The Ultimate Japan Summer Packing List

You’ve heard the stories; summer in Japan is a sweaty, hot mess. Yet despite this, summer is one of the most beautiful times of year to visit Japan. So knowing how to pack and dress for the weather is paramount to enjoying your trip– that’s where my Ultimate Japan Summer Packing List below comes in.

Ethereal clouds give the sky a painting-like quality, and the sunlight heightens every color. Summer nights are balmy and downright tropical, yet the multi-colored lights of the city give everything a retro, hi-fi vibe. But with temps in the 90˚s–that’s around 32˚ Celsius–and up to 85% humidity, Japan’s weather is no joke. And there’s no shortage of people who contract heat stroke every year.

So not only packing for your trip, but also finding hacks to stay cool and hydrated are important, too. Read on for all my tips and tricks, and be sure to download the high-resolution travel checklist PDF!

What to Pack for Your Summer Vacay in Japan

I’ve included all of these in the handy free PDF below, so you can easily check off everything you need to visit on my Ultimate Japan Summer Packing List this summer.

Necessities

• Phone
• Keys
• Wallet
• Passport & Visa
• Japanese Yen (Cash)
• Printed Itinerary (Hotel Address)

Clothes & Shoes

I recommend picking loose, flowy clothing.

• Shirts
• Pants/Skirts/Shorts
• Swimwear
• Fancy Dinner Outfit
• Sandals or Crocs
• Walking/Tennis Shoes
• Underwear (1 pair per day)
  • Bras/Undershirts
  • Bottoms
  • Socks (+ 2 pairs)
• Sunhat or Visor
• Sunglasses
• Raincoat

Toiletries

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Shampoo & Conditioner
• Haircare Products (oils, milks)
• Hairbrush
• Chapstick
• Medication *Check that your meds are legal in Japan
• Facewash and Skincare
  • Toner
  • Serums/Emulsions
  • Face Lotion
  • Sunscreen
• Makeup
• Deodorant/Antiperspirant

Tech & Extras

• Phone and Other Chargers
• Laptop/Tablet/eReader
  • Travel Adapter for Laptop
• Headphones
• Camera
• Journal/Sketchbook
• Hand towel, Tissues

Travel

• Travel Pillow
• Water Bottle & Snacks
• Compression Socks
• Suica/Pasmo App
• Poncho, Umbrella or Raincoat (I recommend having at least one of these packed)
• Mini Fan

If you’re planning on activities like hiking or sports, I recommend arm and leg covers. Even though they seem hot to wear, they actually help wick sweat and feel cool, especially when it’s a little breezy.

Things to Buy in Japan

You might think, “Aren’t sunscreens in Japan super great? Can’t I just buy one there?” And you would technically be right. However, I implore you to bring your own sunscreen for at least the first day or two.

Though there are a plethora of great sunscreens in Japan, sometimes it’s hard to determine what will work best for your skin. This goes doubly for when you’re crowded under the fluorescent lights of a drugstore. And with everything in Japanese, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices.

On the other hand, you may be inclined to bring a nice big water bottle from home. It’s economical and eco-friendly. And you should absolutely bring one, especially for the plane ride. But to be completely honest, water refill stations in Japan are quite lacking, even in Tokyo.

You’ll be better off just buying water bottles at the conbini. You could even buy cold water and fill your own bottle with it.

In addition to the Ultimate Summer Packing List, if you’re wondering what to bring along in your daily carry, check out my Daily Essentials in Japan blog for more ideas and another free Bag Packing List.

What’s in my Bag – Daily Essentials in Japan

Get The Ultimate Japan Summer Packing List FREE

Download the free Ultimate Japan Summer Travel Checklist PDF:

Already subscribed to the newsletter? Check your email to download the Ultimate Summer Packing List PDF. Don’t forget to check your spam folder!

Still having trouble? No worries: download the PDF from my Ko-Fi storefront.

Making the Most of The Ultimate Summer Packing List

How to Dress for Japanese Summer

Coming to Japan in the summer can be perfect. You don’t need to pack a ton of heavy clothes or clunky boots. And the scenery is gorgeous, too. Bright greens contrast blue skies filled perfectly plump clouds that shine silver in the sun.

Dressing in a particular way can help you beat the heat. Loose, flowy clothing can create an air pocket and generate airflow, which wicks sweat. Natural fibers like linen and cotton, as well as athletic clothing, can be great for the weather, too.

My Summer Packing List gives you the ultimate flexibility to choose what you need, keeping all pants, skirts, and shorts in one category. I recommend half as many pairs of bottoms as your planned stay.

For example, if you’re staying for 10 days, bring 4 pairs of bottoms plus 1 pair of pajama pants/shorts. That way, your luggage stays light, and if you need to wash some clothes in between, you can just use a laundromat.

