. It would royally suck if you end up being sick during your stay.
It's why i said if you have a good modern phone.. As for the battery pack and some of the other things I 100% agree and are included in my ultimate packing guide : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OJg_N4GCzM4.html
Buying when you get there. That would be OK if your not 6'4" tall like me ! Clothing for larger people is almost impossible, lets not even talk about the courtesy slippers 🤣 ♨⛩🎌
Even for me at a slender build and just under six feet it was hard to find sizes. (T shirts were an exception, those were easy) For men I am tempted to say forget buying shoes unless you have time to really hunt for your size but don't assume you will find it. I bought a leather jacket but it was a XLL size there and I wear medium in the US.
🇯🇵 I agree with alot here but for me a pro camera is a world of difference if you want nice pics. Camera phones only have so much resolution if you are focusing on something far away so my Canon is my preference
Many thanks! The initial part is almost genial with the best mix of graphic and practic description! 😁 And everything else is also very very refined and helpful! Question: it seems I will most probably use the Keikyu line to reach my first hotel in Tokyo (from Haneda terminal 3 to Tokyo), are there some rules about luggage? I will not have enough time to forward my luggage at the arrival, so it is mandatory to take it with me)
I used the same train. I only had a small carry on sized backpack that I just held in my lap while seated. If you have a rolling case I would just try to keep it between your legs when you sit or stand. It can take 30 min to about an hour on the train to reach where you are going or the station you will need to transfer in. Google maps is your friend about the trains as when you need to change lines at a station it will tell you the platform and other info.
+1 on leaving the water bottle at home. Not only are cold (and hot!) beverage vending machines everywhere, it also lightens your load as you tour around the city. Also, water fountains seem to be almost nonexistent
I don't do umbrellas so came a cropper last May when it rained for 2 days. Not just some rain but continuous heavy rain all day! Suffice to say I now have a really small pocket umbrella that I will take on my trip next week for those days where the dreaded "large umbrella" symbol is on the weather forecast website!
I packed a very flat when folded up rain poncho just in case. Could be one option, or you can buy an umbrella at a convenience store generally or possibly your hotel will have them to lend to you.
Thank you for these helpful insights. Have been watching all your videos in preparation for my trip to Japan. (only one day to go!) Has definitely helped me in not feeling too overwhelmed with all the where's, what's, and how's.Thank you.😊🇯🇵
17days and im packing for 9 days, 2 main bags plus collapsible and back pack. last time i had 3 full bags at all time. pain to lug them all around. just tossed in 2 coats or 1 light warm coat and warm hoodie, mid april to may 2nd
Great information thanks Nathan. I just came back 2 days ago from Japan. If you’re traveling from Tokyo up north to tohoku like to Sendai or Aomori etc. Take the Hayabusa it has more space above the seats for luggage. The Komachi that is connected to the Hayabusa is smaller and less overhead space for luggage. The komachi then goes to Akita it separates at Morioka station.
I believe you covered it in your other video regarding packing but I wanted to ask here since it is the more recent video. Regarding your smartphone, I've heard so many horror stories about people going abroad and then returning to MASSIVE phone bills because of data/roaming. I spoke to my carrier (Verizon Wireless) about that and they offered to change my plan temporarily that would accrue something (let's just call them points) for the months leading up to my trip so that that wouldn't occur. Would just getting a SIM card in Japan achieve the same effect or is a SIM card only to allow your phone to connect to their networks? Excited about my trip but I have that dread circling about in the back of my mind that I'm going to return home to a several thousand dollar phone bill. Input/advice from anyone who has done this before would be most welcome and greatly appreciated.
Hi, this was VERY informative, cheers! Also, do hotels have a luggage scale they could lend to customers? I don't want to carry one the whole trip only to use it once.
Yes love this tip! We did a Euro trip in 2022 and heading home our bags were held up in customs as our flight got in late in Canada and we had to stay the night. Was very upsetting not having access to a change of clothes.
Great tips! I really loved the luggage forwarding services, so efficient and easy! we also pack a change of clothes in our hand language just incase of any delays 😅
🇯🇵 hey packing guy, is it possible to send luggage from one luggage drop off point to another one? I use Airbnb alot and would like to use the service, being able to pickup without a hotel would really help me
And do remember airbnb is not as much of a thing in Japan as in the west. Good luck. Also, with a lot of regular apartment landlords unwilling to rent to foreigners that may also apply to whatever short term market. Just saying its a smaller operation in Japan.
generally no but, you can buy clothes for tall people in Japan, but options might be limited in regular stores. Specialty stores like Big & Tall, international brands (Uniqlo, H&M), and department stores often carry larger sizes sometimes needing to shop online. best to not rely on too much shopping
One more thing: if you go in the summer, pack DEET, or get your Japanese Encephalitis shot. Not a problem in big cities but if you're spending lots of time in smaller outdoor cities it can literally save your life.
