Japan Trip with a Small Suitcase

My husband was invited to speak at a symposium in Fukuoka, Japan, and I jumped at the opportunity to go with him. Another couple, good friends of ours, would be at the same meeting so we made plans to travel together afterwards. All-in-all the trip was 9 days, with 1 night in Tokyo, 3 nights in Fukuoka, and 2 nights each in Yfuin and Kanazawa (bracketed by a lengthy plane trip). Packing was a challenge: the weather would be very hot and humid, with likely daily rain storms, and Japanese women (my age) dress fairly modestly: no bare shoulders, stockings (even with sandals), etc. We were to be hosted for tea ceremonies, lunches, and tours of local temples and gardens in both Fukuoka and Kanazawa so I needed appropriate outfits for those events. In addition, we would be travelling a lot by train (using our trusty JR passes) so mobility was essential.

I ended up taking 12 items in my suitcase (pic 1), plus the 4 I wore on the plane (pic 2). I wore black sneakers on the plane and also brought yoga pants and a Tshirt (for sleeping on the plane and for early morning exercise-walks with my husband), a hiking shirt and hiking pants (since we planned to do some hiking in Yfuin), and a rain shell. This was a pretty minimal packing trip even for me, but it really worked out fine. It was very easy to pack and unpack, and I only had to wash out 2 shirts (so I had something for the plane trip home). It helped that 3 of the nights were in ryokans (where we were provided with yukatas for dinner and breakfast) so I didn't need as many night-time options. The dresses were great: the striped dress is by St James and is SPF 50 so is great for daytime activities (but could also dress up for night with heels)- I wore it for both tours in Kanazawa and Fukuoka with my ballet flats (but no stockings- holy cow, was it hot and humid!)

Lessons for me:
1- The plain white tees (Eileen Fisher) are great for travel (pack small, wash out easily and dry quickly) but are a bit plain and need something (scarf, necklace, cardigan, etc)- so they are more practical for cooler weather travel. The striped shirts work well on their own, so next warm weather trip I will plan on more tops that are colors/stripes/prints.
2- I brought sandals as a security blanket (in case my feet acted up) but didn't need them. On the plus side, they didn't take up much space.
3- I'd like to look for a comfortable wedge shoe that would go better with dresses (than flats) but still be comfortable enough for all-day wear.

This was my 5th trip to Japan (and 2nd this year) and each time I go I find the people to be extremely friendly and helpful (and very appreciative of the few Japanese phrases I have managed to learn). The food is wonderful, both in taste and presentation and the service outstanding (in spite of the fact that this is a no-tipping culture). We have had no trouble navigating the subways and trains, and enjoy travelling to some of the smaller towns where we have had no problems despite the fact that there may be very little English spoken. We also love staying in ryokans: sitting around with friends in yukatas after an onsen bath, enjoying a multi-course kaiseki meal has to be one of the true pleasures of travel.

Finally- enjoy a little dog dressed for the Hakata Gion Festival in Fukuoka and the Shinkansen that took us from Kanazawa to Tokyo at the end of our trip. Happy to answer any questions about Japan!

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10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

How fun, Sadie. We love Japan too. No one speaks English, but the people are sooooo nice - they just want to help you. The food is SUBLIME and it's a very clean country. We loved Yokohama, Kyoto and Tokyo. We also stayed in a ryokan. Best breakfast of my life - and I don't even like breakfast.

I did find it hard to navigate the restaurants without being with our Japanese friends because I don't eat mammals. But when there was a Japanese speaking person with us - it was brilliant. I LOVE Japanese food.

Wooohoooooo. Shinkansen. *zzzzzzzoooooooooommmmmmm*. Loved all the people eating from their beautiful bento boxes on the bullet train. Very civilized. And the street style is one of the best in the world.

SWEET LITTLE DOGGIE.

