Japan is a beautiful country with many attractions – no wonder it attracts many tourists every year!
If you have an upcoming vacation or business trip to Japan, you have to make the most of your opportunity to experience everything this exciting country offers. You’ll need to do plenty of planning ahead of time, but you’ll also need to bring some essentials.
Here are the items you should pack to make your Japan trip more satisfying, comfortable, and memorable,
1. Credit Cards AND Cash
Of course, when in Japan, you’ll have to pay for services, shopping, and restaurant bills. Most outlets in Japan accept credit cards. So, this is something you wouldn’t want to forget. Also, inform your credit card company about your Japan trip and the days you’d like to use the card in that country, so your card remains active throughout.
However, don’t just count on your card. As advanced as Japan is, they still embrace cash culture, meaning you’ll need some hard cash to pay for certain services and items. Therefore, it’s advisable to have at least 20,000 yen in hard currency.
Another reason to carry some cash is that Japan only has a few ATMs that accept international cards.
You can learn more about Japan by visiting Japanbased.
2. Portable WiFi and SIM Card
While in Japan, it will be costly to use the mobile phone you have at home. This is because you may not be able to use the internet, or the roaming fees may be too high.
The best way to avoid cell phone hurdles is to get an international phone plan by ordering a portable WiFi or SIM card that you can use while in Japan. The country has many affordable pocket WiFi and SIM card providers, and the good news is that you can order before traveling to Japan.
3. A Power Bank and an Electrical Adapter
Obviously, you’ll need to use your electrical appliances and the internet throughout your stay in the country. Unfortunately, doing this will drain your batteries so fast.
For this reason, you’ll need a power bank and an adapter. Most Japanese adapters are not compatible with British or Spanish plugs, so you’ll need a special adapter.
If you are from Canada or the US, you can use most of your electronics the way they are. Japan’s power is rated at 100 volts, so you need to pick an adapter that will power your gadgets well.
4. The Right Outfits
Japan is extremely hot in the summer, while the winters are very frigid. During winter, you can expect heavy snow in the northern part of the country, while the temperatures to the south will be a bit milder. So, you need to pick your clothing well depending on the season you want to visit Japan.
5. Comfortable Shoes
Just like clothing, you also need to pick the right footwear for your vacation in Japan. You may have to do more walking in Japan than in your home country, so you need comfortable shoes. The same applies to socks; choose thin pairs for summer and thick (warm) pairs for winter.
Japanese people take off their shoes when entering a traditional restaurant or temple. This is also the case when staying at a ryokan. So you have to keep this in mind when choosing your shoes for your journey. Perhaps a new pair of slip-on sneakers is in order – you’ll have an easier time getting in and outdoors!
Conclusion
Make sure you pack the items mentioned above for your trip to Japan to be fulfilling and memorable. However, the list is not exhaustive. You’ll also need some basic care essentials, like a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, and reservations for certain attractions.
Also, remember to download apps that can make traveling easier in this country. For example, you can download translation apps, a train reservation app (EmartEX and SuicaEng), an earthquake alert app (Yurekuru Call), and a weather app to cover all the bases.
