Japan Packing List for Families

Documents & money

• Passports (+ printed copies stored separately)
• Flight / hotel confirmations (offline copies)
• Travel insurance details
• One physical credit card per adult (tap-to-pay works widely)
• Some cash in yen — small shops and shrines are still cash-first
• Suica / Pasmo plan: mobile IC card set up, or buy a Welcome Suica on arrival

Baby & toddler essentials

Diapers and formula are easy to buy in Japan — pack 2–3 days worth, not the whole trip.

• Diapers for the first 2–3 days (then buy at a drugstore)
• Wipes (1 pack — restock locally)
• Formula / baby food for day one (jars and pouches sold at drugstores & some konbini)
• Lightweight stroller (elevators exist, but smaller is better on trains)
• Baby carrier — the single most useful item for stations and temples
• Sippy cup / straw bottle (restaurants serve water without lids)
• Small cutlery set for toddlers (many places lend kids cutlery, but not all)
• Familiar snacks for the flight + first morning

Clothes (think layers)

• One outfit per day max — hotels and coin laundries make washing easy
• Layers rather than bulk: indoor spaces are heated/cooled hard
• Comfortable walking shoes (you will do 15,000+ steps)
• Slip-on shoes for kids — you will take shoes off more than you expect
• Compact rain layer or foldable umbrella

The things families always forget

• Plastic bags / wet bags — public trash cans are rare in Japan
• Hand towel or handkerchief — many restrooms have no paper towels
• Portable battery + cables (navigation drains phones fast)
• Plug adapter (Japan uses Type A, 100V)
• Kids ID card in a pocket: hotel name + your phone number
• Painkillers / fever meds your child already knows (brands differ here)

Nice to have

• Small stickers or quiet toys for restaurant waits
• A lightweight picnic sheet — parks are everywhere and lovely
• Foldable tote for konbini runs and souvenir overflow