Im not sure who I would go about that, im also not sure if it would be worth it in the long run you'd prob have to put it in your luggage or post it to yourself
@@sasikredi I wouldnt worry about service staff, it might confuse them (since they are not used to it) and if giving a gift postcards from home are prob better than a pokemon card because they might not be into pokemon
@@NinjaMonkeyguy I have collected Pokémon cards we from Australia, we get them when we shop for groceries in the last month, I thought it will be unique in Japan
@sasikredi it’s up to you, I just think it might confuse the service stuff a little bit. However, if you do strike up a conversation with someone whilst you’re there maybe at a bar or on a train then absolutely do it
Should I bring just a large backpack or a small rolling carry on? For Europe I did just the backpack and it was amazing but I don’t want to look out of place in Japan. It was a normal looking ebags backpack not a mountain climber one.
🇯🇵 Thanks for the tips. I should be there June 14th to the 23rd, so it'll probably be hot and rainy ⛈️. I thought about gortex for the rain, but figured I'd be doing a lot of walking, so I went with walking sneakers instead. I could probably get some water repellent spray for those. For the heat I bought some extra shorts and t-shirts which I'll probably wear as much as possible during the day and at night, maybe jeans and a light shirt. I've heard a lot about a coin purse, so I'll be investing in one of those and yeah, maybe downsizing my suitcase (borrowing one from family) to be more comfortable on shinkansen and stuff like that. I'm excited. さようなら🇯🇵
Nice! I'm heading to Japan next week as well. For Japan, I'd rather be under-packed than over-packed. I can pretty much buy anything else I may need in Japan. Have a great trip!
Thank you for the useful tips. Much Appreciated! My wife and I will be taking a Japan tour June 21 to July 6. I usually wear comfortable sneakers when I travel. I am a bit concerned about the rainy weather. What would you recommend for footwear? Best, John
The luggage size rules only apply to Shinkansen routes operated by JR Central, JR West and JR Kyushu, and the routes are the Tokaido Shinkansen, Sanyo Shinkansen and Kyushu Shinkansen. Shinkansen going north from Tokyo such as Tohoku and Hokuriku Shinkansen operated by JR East does not require luggage reservation as there are proper luggage racks in each car. But I guess most visitors especially first timers to Japan probably will only ride the Tokaido Shinkansen aka the golden route: Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka.
Omg yes there was a small piece of text that I added but seems to have not rendered on the export (although I still suggest booking those seats with big luggage)
Thank you for your tips. I went to Japan in 2018 for 5 weeks and as I’d never travelled overseas previously and the person I travelled with had been on quite a few overseas trips I listened to her.. OMG the wrong thing to do, I had way tooooo many clothes. I am going to Japan again this November for 25 days and will be packing way less clothes. As it’ll be colder weather I will only be bring 3 pairs of long pants and a few tops for day wear and a few for night wear. I’m all over it this time, and leaving more room in my suitcase for souvenirs. I will be joining a tour group this trip and our suitcases will be transferred for us on a few occasions and we need to take an overnight bag to keep with us. I’m still deciding whether to take a cabin bag (on wheels) which can serve as my overnight bag or a pack back. I am 65 (will be 66 prior to November) and really don’t want to worry about a heavy backpack or shoulder bag so am leaning towards taking the cabin bag. Oh also I have a CPAP machine which I require for sleeping soooo that has to come with me as well, that’s why I’m leaning towards the cabin bag on wheels…….
Hi there, I'm travelling to Osaka and Tokyo in May, I'm considering forwarding my bag from hotel to hotel, sometimes in almost each day, is it really possible?
I am going to spend a month on Teshima Island where grocery stores don’t exist and convenience stores have just the basics. I arrive in Takamatsu late in the evening; after flying into Tokyo. Figuring out packing what I actually need, and grocery shopping before taking a ferry the next day is the only stress point in my trip. Not all of us live in Urban areas where public transportation is routine. I live in a rural, pick up truck as transportation State.
