What to bring on a trip to Asia: the complete list for Japan, Korea, and China

Packing for Asia isn't like packing for any other trip: the plugs, the customs and even the rules for medications are different. This is our list of what to pack for a trip to Asia, designed for Japan, South Korea and China and based on what we learn on every group departure. It follows the same logic we use in the travel manual our travelers receive: what to pack, what to leave at home and what to have ready before you close the door.

How to think about your suitcase for Asia

Before making your list, it helps to change the way you think about your suitcase. On a trip through Asia you'll walk a lot, you'll carry your luggage up and down station stairs, you'll change hotels several times and, almost certainly, you'll come back with more things than you brought. That's why the rule is simple: fewer clothes, better shoes and free space.

Checked bag and carry-on

Check with your booking code what your airfare includes. On our October departure to Japan, for example, each traveler had one 23 kg checked bag paid for, round trip. If you need a second suitcase, it's best to let the agency know before traveling: if you check it without notice, the airline charges for it at the counter. Your carry-on should always hold your power bank, your medications, your documents and a light jacket.

How much free space to leave

More than you think. Between Korean skincare, Japanese snacks, stationery, anime figures and souvenirs, your suitcase fills up fast. One trick many of our travelers use: bring a foldable bag or backpack inside your suitcase and use it on the way home. Another: pack in organizer bags, which make it easier to change hotels without unpacking everything.

Watch out for oversized suitcases on the bullet train

If you're riding the Shinkansen on the Tokaido line, between Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, suitcases whose combined dimensions exceed 160 cm must go in a seat with oversized luggage space reserved in advance. Without that reservation, you pay a surcharge if there's room, or you have to wait for another train. A medium suitcase gives you much more freedom.

Clothing: think about the season and in layers

The golden rule is to dress in layers, because the temperature changes a lot between the street, the subway and indoors.

Choose comfortable, quick-drying clothes. In Japan people dress conservatively; you don't need anything formal, but you do want to be comfortable. For a two-week trip, five or six outfits that mix and match plus a couple of washes along the way is more than enough. Go for neutral colors you can combine, and leave delicate garments at home: between trains, stairs and rain, practical always wins. If you haven't picked your dates yet, our guides on the best time to visit Japan and the best time to visit South Korea will help you decide.

Japan in autumn: the example from our manual

October is one of the best months of the year in Japan: mild days and cool nights. Our recommendation for that season is to dress in layers: a T-shirt, a fleece or vest and a light windbreaker. Add a rain jacket or a small umbrella, because in October it doesn't rain much, but it does rain. With that you're covered from a cool morning at Mount Fuji to a mild afternoon in Osaka.

Korea: real winters

South Korea has four very distinct seasons. In winter, Seoul drops below freezing and you feel the wind, so thermal layers, gloves and a hat are no exaggeration. In summer, on the other hand, the humid heat calls for light clothing and something for the rain. If you travel in the in-between seasons, layers are once again your best friend.

China: a huge country, several climates

China is so big that the weather changes a lot from one city to another in the same week. Beijing and the Great Wall can be cold and windy while the south is mild. Check the forecast for each city on your itinerary a few days ahead and pack for the coldest one, with layers you can take off.

Footwear: the most important thing

On a trip through Tokyo, Seoul or Beijing you'll walk 12,000 to 18,000 steps a day. Bring comfortable, broken-in sneakers, never new ones. And something almost nobody tells you: bring socks without holes, because at temples, ryokan and some restaurants you have to take your shoes off.

Shoes that are easy to take off

That shoe detail has a practical consequence: sneakers you can slip on and off without untying the laces save you a lot of time at temples, museums and traditional restaurants. At some attractions, like teamLab Planets in Tokyo, you go in barefoot, and some rooms have water: pants you can roll up to the knee are your best choice that day.

A second pair, just in case

If you have room, bring a second comfortable pair. If it rains hard one day, you'll be glad to have dry shoes the next morning. And don't forget bandages for blisters: they show up right when you're walking the most.

