Travel is my passion. And packing light is my mission. I only fly with one carry-on. So I guess you could call me, “a man who packs light.”

This is an update to my post from 2021. Not only have I refined my packing, but I’ve also narrowed down my destination to just Japan in the Spring and Fall seasons.

Why pack light?
1. To eliminate the possibility of lost or stolen luggage. I never check my bag. I just bring one carry-on. Because my vacations are usually short, losing luggage on Day 1 would pretty much ruin the trip.

2. To be mobile. As soon as I deplane, I’m out the terminal. Because my bag is a backpack, I don’t need to drop it off at a hotel or locker. I can go straight to the museum or café. I also do not use a “rolly” bag because of stairs in train stations.

How does minimalist packing work?

Two words, merino wool. Pricy upgrade, but merino wool eliminates the need to actually do laundry. It’s a magical fabric. This allows you to pack less clothes. Still, I bring more than enough outfits because of Instagram. I found a discount code on YouTube and bought the bundle to save money.

The Bag:

I’ve downsized to the Osprey Porter 30 travel backpack. It’s a little bigger than a ランドセル。The 46 liter one that I had previously (largest allowable carry-on at 22″ x 14″ x 9″) became too big and bulky for my needs. I like that the Porter opens fully, allowing access to all of your contents. Comes with stow away shoulder straps. I found a great deal on eBay, new w/out tags.

Packing Cubes:

Packing cubes help keep you organized. They compress your clothes and save a lotta space. I used to place a Bounce dryer sheet into each one, but heard that it’s not recommended for merino wool. And as you can see, I do like Osprey…

Travel Wardrobe:

I wear my bulky clothes on the plane. I rotate two pairs of dark jeans for short trips and three on longer trips. I’ve discovered that light wash jeans are a bit too casual for someone my age in Japan. I also wear my baseball cap on the flight to save space in my bag.

Shoes:

I only bring one pair. I know that this is the deal breaker for some. Although white sneakers would be best for a minimal, capsule wardrobe, I’m afraid that they can get wrecked on a trip. And because I walk about 9 miles per day on average in Tokyo, I opt for a comfortable pair of New Balance “dad shoes.”

Jacket:

Japan is quite comfortable in October, so I usually just bring two overshirts (see top photo.) March, however, is still cold in Japan. I’ll wear a light jacket and layer with Uniqlo HeatTech. I recently scored a Patagonia Nano Vest on eBay at half-price.

Dopp Kit:

I finally downsized to a sleaker toiletry kit from Aer. It has great organization and enough room to keep medicine and vitamins all in one place. This kit has a hook for hanging in case there’s no counter space.

Daysack:

I pack a light, collapsible daysack inside of my backpack. I always have an umbrella with me. I hate rain. The external water bottle compartment doubles as storage for a wet umbrella. I also carry toilet paper, just in case…

Tech:

My iPhone is the only device that I travel with. (And I work in tech!) No need for AC adapters in Japan. The only other “tech” I bring is a bottle opener.

The 3-1-1 Liquids Rule:

For carry-on luggage, you can only bring one quart size bag with travel-size containers up to 3.4 oz or 100 ml. Anything larger will need to be checked-in or be confiscated.

Tips & Hacks:
• I print a copy of my passport for my bag, and I also email a copy to myself.
• I have the AT&T International Day Pass for my iPhone. It costs $10 per day.
• Fill out your travel information on Visit Japan Web and save time at Customs & Immigration.
• Bring extra sanitizer wipes for the flight and instantly make friends with the passenger sitting next to you.
• I have the electronic Suica IC Card on my Apple Wallet. Highly recommend!
• I bring an ample supply of Airborne vitamins to stay healthy.
• I pack spare disposable masks in my backpack and daysack in case the one I’m wearing breaks.
• ChapStick & sunscreen are must-haves. Don’t forget the imodium!
• No need to bring a water bottle or heavy flask. Vending machines are available everywhere.
• Notify your bank that you’ll be using your ATM & charge cards abroad.
• TSA pre√ is well worth the money. Take the express line and never take shoes off again.

Minimalism:
Part of what makes you a minimalist is “doing without.” I do sacrifice a few things that a lot of people wouldn’t. I don’t bring slippers, shorts, or an iPad on my travels anymore. I also don’t go shopping on my trips. I’m too poor. All of my spending money is for food.

Conclusion:
This kind of packing is not for everyone, but it does work. It’s so “freeing.” You should try it. Pack light…