Great video so many questions in my head answered. Thank you for sharing. You mentioned shoes you can throw away, guessing due to muddy tracks. Any specific locations you are referring to? Muchas gracias
Hey yes, this is a tip from one of the comments that I read out.. In the past I actually rented my hiking shoes so it wasn't so much of a problem but I guess if you have pair that are on their way out and have one last climb in them this would be a perfect time to use them!
Hi Nathan.. Im planning to get a japanese knife and bring back home to UK however, am not sure wether it is allowed in the airplane, please enlighten me... thanks☺️
Before we went I watched a packing videos that mentioned no need for packing pajamas .. I still did, being unsure but not much, and that advice was spot on ! No need for pjs! BUT if it's your first time to visit Japan , then perhaps one pair just in case . I really wish I hadn't taken up space in my luggage with a cube of pjs!
Hello are you able to elaborate a bit more on the layers you would suggest for a male during November in japan? Is that like a t shirt and a light bomber style jacket maybe some gloves enough? thaanks :)
Ill be going in August and leaving in December as ill be studying abroad but these tips and your other videos and it really has been helpful thank you!!
I used the luggage forwarding services, sent from Kyoto to Tokyo as I went for three nights at Kinosaki. As I got to Tokyo my bags were waiting on me at the hotel.
For the luggage forwarding, where do you get the forms to do that? or are there kiosks to do so? and what is the average cost for this amazing service?
hmmm ... yet again, it is so silly,... why do you have 日の丸 ?! this is really strange! (^_^) ... anyway, regardless of season, always I carry てぬぐい or, at the very least, handkerchief but, for Winter, even though it makes me look old, haramaki ... for laundry, just go to the local laundromat ... for scent, I think yuzu scent is always welcome ... for coin purse, Kitamura is high quality and will last past when you die ...
@@NinjaMonkeyguy I think Japan suburb are utterly depressing ... but I hate when my laundry flies away onto my neighbors below ... I really hate apologizing endlessly ...
Personally, I love traveling with a backpack. It makes it way easier to travel places, where you really can't roll with a suitcase (Going up and down staircases in metros, countryside, etc.) 😊
@@NinjaMonkeyguy Oh, that is a great idea! Going to Japan in October, where I take a night in Hakone after Tokyo before traveling to Osaka. I'll 100% use that trick. Thank you! 😃
you mentioned that for shinkansen luggage travel - each passenger is allowed 2 pieces each weighing no more than 30kg and 160cm total .. is that 160cm total for both pieces or each piece ?
🇯🇵 Of course one must watch to the very end. When Nathan the Japanese Packing Guy does adventures in a suitcase for Japan. There's always going to be a new tip that even seasoned travellers failed to consider or remember. Great well explained packing info.
I assume when you say extendable bag you mean for souvenirs. I don't usually pick any up on my travels except for maybe ticket stubs for attractions or rides. I always thought if if I did pick up some and had alot, I would just mail them home, you ever do that. As for Umbrellas I bought one of the nice collapsible ones from uniqlo. The whistle, though, is a good idea.
Take a few items of clothing in a backpack, just hand luggage. Most hotels have washing facilities. Then you can travel easily. Buy a cheap suitcase in Don Quijote if you want to buy stuff to bring back in your last few days. Never understood people traveling with huge suitcases.
i travel with a big suitcase only because of content creation or else I'd do the same as you! (aklthough I'd never travel with a back pack and would prefer a smaller roll suitcase.. I'd hate having to open the bag to find the things at the bottom)
@@NinjaMonkeyguy Yeah, that makes sense. This was more just a tip for those reading the comments. If your backpack has plenty of pockets, you can organise it so you're never having to dig to the bottom!;) Totally worth the convenience and ease of travel imo.
@@star-tingwithmyintuition3463 We bought ours in the DQ in Shinjuku, they've got a whole floor of suitcases. We bought ours for around 5000¥. And it's a big one, just a shitty material. You can find the cheap ones at the back of the room. Really worth doing as you can travel Japan without dragging it around.
I only brought the adapter that makes three prong plugs work as two prong and I didn't need anything country specific. I was able to use the same ones I use at home in the US for the same purpose.
Have you ever tried a Wash n Fold in Japan, or have you always budgeted some time after X Days? When I took a Cruise from Long Beach to Mexico, I used a wash-and-fold service in San Diego and thought it was amazing. It was 20$ and saved me a lot of time, so I'm curious to know if I can replicate that during a three-week stay in Japan.
