Pack with Me for Tokyo Japan Winter 2025! Essentials for City & Skiing

[@Njkk66-user93]

You are amazing at packing light, for just 1 person, I have that much packing already. 😂

[@gumerzambrano]

As someone who doesn't have kids but would like to someday in the future the level of organization you have for everyone's stuff is incredible! At the end of my trips I normally just throw everything into my suitcase and generally fits. I'm just now going to start using packing cubes!

[@KenshoQuest]

Thank you!

[@karenrobbins6656]

Wow so organized! Thanks for the good packing ideas

[@innerworldsotherworldsjour9744]

Hello Heidi! Happy New Year to all of you! I wish you and your family the best of everything this year! I love this video and how organized you guys are! Have a great trip and best wishes on your future trips too!

[@KenshoQuest]

Thank you so much! ☺️

[@loveartszzz00]

Thank you so much for sharing

[@sarahshaw1613]

Heidi and George, your videos have been so helpful in planning our family's first trip to Japan. We are here now and most things have been so easy and I've felt confident thanks to your guidance. (Lets not talk about being sold out of Suica cards and nearly missing our shinkansen due to a mishap with picking up tickets - but hey it all worked out ok! And my son said "Mum, being on the platform 13 minutes before the train is not nearly missing it"). Happy travels!

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi Sarah, thanks for the kind words! We hope you have a wonderful time exploring Japan and if we run into each other, be sure to say hi :)

[@mvicavanagh]

Excellent packing. I will be travelling to Japan again, in the Northern summer. I like to have packing cubes in my High Sierra (56cm Composite Wheeled Duffle) and my recycled Qantas amenity kits in my Travelon backpack. I find packing everything into zippered containers keeps everything tidy, compact, and after years of travelling, I know exactly where everything is. 🇦🇺

[@KenshoQuest]

I also like knowing exactly where everything is!

[@Gen_635]

Wow! Well-organized! As always, thank you for everything. This helps a lot…😊

[@KenshoQuest]

You’re welcome!

[@chibialien57]

the packing cubes in the bright teal/aqua colored suitcase was satisfying to watch. They all fit perfectly! Learning alot of tips here. 😊 Am also curious if the washing machines in Japan are standard models? I went to Japan last 2023 and the airbnb had a machine but we did not know how to use it. Maybe you could feature in one of your laundry days in Japan 😊

[@KenshoQuest]

Thanks! I need to finish editing my video on washing laundry in Japan. It’s almost done! The washing machines are sometimes washer/dryer combos. I use Google Lens to somewhat translate the buttons. There is usually a “power” button and a “start” button, which is the easiest way if you don’t need to customize the settings. If it’s only a washing machine, there is normally a drying rack to dry the laundry. Otherwise the controls in the shower often have a “dry” setting. 🌸 Heidi

[@chibialien57]

@@KenshoQuest thanks! 😊

[@sanchopuncho]

Love your videos! So informative and to the point. Also, can learn a lot how to pack to well organized. My luggage always looks messy. 😅

[@KenshoQuest]

Thanks!

[@LopaSHott]

this is fantastic. I also pack exactly like this so I'm interested to see where you put each item. we are going for 2 weeks in feb with our kids. I'm trying to keep it to 4 carry ons and 2 backpacks.

[@77Zona77]

enjoy the trip! envious here!

[@KenshoQuest]

Thanks!

[@exercising1621]

Hi Kensho! Was looking at the resort Shirikami train you mentioned in previous videos. Got a booking on a train on 1/20, but noticed how the JR website stated its not possible to enter the area in the winter without a guide? And how buses do not run during the winter? Please advise on how your family plans on getting to the lake.

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, you will need to hire a tour guide. Here is some info on one: japancitytour.com/juniko/

[@exercising1621]

@@KenshoQuest thanks. if ur in japan, just curious how long the line for immigration was at the airport u flew inbound.

[@KenshoQuest]

@@exercising1621 We arrived at Haneda around 5:45am (which was ahead of schedule). We went through the priority lane at immigration, since we have young kids with us. We were through immigration and customs by 6:18am. It would have taken a bit longer in the regular lane.

