Packing Lists for a City Trip to Tokyo!
Packing Checklist: Summer Holiday
Packing Checklist: The Aeroplane
Packing Checklist: City Mum Bag
My Travel Top 10
Chaotic as I am, I need packing lists to organise my mind. Otherwise I just pack what feels good at that moment, not what we actually need.
I use my own packing lists all the time, mostly to not forget something essential. Also when I go out all day, I check the City Mum bag packing list, to make sure I’m not in the middle of Tokyo without sun hats or water bottles.
Packing Checklist: Summer Holiday
With our kids we have been going to Japan during spring and summer. This is a packing list for a summer (June onwards) holiday in Japan. Of course it also applies to other hot climate destinations!
In summer, the most important is that you need to protect everyone from the sun. From November on, the weather gets cold. The skies are sunny and crisp, but it also means it can be icy, especially at night.
In Japan you’ll find no central heating system – only air-conditioning – and it can get really cold.
It’s good to combine this packing list with the aeroplane mum bag, as some items are not in here, but only in the ‘mum’ bag.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SUMMER PACKING LIST!
With two adults and two children (a four-year old and a one-year old) we bring:
- 2 x check-in luggages of 23 kilos
- 1 x giant mum bag
Also perfect for beach and park days on your trip! - 1 x carry-on luggage
If you have a baby, your suitcase might look a bit different, but there are many similar items. I’ve written down a few baby only items in this colour.
Transport
- Stroller/Buggy + accessories
- Carrier
- Scooter & this luggage gadget is super convenient!
- Carseat Some people like to bring a carseat for the plane and to use on location. We never do this.
Clothes
- 1 sweater / cardigan
- 2 long light pants
Also to protect from the sun and mosquitos. - 2 shorts/skirts
- 2 t-shirts
- 2 light shirts/blouses with long sleeves
- 2 muslin onesies that cover arms and legs
- 6 underwear
- 6 onesies
- 4 socks
- UV swimsuit, I love this brand INA SWIM
- Swim nappies
Bring one reusable swim diaper! Swim diapers are not intended to absorb pee, only to prevent from poop entering the bath. It’s really a waste to use plastic here. I use(d) these. - 1 (UV) hat and I LOVE this one
- Sunglasses kids & babies
- Sandals
- Sneakers
I would pick sneakers with velcro over laces if that’s an option regarding the shoes-off policy in Japan. - 2 dresses, if needed. (Or 6)
- Light Coat
Raincoat, honestly I never used it for them nor for myself from June onwards. I didn’t even bring them last year.
Sleeping
- Cuddly toy
If you kid has a Senger cuddle: I put the inner filled bag in the freezer and they can cool down for naps, in or outside. Was perfect! - 2 pyjamas
With long sleeves and pants in case we are in a cool hotel. The pyjama’s I recommend are super soft, both girls weat them all the time. And this is great too!
I bring one pyjamas on the plane. - Pacifier
- Muslin sleeping bag
- White Noise
We always use white noise. It can also be the sound of a fan, but our kids sleep well on white noise.
The Yoto Player also has great white noise options!
Toilet bag
- Muslin Swaddles
I use these as blankets, shower / beach towels, sun protection, sheets for public transport if I’m disgusted by the chairs (not the case in Japan) I love swaddles! - Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Bath foam
In Japan every room/hotel has a bath! Not every shop sells organic products. - Sunscreen
I like Naif, organic sunscreen. - Body cream
- Nail cutter
- Hair brush
- Mosquito spray
This I always buy in Tokyo, at Bio c’Bon. - Wound cleanser
- Band aid
- Paracetamol
You seriously don’t have this in Japan! - 20 diapers or/and few cloth diapers + Diaper changing mat but you put the mat in the aeroplane mum bag
- Baby wipes or/and cotton wipes
- Vitamin gummies
I have one picky eater and this helps me to relax when we are abroad.
Eating
- Kids fork & spoon
You’ll be receiving a lot of chopsticks, might be useful for kids. - Silicone straw
- Bibs
- Chair safety harness
In japan kids are often welcome, but there is not always a baby chair available. This helped me a lot! - Water bottle & Coffee Mug
One for every child and one for yourself!
Toys
Here are a few ‘basic’ items I always bring and that are suitable for different ages.
