What you don’t need to bring to Japan

When I was packing my bags before moving to Japan, I basically tried to fit my entire bathroom cabinet into my suitcase. Toothpaste, shampoo, sunscreen, painkillers, you name it, I brought a full stock “just in case.” Looking back, I really didn’t need to. Japan is a country where you can find almost anything within a five-minute walk of your apartment, and overpacking just means dragging extra weight across the world for nothing.

Toiletries and cosmetics

Shampoo, toothpaste, body wash, sunscreen, deodorant, all of it is easy to find here, whether in a drugstore, a supermarket, or of course at Donki, where the toiletries aisle alone could fill a small suitcase on its own. You might not find your exact home brand, but Japanese skincare and haircare in particular are excellent, and a lot of residents end up switching over completely once they arrive. Bring a travel-sized version of your favorites to get through the first few days if you’re picky, but don’t waste luggage space on a six-month supply.

Bedding, hangers, and small home items

If you’re moving into your own place rather than a furnished share house, resist the urge to bring things like hangers, bedsheets, or an umbrella from home. Stores like Nitori (Japan’s answer to IKEA), Daiso, and again Donki sell all of this for cheap, and buying locally means it’ll actually fit your new apartment, Japanese futons and closets aren’t always the same dimensions you’re used to.

A mountain of medication

It’s smart to bring a short supply of any prescription medication you rely on, along with your prescription or a doctor’s note, since some ingredients that are common back home are restricted in Japan. But beyond that, you don’t need to pack a full pharmacy. Japanese drugstores carry perfectly good equivalents for headaches, colds, and allergies, and if something specific isn’t available over the counter, a clinic visit here is usually fast and affordable.

Heavy suitcases and bulky luggage

I’ve seen people show up with suitcases so big they could barely get them up the stairs at the train station. Japanese apartments tend to be small, storage space is limited, and train stations weren’t built with oversized luggage in mind. Pack light, in something easy to carry, and plan to buy anything bulky (winter coats, extra blankets) once you’re actually here and know what the season calls for.

Hair dryers and styling tools

This one matters more than it sounds: Japan runs on 100V, which is lower than the voltage used in a lot of other countries, so appliances like hair dryers or straighteners either won’t work properly here or will need a bulky voltage converter, not just a simple plug adapter. It’s honestly easier to just buy a hair dryer once you’re here, they’re cheap, and you’ll skip the risk of frying your favorite one on your first morning.

A suitcase full of textbooks

If you’re coming for language school like I did, it’s tempting to bring every grammar book and workbook you own “just in case.” Don’t. Most schools provide their own textbooks as part of the course, and if you need extra study material, bookstores here (and plenty of online options) carry everything you’d need, often better suited to what you’re actually studying than what you’d have packed from home.

A giant stack of cash

Japan still runs a lot on cash, so it’s worth arriving with some yen in your pocket. But you don’t need to show up with your entire moving budget stuffed into an envelope. ATMs at convenience stores and post offices are everywhere and widely accept foreign cards, so you can withdraw as you go rather than carrying a stressful amount of cash through the airport.

Looking back at my own move, most of what I overpacked ended up sitting unused in a corner of my apartment for months. If I could do it again, I’d pack lighter and trust that Japan would have the rest covered, because it almost always does.

If you’re getting ready for your own move and wondering what actually belongs in your suitcase, now is the time to take the first step. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and take the first step toward your new life in Japan!