A Realistic Suitcase for Two Weeks in Japan

Comfortable shoes, repeat outfits, solo sightseeing, and leaving room for some serious vintage shopping damage.

I’m going back to Japan, which honestly still feels a bit surreal because I didn’t think we’d be back so soon.

Our first trip was two years ago and we completely fell in love with the country. This time it’s technically more of a business trip — not for me, for my husband — but obviously I’m tagging along.

We’re spending one week in Tokyo and one week in Kyoto. Last time we only did four days in Kyoto and it didn’t feel nearly enough, so I’m really looking forward to slowing down a bit more there and properly exploring the city.

I’ll also be doing a few days of solo sightseeing, which I genuinely love. As much as I enjoy travelling with my husband or friends, there’s something really exciting about wandering around a big city on your own — going at your own pace, stopping wherever you want, sitting in cafés for too long, and, most importantly, shopping without having to pretend you are “almost done”.

This post by the lovely Irene Kim (김애린) completely fuelled my excitement again. I visited a lot of the areas she recommends during my first trip, but this time I want to take my time a bit more instead of trying to see everything at once.

One of my favourite things about Japan was the second-hand shopping. The quality and condition of the clothes is incredible, and the range is amazing — a lot of American brands, vintage designer, amazing Japanese brands we don’t get the chance to see in Europe, tiny independent shops hidden in random buildings… they have everything. Which means I already know I need to leave extra room in my suitcase.

My first time in Japan was February 2024

This is not another packing article telling you to roll your clothes into tiny cubes or pack according to some hyper-specific system (Wasn’t it the Sudoku the last one doing the rounds?)

It’s more of a reminder to pack for yourself — your lifestyle, your comfort, your style, the weather, and the trip you’re actually taking.

Because when you feel good in your clothes, you look better in them. It’s that simple.

And honestly, holidays are one of the few times we actually allow ourselves to play a bit more with style — taking longer getting dressed, experimenting with outfits, wearing more jewellery, trying new combinations, buying pieces you immediately want to wear the next day.

That’s the kind of packing I’m interested in.

My Packing Rules

Before I even think about specific outfits, I already know there are a few rules that will make packing for this trip easier.

• Everything needs to survive long walking days
If I can’t comfortably wear it for hours, it stays at home. Japan involves a lot of walking, trains, stairs, wandering, shopping, and “let’s quickly check this area too” turning into another 10,000 steps.

• Everything needs to work in humidity and possible rain
I already know I’ll regret heavy fabrics or anything too precious. Lightweight layers, breathable pieces, and shoes that can survive unexpected rain are doing the hard work this time.

• I need to feel like myself in it
This one sounds obvious, but it matters. I don’t want to pack a fantasy version of my style just because I’m travelling. If I wouldn’t wear it at home, I probably won’t wear it in Tokyo either.

• I need space for the shopping
This is a very real packing category in Japan. Last time we came back with kimonos, ceramics, snacks, gifts, vintage finds, and an emergency extra suitcase. I fear this trip may follow a similar pattern, so no over-packing allowed.

• Everything needs to repeat easily
I already know I’ll gravitate towards the same silhouettes over and over again — oversized shirts, easy dresses, comfortable layers, relaxed trousers, my favourite accessories and jewellery.

These little rules usually make the packing process much easier because they remove a lot of the unnecessary overthinking.

If something only works under perfect conditions, it probably doesn’t deserve suitcase space.

What I’ll Actually Be Doing

Mainly walking. A lot.

So comfortable shoes are completely non-negotiable.

I also need a practical bag that can carry enough without feeling heavy after twelve hours of wandering around Tokyo.

But there are also a few slightly dressier moments to consider:

• an anniversary dinner in Kyoto (9 years married somehow?!)

• a few evening work events with my husband

• and, realistically, wanting to feel a bit cute in one of the most stylish countries on earth.

So I’m trying to find that balance between practical, comfortable, and still feeling like myself. Which is probably the whole point of packing well in the first place.

What I Want My Outfits to Feel Like

The interesting thing about packing for Japan is that it’s making me think less about “outfits” and more about how I actually want to feel while I’m there.

Comfortable, obviously. I’m not interested in suffering for fashion while doing 25,000 steps a day and carrying shopping bags through train stations.

But I also still want outfits that feel interesting. Relaxed silhouettes, comfortable fabrics, pieces I can layer and repeat without getting bored of them. Things that work for wandering around Tokyo ad Kyoto all day but still feel good if we end up somewhere nice for dinner.

I also think Japan naturally makes me want to dress a little better. Not in a super polished or overdressed way, but in a more fun way. There’s a practicality to Japanese style that I really love — comfortable shoes, oversized silhouettes, interesting layering, amazing fabrics — but it still feels incredibly expressive and personal.

And that’s exactly how I want my suitcase to feel too.

What’s Making the Cut

I’ve started building a little collection on Indyx with the pieces I’m considering taking, obviously it’s things I wear regularly and that I know will allowed me to create multiple outfits.

