Top 5 items in Japan travel packing list

If you are traveling to Japan, you will definitely need one of these items. On top of the essential items in any travel’s packing list, and other travel accessory, the following list is equally important for a piece of mind travel in Japan. Since Japan is somehow an unique country with its very own characteristics and cultures, I realised after my visit to Japan that packing list for traveling in Japan is inevitably different from any other countries around the world.

Here are the top 5 Japan travel packing list items that any traveler visiting Japan should include in his or her list:

1. Power socket converter – similar to the uniqueness of power socket in China, Japan has also its very own type of power socket outlet. The standard double close flat pin socket without earthing, with the standard voltage of only 100V, 50 Hz in Eastern Japan and 60 Hz in Western Japan, require a power socket converter if you are from most other parts of the world except US. All modern gadgets nowaday include your cameras, smartphones, iPad and laptops require batteries to be recharged in order to keep all your devices including cameras working for the whole holidays;
2. Netbook or laptop – You certainly need internet connection on your Japan travel to check your train time table, weather, maps and direction, or to check in your flight. Unless you have extra money to spare on the expensive data roaming service in your smartphone, most hotels in Japan does not provide WiFi service in their guest rooms. Instead, LAN cable connection is always available. The easiest way is to hook up your netbook with LAN cable and make it as a hotspot for your smartphone or iPad WiFi connection.
3. Digital camera system – Japan is a beautiful country with plenty of travel attractions such as the Mount Fuji, Cherry blossom park, Japanese castles, Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. These breathtaking and iconic sites deserve countless presses of shutter button from every travel photographer. So make sure you have a decent camera to capture all of them and share with others. If you are keen of night scene photography which Japan is famous for, pack a steady tripod as well;
4. Calculator – All prices of all things sold in Japan shown in Japanese Yen. As the figure are huge if compared with other major international currencies (1,000 yen is equal to only USD12.38), bringing along a calculator will sure making our lives easier when buying tickets, foods and shopping!
5. Lots of Japanese Yen (¥ or 円) – Japan is a country of cash. Most shops and restaurants accept only cash. Credit card is not widely used in Japan so make sure you bring along enough Japanese Yen to avoid embarrassment. Good news is carrying tens of thousands Yen of cash in wallet is normal in Japan and safety in Japan is among the best.

The above 5 items are most useful if you are a flashpacker preferring FIT (Free and Independent Travel) style of travel to Japan. If you are traveling  as a couple with your wife or girlfriend, these items should be in your packing list instead of hers. She has her own travel accessories for women to take care of I’m afraid! 🙂 – Travel Feeder, your ultimate travel photo guide to Japan.

About The Author

Cecil Lee

The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.