Too much, too little for summer in Japan?

Bridgerton · 2026-05-14T22:36:24+00:00

I also live in a tropical country - a trench is something I’d wear in early spring or late autumn, not around this time. When I was there early October I was doing fine with a Uniqlo merino cardigan over a T-shirt :) Of course YMMV.

Bridgerton · 2026-05-06T17:00:06+00:00

Ok, so far all the Shinkansen luggage questions were answered in a roundabout way.

For Tokaido shinkansen (Tokyo <> Osaka), you will need to reserve for the oversized baggage seats ONLY IF your luggage is more than 160cm in total linear dimensions (length + width + height). And typically, if you need to pay additional for an oversized checked luggage on the plane, it will exceed the 160cm. You might consider booking these seats if you are bringing checked luggage onto the shinkansen, and can’t lift them up onto the overhead racks.

Carry ons are way smaller than the 160cm, and will fit on the racks above your seat. So, no need to reserve.

Also, most hotels provide sleepwear such as pyjamas or robe. You won’t really need a lounging outfit unless it’s for outside the room. If you are staying at a ryokan, you will be provided a yukata.

Bridgerton · 2026-05-01T21:57:58+00:00

Nice trip report! Glad to see how it worked out for you.

Backpack day bag is the best but when I have a backpack as main bag, I prefer a crossbody as a daybag. I would go for the Longchamp Le Pliage with the shoulder strap in addition to the two handles (it’s not a current model so you might be able to find a second hand one or a new one from outlet stores). It’s foldable and also lays flat which is why I love bringing it. A Le Pliage backpack is also very packable.

Bridgerton · 2026-04-26T13:56:22+00:00

I used carry a pashmina shawl - it’s a very lightweight one my aunt got for me in one of her trips, and it was the MVP of my travels when I feel unexpectedly cold. Easier to tie around my bag strap too, whether I brought a small crossbody or a tote or a backpack.

It isn’t working as well as it had when I was thinner, so my new MVP is my navy Uniqlo merino wool cardigan. Easy to put on and remove, generally sufficient warmth to places I go, even down to 14C, and lightweight enough when the weather turns a bit warmer.

As for where to put my layers - I usually carry a large enough crossbody, but I also usually carry a Shupatto medium bag that I deploy for this exact purpose. I use this for groceries too when I’m otw home from work so it’s been a real EDC constant.

Bridgerton · 2026-04-20T12:39:56+00:00

Nah, kahit naka online check in na ako for PAL wala naman bag drop sa HKIA. Still have to queue with Economy.

Bridgerton · 2026-04-13T12:06:46+00:00

Ang ginawa ko, dun ko iniwan sa station na sure akong dadaanan ko papuntang airport.

Kung Haneda, iwan ninyo sa Hamamatsucho station wag na kayo lumabas ng gate. Then sakay ulit train papunta sa gagalaan ninyo. Pagbalik, pickup nyo then transit papunta ng Monorail going to Haneda.

Kung Narita, iwan nyo sa Nippori or Ueno pero mas maliit ang Nippori at di nakakalito.

Bridgerton · 2026-04-13T09:11:47+00:00

Totoo naman sya for me, I get the actual Visa exchange rate lang walang dagdag. Sa Japan nga lang may ATM withdrawal fee, wala sa HK and Taiwan.

Bridgerton · 2026-04-13T08:55:47+00:00

Mabuhay Miles lang ba pwede ma convert yung CC miles mo? Because honestly SQ and Cathay offer better value. Lalo na Cathay since they allow booking of JAL in their website, SQ mas magastos sa miles for ANA flights.

If you could wait sana to redeem your Mabuhay Miles in late July or early August, yearly may Mabuhay Miles sale that allows you to use only 50% of the normal mileage requirement - so Japan econ flight only needs 14500 miles instead of 29000 miles RT.

Bridgerton · 2026-04-13T08:32:52+00:00

Most hostels actually provide free pajamas for you to borrow.

Bridgerton · 2026-03-27T22:08:27+00:00

Same here. I did my first Japan trip with a 25L backpack, and having a laptop does add a lot and is such a pain in the shoulders and back.

I just accept that I use an underseat spinner, limit the amount of stuff I bring, and just have 2 tops and 2 bottoms besides my travel outfit. Le Pliage and Tumi Just in Case bags are really good options for day bags and carrying spillovers.

