I’ve recently gotten back from a wonderful two week trip to Japan, and chances are if your reading this your probably soon to do the same. While most of your packing list should contain the obvious… shirts, shoes, an extra pair of underwear incase you shit yourself… joking (or maybe I’m not), there is a couple of items you may not have thought of that will contribute to a smoother, more enjoyable trip.
Blank Notebook or Journal
Many of the metro and train stations around Japan have free to use stamps with cool designs that make for good souvenirs. You will also occasionally come across stamp stations at certain attractions, such as the Osaka Aquarium. I’d recommend carrying it around with you in a day pack whenever you go out, especially if you plan on using public transport (as you should).
Small Backpack/Other Day Pack
Listen, your gonna have an easier time finding Bigfoot than a public trash can in Japan. So carrying around a backpack to put your trash in until you get back to your accommodation makes things a hell of a lot easier than limply holding your garbage in your hand while you walk around. It also doubles as a place to store any souvenirs you’ll likely buy throughout the day.
Coin Purse/Pouch
Now this is actually something I didn’t bring on my trip but I wish that I had. Incase you didn’t know, the smallest denomination bill in Japan is the 1000 Yen Bill ($6.5 USD), essentially meaning your gonna be seeing coins pretty damn often. You may assume on paying for card in most places, which is true to an extent. However, there is still small shops and stores that only take cash. You’ll also need cash to make all public transport payments, regardless of if you pay for tickets directly or refill a transport card (IC/Suica).
Hand Sanitizer
This is something you may already carry with you on a daily basis, and for me its not optional. Japan, especially Tokyo, is one of the most crowded places I’ve ever been. Especially in subway stations where your bound to be frequenting daily. Thankfully most places in Japan are exceptionally clean and the people are hygienic. But still, its better to be safe than sorry. The last thing you want is to get sick on your vacation.
Bonus Tip:
I would strongly consider bringing an extra duffel bag inside of your luggage, or at least bringing a larger bag than you were originally planning on using. Japan is the land of souvenirs, I’ve never quite seen a country with so many cool things to buy. And with the value of the Yen being so low right now they’re all gonna be at a fraction of the price. This was the first time I’ve ever had to buy another suitcase while on a trip just to be able to fit all the shit I was buying.
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