Carry-on Strategy
13 days. 4 people. No checked bags. This page covers how to make that work.
The Setup
Each person travels with:
- 1 carry-on (fits in overhead bin) — main luggage
- 1 personal item (fits under seat) — day bag / camera bag / purse
Delta’s carry-on limit: 22 × 14 × 9 inches (56 × 35 × 23 cm). Measure your bag before the airport.
Jeff’s setup: Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L (carry-on) + Peak Design Everyday Sling (personal item / camera bag)
Why Carry-on Only Works in Japan
- Shinkansen: No checked bag option on high-speed trains — carry-on + day bag fits overhead and under seat easily
- Coin lockers: Standard carry-on bags fit. Drop and go for Kyoto day trips or the April 14 check-out gap. See Coin Lockers.
- Takkyubin: If the bag situation between cities gets heavy, forward bags door-to-door for ¥1,500–2,000. See Takkyubin.
- Accommodation: VRBO houses in residential neighborhoods — smaller bags mean easier arrival and no elevator dependency
- Flexibility: Faster customs, no baggage claim, zero risk of lost checked luggage
Shinkansen Luggage Rules
Japan’s Shinkansen has an oversized baggage policy:
- Bags over 160cm total (length + width + height combined) require a reserved luggage space
- Standard carry-on + backpack are well under this — no reservation needed
- Green Car overhead racks and under-seat space handle 4 carry-ons comfortably
Packing for 13 Days
The principle: Both houses have washing machines. Plan laundry every 4–5 days and pack accordingly.
| Category | Days between wash | How many to pack |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirts / tops | 1 | 4–5 |
| Pants / jeans | 4–5 | 2 |
| Underwear | 1 | 5–6 |
| Socks | 1 | 5–6 |
| Mid-layer / light jacket | 3–5 | 1 |
| Rain jacket (packable) | weather | 1 — essential for April |
Don’t pack: Towels (both properties provide them), hairdryer (both provided), power adapters (Japan uses Type A — same plug as US, no adapter needed).
April Weather — What to Pack For
Osaka and Tokyo in April:
- Mornings: 10–15°C (50–59°F) — cool; layers essential
- Afternoons: 17–22°C (63–72°F) — light layer or t-shirt
- Rain: Possible any day; April is pre-rainy season but showers happen
One fleece or light down jacket + a packable rain shell covers the full range. No heavy coat needed.
Walking shoes are non-negotiable. Expect 15,000–25,000 steps on active days — cobblestones, temple stairs, uneven pavement. Comfort over style. One good pair of walking shoes is enough; pack a second only if you’ll be at Blue Note or somewhere requiring smarter shoes.
Dress codes: No strict dress codes at Japanese temples or shrines (unlike Europe or Southeast Asia). Shoes come off at accommodations and traditional restaurants — slip-ons are convenient.
Camera Gear (Jeff)
Camera gear travels in the personal item / sling bag. Key setup:
- One camera body mounted + 1 spare lens in bag
- Batteries and charging cables in a small zippered pouch (carry-on)
- Memory cards: extras in a card wallet in the day bag
- All chargers: Japan is Type A (same as US), 100V — compatible with all US chargers, no adapter needed
See Gear Overview and Photo Journey Guide for full gear list.
Watch Purchases (Jeff + Matt)
If either person buys a watch in Japan:
- Carry it on your person or in the day bag — never in a bag you’re forwarding or storing
- US Customs on return: Declare any purchase over your $800 personal exemption on CBP Form 6059B. Duty on watches is approximately 6.5% on the amount above the exemption.
- Tax-free in Japan ≠ duty-free on return. These are separate systems. See Tax-Free Shopping.
The April 14 Gap
Check out of Osaka House at 10 AM. Tokyo House check-in at 4 PM.
Best option — Takkyubin: Ship bags April 13 evening; they arrive at Tokyo House the afternoon of April 14. Travel the Shinkansen with just a day bag. See Takkyubin.
Backup — Coin lockers at Tokyo Station: Arrive Tokyo, store bags (large locker ¥600–800), explore, retrieve at 4 PM. See Coin Lockers.
Laundry
Both houses have washing machines. Japanese machines run quick cycles (~45–60 min). Laundry routine:
- Plan a wash every 4–5 days (evenings work best — hang dry overnight)
- Pack travel-size detergent from home, or buy at MaxValu near Osaka House on day one
- Dryers are less standard in Japan; plan on hang-drying — both houses have drying racks
Day Bag Configuration (Daily)
Jeff’s sling bag; everyone else’s personal item used as a day bag. Daily essentials:
- IC card (or Google Pay / Suica on phone)
- Cash (daily float — see Cash Strategy)
- Phone + portable charger
- Water bottle
- Light snack (grab from konbini in the morning)
- Rain jacket (compressible; lives in the bottom)
- Any medication needed for the day