{"id":41,"date":"2016-03-21T08:37:24","date_gmt":"2016-03-21T08:37:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/travelnbug.com\/?p=41"},"modified":"2016-04-11T14:56:53","modified_gmt":"2016-04-11T14:56:53","slug":"packing-for-1-week-trip-to-central-japan-spring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/travelnbug.com\/?p=41","title":{"rendered":"Packing for 1 Week Trip to Central Japan – Spring"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tip #1<\/h4>\n

Start with shoes because if you enjoy sightseeing your trip will include a lot of walking. Also it is difficult to find shoes in larger sizes in Japan. I wear and 8 1\/2 in USA sizing and often the largest size is just a little too small. If possible bring 2 pairs but no more than 3 if you plan to get really dressed up more than once.<\/p>\n

A<\/strong>. 1 pair of comfortable waterproof walking shoes (it’s worth buying new ones if you don’t have something that feels good all day). Waterproof or at least water resistant is good idea (it can be rainy many days in Spring). Slip-ons are ok if they work for you in the comfort and durability department but for me a good ole fashioned athletic walking shoe with laces or better yet, walking\/hiking shoe made of Gortex is my favorite.<\/p>\n

\"Merrell's<\/a>
Merrell’s Moab Brindle with Gore-tex<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

B<\/strong>. 1 pair of comfortable flats (loafer or ballet) \u00a0or low heeled bootie that has a little more style. Still need to be able to walk a few miles in this shoe but it’s good to switch it up, especially if your rainy day shoes need to dry out for a day or you want to look less like a hiking tourist . I usually wear these on the plane as they are easier to get on and off for long flight and I don’t usually need to walk a lot on my flying days.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"My<\/a>
My ballet flats have cushy inserts and a velcro strap. The booties have an inside zipper for easy removal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

C<\/strong>. Optional: 1 pair of dressy shoes. Still needs to be semi-comfortable for walking a little, unless you plan to use a taxi every time you go out. Walking to and from trains and bus stops, even for night-life or fancy dinner out, can cause back pain and blisters. If you stay in hotels that have nice dining room, and you plan to do that often, then using valuable space for dress shoes might make sense. I rarely wear dress shoes that I have brought on trips…usually end up eating while out sight-seeing and don’t take the time to go back and dress up.<\/p>\n

Note: Spring in Japan can be very cold. Even snow flurries are not uncommon. So for a Spring trip to Central and Northern Japan, you will not need sandals until mid to late May (which I consider more like summer). If you are going to Okinawa, that is a different story. I haven’t been there so I can’t give advice for the South\/Western parts of Japan. You also don’t need house slippers or flip flops (can’t really walk all day in flip flops, most Japanese only wear that type of shoe at the beach in summer and most hotels provide house slippers). I’m writing this post \u00a0in the third week of March 2016 and our forecast for the next week in Yokohama has 3 days with a high of 61-63, 7 days with a high of 51-59, 3 days of rain and a low of 39 degrees fahrenheit one night, with the other night’s low is between 41-49. This is the beginning of Cherry Blossom Season and most of my photos from previous years seeing the blossoms, I’m bundled up with down jacket, gloves, ear muffs and a big scarf. Especially for the night viewing of Blossoms at shrines and gardens. \u00a0But I hate to be cold and feel cold easily. Know yourself in this regard.<\/p>\n

Tip #2<\/h4>\n

Next, decide on your travel outfit (to and from Japan). This will help set the color scheme for your trip. So I decide which shoe I want to wear on the plan and the most comfortable outfit for flying long distance. Lots of layers is best as the temperature on the plane is very unpredictable. For me it is usually Lululemon yoga pants, with a short comfortable dress and a sleeveless shirt underneath so I can go to restroom and remove dress if it’s too hot and just cover with sweater or blanket while trying to sleep. This is usually worn with black booties in Winter\/Spring or ballet flats Summer\/Autumn (in summer I bring socks to change into for flight). I wear or have in backpack a thin sweater and wear my lightweight down jacket (Uniqlo) or trench coat with removable liner and a scarf. If it’s too warm on plane I wear tank top and yoga pants (and I don’t care if I’m on the ‘what not to wear’ tv show).<\/p>\n

\"This<\/a>
This is one of my travel outfits for flight in late summer. Spring version would have longer leggings\/yoga pants and down jacket. This luggage was for a month in California instead of a week in Japan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A<\/strong>. Cool bottom layer that you can wear to sleep on plane (avoid tight, stiff pants like jeans)<\/p>\n

B<\/strong>. Thin sweater, scarf and socks to add easy to remove warm pieces in case your section of the plane is cold and for arriving late at night on some flights.<\/p>\n

C<\/strong>. Warm jacket for the walk from the train station to the hotel or apartment. It’s nice to walk after sitting for so long. Save inside luggage space by wearing your largest jacket.<\/p>\n

Tip#3<\/h4>\n

Now that shoes, jacket and light sweater have been chosen you can fill out the rest of your wardrobe accordingly. I avoid taking anything that requires a different pair of shoes, sweater or even scarf. Most days casual and comfortable is just fine. One or two nicer tops or a dress\/skirt if you love that sort of thing. I almost never wear dresses I take on trips unless it’s a super hot\/humid location. Here is my sample list:<\/p>\n

A<\/strong>. 1 pair of faded blue jeans with 3-5 tops that can be layered (if these are tight, skinny jeans I take another pair of loose comfortable).<\/p>\n

B<\/strong>. 1 pair of nice casual pants or darker nice jeans with 3-5 tops that can be layered.<\/p>\n

C<\/strong>. Yoga pants (worn on the plane) or corduroy leggings with long tops or short dresses that will go with booties, ballet flats or walking shoes.<\/p>\n

D<\/strong>. Underwear (1 per night plus 2 extra unless I stay somewhere with a washer and dryer), bra (I wear most comfortable light sports bra on the plan and bring one underwire in luggage) and 5-6 pairs of socks. I stuff socks into shoes.<\/p>\n

Tip #4<\/h4>\n

Toiletries (most hotels provide body wash, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush w\/paste, even shaving kits, so you really don’t need to bring all of that unless you can’t live without your favorite brands. Also they usually have hair dryers, although some you might have to ask for it at the front desk. Still best not to bring your own – waste of space and some higher voltage hair dryers from the states won’t work without converter).<\/p>\n

Tip #5<\/h4>\n

Prescriptions and over the counter medication. Allergies can be bad in Japan so bring that if you use them regularly. I also bring a small amount of tums, cold medicine and nasal spray just in case we catch a cold or have stomach problems. You can buy all of that in Japan it’s just difficult with the language differences and I usually need it in the middle of the night or on the way to catching an airplane.<\/p>\n

Tip #6<\/h4>\n

Small, collapsible umbrella (if you are staying in a host’s home check with them, you might be able to borrow umbrellas), small backpack or tote to take items for short overnight stay while leaving larger suitcase at hotel or friend’s house and for bringing home shopping or for putting your jacket and scarf in if it gets warm.<\/p>\n

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