To preface this list, if you are attached to any brand/type of personal care products, clothing item, etc., and/or you cannot find that particular size/brand in Japan, then by all means, bring it with you. I want to provide this information to a) debunk common "living in Japan" myths or see if they hold true and b) provide details and specifics so that others can make their own informed decisions based on what is best for them. As the saying goes, information is power, and expats often face a lack of information, due to language ability or other reasons. And of course, I welcome your suggestions and feedback in the comments - as some things may be slightly different depending on which part of Japan you are in as well.
Click one of the following links to go straight to that topic on this page, or scroll on down.
Do I need to bring deodorant?
Should I bring toothpaste?
Do I need to bring sanitary napkins?
What about tampons?
How about shampoo, and other hair products?
And skincare?
Does Japan have birth control pills, and are they low-dosage?
What clothes should I bring?
How about shoes?
Should I bring a laptop from home?
I'm wondering about sunscreen/sunblock...
Does Japan have vitamins/supplements?
Should I bring disposable razors?
Should I bring Advil/Tylenol or other OTC pain medication?
What about outdoor gear?
Should I bring my camera, or buy a new one in Japan?
What about cosmetics in Japan?
I might need adaptors...
Business Cards
Are condom sizes in Japan different?
Should I bring my Sonicare (or other electric toothbrush)?
Does Japan have mouthwash?
International Driver’s Permit
Does Japan have floss?
Do I need to bring deodorant?
This depends on how attached to whatever type or brand you’re currently using (but you should at least bring one, even if you plan to try stuff out here!). You can find different kinds of western deodorant in Japan (though not every brand/type), and Japanese deodorant actually generally contains similar ingredients to western types, so the idea that it is inferior is mostly unfounded (though it’s likely 10-20 years ago all deodorant probably was awful). Deodorant and antiperspirants are different for everyone, and won’t have the same effect for everyone, so it really is a personal decision.
Check out:
HOW TO: Find (good) deodorant in Japan
Japanese Deodorant: What’s in it, what’s best, and what you think
Should I bring toothpaste?
No, you don't need to. Even if you are attached to something, you can find all kinds of toothpaste here, including regular, whitening, natural, and contrary to myth, most Japanese toothpaste nowadays does in fact contain fluoride (but for those of you wanting to avoid fluoride, this is also possible). How to know what’s in it?
Check out:
HOW TO: Find (good) toothpaste in Japan
A guide to toothpaste in Japan
Do I need to bring sanitary napkins?
No. Aside from their use as padding for fragile items in your luggage, they are just a waste of space. You can find all different types in Japan: varying thicknesses, length, wings, no wings, and on and on.
Check out:
A guide to sanitary napkins in Japan
What about tampons?
You can find tampons in Japan at most daily goods stores and even some convenience stores. If you for some reason can’t find them, they are easy to order online (see link below).
How do they stack up against western tampons? There really isn’t a difference, but check out the link below for more on that.
Check out:
A guide to tampons in Japan
How about shampoo, and other hair products?
Japan’s hair products vary widely just as much as products in western countries do. Some types are a bit heavy, but not all are. You can also find western brands (Japan even has Lush and The Body Shop) and natural and/or organic types (Aubrey’s Organics, Burt’s Bees, etc.) in Japan. Perhaps bring enough to tide you over until you can find something else you like, unless you are attached to what you currently use and it’s impossible to get here.
Check out:
HOW TO: Find haircare products in Japan
And skincare?
This can be a tricky one, so I’m going to recommend you check out beauty expert Yu Ming’s guest post on how to find skincare in Japan.
And for those interested in organic/natural products, check out:
HOW TO: Find organic/natural personal care products
Does Japan have birth control pills, and are they low-dosage?
Birth control pills are available in Japan in different variations. And they are all low dosage. See the post below to find out if the kind you currently use is available or to find one that is identical. Come armed with enough to tide you over until you can get to the doctor, and make sure to write down the exact info regarding your prescription so the doctor can match you up with something.
Check out:
A Guide to Birth Control Pills in Japan
HOW TO: Find a Clinic or Hospital That Prescribes Birth Control Pills or Emergency Contraception
What clothes should I bring?
