Winter coats and luggage allowance

Wear your winter coat on the plane and carry it through Japan, then pack thin layers that compress. This keeps bulky items out of your suitcase and within your allowance.

Plan for luggage forwarding if you move between hotels, so you do not carry a heavy bag on trains.

How cold will it be?

January averages 5.4 °C in Tokyo and -3.2 °C in Sapporo ¹. Tokyo needs warm layers and a windproof coat. Sapporo needs serious winter gear, including gloves, a hat and shoes with grip.

JNTO notes that Japanese buildings are often not well insulated and central heating is rare ². Layers you can add and remove matter more than one huge coat.

What is the layering method?

Think in three layers:

1. A thin thermal base layer.
2. A warm middle layer such as fleece or a light down jacket.
3. A windproof outer coat.

Add gloves, a hat and a scarf. A kairo heat pad, sold in convenience stores, can slip into gloves or socks ². Read the cold-weather packing guide for a full list.

How do you handle baggage allowance?

Check your airline’s allowance for each leg. Domestic flights can differ from your international ticket, so read domestic versus international baggage.

Wear the heaviest items, carry a compressible down jacket in your cabin bag, and leave room in the suitcase for souvenirs.

When does luggage forwarding help?

When you change hotels, when you have more than one bag, or when elders and children travel with you. A forwarding service sends bags ahead so you carry a small bag on trains.

It costs extra and needs lead time, so plan around hotel dates. See sending luggage between hotels and packing light for a multi-city trip.

What about the hotel room?

Rooms are usually heated, but corridors and old buildings can be cold. Pack thermal sleepwear and read heating and cold rooms. Most hotel bathrooms have a deep tub for a warming soak ².

For how cold Malaysian travellers should expect, read how cold is Japan in winter.