Electricity and technology

• Universal plug adapter, if you're visiting several countries.
• Power bank in your carry-on. Never in your checked bag.
• eSIM or data SIM so you have maps and a translator from the moment you land. We explain it in our eSIM and Global66 guide.
• In Korea, download a local map app; in China, set up Alipay or WeChat Pay.

Japan: 100 V and two frequencies

All of Japan runs on 100 V, but with a quirk: the east of the country, including Tokyo, runs at 50 Hz and the west, including Kyoto and Osaka, at 60 Hz. For phones, laptops and cameras it makes no difference, because their chargers accept a wide range. Where it does matter is with devices that heat up, like hair dryers or flat irons: if they aren't dual voltage, better leave them at home and use the hotel's hair dryer.

Check your chargers before Korea and China

Look at the label on each charger. If it says something like "100-240 V," it works in all three countries with just a plug adapter. If it only says 110 or 120 V, don't plug it in in Korea or China, which run on 220 V: you could damage it.

Internet from the moment you land

Without internet your map won't work, and then everything gets complicated. Buy your eSIM before you leave and activate it when you land. For China, choose one that includes roaming if you want to keep using WhatsApp and Google, because they don't work on local networks. And a practical trick: a power strip or a charger with several USB ports lets you charge your phone, power bank and watch at the same time, something you'll appreciate in rooms with few outlets.

Apps worth having installed

A good part of the trip is handled from your phone. Install them at home, on a good connection, and create your accounts before you leave.

If you're going to Japan with a theme-park itinerary, like our 16-day Japan anime itinerary, the official Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan apps are a must: entry and time slots are managed from your phone.

Documents

• Passport valid for at least six months, with a digital copy in your email.
• Your destination's paperwork: check the requirements for Japan, South Korea and China.
• Travel insurance with good medical coverage.

Your passport, first of all

Open it today and look at the expiration date. It's the first thing they check at the airline counter, and if it doesn't meet the validity your destination requires, they won't let you board. If it expires soon, renew it before you buy anything. Also keep a photo of the data page in your email and another on your phone.

Layovers count too

From Mexico, the United States, Puerto Rico or Costa Rica, almost every route to Asia has at least one layover. Some countries require an electronic authorization even if you're only in transit, and without it the airline won't let you board. Check the full route on your ticket, not just the final destination. On our group trips, if your route needs it, the manual flags it in red.

Money: cash, cards and mobile payments

• Cash in yen for Japan: it's still a cash country in many small places.
• A card with no foreign transaction fees, and let your bank know you'll be traveling.
• A coin purse, because in Japan you'll collect a lot of coins.

Japan: the cash you can't do without

Besides small purchases, there's one expense that surprises many people: the accommodation tax. Hotels in cities like Tokyo and Osaka charge it per person per night, based on the room rate, and it's usually paid in cash at the front desk at check-in. Keep that money set aside from day one.

To get yen, the ATMs at many convenience stores and post offices accept foreign cards. Withdraw reasonable amounts so you don't pay the flat fee many times, and split your cash between your wallet and your suitcase.

Korea: a card for almost everything

In South Korea cards are accepted almost everywhere, including many food stalls and small shops. Even so, bring some cash in won for traditional markets and emergencies. For the subway and buses, the practical choice is a rechargeable transit card like T-money, which you can buy and top up at convenience stores and stations. If you want to see which cities to visit, check out what to see in South Korea.

Tax-free shopping in Japan

To shop tax-free at participating stores you need your passport, so carry it on shopping days. Starting November 1, 2026, Japan switches to a refund system: you pay the price including tax and request the refund at customs when you leave the country, before checking in for your flight. Keep the items handy for that moment.

China: set up payments at home

Since 2023, Alipay and WeChat Pay let you link foreign Visa and Mastercard cards. Download the apps, create your account and link your card before you travel, without rushing. Arriving in China without doing this is one of the most common mistakes, because in many places cash is barely used anymore.

