PACKING FOR TOKYO, JAPAN – Tango Diva

By Editor On Apr 22, 2025

Japan seems to be on everyone’s radar these days, and for good reason. Because the US Dollar is so strong, it’s time to make a plan. This isn’t a time for carry-on, so dust off that large checked bag. We’ve provided you with the best advice on what to pack in preparation for your trip to Tokyo.

Pack your Suitcase:

Seriously, leave your suitcase half empty. Japanese fashion is popular, you’ll have your choice of local designers and big labels. Don’t pack too much. Most hotel rooms have shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razors, and combs. Tokyo is a great place to buy skincare products. Don’t forget your charging cables (USB & USB C), and a portable battery. Bring a Japan plug converter. You’ll be too tired to spend much time on a laptop.

Before You Go to Japan:

The most favorable exchange rates for the Yen are usually at the airport. Buy a change purse, and fill it with small denomination coins, a necessity for visiting temples. Download the Suica Card App, good for transportation, including trains, taxis, and some cafes. Best of all, you can load more money on the go.

Another great App is Get Your Guide, which has affordable activities all over the globe. Think about getting an International Drivers License, so you can sign up for the Go Cart Through Tokyo Tour. Sign up for a Food Tour right away. Your local guide will give you the lay of the land and lots of useful advice. TeamLab offers fun immersive art experiences.

Learn some basic Japanese, like “excuse me”, “thank you”, “good morning”, and “how much”. Surprisingly, very few people in Japan speak English. Google Translate is your friend. Apple AirPods is adding live translation with the iOS 19 update. People are super friendly and always willing to help.

Buy tickets ahead of time for returning to the airport. Planning on taking the Shinkansen, (high-speed bullet train), to Kyoto or beyond? Book a seat on the right side so you can see Mt. Fuji from the window.

People on the streets almost exclusively wear neutral colors, mostly black, gray, and cream. Women wear long skirts, everyone has sneakers on. You’ll see lots of ultra wide-legged pants, baggy tops, cross-body bags, and not a backpack in sight.

Typical street-wear neutrals

Thrift shopping is a popular activity. You can find an amusing assortment of jackets and shirts sporting strings of English words that don’t make sense.

Creative clothing

Harijuku style breaks the fashion norms, with an eclectic combination of playful designs. Explore Meiji, Jingumae, and Takeshita-dori.

Young Harijuki fashion couple

The upscale Ginza district is where you’ll find high-end local designer clothing and luxury labels. Don’t forget Cat Street. Find American sportswear, local designers, and even a Texas-style BBQ restaurant playing country western music.

Ginza designer bags

When you go into a dressing room, always leave your shoes outside the door, or in a designated spot inside.

Dressing room

Leave your shoe collection at home, because you’ll want to pick up a pair of the popular Onitsuka Tiger sneakers. There are many locations, including the Ginza district, which offers customization. Arrive early to avoid lines.

Onitsuka Tiger store

Japan is known for high-quality denim. So, make sure to pick up a tailor-made pair of blue jeans.

Japan Blue Jeans

Where to Stay in Tokyo:

If you’re a first-timer, book in affordable Shinbuya or Shinjuku. Be prepared for and explosion of neon lights, crowds, tiny restaurants off alleyways, karaoke, kitsch, souvenir shops, and department stores. Shibuya has the world’s largest pedestrian crossing. If you’ve got some bucks and are overwhelmed by the crowds, take yourself to Ginza. Prices run from about $600 to $1,500 per night. You can save money staying outside the city center. Just make sure you are a short walk from a train station. Book an afternoon at an authentic Onsen, or a hotel with an Onsen. No regrets.

Transportation to Tokyo from the Airport:

Always carry your hotel card to show the taxi driver so they can find the directions written in Japanese. If it’s raining, have your hotel reserve a taxi ahead of time. Don’t freak out at the Shinjuku Train Station, which is the largest in the world. Wear comfortable shoes, because you’ll be doing a lot of staircases and long hallways. Tokyo is not for the mobility-challenged.

map, train line, Yamamoto, Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shubuya

The Yamanote Line is the easiest to navigate. Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Tokyo are popular tourist stops. Do not take a $200 taxi ride, instead take the train or shuttle buses which only cost around $12. Line up your return to the airport well ahead of time. Some shuttle buses leave from Shinjuku Station, and some from Ginza hotels. You don’t have to be a guest.

Yamamoto is one of five train lines

Things to Do in Tokyo:

Besides shopping, there’s a variety of activities you can find on the Get Your Guide App. Great idea to sign up for a food tour right away. You’ll meet people and get great recommendations from the guide. Get your International Drivers License before you leave if you’re up for the adventurous Go Cart Through Tokyo Tour. Buy tickets for TeamLab. Want to up your photography game? Check out EyeExplore. There are more temples and museums to visit than you have time for.

Getting Around Tokyo:

Google Translate is your friend. Don’t assume people will speak English except for the Hotel front desks. Certainly not the taxi drivers. Give them your hotel card written in Japanese. Learn how to navigate the train stations, as they’re the least expensive and most efficient way to get around.

Japanese Culture:

The Japanese are socialized from an early age to be polite & considerate of others. That’s why outsiders are counseled to not sit on the ground, or eat while walking. There are signs on some streets cautioning you to keep your voice down. Don’t worry if you break any rules, you will only be silently judged. Oh, and don’t expect a trash receptacle anywhere, so best to leave space inside your bag.

You’re going to have a great time!

Useful APPs to Download:

https://youtu.be/lHCB_9pNdI8?si=rS9-odg4m4yfb8yb