Packing for Japan
 

I'm taking a tour of Japan in November. I don't have any expectation of blending in with the Japanese, but neither do I want to stand out as too much of a slob. I've read that adults normally do not wear jeans. What do people recommend for male (60's) casual tourist clothing?

> adults normally do not wear jeans.

B.S. Sorry but that's ridiculous. Jeans will not make you stand out in Japan or anywhere else. Are jeans what slobs wear in USA (hence the analogy jeans = slobs?)?

If you were e.g. large (obese), you might stand out but what could you do if that was the case? Don't worry.

Sorry, I didn't mean that is my opinion, I just thought that might be the opinion of the Japanese based on what I read.

Gary, on 4 trips to Japan, each 6-11 months, I've tried generally to avoid jeans--and my BMI is <25. I'm also in my 60s, and find that Dockers (or similar wash-and-wear casual slacks) in khaki or blue or black are a good choice. I also tend towards polished leather walking shoes rather than sneakers. I see it as a way of respecting my hosts and the culture I'm visiting.
If none of this clicks with you, then follow Kappa1's advice and don't worry.

Thanks, I appreciate the advice.

Wear what you are comfortable with. The only time I don't wear jeans or shorts in Japan is when I'm with customers.

The other replies are correct; it is really what you are comfortable with! However, it is also true that overall Japanese adults tend to be much dressier than North Americans-especially in the cities. You do not see too many middle-aged people in jeans. Definitely leave behind your casual sweats and Tshirts and old jeans. My husband and I (and friends) are totally comfortable in Tokyo almost anywhere in nice (dark blue, no holes) jeans and shirt/blouse with nice shoes(not athletic shoes). If you are planning to dine in really nice places, you may want a sportcoat and nice trousers. Hope this helps!

I agree with all of the above, especially leaving the casual sweats behind.

Yes, kappa, slobs wear jeans in the USA, tho not all jeans-wearers are slobs!

Wear your nice jeans.

Thanks, everybody. I am mainly concerned about the jeans as that is what I wear full-time at home. I think if I take one pair of nice jeans with a couple pairs of Dockers I'll be OK. The advice about athletic shoes seems to apply to every country on this site! And I also find that sweats are not worn in most places either.

I realize the Japanese are too polite to make you feel uncomfortable if you don't dress appropriately, but I want to show respect as WillJame said.

Bring a gas mask for the disgustingly high concentrations of second-hand smoke. Its surprising how bad it is in certain places like coffee shops and hotel lobbies..in this day and age.

Check out what Japanese people wear when they're not going to work:

http://rkkwan.zenfolio.com/hakone0809/e253df585
http://rkkwan.zenfolio.com/hakone0809/e351365ec
http://rkkwan.zenfolio.com/hakone0809/e3dd92c3e
http://rkkwan.zenfolio.com/kyototwo0809/e1bafba4f
http://rkkwan.zenfolio.com/kyototwo0809/e284b0556

Do you feel they'd care if you wear jeans?

Picture is worth thousand words. :-) Well done!

It looked to me that the vast majority (maybe all) of the casually-dressed people in rkkwan's photos were under-25s. It has amazed me that both men and women dress very "creatively" until their 25th birthday, and then, as if by magic, they suddenly trade in all the colorful duds for ultra-conservative, drab colors. A Japanese man in his 60s (the OP's age) would, in my experience, be more likely to wear a suit than jeans and a polo in Tokyo.

That said, I can think of exactly zero reasons why a Westerner of any age ought not wear anything that's appropriate dress in a US or European city. I don't quite understand the theory that trying to copy a host country's clothing customs shows respect for the host. (Would a middle-aged woman visiting the US from India show respect for the US by ditching her sari for a sweater and jeans?)

Amazing how westernized everything in the world is getting..

This is how we should all dress when visiting Japan:

http://rkkwan.zenfolio.com/tokyo0809/e345841bb

I get it.