This largely depends on where you are headed in Japan. If you’re headed north, prepare to pack lots of warm winter clothes. Same for mountainous regions, and the sea of Japan side of the country. Unless you’re going to Okinawa, you’ll probably want warm winter clothes in general.
Also think light fabrics for summer, given the heat and high humidity. Synthetics are often better as they dry more quickly than cotton and you’ll probably sweat a lot, but cotton and linen are often more comfortable (when the cotton isn’t wet, or course). Spring and Fall vary, but are generally comfortable in most parts of Japan, so check the climate of the place you’re headed.
A nice raincoat (and some rain pants if you plan on doing a lot of biking) is a good idea for the rainy season and some of the sporadic summer storms, but it is possible to get those things here, from high-end, breathable, waterproof, brand-name gear to the cheap rain outfits that most convenience stores sell.
Aside from climate, the rest depends on the type of job you’ll be doing, and what size you wear.
So here’s where we get to sizes. Everyone has different body types, so your experience in Japan may vary depending on this (for example, two women could wear a size 6 in the US, but one may need long pants and the other, short/petite - or one needs more room in the waist or hips, and the other doesn’t).
For reference, I’m a US size 4 or small in most US brands, and I can usually wear Japanese size medium (sometimes I go with large though if I want more room, such as with jackets). My one (minor) gripe is that long shirt sleeves tend to be shorter, as I prefer my sleeves to go just past my wrists. Not a big issue though. I also have an issue with pants usually being a bit too short, so I usually buy up in pant sizes here. I’m 5’6” (167cm), but have a short torso and longer legs. I know some people have the opposite problem, but it’s easy to have pants hemmed up.
I’ve also found that western brands (such as Gap, or outdoor brands, such as Patagonia, Columbia, etc.) typically sell their items in the same western sizes, so you may find that if you wear a large at Gap in the US, you’ll most likely wear a large at Gap in Japan (this is assuming you even shop at Gap though, but just as an example).
A lot of people like Uniqlo (see 6 reasons to shop at Uniqlo) for its cheap basics, and women’s sizes go up to L, sometimes XL or XXL online. Men’s usually go up to XL (91 or so in numbered pants). My husband usually wears medium/large in the US, and has no problems fitting into large in Japan, but he has also noted the long shirt sleeves are a bit shorter. He hasn’t had a problem with pants at all (he’s 5’11”/178cm tall, and usually wears 32/32 US size in pants), and typically wears 82/85 numbered pants in Japan.
So if you’re a women’s large size US or men’s XL/XXL and up (please make appropriate conversions for your country’s sizes), you may have more difficulty finding clothes that fit properly here. However, would love to hear your experience - and if you have specific US/UK/etc. size examples you’ve found to be difficult to find in Japan, let us know.
I’ve yet to find many plus sizes around Japan, though occasionally I’ve seen some via Uniqlo’s website and some department stores or other stores do carry them. So, if anyone knows of any other resources on that, feel free to share in the comments below and I’ll add them in.
John had this to share regarding plus size clothing in Tokyo:
There is a shop that sells dress shirts, polos, and suits for plus size men (actually all size men). It's called Sakazen and there's quite a few around Tokyo. The stores generally have like 5 or 6 floors. The prices are fairly cheap, but some floors have more "exclusive" brands which are slightly overpriced. It's worth a visit.
Also, tall sizes seem to be difficult to come by, perhaps unless you live in Tokyo or another large city. However, if you typically wear tall sizes (men or women) please let us know what resources you know of in the comments.
I took a quick poll on Twitter and Facebook to gain a better idea of how difficult it can potentially be to find clothes and shoes in Japan, and here's what some of you had to say:
How about shoes?
If you’re a woman and wear above a 25 (Japan size), you will likely have some difficulty finding shoes. Amazon Japan does have some options up through 29 (very small selection), and I know some other select stores occasionally do as well, but in my experience they are fewer and far between (keep in mind larger sizes are easier to find in large cities). I typically wear a 25 in Japan (about 8.5-9 US) and though I’ve found some shoes in my size, they don’t always fit. Sometimes shoes designated with a “large” size work, but depends on the type of shoe. Not impossible, but it’s easier for me to find shoes that fit online. Women's conversion chart.
