Appropriate clothing for Japan
Apr 29th, 2014, 09:41 AM
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Appropriate clothing for Japan
I've been googling in anticipation of my upcoming Japan trip and am quite surprised by some of the stuff I'm reading, which is along the lines of "NEVER wear jeans in Japan!" "NEVER wear sneakers" etc. and I just wanted to get a few opinions.
I normally dress quite smartly, but will be backpacking, so it's going to be hard to bring nice jackets and things - they will get all creased and wrinkled. Plus, I have a problem with my big toe joint on one foot, which means that my feet need a lot of support and wearing my beloved ballet flats or brogues for any length of time, like when walking around sightseeing, is out of the question.
I had been planning to bring quite casual clothes - blue jeans, leggings, oversized T-shirts, hoodies and cardigans, with maybe a couple of dresses in case I go anywhere formalish in the evenings. I was planning to wear my sneakers (Nike Air Max which are green/purple and almost new...they are cute and not my gym ones, but still sneakers) and maybe bring some light black ballet shoes to wear with anything dressy in the evening. Is this going to look really sloppy? I don't mind not fitting in with the Japanese, as I look obviously Western anyway, but I don't want to cause offence.
I was planning to buy clothes over there because I love the style (if anyone knows where to buy reasonably priced tees, blazers, sweaters etc in Tokyo, do recommend somewhere!), but shoes will be difficult due to my huge feet, and I need something to work with because I'll only be buying bits and pieces, not a whole new wardrobe!
I normally dress quite smartly, but will be backpacking, so it's going to be hard to bring nice jackets and things - they will get all creased and wrinkled. Plus, I have a problem with my big toe joint on one foot, which means that my feet need a lot of support and wearing my beloved ballet flats or brogues for any length of time, like when walking around sightseeing, is out of the question.
I had been planning to bring quite casual clothes - blue jeans, leggings, oversized T-shirts, hoodies and cardigans, with maybe a couple of dresses in case I go anywhere formalish in the evenings. I was planning to wear my sneakers (Nike Air Max which are green/purple and almost new...they are cute and not my gym ones, but still sneakers) and maybe bring some light black ballet shoes to wear with anything dressy in the evening. Is this going to look really sloppy? I don't mind not fitting in with the Japanese, as I look obviously Western anyway, but I don't want to cause offence.
I was planning to buy clothes over there because I love the style (if anyone knows where to buy reasonably priced tees, blazers, sweaters etc in Tokyo, do recommend somewhere!), but shoes will be difficult due to my huge feet, and I need something to work with because I'll only be buying bits and pieces, not a whole new wardrobe!
Apr 29th, 2014, 10:25 AM
#3
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You will be fine in jeans and sneakers. If they are clean and you are polite that is all you need. I don't think I would wear shorts and sandals though, not in Tokyo, not because it would be "wrong" in Japanese style but because I wouldn't wear shorts and sandals in a big city like New York or Chicago or London either.
Apr 29th, 2014, 09:28 PM
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No need to worry that much! Japan is almost like a western country in that aspect. For travellers, it is totally ok to dress however you want. The difference is that Japanese tend to dress more formally when they work, do business or attend school ceremonies. I lived there 6 months dressing the same way I would have if I was back home.
For shopping in Tokyo, the trendy places are in Harajuku and Shinjuku. Some of it is really expensive but you can find deals if you keep your eyes peeled!
Have fun!
For shopping in Tokyo, the trendy places are in Harajuku and Shinjuku. Some of it is really expensive but you can find deals if you keep your eyes peeled!
Have fun!
Apr 29th, 2014, 09:50 PM
#7
Why are you backpacking? Going hiking and camping?
If your clothing is dirty and smelly then that might be a bit more offensive in Japan than it is here. Otherwise, you are ok.
FromDC, are you traveling in June?
If your clothing is dirty and smelly then that might be a bit more offensive in Japan than it is here. Otherwise, you are ok.
FromDC, are you traveling in June?
Apr 29th, 2014, 11:36 PM
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OK, thanks! Had a feeling some of the blogs were overreacting.
I'm backpacking because I'm staying in hostels where big suitcases are impractical. I'll want to either store my backpack in a big locker or on/under my bed.
I'm backpacking because I'm staying in hostels where big suitcases are impractical. I'll want to either store my backpack in a big locker or on/under my bed.
Apr 30th, 2014, 02:15 AM
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Yes, will be there in June. We will be coming from Borneo so we will have very light clothing with us. But DH is practically allergic to long pants and shoes because we live almost half the year in the Caribbean. I will bring a nice pair of khakis for him but I know he will prefer shorts if it is above 70F. And he has some foot issues and really needs open shoes if possible.
Apr 30th, 2014, 07:45 AM
#10
Clementine, thanks for the explanation. I still don't understand. I've never stayed at hostels and have wondered what provisions there are for securing your luggage. It sounds like you are planning on carrying the equivalent of a large suitcase on your back.
