What to pack for Tokyo in December

8 nights · 39–55°F / 4–13°C · mostly dry and sunny, with strong heating indoors

clothes

• light down or medium wool coat
• sweaters and long-sleeve tops
• thin thermal layer
• comfortable jeans or trousers
• socks without holes, shoes come off often
• scarf and light gloves
• layers you can peel off on warm trains

for the temples + trains

• slip-on walking shoes
• lots of cushion for 20k steps a day
• small crossbody bag
• coin purse for change
• hand towel, many restrooms have no dryers
• pocket tissues
• small trash bag, public bins are rare

toiletries + meds

• your prescription meds in original bottles
• pain reliever
• blister pads
• moisturizer
• lip balm
• stomach relief
• deodorant, can be hard to find

the stuff you always forget

• passport
• eSIM or portable wifi
• IC card or mobile transit pass set up
• cash in yen, many places don't take cards
• phone charger
• power bank
• no adapter needed, plugs match the US