Sadie

Active Member

Thanks, Angie- I read all your articles on Japan prior to our trip for tips! I found very little "mammal" food in Japan (just about 1 ounce beef as the last main course in a kaiseki meal)- a lot of vegetables, soy (tofu, etc), and fish. Agree about the difficulty navigating restaurants without a translator (and without the food pictures that a lot of restaurants have on display). I am still not sure what I ate a lot of the time! This last trip was helped by the fact that we had local hosts in Fukuoka and Kanazawa and one of our travel friends was Japanese-American so could do some elemental translating. Another high point of the trip was the large department stores (located at all the main train stations) with the basement food courts full of delicious and beautifully presented food options (that we purchased then ate on the trains).

Diana

Veteran

This is very similar to what I packed when I went to Japan in December! (Except I had warmer items since it was winter, and a biz cas outfit for the day I had to give a talk.). It all fit in a carry on size rolling suitcase, which was great since I hauled that thing all over on the trains and subways in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. I was told by a local friend though that many Japanese actually send their luggage ahead with a courier service (which is surprisingly reasonable) when they travel, which seems terribly civilized.

The food was amazing! We didn't have too much trouble with it but we mostly ate at more casual places with pictures. We did have local guides/friends for a couple of days and did get to try some more adventurous options. One kaiseki place in Tokyo had no signage, no English, and no pictures. And it was amazing! I found the food so beautifully prepared (even at like street carts) and very reasonably priced. (Probably helps that the dollar was so strong!)

Adding some random food photos. All mammal free for Angie!

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YES. Japanese department stores are one of my favourite places to shop in the world, Sadie. Give me that over the streets of Paris any day. Sometimes I think I am more Asian than Euro.

Sounds like you've had AMAZING experiences in Japan. I'm happy for you. For us - it doesn't get much better than travelling the world to experience different cultures with locals, family and friends. It is extremely expensive though - but those experiences shape you for life, open your mind, and certainly make me a more savvy and well adjusted individual. We have decided to invest in travelling - especially since life is too short. I'm high fiving you, Sadie. Thanks for sharing some of your trip with us.

Diana. I WANT THAT FOOD RIGHT NOW. My best.

Greyscale

Congrats on successful packing! I always find it challenging to hit it just right. Nice that you've been there before and built up wisdom about what you'd need.

I suppose one advantage of summer packing is that each item takes up less space than its winter equivalent, but on the other hand, sweat means I can't wear each item as many times.

I've never been to Japan but we might go this spring for a conference (my guy and I are in the same field, so work travel can conveniently become vacation travel). I'm looking forward to shopping, more for him than for myself. He's not Asian but size-wise, Asian clothing is a much better bet for him, and I think of Japan as a good source of slightly edgy men's clothing. Would department stores be good destinations for that, or should I seek out boutiques?

Diana- your food pics take me right back! The food there is crazy good and beautiful! I've enclosed some pics from the trip we took in May (started at a meeting in South Korea, then we travelled to Kurashki and Takayama).

Angie- we too invest in traveling. Each trip brings great experiences, wonderful memories, and new friends.

Greyscale- I'd defer to Angie on shopping, but the department stores have great men's departments. There seemed to be a much greater variety in stores there- and I wonder if Japanese do less on-line shopping, hence the B&M stores have a larger and more varied selection. I only had one day (in Fukuoka) to shop and only was able to scratch the surface of what was available.

Aida

Oh all these food photos are soooo pretty! The Japanese philosophy towards food and cooking is one of the biggest influences in my own cooking, even though I haven't been to Japan. Your travel capsule looks good, thanks for sharing it as well as sharing how it worked out for you. Always interesting to hear how the theory and execution work and don't work. Cute lil pup!

Adelfa

I adore travel clothes posts, thank you!

Cococat

Thank you for the details of your travel wardrobe. Sixteen items all up, fantastic! I always overpack when I travel, which is so frustrating.

I love Japan. I have only been to Kyoto, also went to present at a conference, and it was so unexpectedly beautiful. The people were very friendly and everywhere had a subtle, quiet beauty. The Dept stores were spectacular! Unfortunately, at 5'7 and US 8, with size 41 feet, I couldn't buy much. I did come home with a beautiful silk kimono.

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