Japan Packing List by Month

Choose the month, the cities and what you plan to do. You get the usual weather for each city and a checklist you can tick, plus the official rules travelers often miss: medicine limits and the new power bank rules.

Weather from the Japan Meteorological Agency; rules checked against official Japanese pages · October 2026
CitiesTap every city you will stay in.
PlansOptional.
Also
CityAvg highAvg lowRain / snow

Japan Meteorological Agency, 1991–2020 averages for the month (not a forecast).

Rules people miss

    Weather is the 1991–2020 average, not a forecast. The clothes amounts are a suggestion. Rules can change; follow your airline and the official pages.

    How to use

    1. 1. Choose the month and citiesPick when you travel and every city you will stay in.
    2. 2. Add your plansOnsen, snow, hiking, beach, theme parks, children or a baby, and whether you bring medicine.
    3. 3. Tick as you packYour ticks are kept in this browser. Copy the list to share it.

    Power banks on flights (from April 24, 2026)

    • Power banks go in your carry-on, never in checked bags. Power banks over 160 Wh are not allowed.
    • From April 24, 2026, Japan's rules allow up to 2 power banks (160 Wh or less each) in the cabin.
    • Do not charge a power bank on board, and do not charge other devices from a power bank on board.
    • Protect the terminals against short circuits and do not put power banks in the overhead bin. Some airlines have stricter rules.

    Sources: MLIT: new power bank rules from April 24, 2026 (Japanese)

    Bringing medicine into Japan

    • Without extra paperwork you can bring up to a 1-month supply of prescription medicine and up to a 2-month supply of over-the-counter medicine, for your own use.
    • Topical products (non-prescription) and cosmetics: up to 24 per item. Disposable contact lenses: up to a 2-month supply.
    • More than that needs an Import Confirmation (Yakkan Shoumei) before you travel.
    • Adderall cannot be brought into Japan, even for treatment. Medicines with more than 1% codeine or more than 10% pseudoephedrine, and those with oxycodone, morphine or Vyvanse, need permission from the Narcotics Control Department before you travel.
    • CBD products must contain no more THC than Japan's limits; products above the limits are treated as narcotics.

    Sources: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: bringing medicines for personal use (Japanese), Narcotics Control Department: bringing medicines into Japan, Narcotics Control Department: controlled substances list (PDF, Dec 12, 2024)

    Duty-free allowances when you arrive

    • Alcohol: 3 bottles (about 760 ml each). Perfume: 2 ounces. Other goods: up to ¥200,000 in total overseas market value.
    • Travelers under 20 get no duty-free allowance for alcohol and tobacco.

    Sources: Japan Customs: duty-free allowances

    Where the weather comes from

    Each city's numbers are the Japan Meteorological Agency's 1991–2020 averages for that month: average daily high and low, total rainfall and, where it snows, the deepest snow on the ground. Niseko uses the Kutchan station.

    Sources: Japan Meteorological Agency: climate normals 1991–2020 (Japanese)

    FAQ

    What should I pack for Japan?

    It depends on the month and the cities. Choose them above for a checklist. Most trips need comfortable walking shoes, a coin purse, a transit IC card or contactless card, a handkerchief and a foldable bag for souvenirs.

    How many power banks can I bring on a flight in Japan?

    From April 24, 2026, up to 2 in the cabin (160 Wh or less each), and you must not charge them or use them to charge devices on board. They are never allowed in checked bags.

    How much medicine can I bring to Japan?

    Up to a 1-month supply of prescription medicine and up to a 2-month supply of over-the-counter medicine without paperwork. More needs an Import Confirmation. Adderall is not allowed.

    What is the weather in Japan in December?

    Choose December and your cities above. For example, Tokyo averages a 12.0°C high and a 3.8°C low in December (JMA 1991–2020).

    Do I need snow boots?

    If your cities have snow on the ground in your month, or you plan snow activities, the list adds snow boots.

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