- Insect explore sets
- Small bucket and sand toys
Also useful as bath toys! And I stuff the bucket with socks or other small items so it doesn’t take too much space. - Pencils and blanc paper
I bring these in my mum bag on the plane!
Other
- Wallet (or pouch) that can handle cash and passports
- Airtag + bracelet (for runners)
- Type A plug Converters
Same as in US
- Tampons / Period Cups
I haven’t been able to find this in Japan! - Your own clothes and items!
Note to self and to you: Don’t only pack everyone’s best outfits! Maybe needless to say, but bring comfortable clothes for you and for your kids. I like to pack all our best outfits for Japan especially since we spend a lot of time in the city.
Make sure you have some comfortable outfits for an early morning playground / an early evening at the apartment / a long train trip. I don’t want to sound smart, but honestly: I made this mistake plenty of times myself.
Packing Checklist: The Aeroplane
I love my Darwen Bag from Isabel Marant as a ‘mum’ bag for travels! It’s huge and it looks nice, so I won’t toss it when the kids grow up!
I like big soft bag over bulky bags with compartments. Everything fits, but if there are less diapers and when the snack are finished, it gets smaller and you can fold it and put in the baggage basket of the stroller for example.
As this is one giant bag, I organise by using different pouches. And I didn’t include my personal items…
CLICK HERE FOR THE AEROPLANE PACKING LIST!
POUCH #1
- Muslin swaddle
- A baby blanket
Bring your own blanket if you travel with bassinet. Also good for baby to offer something familiar. And I use the muslin swaddle as a sheet. - Cuddly Toys / pacifiers
- Pyjamas / extra outfit for kids
And for yourself in case… My daughter gets car sick, and this also applies to planes.
- Warm sweater for everyone
Pouch #2
- Diapers
- Diaper changing mat
At first this feels a bit extra, but I used it so much for Ima. If you have a baby ages 0 – 9 months I’d buy this so you can lay them on a changing table without worrying about their vulnerable heads and hygiene. - Baby wipes and /or cotton wipes
Pouch #3
- Toothbrushes and -paste
- Paracetamol for everyone
- Hair brush
- Hand sanitiser
- Hydrating cream
Babies sensitive skin can get so dry on the plane. - Hydrating lip balm
- Hair ties
Small Pouch #4
- Straw, spoon, fork and bibs
- Snack boxes with healthy snacks such as dried fruit, bliss balls, nuts, fresh veggies and fresh fruit, whole wheat crackers, fruit puree pouches.
- Pencils and colour book
- Family card game
- Insulated water bottle(s)
I aks the crew to fill my bottles instead of plastic cups. Leak proof and you always have water on you. - Insulated coffee mug
This is really convenient with small children. It is leak proof and you will need your coffee / tea!! - Camera
Small Pouch # 5
- Charging cables for phones, camera, e-readers, Yoto players, any electronic devices you might use
- Power bank
Small Pounch #6
- Passports
- I also bring birth certificates. It’s not obligated, but it feels saver.
Inside our carry-on luggage is everything that doesn’t fit in the mum bag and that is used less frequently. Like the pyjamas, extra snacks and diapers.
We also have this air pillow for Lila. It’s super convenient; I highly recommend it. It’s a rectangular pillow that you can put between your seat and the seat in front of you, allowing your child to lie down. Or – bit more pricey but also convenient for other reasons – the Stokke JetKids
But PLEASE check with your airline before you fly as some will NOT allow these to be used. We have never experienced this, but I hear it happens.
Packing Checklist: City Mum Bag
Same as for a flight: I like to use my own packing list before I go out, because I’m so forgetful. I am also often alone with both children, so there is just a lot on my mind. I hope this comes in handy for you too!
Before you leave: get stroller straps to hang your bag(s) and bottles! Susan Bijl Bum Bags have really strong velcro, which is perfect too.
Because the YOYO stroller is so tiny, I usually use a few smaller bags, that I can easily attach to the stroller and/or put in the luggage basket.
This list includes what I bring for the kids, and also my own bag.