And for the men, conversion chart. My husband says Japan size 26-27 is about the size that borders difficulty, though we’ve had no problems finding him athletic shoes that fit (he usually wears 27.5-28 Japan size [US 10.5-11]) if we visit sports stores in the bigger cities. Casual and business shoes will vary depending on your location, the brand, store, etc. Again, whatever your experience in Japan finding shoes, please share in the comments! (And be sure to read the embedded responses above for info on shoes in addition to clothes).
Should I bring a laptop from home?
If possible, it’s easiest to bring a laptop from your home country. It’s simply less complicated in most cases to find the type of computer you want, and it’s far easier than trying to find a laptop with an “English” keyboard in Japan. I say “English” because that’s what they call them in Japan; Japanese keyboards are laid out differently. Yes, even from UK keyboards - I speak from experience - the apostrophe is annoying to use on a Japanese keyboard. Though it does help to know how to use the keyboards when using them in a Japanese workplace, but if you’re a writer like me, or do a lot of typing in English, it’s just easier to have something you are accustomed to.
It is possible to find some laptops with English keyboards, particularly if you buy a Mac or a Sony Vaio. Yet, if you go with anything but a Mac, setting up the system software in English (for the non-techy folks out there) may be difficult without help. So for the least hassle, bring a laptop with you unless you plan on buying a brand-new Mac.
Check out:
HOW TO: Find a laptop with an English keyboard
I'm wondering about sunscreen/sunblock...
I wouldn’t necessarily bring sunscreen unless you have something you particularly like or are trying to finish using up (I seem to always have multiple bottles of sunscreen to use up...). What’s sunscreen like in Japan?
Check out:
A guide to sunscreen in Japan
Does Japan have vitamins/supplements?
You definitely don’t need to bring vitamins or supplements, as you can quite easily find nearly every type imaginable in Japan. Many daily goods stores and supermarkets stock vitamins and supplements (you’ll likely see the Daily Nature brand), but you can also order online from sites such as Kenko.com [See: Shop in English at Japan’s “#1 e-drugstore], or even iHerb - a company based in the US but the shipping is quite cheap to Japan (can even use Yamato/Kuroneko).
Check out:
Vitamins and Supplements
Should I bring disposable razors?
No. At least not more than you need for your first week or so. Easy to find and in brands you are most likely familiar with (Gillette, Schick, etc.)
Should I bring Advil/Tylenol or other OTC pain medication?
It doesn’t hurt (no pun intended) to bring pain meds with you for the first weeks or months so you don’t have to worry about finding something right away (at least, I like to be prepared for those “just in case” times), and it's nice to have a bigger bottle to last you a while. Rest assured though, if you forget it, don’t have room, or whatever the case may be, you can find these OTC pain meds in Japan. Ibuprofen is the easiest to find, but Tylenol (acetaminophen/paracetamol) is also available. Contrary to popular belief, the levels in a dose (sometimes two pills instead of one) are the same or similar to those in the US (I can’t say the same for other countries, but I would imagine similar?)
Check out:
HOW TO: Find Tylenol in Japan
HOW TO: Find ibuprofen in Japan
What about outdoor gear?
Japan boasts many outdoor enthusiasts, and it’s not surprising, given the wealth of adventure opportunities in the country, including hiking, rock climbing, biking/cycling, kayaking, mountain climbing, surfing, camping, and snowboarding/skiing, to name a few.
That said, if you have well-used and worn-in gear, and you plan to do a lot of activities, then it’s certainly worth bringing. For example, if you hike regularly and have hiking boots, and plan to come conquer Mt. Fuji, bring your boots - don’t buy brand new ones unless you plan to wear them in first.
However, if you don’t have the gear and plan to try some of these things out, you may not have a lot of space to pack the extra stuff, in which case you can find pretty much everything you need here (though do keep in mind some shoe or clothing sizes may be difficult to locate depending on what size you wear. Although western brands in Japan typically are sized the same way they are in western countries.)
Check out:
HOW TO: Find outdoor gear in Japan
Should I bring my camera, or buy a new one in Japan?
