Tokyo Vacation Packing Tips To Prepare You For The Weather, The Seasons, And More...

Our vacation packing tips page looks at the clothes you're going to need to pack for the different times of year as well as things like plugs, electricity, socks and shoes. They're all important for different reasons. It's all about KISS... keeping your Tokyo vacation safe and simple : )

What clothes are you going to need for what season? You need to pack the right wardrobe!

The climate here is definitely divided into distinct seasons. You need to pack the right clothes to match the typical weather for the time of year you'll be visiting... with something in reserve just in case.

See our Tokyo climate guide for information on average temperatures and hours of sunshine.

Tokyo in spring is a lovely time to visit

Spring comes to Tokyo around the middle to the end of March and the cold chill leaves the air. Our vacation packing tips for spring boil down to one word. Layers. The temperature between day and night can swing pretty wildly between morning and evening. This is also Japanese cherry blossom time in Japan and you'll want to join in the celebrations if you're here. Make sure to pack a fleece or a coat that will keep you warm when the temperature drop at night.

What to expect from a Tokyo summer

What about vacation packing tips for summer? Basically the summer in Tokyo is hot - very hot! Couple that with high humidity and you want to make sure you bring some light cotton clothes that will let your body breathe and that won't stick to you when you start to sweat. One of our top vacatio packing tips is to wear a simple cotton slip under a blouse, shirt or t-shirt to avoid embarassing sweat patches. It's not much fun if you have to endure the stares of all the locals as they look at the uncomfortable foreigner.

Japan in autumn is very similar to spring

Just like in spring, the temperatures in autumn can change substantially between night and day. You will need some t-shirts for the hottest days. But you're just as likely to need a sweater of some kind for when a colder day swings by. If you're here to see the Japan autumn foliage, remember you're going to be in the countryside and usually in the mountains... so temperatures will be a little lower. Again a fleece or warm coat will be needed, especially as you move into the evening.

Tokyo winter is the opposite of summer... in every possible way

Our Tokyo vacation packing tips for winter are based on the fact that it's cold and dry... very dry. Where in summer you hardly need moisturiser because you sweat it off before it's been on your skin 2 seconds, in winter out comes the lizard skin. That's true in my case anyway! Bring your favorite body moisturiser to avoid the scaly look. If you have eczema or another skin condition be prepared and bring plenty of your prescription cream with you.

Your sock and shoes are important when you visit Japan

Another essential item on our Tokyo vacation packing tips is to bring some comfy shoes. It's more than likely you'll end up doing a bit of walking round the city. It's one of the best ways of getting to see what life here is really like... and it's the best way to happen upon one of the many local Japanese festivals that go on at all times of the year. Pounding the pavement in uncomfortable footwear is one way to ruin the experience!

What about your socks? Who cares right? Ahhh but now you're in Tokyo where, when you go inside many houses and local Japanese shops or restaurants, you'll need to take off your shoes. What's our point? Make sure you have some socks without holes : )

Last but not least, what about the electricity? And what plugs will you need?

Last on our vacation packing tips list. In Tokyo, the electricity is 100 volts. If your appliances usually run on a higher voltage you will probably still be able to use them but they may operate with a lower output than normal.

The plugs are the flat two pin type. If your items are on three pin you will need a convertor plug to use them.