My Simple Travel Pack — Preparing for Japan
My Simple Travel Pack — Preparing for Japan
My trip to Japan is coming up pretty quickly now, so I thought I’d spend a bit of time checking through my backpack and making sure everything is ready.
This is the same pack I used the last time I went to Japan. I’ve had it for a couple of years now, and it’s held up really well. It’s lightweight, keeps its shape, and it’s small enough to meet most carry-on requirements, which makes it easy to travel with.
The front pouch has a decent amount of storage and organisation. That’s where I’ll keep things like my passport, wallet, and small IT pouch. It’s easy to access and keeps those important items in one place.
The main compartment is a good size without being too big, and the compression straps on the side help keep everything tight and compact. It just makes it easier to move through airports and fit into overhead lockers or under the seat.
Packing Cubes
For my clothes, I use packing cubes.
This year I’ve moved to compression packing cubes, mainly to save a bit of space. What I’ve found over time is that it’s not just about fitting more in — it’s about keeping everything organised and easier to manage.
In the first cube, I’ve got my t-shirts. At the moment, there’s only a couple in there, but I’ll be adding a few more. I usually go with merino wool because it’s breathable and adjusts well to different temperatures.
At the moment though, I’m in the middle of a weight loss journey, and I’ve lost quite a bit already. So some of my older clothes don’t really fit anymore, which means I’ll need to pick up a few things before I go — or possibly after.
In the next cube, I keep my socks and underwear. These will likely expand into two cubes once I’ve got everything sorted. I’ve already got merino wool socks, but not underwear yet, so that’s something I’m still deciding on.
The third cube currently holds a jumper, which takes up more space than I’d like. I’ll also be adding some more casual items like tracksuit pants and shorts. For travel days, I normally just wear a pair of jeans rather than packing them.
Day Pack
I also carry a small day pack with me.
It’s a Matador pack that folds down and fits inside my main bag. It’s useful for getting around during the day, especially when I don’t want to carry everything with me.
It doesn’t have much structure, so it’s not perfect for heavier or awkward items, but it works well enough for general use.
I’ve also been thinking about adding a simple tote bag. Something easy to carry for quick trips or shopping might end up being a bit more practical in some situations.
Tech Setup
For my tech, I keep things fairly simple.
I’ve got a small pouch that holds everything together. It’s compact and fits easily into any space left in the bag.
Inside, I’ve got a 65W charger suited for Japan, a couple of USB-C cables, and a small battery pack. That’s usually enough to keep everything charged while I’m out and about.
I’ll likely add a set of small earbuds as well, mainly for the plane and for listening to music or audiobooks while travelling.
Clothing Decisions
One thing I’m still working through is clothing.
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve lost about 40 kilos so far, and I’m still aiming to lose more. Because of that, I’m a bit unsure whether to invest in new clothes before the trip.
Merino wool would be ideal. It packs down smaller and is more versatile, but there’s also a chance I won’t get much use out of it if my size keeps changing.
Socks will probably be fine, but things like t-shirts and underwear are a bit more uncertain.
At the moment, I’m leaning towards keeping it simple and just working with what I have, and maybe upgrading things later on once things settle.
Final Thoughts
This is generally how my travel setup looks.
It hasn’t changed too much over time, but it has been slowly refined — taking a little less, keeping things organised, and focusing on what actually gets used.
It’s not perfect, just something that’s been working for me.
I’ll keep updating my packing list on the website as things change and evolve, especially as I get closer to the trip.
See the Full Packing List
You can find the full packing list here, where I’ll keep it updated as the trip gets closer.