What to Pack Before Moving to Japan

Moving to Japan is exciting — but packing for Japan requires thinking beyond the standard "clothes + laptop" checklist. Japan has unique climate patterns, different electrical standards, a cash-first culture, and strict import rules. This complete packing guide covers everything you need and a few things you absolutely should NOT bring.

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The Golden Rule of Packing for Japan

Japan has excellent, affordable shopping options for most daily items. You do NOT need to pack everything from India. Focus on: (1) items that are expensive or hard to find in Japan, (2) essential documents, (3) medications, and (4) sentimental/cultural items. Leave space in your luggage for things you'll buy in Japan.

Complete Packing Checklist

Category	Essential Items	Priority
Documents	Passport, Visa, Certificate of Eligibility (CoE), University acceptance letter, 10th/12th mark sheets (notarized), birth certificate, 10 passport photos	🔴 Critical
Money	Cash in JPY (at least ¥100,000 for first week), international debit card, credit card (Visa/Mastercard)	🔴 Critical
Electronics	Laptop, phone, voltage adapter (India is 230V, Japan is 100V — bring a converter), plug adapter (Type A flat pins — same as Japan!)	🔴 Critical
Medications	1 year supply of any prescription medication, brand-name medicines (many Indian brands unavailable in Japan), OTC tablets (paracetamol, antacids)	🔴 Critical
Clothing	Warm jacket for winter, light layers for spring/autumn, umbrella (Japan's rainy season is intense), formal clothing for university interviews	🟠 High
Indian Spices & Food	Dal, rice, basic Indian spices (cumin, coriander, turmeric), ready-to-eat instant Indian meals for first week, achaar	🟠 High
Personal Care	Indian-brand soap/shampoo if preferred (Japanese products may not suit all skin types), sunscreen (high SPF — Japanese sun is harsh in summer)	🟡 Medium
Study Materials	Japanese phrasebook, kanji study cards, notepad for language notes, pen drive with important documents	🟡 Medium
Comfort Items	Family photos, small deity/prayer items (important for mental wellness), regional snacks from home for the first weeks	🟢 Nice to have

What NOT to Bring to Japan

Some items are restricted or simply unnecessary:

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Certain medications

Pseudoephedrine, codeine, and some stimulants are controlled substances in Japan. Import them and face arrest. Check the MHLW Japan website.

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Any weapons or sharp tools

Japan has among the world's strictest weapons laws. Even certain kitchen knives require special permits to import in checked baggage.

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India-format SIM

Your Indian SIM won't work in Japan (different LTE bands). Buy a Japanese SIM on arrival (airport counters or Amazon Japan).

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Full-size toiletries

Japan's convenience stores and 100-yen shops (ダイソー, Daiso) have everything for a fraction of what you'd pay in India for imported goods.

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Indian streaming devices

Netflix, Hotstar, Disney+ have region restrictions. VPN + your existing subscriptions work fine; don't pack a set-top box.

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Meat/dairy products

Japanese customs forbids importing most animal products from India due to biosecurity. Declared items will be confiscated at the airport.

First Week in Japan — What to Buy on Arrival

Arrival Shopping Priority Queue

Day 1

SIM Card

Airport counters (IIJmio, Softbank, Docomo) or buy online before arrival with pickup at airport. Data plan: ¥1,500–3,000/month.

Day 1

IC Card (Suica / Pasmo)

Buy at any JR station ticket machine. Load ¥3,000–5,000 to navigate trains and buy food at konbini (works as digital wallet).

Day 2–3

Basic Household Items

Visit Daiso (100-yen shop) for kitchen items, cleaning supplies, hangers, stationery. ¥5,000–10,000 covers most basics.

Day 3–5

Rice Cooker + Basic Kitchen

Second-hand shops (リサイクルショップ, recycle shops like Book-Off, Hard-Off) sell rice cookers for ¥500–2,000. Essential for Indian cooking.

Week 1

Bank Account (Japan Post Bank)

Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) is easiest for new arrivals with minimal paperwork. Bring residence card (在留カード) and My Number card if issued.

Seasonal Clothing Guide for Japan

Season	Temperature Range	What to Wear
Spring (March–May)	8°C–22°C	Light jacket + layers; rain jacket (April is rainy); T-shirts with cardigan
Summer (June–August)	28°C–38°C	Breathable cotton only; UV protection umbrella (mandatory); avoid black clothing; Japan's humidity is brutal
Autumn (September–November)	12°C–25°C	Light jacket; sweaters; jeans; most comfortable season for walking
Winter (December–February)	0°C–12°C (Tokyo); -10°C (Hokkaido/Tohoku)	Heavy coat; thermal inner layers; gloves; scarf; warm boots

🗣️ Learn Japanese Before You Arrive:

Knowing even basic Japanese phrases before your arrival makes navigating the airport, finding your accommodation, and the first week infinitely easier. Start with the LenGaki N5 study path today.

Learn Survival Japanese