With its eclectic blend of modernity and antiquity, Japan holds wonder after wonder.
Here's a guide of what to pack for Japan without developing traveller's stoop!
What to pack for Japan - Bags The general consensus among travellers is that backpacks are best - they're often hardier and are much easier when you get to steps or uneven pavements. Luis Vuitton-type luggage probably won't return in the state it went in!
What to pack for Japan - Documents Your little red book should be top of your to-pack list. On your to-do list, add: Photocopy passport, and Put copies in main bag and hand luggage. Leave another copy with a parent or someone reliable - if you do lose your passport, it'll make things much easier. A waterproof wallet will keep them dry if the heavens open.
What to pack for Japan - Clothes Most places in Japan get cold in the winter, when the temperatures can fall well into the minuses, so warm clothes are needed if you're going then. Take something waterproof if you're going to be there during the June wet season. In the summer, temperatures are similar to those in Britain.
What to pack for Japan - Shoes Pack footwear that's comfortable and suitable for whatever time of year you're going. If you're buying shoes especially for your trip, wear them in to minimise the risk of blisters.
What to pack for Japan - Towel A shower is often welcome after a hard day's sightseeing, and you might not want to give up a bath towel for a lightweight travellers' towel. Take a bag to keep it or anything wet from soaking your bag.
What to pack for Japan - Camera Photos are essential for illustrating your travellers' tales and for reminding you years later of your gap year. Pack a good quality camera and lots of film or memory cards and you can click away at the cherry blossom, Mount Fuji and the people you meet. The Japanese are usually happy to take photos of you if you're on your own.
What to pack for Japan - Toiletries You can probably buy your brand of toiletries, and hundreds more, in Tokyo and other cities. If that seems like a waste of time, pack the essentials. Buying travel-size bottles might seem like a good idea but unless you buy a few, and throw them away as you use them, it's worth packing normal-sized ones. Conditioner can be used as shaving gel, facial wash as shower gel, moisturiser as cleanser etc. If you're travelling with someone, you might want to share toiletries.
What to pack for Japan - First aid kit Having a basic first aid kit can save you trips to the chemist - consider packing diarrhoea treatments, plasters (including blister plasters), scissors, painkillers, bandages, tweezers and antiseptic wipes.
What to pack for Japan - Guide books It's entirely up to you how much you use a guide book. Some people follow their recommendations religiously while others prefer to discover the best restaurants for themselves. Likewise, some travellers are happy to rip out the pages once they've been to an area, to save on weight, while others keep them as a memento of their trip.
What to pack for Japan - Pen and something to write on Writing materials will probably come in more useful than you think - for annotating your guide book, jotting down bus times or directions, writing postcards or a game of Pictionary when words or sign language fail!
What to pack for Japan - Entertainment Sadly, you can't sightsee 24 hours a day and even if you could, you might be grateful of the chance to relax for a bit. Take a book or an iPod, or, if you're going with someone, a pack of cards. You might want to ask around for suggestions on I Spy type travel games, too - great for long journeys, even if you do feel like you've regressed to childhood!
What to pack for Japan - Adapter If you want to plug in chargers or any other electrical items, you'll need an adapter.
Bits and bobs to pack for Japan
A picture phrase book If you can, learn a smattering of Japanese - they'll appreciate the effort, even if they immediately try to practise their English on you. However, for more complicated or urgent phrases, it's worth putting together a picture phrase book, with (recognisable!) drawings or magazine clippings of things such as a hotel, a hospital, a bus stop etc. People with good English are harder to find outside the cities.
British gifts Even smallest mementos of British life make well-received gifts. Pack a small selection of key rings, magnets or postcards - anything with a London bus or red phone box is good, or just leaflets about your region. You might want to give them to helpful taxi drivers instead of a tip, for example.
A padlock Japan is probably one of the safest places to stay in, but for the time it takes to padlock your locker, it's worth doing. Take a couple of smallish ones to save you the cost of renting one.
Safety pins A couple of safety pins will help you implement a golden rule of travelling - improvise! They're good for securing stuff (like keys) to the inside of your bag, for holding a pocket closed if the zip breaks - even securing a bandage, if the need arises.
A duvet cover (but not the duvet!) Japanese standards of cleanliness are usually high but if you take your own ‘sheet', you might save yourself the cost of renting one. Duvet covers are good because you can slip inside them.
Earplugs (iPod headphones could double up)
A possible downside of hostel dormitories is the snorers. Earplugs or an iPod might help.
Alarm clock Trains in Japan are among the most punctual in the world - they won't wait if you oversleep!
Toilet paper Not as many Japanese toilets have them as you might like, so take a few packets of tissues.
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