Packing for Japan in November

Packing for Japan in November

Packing for the trip is nearly done! I decided on a muted jewel-tone theme, inspired by a favorite mustard-yellow Japanese scarf. With a lot of layers that can be mixed and matched. So far:
  • 1 pair of dark, straight leg jeans
  • 4 skirts (tweed, corduroy, denim and chambray, mini in the J.Crew fashion)
  • 1 pair of heavy canvas shorts
  • 4 sweaters
  • 4 long sleeve shirts
  • 1 blue and yellow jacquard scarf
  • Trusty coral velvet blazer
  • Trusty black puffer jacket
  • Many pairs of tights and leggings in black, blue and gray
  • Many pairs of socks
  • Beanie, gloves and arm-warmers
  • Pajamas
  • 1 pair of tall flat boots and/or (still deciding) 1 pair of short flat boots
  • 1 pair of sneakers
  • 1 pair of flats
I think that should be enough for 10 days. It doesn’t seem to be all that cold in Osaka or Kyoto. Only Mt. Koya-san will be colder than San Francisco, even with a bit of snow, and I plan to just layer it all on for our two days there.

Am I forgetting something key? What is your favorite thing to wear traveling?

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There are 6 comments for this article
  1. nance at 4:36 am

    Bring a face cloth or small hand towel to carry in your purse or tote. What I learned from my Japan vacation was that a lot of public washrooms there don't have paper towels or hand dryers. Everyone in Japan seems to carry around their own little hand towel, which I guess is why you see little novelty towels sold in so many gift shops. Have a fabulous trip!

  2. e'clair at 9:14 am

    Though you wrote about what you've packed, I thought to mention that I usually travel in a jersey dress on the plane (like the comfy but stylish ones from Anthropologie), which I find to be more comfortable than jeans on long flights. I bundle up on the plane in a comfortable scarf. But perhaps you'd already planned something similar! Have a wonderful trip!

  3. Anonymous at 4:52 pm

    Make sure all your shoes are easy on/easy off! Ditto on the small hand towel or handkerchief. Have a wonderful time…looking forward to all your pictures!

  4. Lara at 2:33 am

    If it were me, I would probably bring less skirts and more t-shirts. You only have 8 tops total for 10 days and I almost always wear a t-shirt under a sweater in case I get too warm. I also wouldn't bring the flats since I don't find them comfortable for walking or wearing socks with. I would suggest a least one more scarf since most of your photos will be outside, that way you don't look the same in all of them. No matter what, I am sure you will look dashing!

    The husband recommends you go to Fushimi Inari in Kyoto if it's not already on your list.

  5. Anonymous at 10:26 am

    I second e'clairs travel outfit, I have found travelling in a skirt or dress far more comfortable and practical than travelling in trousers. I also just stumbled on a page where you can download holiday phrases for your mp3 player and thought that seemed pretty cool, they have japanese too, and bbc should be pretty reliable even though I haven't tried it out yet: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/other/quickfix/

    Enjoy your trip!
    Mims