13 Must-have Travel Essentials for Tokyo, Japan

Boasting nearly 37 million residents, Tokyo, Japan, currently holds the title of the most populous metropolitan area in the world. Cutting-edge skyscrapers and sci-fi-esque neon city lights meet ancient shrines dating back to 645 AD in this bustling city that is as technologically advanced as it is steeped in history. As someone who was lucky enough to explore Tokyo’s most notable highlights and landmarks, I’ve experienced this city’s unique blend of modern conveniences and age-old customs—and all of the unique travel quirks that this mashup entails.

Eager to visit Japan again in the near future, I’ve been looking back on my first trip to Tokyo. Admittedly, there are some tips I wish I had known about beforehand—like the absence of public trash cans—and some handy essentials I didn’t pack that would have made a world of difference during my travels. Curious to know which travel must-haves I’ll be packing for my return trip to the most populous city on Earth? Keep reading: Below, you’ll find 13 items I recommend packing for a trip to Tokyo, including organizational carry-on bags, comfy, on-trend sneakers, and zippered coin purses, starting at $4.

33,000ft Packable Rain Jacket

While some major cities in Japan offer free umbrella rental services—a major perk during the country’s rainy season—access isn’t always guaranteed. It’s best to carry a backup rain jacket or travel umbrella with you while touring Tokyo; in the event you get caught in a surprise shower, you’ll be glad you brought one. This pint-sized rain coat puts plastic ponchos to shame: It’s decked out with four functional, waterproof zippered pockets, has an adjustable drawcord hood and waistband, and neatly packs up into its own drawstring pouch. It even has zippered underarm vents to promote air circulation on hot days.

Bagsmart 4-in-1 Duffel Bag

Many larger Tokyo hotels have closets or wardrobes for you to keep your things tucked away in your room, but if you’re staying in one of the city’s famous capsule hotels or a public hostel, you may not get access to any kind of personal storage. You’ll want to make sure your belongings are already organized in the event you can’t unpack your bag, which is why I recommend bringing a travel bag that has plenty of pockets. This Bagsmart duffel bag, on sale for $32, has plenty of exterior and interior pockets for keeping your toiletries, shoes, and clothes separate. Plus, it can be worn as a backpack or a shoulder bag.

Fenfen KN95 Disposable Face Masks

While the rest of the world had to quickly adapt to wearing face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, Japanese residents were already ten steps ahead. Face masks have been commonly worn in Japan for years in order to prevent illnesses from spreading, and as such, it’s considered a public courtesy to wear one while sick. I recommend throwing a few disposable N-95 masks in your bag; in the event you catch a cold or your allergies flare up, you’ll be prepared. 

Hiqu and Hist 6-pack Reusable Shopping Bags

From clothing stalls in Harajuku to electronics outlets in Shinjuku, there’s no shortage of shopping opportunities in Tokyo—and all across Japan, for that matter. I recommend slipping an extra reusable shopping bag or two in your day bag, so you can collect trinkets and souvenirs as you go. This six-pack includes a variety of fun, vibrant printed shopping bags that all fold up neatly into their own carrying pouch, complete with a metal clip that you can attach to your bag or keys. 

Taketoday Collapsible Water Bottle

Nearly every street corner in Tokyo has a beverage vending machine stocked with water, green tea, coffee, and juice. While the ability to buy a drink anytime, anywhere was one of my favorite perks about Japanese city life, it made it way too easy to blow my spending money on water bottles—and once I reached the leg of my trip that was outside of the major cities, tracking down these vending machines became much more difficult. 

I recommend throwing a collapsible water bottle in your luggage just in case. This option from Taketoday is leakproof and neatly rolls up into itself to take up less space in your purse or backpack. Trust me: You’ll be glad you have a refillable bottle on hand in areas where these vending machines aren’t as popular, like on hikes or while exploring ancient temples. 

Dickies Women’s Dri-tech Advanced Moisture-wicking Socks 6-pack

It’s a common practice in Japan to remove your shoes before entering restaurants, temples, shrines, and homes as a sign of respect and to maintain the space’s cleanliness. Even if you plan to wear sandals while exploring Tokyo, I recommend packing a pair of socks in your day bag, in the event you have to remove your shoes. These moisture-wicking crew socks from Dickies are breathable and have cushioning and compression throughout, keeping your feet comfortable and supported while walking all day. 

