Japan Before You Go Checklist
The Essentials
Japan Rail Pass: Get your JR Pass (7,14 or 21 days) at least 45 days before departure. You will need it before you arrive in Japan. Remember this is a voucher. You will need to exchange for an actual pass on arrival. Buy from Klook (instant confirmation and print) or Jrailpass (note they had a $60 surcharge for delivery to the US which I did not like)
WiFi: Stay connected throughout your trip. Rent Pocket Wifi from Pupuru wifi. Buy Here
Local Transport Card: Get your Suica or Icoca card from any station upon arrival or online. It’s a prepaid local transport (buses, trains, ferries, etc..) card that you can recharge. You can also use to pay at convenient stores at stations.
Hotel Reservations: Have the hotel email their address in Japanese and directions. Helpful for taxi drivers.
Passport: Ensure validity for at least 6 months from the date of travel and that it has some empty pages.
Travel Doc Wallet: Your photo album is accessible offline! So take photos of all key docs (passport, license, flight, hotel reservations, visa, contact info of co-travelers, JR pass voucher, any other tickets).
Tourist Visa - Not Required. Given on arrival with US passport + proof of departure date
Cell Phone: Get an International Data Plan (more convenient and reasonable) or local SIM card when you land
Credit & Debit Cards: Notify credit card company with travel notice and carry a Credit card with no transaction fee (Visa, Amex)
Get an IDP if planning to drive. Click here
Itinerary: Download or print your day-by-day itinerary so it’s available offline.
Maps: Download your offline itinerary in google maps. See my Japan Itinerary Map
Gear List
Your gear list will vary based on the season you are traveling to in Japan. This list is specifically for Winter travel between Mid-December to Early January for Kyoto and Tokyo areas.
Down / Micro Puff Jacket (Patagonia)
Base Layer Full Sleeves (Uniqlo)
Fleece Hoodie (North Face)
Rain Jacket (North Face)
Fleece Joggers (REI or Patagonia)
Traveler Pants which has some stretch (the Banana Republic for men or Lululemon)
Yoga Pants (Lululemon seems to be the best)
Parka (for women)
Beanie
Knitted Gloves
Merino Socks (Smartwool or Stance)
Sneakers + Light Winter Hiking Boots
Mobile Phone
Cameras (DLSR, GoPro, Iphone)
Tripods & Selfie Sticks (Joby)
Umbrella (even though in Japan you can get inexpensive and nice ones!)
Hydroflask (Japan as warm and cold water refill stations)
World Travel Adaptor (Note: Japan is the same as US power plugs)
USB charging cables
Battery packs (2) (Anker, Mophie)
Suitcase/Bags - 120cm (L+W+H) ideal
Backpack (Patagonia) for Plane
Daily use light back sack (for water, camera, a small jacket, pocket wifi, chargers, pen, notebook, etc..)
Fanny Belt / Sling bag (more fashionable and quick)
Hand Sanitizer
Pen and Small Notebook - handy for language /sign translation
Tech
Besides your preferred hotel and standard travel apps, I suggest downloading these apps for your Japan Trip!
Download these Apps for Japan Travel
Google Maps (offline)
Google translate/speak translate
Japan Direct (Bullet Train schedule with JR pass filter)
OneNote (to view our detailed itinerary)
Yelp
Accor Hotels
Tripadvisor
Tripit!
Booking.com
Medicines and Toiletries
For international travel carrying a well-packed and convenient toiletry bag is key. Rollup style (best for women) that you can hang in the bathrooms and Small box bag (best for men) that can fit into a backpack is super helpful. Note: Always carry 30ml or less of liquids in your carry-on toiletries. For medicines, Japan has several convenient stores like 7-11, Family Mart, Lawson, and several pharmacies (you can find them around stations and airports) that provide over-the-counter medicines for common illnesses.
Here are the Top 7 Japanese medicines for pain, stomach ache, hangovers :) etc.
Bufferin for Headache
Seirogan for stomachache
Pansiron for upset stomach
Pabron for Cold
Hepalyse before night out :)
Vantelin for muscle pain
Chocola BB for rough skin