First-aid kit and medications

Bring your regular medications in their original packaging and with the prescription. Japan is especially strict: some cold medicines and stimulants sold over the counter in Mexico or the United States are restricted or banned. Add pain relievers, something for your stomach, blister bandages and your sunscreen.

Japan: what to check before you leave

Depending on the type and quantity of medication, Japan may require an import certificate called Yunyu Kakunin-sho, formerly known as Yakkan Shoumei. You apply for it before traveling, at least two weeks in advance, and declare it at customs on arrival. If your medication is classified as a narcotic in Japan, you also need prior permission. If you take something regularly, check the website of the Embassy of Japan in your country before you pack.

A basic first-aid kit for Asia

• Your regular medications, with a prescription and in their box.
• A pain reliever and anti-inflammatory you already know.
• Something for your stomach: the food is delicious, but different.
• Blister bandages and a little tape.
• Sunscreen and lip balm, especially in winter.
• If you get motion sick on buses or boats, your usual medication for it.

Hygiene and personal care

Hotels in Japan and Korea usually have good toiletries, and some Japanese hotels even have shared onsen-style baths, so you can travel light on this front. What is worth bringing: a handkerchief or small towel, because many public restrooms in Japan have no paper towels; hand sanitizer for the street food stalls; and a few face masks, which are commonly worn in Asia when someone has a cold. If you love skincare, don't fill your suitcase with products: Korea and Japan are skincare paradise, and you'll want to buy there.

The details that make the difference

• Handkerchief or small towel: many restrooms in Japan have no paper towels.
• Small trash bag: there are hardly any public trash cans in Japan.
• Coin purse: you'll collect a lot of yen coins.
• Compact umbrella or light rain jacket.
• Free space in your suitcase: you'll come back with more than you brought.
• A tote bag: many stores charge extra for bags.
• A digital copy of your bookings and your travel manual, downloaded to your phone so you can view it offline.

Japan is probably the easiest country in the world for a lost traveler: everything is signposted in English too, the trains announce the stops, and if you stand still looking unsure, someone will come over to help you.— Catalina Quenaya, founder of Viajeterapia

Carry-on for a long flight

Flights to Asia from the Americas are long and almost always have layovers. Your carry-on is your home for many hours, and also your plan B if your big suitcase is delayed. On top of that, when you cross the International Date Line you lose a calendar day, and your body arrives on a different schedule: that's why it's best not to plan anything for your first night at the destination.

This is what should never be missing from your backpack or carry-on:

• A jacket or fleece: planes are cold and your big suitcase is already in the hold.
• A change of clothes and toiletries in small containers.
• Medications and prescriptions.
• Power bank and cables.
• Travel pillow, eye mask and earplugs to sleep on the plane.
• Something to keep you entertained: books, downloaded shows, music.
• Passport and boarding passes for every leg, always handy.

One more tip: if your route has a layover in the United States, even if you don't leave the airport you normally have to go through immigration, collect your bags and check them again. Keep your documents handy and don't pack anything essential that you'll need during that layover in your big suitcase.

What not to bring: the most common mistakes

Too many clothes and new shoes

Mistake number one is filling your suitcase with clothes "just in case." You'll repeat outfits, and that's fine: many hotels in Asia have coin laundry. And never wear new shoes for the first time on the trip: day-two blisters ruin day three.

The power bank in your checked bag

Power banks always go in your carry-on. If you check them, they may be removed at security, and you'll be left without a phone just when you need it most.

Loose medications or no prescription

Pills in an unlabeled baggie or a cold medicine bought without a prescription can give you a bad time at Japanese customs. Original packaging, prescription and, if applicable, the certificate we mentioned above.

What changes depending on your home country

Mexico, the United States, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica use flat-prong plugs similar to Japan's, so in Japan two-flat-prong chargers usually plug right in. If your charger has a third round prong, bring an adapter, because many Japanese outlets only have two holes. In Korea and China, on the other hand, you'll always need an adapter and should check that your devices accept 220 V. As for documents, entry requirements depend on your passport: check them in each country's guide and in official sources before you buy.