Doris & Jacky Leather Zipper Coin Purse

Paper currency is certainly a thing in Japan, but yen coins have way more purchasing power than United States coins. This nation uses coins very frequently during smaller transactions, so I strongly recommend carrying a coin purse with you everywhere you go. Amazon is stocked with tons of cute coin purses that capture the kawaii aesthetic of Japanese street style. Case in point? This adorable leather cat coin purse from Doris & Jacky, which has an attached keychain for clipping it onto your day bag, and fully zips to keep your coins from falling out.

Zoppen Zippered Passport Wallet

​Between the punctual city buses and lightning-fast Shinkansen bullet train, Japan prides itself on having an exceptional public transportation system. But keeping track of your travel documents can be tricky—especially when you’re stuck trying to navigate the train station in the middle of rush hour, while hundreds of locals are zipping around you to get home. Keeping your passport, ID cards, tickets, and cash organized is a must, especially while visiting bigger cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka. 

While there are plenty of Amazon passport wallets to choose from, this Zoppen wallet stands out to me for a number of reasons. For one, it fully zips, so you won’t lose anything. It also has multiple card slots, pockets, and pouches, providing a dedicated space for your passport, credit cards, cash, coins, and tickets. The interior key chain can be used to hold the key to your room or locker, and the clip-on wristlet strap can be attached to your day bag or carry-on.

Hotouch Women’s Oversized Button-down Shirt

A lightweight button-down shirt is a packing must-have for Japan. Locals pride themselves on looking put together, and while there aren’t specific rules or requirements on how visitors should dress, it’s a good rule of thumb to prioritize neat, modest pieces that can work for a wide range of activities. That’s not to say you shouldn’t pack statement pieces, too (I recommend saving your best looks for Harajuku!), but it’s important to remember that Japan sways more conservative in regards to clothing. This simple, oversized button-down shirt can be thrown over a tank top for extra coverage, worn with trousers for a dinner out, or used to elevate a pair of classic jeans. 

Munchkin Arm and Hammer Disposable Bag Dispenser

Despite having very few accessible public trash cans, Japan is one of the cleanest countries I’ve ever traveled to. That’s because locals actually take their trash home with them at the end of every day, throwing it away in their private receptacles. While a plastic bag from 7/11 will do in a pinch, keeping small trash bags with you is an easier, more hygienic way to keep your trash separate inside of your day bag. This disposable bag dispenser clip from Arm and Hammer actually contains a roll of diaper trash bags, which are lavender scented and perfectly-sized for food wrappers, crushed-up cans, and used wipes. 

Furtalk Women’s Wide Brim Sun Hat

Summer in Japan can be hot and humid—it is a chain of islands, after all—and the sun can quickly become your worst enemy while exploring the cities on foot. I didn’t pack a sunhat during my visit (I thought my baseball cap would be fine), and I wish I had. Next time, I’ll be sure to pack a wide-brim hat, like this option from Furtalk, on sale for $27. It provides UPF 80+ sun protection, has an adjustable chin strap, and can be folded up and thrown in a carry-on without ruining its shape. 

Reebok Women’s Classic Az Legacy Sneakers

Comfy walking shoes are a must, given how much walking a trip to Japan entails. But style should be top of mind, too: Alongside Milan, Paris, London, and New York City, Tokyo is widely recognized as a global fashion capital. If you plan on clocking thousands of steps in and out of the major cities, I recommend opting for a pair of fashion-forward kicks, like these Reebok Classic Legacy sneakers, $75. They have a retro, low-profile silhouette that’s currently trending right now, and are built with EVA midsoles, a foam footbed, and a padded heel that allow you to “walk around in them all day with no issues,” according to one five-star reviewer. While the cheetah print racing stripe adds boldness, the colorway is neutral, making them easy to pair with just about anything you plan on wearing during your trip.

Copyleaf Women’s Parachute Cargo Pants

One of my biggest mistakes while visiting Japan was packing shorts and pants with minimal or no pockets. After summiting Mount Fuji in a pair of pocketless leggings, I won’t visit Japan again without packing a pair or two of cargo pants in my carry-on. These roomy parachute cargo pants are functional but stylish and—especially for Tokyo, a city known for being a street fashion hub. Currently on sale for $25, these Copyleaf pants have multiple pockets for keeping your essentials on hand, and are made with a quick-drying spandex-blend fabric that won’t weigh you down on humid days.

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