u/jedi1417

This sub helped me so much in packing for my trip to Japan so I thought I would pass along what I learned! Trip was Sep 21 to Oct 8, visited Tokyo, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Osaka, Kyoto, and Disneyland. Since the trip was the end of typhoon season, a lot of days were 70-80F and rainy, though we had a handful of sunny days!

First image was my packing plan using the 3x3 method + a dress. I ended up swapping the left column to a green tee, beige linen button down, and a black midi skirt from RipSkirt based on recs I saw here. I swapped the sandals out for Tevas. I added two light tanks. Everything plus toiletries fit in my Calpak Terra 26L backpack (image 3). I knew I would be buying things in Japan so I packed my backpack inside an expandable carry on sized suitcase - and I certainly filled it! So I did not one bag on the way back.

So I have some regrets…

1. I should have bought Allbirds in a darker color. These shoes were fantastic, but as you can see from image 2, they looked pretty nasty after a rainy walk in the woods.
2. I was not prepared for the humidity and I wished I had brought some sports bras. I am not normally a sweaty person so I didn’t think about it, but my bras were disgusting! Ended up buying some sports bras there.
3. I should have brought my own laundry soap. Due to the sweating issue, I needed to do laundry earlier than expected and my hotel at the time did not have guest laundry. Could not find laundry detergent in stores so I washed my dirty clothes in the sink with hand soap, then did another load at the next hotel that did have machines.
4. I didn’t wear the green light jacket much. I’m from the PNW where we never use umbrellas but it was usually too warm for the jacket.

Some things I did right!

1. The amount of clothes worked out well enough for me to feel like I had options but everything went well together.
2. My day bag from Bagsmart, was absolutely perfect. Could be worn crossbody or like a shoulder bag. Lots of pockets. And best of all, the middle section is waterproof, so I could put a waterbottle or my wet folded up umbrella in there and not get all my other things wet. 10/10
3. A few standout clothing items - The RipSkirt looked cute, had pockets, and repelled rain well. The Lululemon brown baggy pants were my first Lulu purchase and I loved them, so comfy and dried so fast. An Athleta linen blend button down was the perfect layer for the warm and wet weather.

Not a true one bag trip, but I’m glad to say I can do it if I didn’t shop!

We moved into this beautiful MCM house and absolutely loved the style. Did not love the carpet in the bathroom, and hated banging my elbows on the tiny shower walls.

I know the original wallpaper is incredible but we couldn’t figure out a way to keep it with our layout changes, and I couldn’t find something similar. The tub, while also a work of art, was actually pretty shallow and took up too much floor space. We also got a hot tub, so all our soaking happens in the backyard anyway.

I love everything about the new bathroom except the cabinet above the toilet, but too late now!