packing for japan
 

Hi, packing suggestions for Japan...Tokyo, Kyoto in October.
Would like to go to theatre performance and visit many shrines and museums.
Please let me know your suggestions to pack lite.

Also on the train ride form Narita airport to Hotel Mets Shibuya (anyone stayed here in the last year?) will we be able to carry one large bag and our carry ons?
thanks for any help. So glad I found this forum.
Davisman

Dress is Japan is not particularly formal. Tidy and comfortable is good enough for just about anything. Layers are great to accomodate temperature changes.

The one thing that I'd very heartily recommend is that you obtain shoes that do not require lacing up: you will very rapidly tire of taking them off and putting them back on (which you will do frequently if you're visiting shrines and some castles and even some sorts of restaurants), and it's not always easy to find someplace to sit down in order to do it.

A slip-on style, or one that requires only a simple zipper will make your life much easier.

Therese's shoe advice is wise. Not so sure about her statement that "Dress is Japan is not particularly formal." Wouldn't it be true to say that it's at least as formal as New York, London, and Paris, and maybe more so?
While you might get away with "tidy and comfortable," whatever that implies, for theatres and upscale restaurants you might feel you're more in synch with local standards if you dress up a bit. For me, Davisman, that would mean at least polished leather shoes, a buttoned shirt with a collar (and maybe a tie), and a jacket. No jeans, but Dockers or better for pants. Others will dispute this outfit, and your choice will depend on your own comfort level wearing a tee-shirt, jeans, and sneakers when other men may be wearing dark suits.

Well, he won't be wearing sneakers if he's wearing non-lacing shoes, will he?

I agree with WillJame that the norm in large Japanese cities is similar to the norm in large affluent cities everywhere. So the the more formal the setting the more formal the attire. Museums and shrines require no specific dress whatsoever, theater dress depends on the setting, and the fancier the restaurant the fancier the attire. It doesn't sound like the OP is planning on dining on Michelin-starred restaurants, but if he is he'll certainly be wearing jacket and tie.

We were also there in October, we needed t-shirts and short sleeves during the day and a light jacket or sweater for the evenings.