Should I carry a backpack in Japan?

Is it ok to wear a backpack in Japan? Of course you can wear a backpack in Japan. However, there are some tips to keep in mind if you want to have an easy time blending in. Especially if you're in a big city like Tokyo, it can be beneficial to bring a smaller bag.



Carrying a backpack in Japan is perfectly acceptable and very common for tourists, but you should be mindful of local etiquette. In Japan’s crowded cities, a backpack can be seen as an obstacle; the standard social norm is to wear your backpack on your front or hold it in your hands when boarding a crowded subway or train to avoid accidentally hitting other passengers. Many shops with narrow aisles also appreciate it if you carry your bag in front of you. While Japan is incredibly safe with very low rates of theft, many travelers prefer the "backpack on front" look in busy areas like Shibuya as an extra precaution. From a logistical standpoint, Japan is very "suitcase-friendly" because of its smooth pavements and ubiquitous elevators, but a small backpack is ideal for day trips. If you have a large "backpacker" style bag, it is best to use a luggage delivery service (Takkyubin) to send it to your next hotel rather than lugging it onto a busy Shinkansen.

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Narcotics such as opium, cocaine, heroin, MDMA, magic mushrooms, stimulant drugs (stimulant drugs contained in an inhaler or items containing stimulant drug ingredients), cannabis, opium smoking paraphernalia and psychotropic drugs are not allowed in Japan.

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As for other (non-shinkansen) trains in Japan: while some do have some space overhead for small bags, many have none at all. For all of these reasons, we recommend traveling either with a small rolling suitcase or backpack, if at all possible.

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The likelihood that credit cards are accepted decreases in small cities and towns, and thus it is advisable to keep cash at hand when visiting rural areas. Cash is often the only way to pay for small entrance fees at tourist sights, smaller restaurants and small shops. Many lockers also require coins.

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While flip flops are a big no-no for most occasions (save for a trip to the beach or a midnight run to the conbini), comfy ballet flats, loafers, boat shoes, or even a nice pair of slip-on sneakers are practical options. You might also notice that open-toed shoes and sandals are uncommon.

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The likelihood that credit cards are accepted decreases in small cities and towns, and thus it is advisable to keep cash at hand when visiting rural areas. Cash is often the only way to pay for small entrance fees at tourist sights, smaller restaurants and small shops. Many lockers also require coins.

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Use a locker Lugging your backpack around on a stopover can be tiring and a nuisance to others, especially on crowded streets. Consider storing it at the nearest train station, where there's always a set of lockers available to stow even the largest of backpacks for just a few hundred yen.

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Backpacks Are Better for On-Foot Navigation As mentioned, airports can be cramped even when they're not overflowing with bodies. And these days, they're extremely crowded more often than not — 2022 was the biggest travel year since before the pandemic, in fact.

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Four-wheeled spinner suitcases are the most common type of suitcase in Japan. They're easier to keep next to you as you're walking, roll in front of you to get on a train, go up escalators, or get into elevators.

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So roughly 2,000 USD per person for lodging, transportation in Japan, food, and souvenirs. You can do it for less, but that was fun for the whole trip. I highly recommend ordering about 50,000 yen in cash from your bank before going.

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It's not at all difficult. It's all up to your interests, your budget, and how far you plan to travel. There are many cheap places to stay, even in Tokyo. You can find a good collection of them here .

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When travelling in Japan, a person will likely come across many of the following banknotes: 1,000 yen – This roughly equates to an American $10 bill and is the lowest value of any Japanese banknote in circulation. This bill is typically used by office workers to pay for lunch.

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