How to Pack Light for Japan Travel: 7-10kg Carry-on + Personal Item

What's your goal with packing light for Japan travel?

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JAPAN PACKING LIST

7kg Packing Example

Aoyama purse by Lo&Sons (1.5kg packed)

*Absolute Essentials*
Passport
Important documents such as International Driver’s Permit
Smartphone
Charging cable for phone
Wallet
Empty coin purse
Charging cable for power bank
Earbuds

*Health Items*
Face masks
Tissues
Cough drops
Pouch with menstrual pads
Small trash bag
Spare prescription glasses
Sun glasses
Snack
Medicine pouch (pain, motion sickness, diarrhea)

*Purse Essentials*
Ear plugs
Tape measure
Tiny flashlight
Whistle
Bag for placing purse in before putting under seat

*Liquids Bag*
Mascara

July Carry-on Light (5.5kg packed)

*Everyday Travel Essentials*
Waterproof bag with hand towel
Water bottle (not packing due to weight)

*Clothing & Shoes*
Travel day outfit including hoodie - set aside
Packing cubes
3 Merino wool dresses
Bike shorts (pajamas)
Wool swim suit/ body suit
2 pairs warm leggings
Puffy jacket
3 pairs long wool socks
Cotton laundry bag
Boots - wear onto airplane (not packing additional shoes)
AirTag for suitcase

*Personal Care / Toiletries*
Hair bands & clips
Nail clippers
Nail file
Tweezers
Face sunscreen stick
Lip balm
Lipstick
Compact mirror
Bug repellent patches
Foldable brush and comb
Floss

10kg Packing Example

Everything in 7kg example, plus:
Canvelle backpack
Important documents folder
Laptop computer & charging cable (14” MacBook Pro)
Umbrella / parasol

TIME STAMPS

00:00 How to pack light for Japan
00:15 Goal for packing light
01:26 Tips for packing light
01:47 Lightweight travel bags
04:02 July Carry-On Light (1.9kg = 4.2lbs)
04:17 Aoyama purse by Lo & Sons (0.4kg = 0.88lbs)
05:07 Canvelle backpack (0.6kg =1.3lbs, 15L)
06:00 Lightweight packing organization tools
06:25 Pack essentials first
06:39 Lightening electronics
07:35 Skip items that are only for airplane
07:57 Lightweight quick drying clothing
09:00 Shoes
09:21 Toiletries are optional
09:52 Allow time to test pack
10:13 Packing list 7kg
15:38 Packing list 10kg
16:47 Buy it when you get there
17:26 Plan for returning home

#japantravel #packinglist #carryonluggage #kenshoquest

🎞 WATCH NEXT

[LaGabs]

This is one of the most detailed channels about Japan. Thank you for the tips I hope you keep growing your channel.

[emma_m]

The best tip on packing clothes someone once gave me was, make sure everything matches. Pick a colour theme, that way you can mix and match everything.

[Dainty_doe]

I say so sincerely I would not have been able to feel as prepared for my first trip out of the country to Japan if it wasn’t for your videos. Always so informative and helpful.

[yukiagu]

Thank you for this video 😊 I'm packing super light in which I'm sticking my carryon suitcase inside my large one going to Japan and boarding with only a backpack and my purse. On my way home, my larger suitcase will be filled with goodies from Japan and I'll probably carryon on my carryon suitcase with my backpack 😂 My goal is to come home with many items I'm planning on buying there! ❤ I'm not planning on traveling by air while in Japan and during my stay in Tokyo and Yokohama, my large suitcase will stay the whole time in my hotel, although there will be a few days, in which I'll be staying at different hotel location but... the cost of that hotel is cheaper for me than to worry or lug around my big siutcase while enjoying my time there so for me, this works out better! Basically I've created my little hub/home base for all my things until I leave, which I've also booked a hotel, which is one train ride away (about 20 minutes) from the airport 😊 I've been watching so many YouTubers like you to learn and navigate and come up with my best plan! 2 more months! Can't wait to get there! 😊❤

[davideng]

Wife and I Learned a lot watching your channel. Bringing the 35l backpack and 15l for everyday use. Traveling 2 weeks in mid October. unbound merino clothes for simplicity.

[asdfghjkasdfghj]

Very Useful Video! Thank you for the tips and tricks

[sylvie]

Great tips, not just for traveling to Japan! Thanks!

[marcel_vG]

Just a big Thank You for all info and tips you & family are sharing on your channel. We just came back from an amazing 3 weeks holiday in fantastic Japan and watched (and learned from) all your content. Especially tips for traveling, portable wifi and places to visit has been a real addition to our planning! thanks again, from The Netherlands

[pearlrosalita]

Thanks for your tips! Planning to travel only with a carry-on luggage on my upcoming Autumn trip to Japan. I was planning to do this last Winter trip, but my snow boots (huge feet) took up most of the space in the luggage 😅 Its always a struggle packing for a cold season as I live in a tropical country. Glad I stumbled to your channel, Subscribed!

[Riverrly]

I'm all for light packing, so this is very useful!

[lindapark]

Great hints! I have a 40 day trip to New Zealand and Australia next year, and the two international airlines I am using have strict size and weight limitations. I bought the July light carryon as well as their light checked luggage piece. I’m planning on doing a few test packings well before my trip. I will be packing using the strictest requirements which for carryon weight is Air New Zealand, whereas Qantas domestic has stricter size restrictions on checked luggage.

[Jettski]

Thank you for this video! I didn't think JAL's website was too clear in defining what exactly counts as a personal item. Will be taking a rolling carry-on case and a 25L backpack 😊

[karens]

What about fitting in workout clothes and doing laundry?

[joycer]

Thank you for this very helpful video! I have the Cotopaxi 28L and I plan on bringing that to Japan as my personal item. We are flying JAL. How strict are they on weight and size of the personal item?

[keeonramusic]

I love your videos. ❤ We plan on travelling to Japan to the snow for skiing. Wheels just won't work in the snow, and we are doing a lot of train travel for a month. We have just invested in Osprey Fairlight and Farpoint 40L packs for the family. We would like to not check in any luggage and are limited to 7kg (15 pounds) for carry-on only, and depending on the airline, we may be able to have an additional 3kg personal item, depending on which flights we get. We will be wearing a lot of winter clothes on the flight, going from Australian summer to Japan winter. 🤣
⁉️ But, one problem, we may have to check in at least one pack, as we are taking Kahtoola Nanospikes so we don't slip in the ice and snow. ⁉️ Question: Do you know if nanospikes need to be checked in? ⁉️

[lovealwaysjasmine]

Debating if luggage or backpack would be best. 2 week trip to Japan, will be shopping a a lot. I usually travel with backpack only. Would love your advice 😊

[lauramurphy]

I am going to get the July Carry On Light. What packing cubes did you use? They fit so nice very in the suitcase.

[roselii]

This is a really helpful video, thank you! I do have to ask though, how do you handle packing daily menstrual products?

[veronicabowlin]

We plan to Travel to Japan second week in March. What types of clothing and brand clothes do you recommend if only using a carry on for the entire time?

[NYsam]

I’m always astonished by people that can pack light! I wish I could be one of those people. I’m going to Japan in Sept ‘25 and am dreading packing haha. I’m one that needs way too many options for outfits 😢