PACKING LIST CITY MUM BAG
- Always wear or bring hats and/ or sunglasses
- Muslin swaddle
- Extra outfit per kid
As light as possible. The moment I decide NOT to bring the extra set for a day, it goes wrong 100%…
Pouch #1
- Diapers
- Baby wipes / reusable wipes
- Diaper Changing Mat
Pouch #2
- Mosquito repellent
- Hand sanitiser
- Sunscreen
Pouch #3
- Silicone straw
- Spoon & fork
- Bibs
Pouch #4
- Cuddly Toy / pacifier
- Travel safety harness
- Snacks like some dried fruit or nuts.
- Paper and Pencils
- One Water bottle per person!
- Reusable coffee mug
I prefer this one for light packing
MY OWN BAG
- Small note + pen
- Camera
- Passports
- Wallet
- Phone
- Sunglasses
- Keys (haha)
My Travel Top 10
There are a few products that have been super useful on all of our travels and that I would buy again in a heartbeat. I also bring (almost) everything to any trip we do, not only to Japan.
Install this eSim even before leaving for Japan. It is so convenient to have the internet anywhere. Especially if you bring this online guide!
With this link you will get 15% discount.
2. Yoyo + Accessories
YOYO is such a convenient stroller! The board is great if you have a second young child and enjoy walking yourself
The Mug Holder is super convenient, we use it for water bottles too!
If you visit in spring / summer, I also recommend a parasol and a mosquito net.
Also very convenient in summer: the pram fan. You can buy this anywhere in Tokyo. Tip: Don Quijote
Ergobaby Aerloom is amazing for travelling. The carrier is small, light and it has a built in airflow. Perfect for the hot temperatures of Japan’s summer and spring.
Besides, it feels soft. I have a few carriers, but Im always picks this one.
I pack our clothes in the shopping bags to organise our suitcases, I use the pouches to organise my mum bag, and I use the Bum Bag on the stroller. I always have at least one Susan Bijl bag on me.
5. Insulated Water bottles + Coffee Mugs
For zero wast and No accidents!
My favourite Water Bottles
- Camelbak is my favourite for the children because it’s really leak proof and the straw is convenient with young children.
Their adult bottles look perfect too with magnetic cap. - Chilly’s Sports is my ultimate favourite bottle. It keeps the water cold all day and it’s very convenient with children because the sports top easily pops open and it doesn’t leak.
My favourite Coffee Cup
Stojo is a foldable mug and it’s so small, it fits in my tiny bum bag!
This Camelbak is insulated, so extra safe.
And the Junior Version!
6. Yoto – kids audio player
I bought a Yoto player for Lila when she was three years old and we went on a two month trip to Japan and Vietnam. It was the best gift I ever gave her. She used it to fall asleep, on train trips and just while walking the streets of Tokyo.
With headphones when in public spaces, because playing things out loud is frowned upon! And adventure jacket to protect it. Click here for tips for cards!
These sandals are so convenient! They are beautiful, they have a great fit and most importantly: the leather is waterproof. I have them in many sizes, and Ima is now wearing Lila’s. The quality is amazing and you can machine wash them. Above all: my children like wearing these shoes, because they are comfortable.
The discount code: C&L_15_SWS will give 15% discount on your purchase!
The code is valid until the end of March. The discount will not be valid in conjunction with any other promotion, on the Tan Original sandals and the SS25 new colours.
8. YummyGums
I don’t give multivitamins to my kids normally, but I like bringing a multi when a trip is longer than two weeks, especially for our picky eater.
Yummygums Multi Kids are so yummy, she doesn’t forget to ask for them, so I don’t forget about them either.
I also like the Vegan Omega for Children. And I use the Hair Gummy’s myself!
Use LULLABIES20 for 20% discount!
9. MICRO SCOOTERS
So convenient, the new, foldable scooters of Micro with LED! Our kids both love moving with these. Not sure if you have the space in your suitcase, but 2.5 kilo and super convenient if you love walking like we do.
Just make sure your kids do not bother other people while using their scooters.
10. TRAVEL BABY/TODDLER HARNESS
In Japan, children are often welcome in restaurants, but not many restaurants have baby chairs.
Getting a chair harness such as this one for your baby or young toddler can be really convenient. There are also foldable chairs, but I travel light.
This chapter is full of links! For some of the products, I receive a small commission, which has no influence on the price you pay. I contacted the companies of products directly, because I have been using their products for years. I am promoting their products to you because they are genuinely amazing and useful.
I travel as light, sustainable and as responsible as possible.
>> Check my favourite: Travel Toys
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