Travelling To Japan Soon? Here Are 6 Ways To Pack Light For A Hassle-Free Journey

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Japan offers a variety of unique experiences in each town and city, where people can dive into the history and traditions of Japanese culture in one corner and be transported to world-class shopping malls at another. 

If you're wondering when's the best time to visit Japan, most people will tell you between March to April, a.k.a cherry blossom season! In fact, there is a whole festival dedicated to it called Hanami, and it can be clearly seen on the streets of Osaka, Tokyo, or Kyoto. 

Whether you're visiting Japan to catch its cherry blossom bloom, soak in its historical culture, or just shop, one thing to remember is to always pack light! You'll be walking around a lot and riding on trains, so being mobile is super important. 

Think small and light when travelling in Japan, as you'll be moving from place to place using multiple modes of public transport.

If you're going to spend time exploring different destinations, going on trains, and jumping between different hotels, then a spacious backpack will be your best fit for mobility. 

If you're travelling with young kids and won't be moving around a lot, then you can use a wheeled suitcase for better convenience. Instead of an aluminium or fabric suitcase, get one made of polypropylene plastic, which is strong, durable, and light.

Toiletries can take up a lot of space and weight in your bag. If you can get them in Japan or the hotel provides them, opt to just leave them at home. Convenience stores or pharmacies in Japan like Tsuruha Drugstore and 7-Eleven have plenty of essential items for you to choose from.  

Use tiny travel-sized containers for your moisturiser, cleanser, and other necessary skincare products. Leave out serums or products that you won't use on a daily basis. For makeup, bring sample-sized ones which you can even fit into your purse for touch-ups. And, if you're planning on packing them in a carry-on bag, do remember you'll have to limit all your toiletries to not more than 100ml.

When you're travelling to a foreign country, the first thing you would usually do is to exchange foreign currency. But, since everything is cashless now, you won't have to carry a stash of cash with you. All you have to do is find an eWallet option that you would be able to use when you travel to different locations around Japan.

Japan is usually crowded with many tourists all year round. So, it is safer to use an eWallet as it'll need your verification before any transaction is made. Plus, you can save yourself from dealing with lost cash or pickpockets. 

One important thing to take note of when you're visiting Japan is the weather. It can get quite chilly during certain times of the year, and you'll need to bring along coats or jackets with you. Wear heavier and bulkier clothing items on the plane or on travel days, so your suitcase will be light and have more space. 

It's also smart to pack neutral-coloured tops and bottoms so you'll be able to mix and match a variety of different outfits. And, if you really want to dress up the look, opt for accessories like jewellery, sunglasses, or even cute headwear that can be used for various outfits. 

When it comes to shoes, you can get by with one to two pairs. You'll be walking a lot so be sure they are comfortable, not just stylish. A bonus point is to use packing organisers to separate your outfits, so everything is neat and tidy. 

Diapers or items like toys, books, and stationery can take up a lot of space in your luggage. However, these items can be easily found in Japan.

Consider just bringing along a travel pack of diapers for the journey and buy a full pack when you arrive at your destination.

Being an innovative and advanced country, you'll be able to find many cool and cute toys that will be sure to keep your kids busy and interested. Plus, these new finds can also double as a souvenir. 

Resealable bags will come in super handy — not only are they waterproof, they are also light and come in a variety of sizes. You can use them to store everything from food items and toiletries to shoes and dirty laundry.

And, if you're travelling with children, you'll be able to pack their favourite munchies and put them in your carry-on. Going to a new destination and trying out new food choices may not be easy for every child (and for some adults too!), especially those who are picky eaters. So, bringing along familiar and go-to snacks is a good idea to ease your travel.

It's also a good idea to bring your own shopping bag to malls in Japan, as they have a mandatory bag fee charged by retailers. 

Available in countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, you'll be able to pay digitally with the Touch 'n Go eWallet app when you travel without any hassle, thanks to Alipay+. 

The great news is that they offer competitive exchange rates, no service fee, limited-time deals, and promotions for users all within the app, without the need of downloading a bunch of other apps while travelling.

When you're in Japan, you won't have to worry about running out of Japanese Yen or looking for places to change your Malaysian Ringgit as you can just pay with your Touch 'n Go eWallet at selected retailers. This includes retailers such as Family Mart, 7-Eleven, Lawson, Tsuruha Drugstore, Don Quijote, and BicCamera. If you're ever in need of a quick snack or want to grab some toiletries, you can do so with just your smartphone. 

And since most Malaysians are already familiar with the Touch 'n Go eWallet app's interface, you won't have trouble paying for your items in Japan. 

Just make sure you remember to top up a sufficient amount of money on the app before your trip. No need for you to go to the bank, withdraw money, and exchange it for Japanese Yen at the money changer.

Touch 'n Go eWallet is hassle-free, convenient, and takes up no weight in your luggage, as it's just an app on your smartphone. 

For more information and updates, follow Alipay+ and Touch 'n Go eWallet on their Facebook pages.