FromDC, the khakis sound good. I would take my LLBean tropic weight cargo pants. The light weight is cooler and they dry quickly - it is rainy in Japan in June.
He can look forward to shopping for Japanese sandals and maybe geta and some tabi socks.
You/he should carry socks with you for him to wear if you go to a place where shoes are removed at the entryway. Those places would have indoor slippers to wear on the wooden floors but they are too small for me. You can ask for "big size" slippers (or yukata) and/or show that they don't fit, and they might have one that fits but don't expect it.
For getting around a traditional ryokan I do use the ill-fitting surippa (slippers) that they provide but at a place like Himieji castle (many steps) wearing the slippers that don't fit seemed be a bit dangerous. More dangerous than walking in socks on polished wood floors was.
Anyway, carry socks with you. In the case where he doesn't wear socks with sandals then he might need to put the socks on. In the other case he might need the extra pair to replace the soggy ones he is wearing.
FromDC, the khakis sound good. I would take my LLBean tropic weight cargo pants. The light weight is cooler and they dry quickly - it is rainy in Japan in June.
He can look forward to shopping for Japanese sandals and maybe geta and some tabi socks.
You/he should carry socks with you for him to wear if you go to a place where shoes are removed at the entryway. Those places would have indoor slippers to wear on the wooden floors but they are too small for me. You can ask for "big size" slippers (or yukata) and/or show that they don't fit, and they might have one that fits but don't expect it.
For getting around a traditional ryokan I do use the ill-fitting surippa (slippers) that they provide but at a place like Himieji castle (many steps) wearing the slippers that don't fit seemed be a bit dangerous. More dangerous than walking in socks on polished wood floors was.
Anyway, carry socks with you. In the case where he doesn't wear socks with sandals then he might need to put the socks on. In the other case he might need the extra pair to replace the soggy ones he is wearing.
Apr 30th, 2014, 08:16 AM
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Excellent advice, thank you very much. Socks with sandals, I won't tell our kids!
Sounds like the tropic weight pants will come in handy both in Borneo and japan! I didn't realize rain was an issue in June. Glad the stadium is domed!
Sounds like the tropic weight pants will come in handy both in Borneo and japan! I didn't realize rain was an issue in June. Glad the stadium is domed!
Apr 30th, 2014, 08:47 AM
#12
Credit goes to this:
http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/que....html?0+102295
which mentions that socks with sandals is trendy among young people. Tell that to your kids.
http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/que....html?0+102295
which mentions that socks with sandals is trendy among young people. Tell that to your kids.
Apr 30th, 2014, 11:39 AM
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mrwunrfl, a backpack is far smaller and easier to store than a big, rigid suitcase with wheels. Even if the hostel lockers are quite small, you can take out the stuff nobody would want to steal and put it on your dorm bed, or store some of the contents of the backpack in another locker (if there are enough).
Apr 30th, 2014, 06:02 PM
#15
thanks again Clementine. sounds like your backpack is a reasonable size. there are coin lockers in JR stations.
FromDC, here are photos of tabi: http://tinyurl.com/lwwkp9n
And zori: http://tinyurl.com/kuwlpmc
The funnest place to sit at a ballgame might be in right field, where the home team cheering section is.
FromDC, here are photos of tabi: http://tinyurl.com/lwwkp9n
And zori: http://tinyurl.com/kuwlpmc
The funnest place to sit at a ballgame might be in right field, where the home team cheering section is.
Apr 30th, 2014, 07:12 PM
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Re. tabi: Mr. Ishibash ("stone bridge") of Kurume, Fukuoka, developed rubber covered tabi for farmers to protect their feet from parasitic worms--and that's where the Bridgestone tire company came from.
May 1st, 2014, 01:20 AM
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The backpack holds quite a lot, but as it's soft, it's just easier to store. I *wish* I could take a suitcase as they're way easier to handle when walking around, but I think it would be too awkward for a hostel.
May 1st, 2014, 10:05 PM
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Gosh, what strange advice -- not only did we wear jeans (and other casual but not scruffy) clothes, many many of the people we met wore similar.
I don't do trainers, so wore my regular comfy shoes, which are just regular shoes. Likewise, Pete's normal day shoes are basically walking boots, smart-cas brown things. All fine.
We never felt our clothing made us stand out at all. People dressed for work, but the rest of the time, were dressed much like Londoners do, casually.
I don't do trainers, so wore my regular comfy shoes, which are just regular shoes. Likewise, Pete's normal day shoes are basically walking boots, smart-cas brown things. All fine.
We never felt our clothing made us stand out at all. People dressed for work, but the rest of the time, were dressed much like Londoners do, casually.
May 1st, 2014, 11:20 PM
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OK, very relieved to hear this! I've been paying special attention to what the Japanese students at my school are wearing - they're all wearing jeans and trainers and I'm sure they didn't buy them all here! People do get the strangest ideas, don't they?