[@wilfredpapaya4739]

Excellent packing! Like the compression pad for the suitcase and the black backpack you have. Might have to snag one of them. Love to visit Japan for 1 month someday. Curious what airline and airport y’all depart from? You guys value economy seats or premium/business?

[@KenshoQuest]

We enjoy flying economy on Japan Airlines (JAL). I'm sure business class and first class would be wonderful!

[@fxlicty]

Thank you for the video! I just have a question myself. I will be travelling to Japan myself for almost a month during winter when I get the chance, how many types of clothing would you recommend to pack? Like how many shirts/inner wear etc.? I’m not familiar with the washing services the lower end hotels in Japan provide so I am unsure how much to actually pack, also considering that I want to do a lot of shopping and will be roughly following the golden route 😅

[@fxlicty]

Also forgot to mention, I’m not planning on going skiing so I won’t have to pack anything related to that :)

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. I recommend packing one week’s worth or less of clothing. We bring 4 outfits each, since I wash laundry frequently. One or two pairs of base layer leggings/ long John’s/ thermals. 1-3 sweatshirts. At least one puffy jacket. You can also buy clothing you need at stores in Japan, such as UNIQLO. My other video, which is a winter packing list, should answer some of your questions: kzbin.info/www/bejne/harNlKKgh8magNEsi=zQzjKxqmfomCVMzs Also, if your accommodation does not have a laundry room, you can search for a “coin laundry” which is a “laundromat”. Some washers and dryers accept 100 Yen coins, and some accept payment by Suica card. Those types of washing machines dispense their own laundry detergent, so you don’t need to bring it. 🌸 Heidi

[@fxlicty]

@@KenshoQuest This is definitely helpful, thank you so much!☺️

[@fxlicty]

@@KenshoQuestThis is definitely helpful, thank you so much!☺️

[@HungTran-yy4vd]

Hi, My wife and I are traveling to Japan from NYC in May, and wanted to know how far in advance should we buy our shinkansen tickets from osaka to hakone and then from hakone to Tokyo. Thank you.

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. If you will travel during the first week of May, that's still Golden Week, which is a very busy time of year in Japan. It's best to reserved your Shinkansen seats as much in advance as possible, which is one month before your date of train travel. If you're traveling later in May, it won't be as crowded. Please keep in mind that the Shinkansen does not go all the way to Hakone. 🌸 Heidi

[@HungTran-yy4vd]

@KenshoQuest thank you for your feedback.

[@HeidiFreitas]

you had a suitcase that expanded upwards I believe it was gray in one of your videos, what brand is it?

[@KenshoQuest]

That’s the VELO 3-in-1. Here’s my review video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnvLh4F7f6qil8Usi=p-Pcm3Gmvf5samJP

[@jonathanchan7448]

Are JR passes good for the bullet trains? If I purchase a 14 dayJR pass and use only 10 days of the JR pass, can the pass be used for a later trip? Thank you.

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. The Whole Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) provides unlimited rides on the bullet trains. Here's our video on how to calculate whether the JR Pass is worth it for your itinerary: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqTVi6OMjq1gotU The 14-day JR Pass costs 80,000 Yen and runs for 14 consecutive days. You cannot save the pass to use for a later date. If you get a JR Pass, you only need it for the days you will ride long distance bullet trains. For example, you could spend 3 days in Tokyo and then use a 7-day JR Pass to travel from city to city for the next 7 days. 🌸 Heidi

[@jonathanchan7448]

@ Thank you

[@KenshoQuest]

What are your essentials to pack for Japan?

[@areasevenpro]

@@KenshoQuest I always carry a power strip to charge my laptop, smartphone, and other electronics. Until last year, I used packing cubes to organize my clothes. This year, I will try a new portable vacuum seal system.

[@sarahshaw1613]

My successful hack has been a couple of LED tea light candles which we leave turned on in the toilet room and bathroom overnight so that anyone using the bathroom doesn't turn on the main light and blind everyone!