Japan rewards the light traveller. Trains run to the minute, stations are full of stairs, hotel rooms are compact, and the best moments often happen between one city and the next. Travelling with one bag turns all of that from a challenge into a pleasure.
Why one bag works so well in Japan
On the Shinkansen, a single bag slides into the overhead rack in seconds. In Tokyo's metro, you move through the crowds without dragging anything behind you. And when you check into a small city hotel or a traditional ryokan, there is no suitcase taking over the floor.
The ACOA Travel Bag was designed for exactly this kind of trip. It expands from 28 to 38 litres, about as much as a small suitcase, and opens flat like a suitcase, so you pack and unpack as you would at home, and then carry it on your back as a backpack.
What to pack for two weeks
- Clothes for 5 to 6 days. Laundry is easy: most hotels have coin laundries, and many rooms come with a washing machine.
- One pair of comfortable walking shoes and one lighter pair. You will walk 15,000 steps a day without noticing. Remember that you often take your shoes off in temples, ryokans and some restaurants, so slip-on shoes are practical.
- A light layer. Trains, shops and museums are well air-conditioned in summer and well heated in winter.
- A small daypack or waist bag for your IC card, passport, phone and a handkerchief. Public bins are rare in Japan, so you will carry your rubbish with you.
Organise the inside
Packing cubes make the difference on a multi-city trip. Keep one cube for tops, one for bottoms and one for underwear and socks, and use the shoe compartment for shoes. When you arrive at a new hotel, you only open the cube you need. Our Compression Packing Cubes give you extra room for souvenirs on the way home.
Smart Japan tips
- Luggage forwarding (takkyubin): if you do buy a second bag of shopping, hotels and convenience stores can send it to your next hotel or the airport for a small fee.
- Coin lockers at major stations let you explore for a few hours before check-in. A carry-on-sized bag fits the medium lockers.
- Keep your laptop and chargers in their own pocket so airport security and hotel work sessions stay quick.
The bottom line
Japan is a country of small, beautiful details, and it is best enjoyed with free hands and a light step. Pack one well-organised bag and you will spend your energy on the journey, not on your luggage.