If you're traveling from Mexico

For many Mexican travelers, the big contrast is the weather: people from a city that's mild all year round tend to underestimate the cold of the Korean winter or the humid heat of the Japanese summer. Check the actual forecast for your dates and pack for that, not for the weather at home. Bring your bank card with a travel notice and some cash to exchange or withdraw on arrival, and confirm with your bank what fee it charges for withdrawals abroad.

If you're traveling from the United States or Puerto Rico

Your two-flat-prong chargers work in Japan without an adapter, and most phone and laptop chargers accept 220 V, so in Korea and China you only need the adapter. From Puerto Rico, flights to Asia usually connect first on the US mainland, so plan on a long travel day and pack your carry-on well. Many US cards charge no foreign transaction fees: check yours before you leave, because it's the simplest way to pay in Japan and Korea.

If you're traveling from Costa Rica

From Costa Rica there will almost always be at least one layover in another country before crossing the Pacific, and sometimes two. Take the time to check what each country on your route requires, even if you're only in transit. And if you're coming from the tropical heat, don't underestimate the Asian autumn or winter: a good jacket and thermal layers can make the difference between enjoying a night at a Seoul market or heading back to the hotel early.

Etiquette that changes what you pack

Some local customs directly affect your suitcase. In Japan, taking your shoes off is common at temples, ryokan and some restaurants: hence the socks without holes. Many onsen and public baths don't allow visible tattoos; if you have one and want to try a hot spring, ask first or bring something to cover it. And since there are hardly any trash cans on the street, the little bag to keep your trash until you get back to the hotel is no small detail: it's part of how people live together there.

In Korea, it's very popular to tour Seoul's palaces dressed in hanbok, the traditional outfit, which you can rent at nearby shops: you don't need to bring one, but do wear comfortable clothes underneath and shoes that are easy to match. In China, simple clothing is best at temples and historic sites, and on the Great Wall, shoes with good grip, because some sections have uneven steps. In all three countries, public transportation is quiet: headphones are almost part of the etiquette.

Quick checklist for your Asia suitcase

If you're only going to print or save one part of this article, make it this one. Go over it the night before you close your suitcase and again at your front door.

How we handle it on a group trip

On our group trips to Asia, before you leave you receive a travel manual with a page dedicated to what to pack for the season of your departure, and a list of what you need to have ready before you leave home: valid passport, suitcase checked, apps installed, eSIM purchased and bank notified. When you arrive in Japan, your guide meets you at the airport and helps you get and top up your transit card, so you don't have to figure that part out on your own.

During the trip, the guide takes you on trains and the subway, translates at restaurants, shops and pharmacies, and hands you the tickets for each activity on the right day. If you forgot something at home, like an adapter, an over-the-counter medication or an umbrella, the guide helps you find it and explain at the pharmacy what you need. And if something goes wrong, from a suitcase that didn't arrive to feeling unwell, you don't deal with it alone: the guide is with you and the agency is a phone call away at any hour.

She's not a megaphone-and-flag guide. Her job is to make sure you don't have to handle the logistics of a country you don't know, so you can focus on taking it all in.— Viajeterapia

If it's your first time in Asia and you're worried about not knowing what to do, you may want to read what it's like traveling solo but never alone on a group trip, or go straight to our group trips to Japan and to South Korea.

You won't have to figure anything out on your own.— Viajeterapia

In summary

Knowing what to pack for a trip to Asia comes down to a few well-made decisions: layers for the season, comfortable broken-in shoes, socks without holes, the right adapter for each country, your power bank in your carry-on, your medications in their packaging with a prescription, and a mix of cash, card and mobile payments depending on the destination. Everything else is easy to find in Japan, Korea and China. And leave room in your suitcase: it's the one rule all our travelers confirm when they get back.

Going to Japan for the first time? Get inspired by our 16-day Japan itinerary, and if you have questions about your suitcase or your departure, write to us.

Frequently asked questions about what to pack for Asia

Sources consulted