5 Small but Essential Items You Should Pack for Your Trip to Japan
We get it-packing for an overseas trip can be stressful. You’re constantly stuffing and unpacking your bags, second-guessing whether you’ve forgotten anything. Maybe you’ve even packed an unreasonable amount of underwear, as if you’re expecting to have an accident twice a day. With all the chaos that comes with packing, it’s easy to overlook both big and small essentials. That’s why we’ve put together a short list of small but essential items you should absolutely squeeze into your suitcase. Trust us, ditching one or two pairs of extra undies will be worth it.
1. Handkerchief (Hankachi ハンカチ)
Why It’s Essential:
In Japan, many public restrooms don’t have paper towels or hand dryers. It can be a bit of a hassle trying to dry your hands-at one point, I was constantly wiping mine on the
back of my jeans or flapping them dry in frustration. Then I noticed locals using a small pocket size towel they carry around for drying hands after using the restroom or washing at shrines and temples. I also saw some locals use a bigger cotton hand towel (Tenugui 手拭い) used to wipe off sweat, dry their hands or wrap around their neck to keep them cool during the summer.
Pro Tip:
Pack one or two handkerchiefs or compact hand towels. They’ll keep your hands (and pants) dry and less… unkempt.
2. Antibacterial Wipes or Hand Sanitizer
Why It’s Essential:
You'll be touching a lot of things in Japan-train handles, vending machines, record crates-and eating with your hands more than you’d expect. (Looking at you, 7/11 egg sandos.) Some prefer a wipe since there’s something concrete to transfer germs on. Some prefer to smother bacteria into thin air without having to dispose anything. Your pick! However, many shops provide a handsanitizing stations near the entrance.
Personal Tip:
After digging through dusty record bins in Shimokitazawa, I couldn’t wait to clean my hands. Japan is very clean, but Tokyo alone has a population of around 35 million. Keeping a small bottle of hand sanitizer or a pack of antibacterial wipes on hand is just good sense.
3. Reusable Trash Bag
Why It’s Essential:
Despite being incredibly clean, Japan has a surprising lack of public rubbish bins. This is largely due to the country's strict recycling laws and the cultural belief that trash is a
personal responsibility.
The Solution:
Bring a reusable trash bag. Look for one that’s leak-proof—my backpack still smells faintly of spilled coffee, and I learned the hard way. A trash bag keeps your personal items clean and makes carrying waste until the next convenience store or station bin much more manageable.
4. Collapsible Tote Bags
Why It’s Essential:
You're going to shop in Japan. A lot. More than you planned, and more than you think is even possible. I brought a big backpack with me, and I regretted it. It was bulky on crowded trains and awkward in small stores. Next time, I’m bringing a smaller everyday bag and a couple of foldable tote bags for when the shopping inevitably happens.
Bonus:
Foldable totes are lightweight, compact, and easy to carry. They make moving around on public transport and browsing tight spaces way more comfortable.
5. Stay hydrated & Electrolytes
Why It’s Essential:
Vacations usually mean healthy habits go out the window. Ramen and beer for lunch and dinner? No problem. Four pieces of Famichicken in one day? Absolutely. But with all that salt and walking-20,000+ steps a day, easily—you’ll need to stay hydrated. Drinking water is great, but hydration tablets or powders give you an extra boost.
Another recommendation is to try sports drinks with electrolytes like Pocari Sweat, ION water or Aquarius. Pocari Sweat is a Japanese, citrus-flavoured hydration drink designed to replenish the body and replace what you lose in sweat. When your hydration levels are restored with electrolytes, you can travel mindfully and feel energized. Your body will feel balanced.
Personal Tip:
I brought Hydralyte tablets (not sponsored!), and they were a lifesaver. After a long day exploring, popping one into a water bottle back at the hotel made a noticeable difference. Hydration helps avoid headaches, fatigue, and, yes-keeps things moving even if you’re on a two-bowls-of-ramen-a-day diet.
Final Thoughts
These items might be small, but they can have a huge impact on how smooth and enjoyable your trip to Japan turns out to be. Let’s avoid going to the hospital and lose out on an entire day of travel. Among the endless packing, unpacking, and repacking, consider swapping out a pair or two of extra underwear for these five practical essentials.
You’ll thank yourself later-and your future travel self will be just a little less stressed.
Article by Isaac Usher
