Are you trying to figure out the Japan winter packing list?
Continue to read on because you have come to the right site!
Consisting of five main islands, Japan is a beautiful four-seasoned country with many fascinating attractions, stunning natural splendours, delicious food, and rich culture.
Thanks to these aspects, you can expect Japan to be visited by foreign travellers all year round including the non-peak travel period in winter.
But if you are first-time visitors or travellers who originated from tropical climates, chances are you might get slightly overwhelmed when it comes to packing winter wear and accessories for Japan travel.
I guess the only time one ever needs a down jacket in a tropical country is visiting a snow-themed attraction park.
Worry not; I have got your back!
Here is the detailed article that I put together on the list of must-have items to bring and handy Japan winter travel tips that you can refer to for a cosy, toasty travel experience.
So let’s dive right in.
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Winter Packing List For Japan
- Wheeled Luggage
- Travel Backpack
- Thermals
- Long Sleeves Top
- Sweater
- Long Pants
- Down Jacket
- Beanie
- Wool Scarf
- Earmuffs
- Gloves
- Wool Socks
- Snow Boots
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What Should I Pack For Japan In Winter
1. Wheeled Luggage
If you are in the team luggage when travelling overseas, get yourself high-quality wheeled luggage like this classy-looking Samsonite Double Spinner Wheels.
Chances are you are going to bring multiple layers to keep your body warm when visiting Japan in winter.
And all the little things add up and your luggage gets heavy.
So, navigate around with a breeze while rolling the wheeled luggage along until you reach your destination in Japan.
2. Travel Backpack
If wheeled luggage is not your thing, then buy yourself a travel backpack to keep your winter wear.
Some reliable travel backpacks to opt for include TETON Sports.
Travel tip: Make sure to use packing cubes to pack the thick winter wear to have more space in your backpack.
3. Thermals
Be sure to include thermals on packing list for winter in Japan too.
Being the base layer, thermals help in conserving the body heat and keeping you warm as you are having fun exploring Japan during the cold season.
If you are planning to get a complete set of thermals, check out Thermajane Women’s Thermal or Thermajohn Men’s Thermal.
4. Long Sleeves Top
Of course you can’t miss out on some long-sleeved tops when planning your Japan winter itinerary.
These tops can offer an additional layer of warmth against the cold winter breeze while walking down the Japanese cities with heavy snowfall like Kanazawa and Takayama.
You can get plenty of stylish long sleeves top online, such as Cuddl Duds’s.
5. Sweater
While you are planning for your winter outfits for Japan, be sure to include several comfy sweaters on the list.
Typically made with thicker material, sweaters perform better when it comes to body heat retention and against the chilly wind.
Among the top sweater choices that you can consider getting are Kingfen Women’s Sweater or Hanes Male’s Sweatshirt.
6. Long Pants
After getting the upper body part warm and toasty, it is time to move over to the lower limbs.
One major turn-off while travelling in winter is having cold, wet pants after walking in snow-prone regions.
So it is always recommended to look for waterproof and breathable long pants lined with fleece.
For a casual style, consider buying Camel Crown Women’s Fleece Pants or Free Soldier Men’s Cargo Pants.
7. Down Jacket
A down jacket is definitely one of the must-have items to pack for Japan winter.
Typically made with duck or goose feathers, wearing a down jacket helps to retain heat and provide warmth for as long as you are wearing it.
If you are looking to boost your style, Columbia Women’s Down Jacket or Columbia Men’s Down Jacket could be a good fit.
8. Beanie
Apart from keeping your head from excessive heat loss in winter, a beanie can be a great fashion prop too!
Get yourself a cute beanie like Furtalk Beanie.
9. Wool Scarf
Wool scarves help to retain heat and keep the neck-chest area warm and cosy against the cold wind and snow.
Also, wool scarves are more durable and breathable—not to mention more affordable too.
Check out these stylish wool scarves like Ohayomi Women’s Wool Scarf or Alpine Swiss Men’s Winter Scarf to complement your overall winter while you are looking for the answer to “What to wear in winter in Japan”.
10. Earmuffs
If you have been wondering what other items to include on the winter Japan packing list, earmuffs are one of them.
Apart from being a cute fashion accessory for your Japan travel winter trip, earmuffs help keep your ears warm and toasty during this period.
11. Gloves
Gloves are a crucial winter accessory to have when visiting Japan in winter.
Be sure to look for touchscreen-friendly gloves so that you can use your phone at ease without taking out the gloves.
12. Wool Socks
Another must-have item on your Japan packing list winter is wool socks.
As you are exploring the country during the cold season, keep your toes and soles warm and comfy by putting on wool socks.
So get yourself a few pairs of great quality wool socks before going to Japan in winter.
13. Snow Boots
During winter, the amount of snow produced in Japanese cities varies depending on its location.
Nevertheless, be sure to pack a pair of walking boots so that your feet are always warm and dry when you are walking around.
The last thing that you want while being in cold weather is to have freezing wet feet, especially in snow-heavy regions like Takayama and Kanazawa.
The important qualities of walking boots to have are waterproof, lightweight, and comfy.
So check out Columbia Women’s Snow Boots or Columbia Men’s Snow Boots if you are looking for one.
What To Pack For Winter In Japan: Other Items
1. Portable Phone Charger
The last thing that you want is to have your phone run out of juice when you are taking nice scenery photos or posing your iconic pose at the Instagrammable spots in Japan.
Make sure to include a portable phone charger on your packing list Japan winter.
2. Travel Camera
Want to brush up on your photography skills?
Or keen to take spectacular photos of Japan that can make your followers go “Awww. What a nice photo!”?
Regardless of which answer you pick, this comprehensive Canon travel camera bundle seems like a good fit for your Japan trip.
3. Headphones
Chances are you are going to spend hours travelling from the departure country to Japan.
Or getting on the shinkansen train services using JR pass hopping around major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and others.
So fill your journey with your fav music with Anker Soundcore Life Q20.
4. First Aid Kit
It is always good to have a basic first aid kit when you are travelling overseas.
5. Lip Balm
Winter conditions in Japan can leave your lips dry and flaky.
So bring along your trusted lip balm and apply generously after the Japan touchdown.
6. Toiletries
Don’t forget to bring along your preferred brand of toothbrush, toothpaste, and other toiletries before flying into Japan.
If you want to organise everything neatly and prevent missing out on any must-have toiletries, get yourself this sleek travel toiletry bag.
7. Laundry Bag
Separate your dirty clothes from the clean ones by using a laundry bag.
This item is particularly useful when you are planning to stay and explore Japan for 3 weeks or more.
8. Japanese Phrasebook
If you prefer to read a book to kill time, you might consider buying a Japanese phrasebook to learn some basic Japanese words.
Some shinkansen rides can take up to hours when getting from one Japanese city to another, so have a read, learn a little, and impress the locals with your simple vocab!
Here are some of the recommended phrasebooks:
- Lonely Planet Japanese Phrasebook & Dictionary
- 2000 Most Common Japanese Words in Context
- Conversational Japanese Dialogues
Japan Travel In Winter: Handy Tips
Prepare Your Japan Winter Travel Packing List Earlier
So now you know what you need to pack for the winter trip. What happens next?
Make sure to prepare the packing list and decide on what to wear in Japan in winter at least a few weeks before your flight!
With early planning, you will have enough time to buy the necessary winter wear for the Japan trip. And sometimes at a lower price too.
Travel tip: Don’t worry if you forget to bring some items—you can get them in the local stores after reaching Japan.