If you have a camera, may as well bring it. Unless you are planning on buying a new one, in which case you can find lots of nice cameras here (Nikon, Canon, etc.), although I've noticed sometimes it's cheaper to get Japanese brand cameras in the US, rather than in Japan...
What about cosmetics in Japan?
Similar to skincare, you may want to bring what you are attached to or what works best for you, although rest assured there is a plethora of options here in Japan.
For foundation/concealer though, you may need to bring your own, as most of the foundation/concealer (that I’ve found anyway - possibly more options in Tokyo and the larger cities) typically has yellow undertones, from fair to medium shades. I’ve found some pink-toned fair-ish/medium shades, but I rarely find any as fair as options in the US.
Not that I wear makeup much anyway, but just to let you know, if you wear foundation/concealer/etc., anything outside of a specific range (what is most common among Japanese women) you won’t necessarily find very easily in Japan. Though, if any of you out there have experienced any different or know of some good resources in regards to this, let us know!
I might need adaptors...
If you’re coming from the US and have some 3-pin electronics, it is possible to get 3- to 2- pin adaptors in Japan (even surge protectors), but depending on what you’re bringing, it couldn’t hurt to grab a few cheap adaptors and toss them in your suitcase. I haven’t really seen adaptors in Japan for other countries, so best to pick those up in your home country before coming. *Note: adaptors are NOT the same as transformers. Many electronics from the US will work just fine in Japan, but those from other countries should compare the voltage differences between your country and Japan.
Also, you can find nearly any type of electronic item you can think of in Japan, especially all the necessities, so you really don’t need to bring much with you. (For example, hair dryers, straighteners, curlers, shavers, clippers, etc., all abound here in a myriad of choices).
Business Cards
I’m not sure why this is always recommended, but if you’re coming to Japan as an English teacher, and unless you’re working more or less independently or plan to have a bunch of personal clients, you really don’t need business cards. If you do find you need them, you can get some printed up here, which is less luggage space/weight than packing a bunch.
Are condom sizes in Japan different?
As far as I’ve been able to find, mostly yes (but this always varies a lot by brand/type, just as it does in other countries). Condom sizes aren't really regulated for each brand. The size of condoms in Japan, in general, seem to be slightly smaller in diameter/width than their western counterparts, though it is possible to find some in sizes equivalent to more of the western-size condoms, and Durex (western brand) is available in some daily goods stores or online (and of course, other online shopping for condoms exist as well).
Check out:
Contraception in Japan: Condoms, IUDs and Calendar-based methods
Should I bring my Sonicare (or other electric toothbrush)?
I brought my Sonicare brush with me, though I realized I didn’t necessarily need to bring it, as you can get Sonicare and other electronic toothbrushes here. So if you need a new one, don’t feel like bringing the one you have, etc., don’t worry about it.
Does Japan have mouthwash?
You can find Listerine, GUM, and other brands in giant bottles here. You can also get alcohol-free mouthwash, if you prefer.
International Driver’s Permit
Depending on the country you’re coming from, you may want to consider getting an IDP before you come to Japan. If you are headed to a very rural area, I would say it is certainly worth getting. Even if you’re going to a suburban area, you still may find this to come in handy. If headed to a large city, it’s not likely you’ll need to or want to drive. In any case, it’s good to get before you go, unless you are 100% sure you won’t be driving at all. I got one, but then didn’t end up driving at all until just last year (when I got my Japanese driver’s license). Note that you can only use an IDP in Japan for up to one year. Check with your local automobile association for more info.
Does Japan have floss?
Of course. And in the past 3 years, I’ve seen more and more brands pop up. I live in a medium-sized city, suburban, but almost rural-feeling, and the brands I can find at daily goods stores around include GUM, Johnson & Johnson and Clinica (クリニカ). Cost is typically 300-600 yen for one.
That said, the flosser picks are quite popular here, and you’ll find a large selection of them. I have yet to find floss threaders (for those of you that have the permanent retainers as I do), but the straight picks work just as well.
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I think I’ve covered many of the basics here and then some, and this post is meant to go along with Moving to Japan? - Read This First, but I'd also like to know what questions you have about moving to Japan or what you think should be added to this list.
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