I’ve written about what I’ve packed in my nappy/diaper bag in Japan and I’ve written about “what to pack for a day out at Tokyo Disney” AND I’ve also written a general “what to pack for Japan: month by month” blog post – but here are my tips on what to have in your handbag or light backpack while in getting about in Japan.
What to have in your handbag while sightseeing and exploring Japan?
1) A wallet with some cash and credit cards
I explain the importance of having some cash on you at all times in Japan here.
2) A phone with an internet connection and a phone charging bank
Whether or not you have an e-sim or you decide to use my favourite option, pocket wifi, it is important to have a charged phone with a good internet connection. I explain more and why here.
3) Pain meds
This is a nice-to-have but to me it’s important as I don’t want anything to interrupt my day. As I explain here, it is important to check that any medication from home is actually allowed in Japan first though.
So where to start my research on what medication is and isn’t allowed in Japan?
–The Ministry of Health, Wealth and Labour of Japan website
–The Narcotics Department website Japan page
–The Japan Travel: Bringing Medicines into Japan page
–The Smart Traveller website
*I thought most people would know this already but I did have to explain to someone recently that you CANNOT bring cannabis oil into Japan. So if it says THC on it – it’s automatically a hard no. Cannabis/Marijuana/Hemp are all illegal in Japan – in any form (including gummies, oil, cookies.) Opioids, adderall and epinephrine are illegal in Japan as well.
4) A water bottle
Yes, vending machines are on every corner. But if you are looking for a more planet-friendly option, I recommend downloading the MyMizu app for places around Japan where you can stop and refill your water bottle along the way.
5) Tissues & plastic bags
If you plan on venturing out to temples or off the beaten track it may be handy to have some tissues handy as Japanese-style restrooms don’t always have toilet paper.
Also, due to Japan’s fantastic recycling system where resident’s take responsibility for their own waste, there are hardly any garbage bins around town. It’s handy to have a plastic bag or two on hand to store your wrappers and cans until you do find a bin (I wait for restroom bins nearby.)
6) A small hand towel (or to get super Aussie on you – a little face washer)
Now the world won’t end if you forget this one. But this is what Japanese women travel around with as the restrooms don’t always have a hand dryer or a paper towel.
7) A little eco bag / foldable shopping bag
Japan loves a plastic bag so much. Even with this bag you may find plastic bags creeping in and around your shopping regardless. But, still, it’s a good start? See my blog post here on some small steps you can take for a more sustainable approach while travelling in Japan.
8) Passport
It’s illegal to walk around Japan as a tourist without your passport. It’s a great opportunity to get a cute and durable passport case.
Everyone says – but what about … what about… Sorry to be the boring police. You need to have it all the time.
9) Hand-sanitizer
Of course!
10) A coin purse
This is not a must. Just for those that have a wallet without a coin section – you may be surprised how many coins you accumulate in Japan.
If you have coins leftover at the end of your trip – here are some of my suggestions on what to do with them all.
11) Little socks or sockette type things
I usually have these in summer. This is so I can take off summer sandals or heels in a restaurant or someone’s house (some temples etc too) and not have bare feet. You’re not going to be banished or anything if you forget. But it is considered to be more polite to have socks on (and if you look around you’ll see most people are so it won’t make you feel like you stick out as much.) It’s also a good little “smell barrier” for your feet too if you think they are super stinky but you’re about to start a fancy dinner in a traditional restaurant.
Lots of people ask me what handbag I use. This isn’t an affiliate – I just love it. I have this handbag and I love how it can be a shoulder bag and a backpack.
Things I wouldn’t bother carrying around:
-an umbrella (most hotels will lend you one – they are also really affordable to buy at the convenience store or a 100 yen store.)
-perfume (it’s actually considered bad manners to have a really overwhelming fragrance – makes sense if you think about crowded spaces. Imagine the muddle of scents if every person was rocking their own customized pong on the train? And fancy restaurants like high end sushi spots actually have signs up asking customers not to wear perfume as it interferes with the senses when trying to enjoy a meal – for yourself and for those around you.)
See here for my long and comprehensive list of what to pack when travelling to Japan with kids.
And read here if you are wondering what to wear in Japan (this post mostly covers clothing tips for women).