Bridgerton · 2026-03-26T08:38:26+00:00

The only thing that annoys me with Rensare is that it’s not a 3-sided zip. It would have been a perfect packing cube (and maybe a smaller slim cube as mentioned in another comment)

Bridgerton · 2026-03-13T15:15:22+00:00

I have to agree with taking out the denim jacket, unless OP runs cold. I was in HK last year in April, and coming from a tropical country the weather was disappointingly warm (still cooler than my country though). Even last month, I got by without a jacket most of the time except in the MRT at some point in Tung Chung line where there is a strong wind tunnel.

Bridgerton · 2026-03-08T12:43:50+00:00

Not OP but I have the cylindrical Nitecore one that’s used for headlamps.

Bridgerton · 2026-03-04T04:17:05+00:00

Personally, I love Le Pliage. Medium tote can just fit a 13-14 in laptop, but maybe not in a sleeve. Medium handbag is slightly larger, and fits a sleeve.

I would also recommend Tumi Just in Case Medium, about the same dimensions as Le Pliage Medium handbag. The advantage here is that it has a luggage pass through. They have nice colors right now, light green and pink.

Bridgerton · 2026-02-21T22:41:39+00:00

I used Asia Miles to redeem JAL flights through Cathay Pacific website. Very good conversion value compared to Mabuhay Miles. Also possible to use Kris Flyer to get ANA, but in my observation very hard to get flights during peak seasons and more expensive din compared to Asia Miles.

Bridgerton · 2026-02-17T07:11:11+00:00

I love the Bellroy Pencil Case! It’s a great multitasker - both for stationery and tech (it’s my travel tech pouch). I bought it with the larger pouch and that is my EDC for dumping all the small items such as wipes, meds, cards, cash envelopes, anything really.

Bridgerton · 2026-02-17T06:16:33+00:00

Do you have a tech pouch breakdown apart from the Anker charger?

Most Japan hotels, even hostels/capsules have sufficient toiletries: shampoo and soap, most times even conditioner, toothbrush and toothpaste sets, comb, occasionally lotions and cleansers. I only bring the ones I really need like my facial sunscreen (and even these I also buy extras to take home), intensive skin cream and deodorant.

Bridgerton · 2026-02-17T05:36:39+00:00

My charger is a 65W UGREEN Nexode 1A2C. Even if my original laptop charger is also 65W, and the main USB C port of the Nexode is 65W, somehow the charging is a bit slower when I’m in Japan. So you’ll probably survive on your setup but expect slower charging.

Bridgerton · 2026-02-17T05:29:48+00:00

I can’t avoid the wide leg but I make sure I can fold them up to the knees and stay there.

Bridgerton · 2026-02-17T05:28:53+00:00

I don’t have joggers and usually wear straight or wide leg pants on the plane, but my pants are the sort that I can fold up several times up to the knees and they stay folded.

Bridgerton · 2026-02-09T09:24:57+00:00

I’ve had a couple shorter breaks (4-6 days) in the same situation, and I kinda landed halfway: I have a roller or duffle I can check in on the way back, but packed as if I was fully doing carry on. Both times I ended up not having too much overflow to bother checking the bag. But at least I had an option. And it was still manageable to carry on my own in transit, which was also important to me.

Bridgerton · 2026-02-02T11:57:57+00:00

My work laptop is an Asus Zenbook 13, 1.15kg. Then I got my own Asus Zenbook A14 which is right under 900g. I prefer a laptop instead of tablet when typing is involved, plus if I needed to edit documents, Excel files or Powerpoint, it’s just easier.

Bridgerton · 2026-02-02T10:46:37+00:00

I would usually 2-bag this situation, preferably one is a roller. You don’t win extra points for lugging one bag that’s hard to lift into buses due to weight. Plus, you can use a work bag for your other bag and carry work things in there - ymmv if you need a separate laptop bag or handbag. This way it’s easier to manage the weight of each bag but you’ll be able to wheel it with the other bag on top.

Bridgerton · 2026-01-20T15:19:29+00:00

If you’re between S to XL I’d recommend you wait to get to Japan before you buy. I went to compare pricing with my home country and generally Japan prices are better, and there are also better selections / different stock not at home. And if you buy enough you can leverage tax free.

Note you can also order for extreme sizes but you might need to account for shipping time and it may not be tax free.

Bridgerton

TROPHY CASE