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A Tokyo Packing List For Your Time In Tokyo

The Best source on the Net for an amazing Tokyo Packing list.
What should be on your Packing check List?
How to Pack for a Tokyo vacation? Should you buy Japanese Yen?

How to Pack for a Tokyo vacation?

The first and most important of Tokyo facts to know is that the Japanese capital is a Westernized sophisticated city.

Even if your Tokyo Packing List is less than perfect - Shopping here is paradise.
Click here for a more detailed Tokyo shopping Guide.

There are a few unique points that set the city apart from other travel destinations.

First - Your Tokyo Packing List should include the essential stuff, and not more.
Compared with westerners, who often pack large suitcases, Japanese people tend to travel with smaller size luggage. There usually isn't a wide space to store luggage in trains (including the shinkansen - the bullet train).
Coin lockers in subway stations aren't large enough to hold big suitcases either.

Your holiday packing list should be prepared with these Tokyo facts in mind -

Tokyo Subway stations have endless pathways, some include stairs (and no elevators). Planning to use the underground with luggage in hand is not a good idea.

Money
Many stores and restaurants might not accept credit cards. It's a good idea to buy Japanese Yen in a substantial amount in cash.

Shoes and socks
Since it's a Japanese custom to take off your shoes indoors, you might have to take off your shoes very often.
Include in your Tokyo Packing List a pair of shoes that you can slip off and on easily.
Make sure to put on your travel list comfortable shoes for walking too. You'll be doing a lot of that.
Be sure your travel packing list includes your best looking socks and pantyhose to avoid any embarrassment when taking off your shoes.

A small towel
One of the best travel list tips I got before arriving here for the first time, was from a friend of mine who lived in the city for a few years. She told me to carry a mini-towel in my bag so I could dry my hands.
I must say it sounded strange, and it took me a few days to understand why and follow that advice. Most restrooms, in spite of their extreme cleanliness, do not provide paper towels. Carrying a mini towel is a very common Japanese thing to do.

The electricity in Japan is 100 volts. If you need to bring appliances from your own country, make sure to pack an electric converter.

American appliances can be used in Japan without an electric converter although they will have less power. If your appliances are three-pronged, you need a plug since Japanese appliances are two-pronged.

If you forget to put a converter on your Tokyo Packing List- you can purchase an electric converter in Narita airport shops.

Mosquito repellent
If you're visiting during the summer season you're likely to find mosquitoes in parks and gardens. You can find mosquito repellents in Japanese drugstores.

Tokyo Information On Japanese Etiquette For Clothing

Casual clothes are fine for sightseeing, but most locals dress very formally - a suit or a jacket for men, shorts are okay for men as long as the beach look is avoided. If you want to feel like part of the crowd - Jeans are not an option while dining.

Women usually wear Skirts and high heels. Revealing clothes are not common among Japanese women. Women are likely to feel very out of place in shorts or cleavage.

Men and women tend to dress in classic colors - black, blue, brown and gray. Shirts for men are usually blue or white. If you want to blend in the crowd, the classic colors are a safe option.
Men should avoid black ties and women should avoid an all-black look - since this is the funeral clothing.

Seasonal Clothing For Tokyo Weather

What to Pack For Tokyo winter? What to Bring In the wet season? A Travel Packing List according to the weather in Tokyo.
Packing warm clothing is a must in Tokyo winter. The wind is freezing cold. Your packing lists should include Gloves, long underwear, a scarf, and a warm knitted hat.

Winter is very dry, and people with sensitive skin should take along their favorite skin lotion in abundance.

For the wet season - pack an umbrella.

In the summer - cotton clothing is the best. Most Tokyo places are air-conditioned, so put a light jacket on your packing checklist.

Tokyo Autumn and Tokyo spring climate - pack light jackets and sweaters. Evening cloths must be warmer, since in the nights temperatures drop drastically.