If you’re interested in dressing like a local:

Dress in flared dresses or wide-legged pants, and utilize UV umbrellas and sun hats to maximize your body’s natural cooling mechanisms. Locals also wear UV arm socks and UV-blocking fabrics in general. They can help block the sun’s rays and make you feel a little cooler.

Add a cooling neck towel and a mini fan to your getup to help create airflow even in the humidity of train cars and the concrete jungle of Tokyo. I don’t recommend the around-the-neck ice rings, however. They warm up way too fast to be practical.

If you don’t care about blending in:

Go for the short-shorts and tank tops if you want. Touristy areas will always have plenty of foreigners to blend in with. Just be aware that you’ll have to sunscreen-up! The sun’s rays may not be as intense as those in, say, Australia, but they’re nothing to sneeze at either.

Spray sunscreens can be really helpful in that case, just try to stick with well-known brands like Biore, Skin Aqua, Nivea, and the like. Last year, we really biffed our beach day by getting a random brand of sunscreen and ended up looking like striped lobsters.

And a note on tattoos: if you’re just out and about with tattoos showing, that’s totally fine. But if you’re planning on going swimming, check out the rules. Though beaches are free to use without worry, some public pools are not tattoo-friendly.

Hacks for Beating the Heat

1. Hide-out in a Cafe or Restaurant

This is my all-time favorite hack: dip into a restaurant or cafe if the Tokyo sun is beating down on you. Family restaurants are great for this. You can buy a drink bar set and some snacks while relaxing in the air conditioning.

2. Stay Well-Hydrated

Also, use sports drinks and vending machines like your life depends on it (because it kind of does). Though they can be a little cloying at times, electrolyte drinks are extremely helpful when you’re practically sweating through your clothes.

Follow them up with some regular cold water, and you’re all set. These are great for when you’re walking a lot or waiting in lines at Tokyo Disney Sea, for example.

3. Take advantage of UV-Blocking Clothes and Accessories

Also, carry a UV umbrella and take advantage of UV-blocking clothes and sunscreen whenever possible. And for that matter, protect your scalp with sunscreen or a hat.

You can find UV-protective clothes at big box stores like Uniqlo and Muji. Major retailers like Don Quijote and Aeon have great options, too.

Check out my 5 Ways to Stay Cool in the Tokyo Heat blog for even more ideas.

5 Ways to Stay Cool in the Tokyo Heat

Rainy Season in Japan

If you live in a humid region, you might be familiar with rainy season. But growing up in California, I never experienced humidity like Japan’s.

In fact, I probably didn’t even realize I was experiencing humidity when I visited Hawaii once, so it slapped me in the face when I first arrived in Japan for a group trip.

We landed in mid-June, and the thick air sapped the strength right out of me. Being a healthy teenager who took PE and did winter percussion, I never considered myself out of shape, but hiking the Kyoto hills in the dripping heat really humbled me.

Rainy season oscillates between onslaughts of rain and spiking hot temperatures, so even if you’re in good shape, you may need to slow your pace on those hot, muggy days. And remember to stay alert and well-hydrated.

Rainy Season Pointers

Temperatures during rainy season don’t usually reach the highs of late July and August, but the moist air prevents you from wicking sweat.

Highs are around 85˚and can feel downright oppressive if you aren’t used to it. Plus, no matter what you do, you will sweat. So an athletic, cooling undershirt is non-negotiable.

One thing you don’t want to leave out on this summer packing list is the poncho. Even if you buy one when you arrive in Japan, I highly recommend keeping a poncho in your daily carry. There have been times it’s absolutely saved me from becoming a sad, wet dog. On the other hand, I’ve been caught in summer storms and typhoon season more than once in Japan.

When I visited the 25th Anniversary Ojamajo Doremi Museum Pop-up, I ran across flooding in several train stations. Water was pooling and pouring into the metro from aboveground, making the stairs a slippery hazard. And even with my umbrella, I was no use for the utter downpour.

Miniblog: Visiting The Ojamajo Doremi 25th Anniversary Museum Pop-up

3 Rainy Season Strategies to Stay Comfortable

In cases like that, I have three strategies, which I also put to good use when I visited Korea last year in June (They also have rainy season).

1. Check the weather forecast before you leave for Japan, and each day you’re there. Sounds obvious, but we’ve all been there.
2. Wear shorts, capris, or a skirt made of quick-drying materials. That way, even if you get wet, you’re less likely to stay that way. Avoid pants if possible so you don’t get soggy legs.
3. Wear plastic sandals like flip-flops or Crocs that will easily dry off and won’t leave you with sopping wet feet all day.
   • Pack an extra pair of socks if you must, but it’s best to avoid wearing tennis shoes on rainy days.

I hope these tips, tricks, and summer packing list all help you have the best summer Japan trip. With just a few tweaks, you’ll be all set to enjoy everything Japan has to offer, even in the sweltering heat!