Packing for winter in Japan is trickier than you might think. It’s not just about throwing in a warm jacket and calling it done. The real challenge? You’re constantly moving between cold and sometimes freezing outdoor temperatures and heated indoor spaces (trains, shops, restaurants all sit around 20-23°C). Pack wrong and you’ll either be sweating on the train or freezing your bits off outside.

I’ve been visiting Japan in winter regularly, and I’ve seen plenty of travellers get this wrong. Folks from Singapore rocking up in a light jacket thinking “5°C can’t be that cold” (it absolutely can). Canadians bringing their -30°C Arctic gear and melting indoors. Families with kids who’ve packed one pair of gloves each, only to have them soaked or lost well before the day is done.

This packing checklist generator asks you a few quick questions about where you’re from (cause that matters a lot!), where you’re going, and what you’re planning to do – then gives you a personalised list based on what you’ll actually need. Whether you’re hitting the snow in Hokkaido, exploring Tokyo with toddlers, or doing a mix of everything, you’ll get practical advice that’ll save you from overpacking (or worse, underpacking and having to buy everything at the airport).