Tops & Jackets

I’m keeping tops pretty easy and versatile.

Lots of tank tops (the Uniqlo ones with the built-in bra are still my favourite), one or two white t-shirts, a graphic tee, a couple of shirts for layering or tying around the waist, and a couple of lightweight jumper for cooler evenings.

I’m currently on the hunt for the perfect 100% cotton chunky navy knit, so if anyone spots one, please send it my way.

I’m also bringing a few tops that can work during the day but still feel good for dinner or evening plans without needing a full outfit change.

Jackets are where I’m slightly stuck.

I’m definitely bringing my oversized denim jacket, but I also ordered this bomber-style leather jacket and I’m desperately hoping it arrives in time because I already have outfits planned around it in my head. Very healthy behaviour.

Realistically though, I know I’ll probably end up buying some kind of colourful technical jacket in Japan. I’ve been obsessed ever since I saw Fanny Adams styling one with a cute dress, and now I can’t stop thinking about that contrast.

Bottoms

I’m trying to keep bottoms fairly simple this time because I already know I’ll end up repeating the same silhouettes over and over again.

I’m taking three pairs of shorts:

• one denim

• one linen

• and one from my COS co-ord set, which is ridiculously comfortable and breathable for warmer days.

For skirts, I’m bringing my silk midi skirt from & Other Stories, which works perfectly during the day but also feels dressed up enough for evening plans, plus my white Massimo Dutti skirt because apparently I enjoy travelling with at least one item that could be ruined by soy sauce at any moment.

I’m also packing my cargo linen trousers for travel days and my favourite baggy JW Anderson x Uniqlo jeans for cooler evenings or rainier days.

Honestly… I think that should be enough?

Famous last words before I panic-pack another pair of trousers.

Dresses

This is where things start getting slightly out of control.

I love wearing dresses, especially in warmer weather, but I currently have seven sitting in my Indyx collection and that feels… excessive. Even for me.

So some editing will need to happen.

My new Rixo dress is definitely coming. It’s perfect for those in-between days where it’s warm but not properly hot yet — enough sleeve, enough structure, not too flimsy, and easy to wear during the day or in the evening.

Then there’s my white slip dress, which is incredibly useful for layering and creating different outfits… but I’m also bringing a white skirt, so realistically I probably don’t need both. Although now that I’m writing this, maybe the skirt is the problem. You see how this becomes difficult.

The terracotta Massimo Dutti dress is a definite yes because I always gravitate towards it and it works really well for evenings too.

I’m also bringing my little handmade dress because:

1. it’s cute

2. I’m proud of it

3. it takes up basically no suitcase space, which feels like an important detail here.

Then there are the black dresses. One mini, one maxi.

Do I need both? Probably not. Will I still try to justify both? Absolutely.

Accessories & Jewellery

This is probably where I’ll have the most fun because accessories do most of the heavy lifting when you’re repeating outfits.

I’m packing the usual necklaces I always use for layering, colourful beaded ones I recently bought, a few statement earrings, and enough jewellery to make the same white t-shirt feel slightly different five days in a row.

A couple of belts are coming too — ones that work equally well with jeans, dresses, or thrown over an oversized shirt when I want a bit more shape.

I’m limiting myself to two bags because realistically I always end up rotating the same ones anyway… and there’s a very high chance I’ll buy another one while I’m there.

I’m also bringing a couple of brooches because I’ve become mildly obsessed with adding them to shirts, jackets, and bags lately. Tiny detail, surprisingly big impact.

Shoes

My Sambas and my Massimo Dutti chunky sandals are the first things going into the suitcase. They’re incredibly comfortable, already fully adjusted to my feet, and I know I can walk in them all day without wanting to throw them into the nearest bin (which, inconveniently, there aren’t many of in Japan).

I’m also bringing a pair of black leather flip flops and a slightly more minimal brown pair that feels a bit more polished for evenings or dinners.

I think I’m skipping heels altogether this time — even kitten heels. I always pack them with good intentions and then end up ignoring them completely while choosing comfort and survival instead.

That said, I’m very open to the idea of finding a fun pair of shoes in Japan. Ideally something slightly unexpected, possibly red, and completely my style.

Packing, But Like Yourself

I think the older I get, the less interested I am in packing for a fantasy version of myself.

The best trips always happen when I feel comfortable, practical, and still like me — not when I’m forcing outfits that don’t make sense for the weather, the walking, or the reality of the trip.

And honestly, while packing methods and capsule rules can be helpful, I think trusting your gut matters more. You already know what you reach for constantly, what shoes you can actually walk in, what silhouettes make you feel good, and what clothes survive a full day without annoying you.

So if you’re packing for a trip soon, this is your reminder to start there:

• what you genuinely wear

• what makes you feel good

• the weather

• the pace of the trip

• and the version of yourself you realistically want to be while you’re there

Because good travel style is rarely about packing more.

It’s usually about packing smarter, repeating outfits unapologetically, and leaving enough room in your suitcase for the things you fall in love with along the way.

Love,

Noelia x