This is my packing list for a long-distance walking trip in Japan, such as the Tokaido or Nakasendo. These are the things I find necessary for a trip of several days, in relatively mild weather, walking almost every day, and staying in hotels or similar lodging.

I’ve tried to reduce the weight and volume of what I carry as much as possible to make walking easier. Thankfully, unlike a camping trip, I don’t need things like a tent or a lot of food. The total weight of the items on this list is around 3 kg or a bit under 7 pounds.

Travel

Obviously, my passport, wallet, and phone are essential.

I have a small USB charger and cable to charge my phone. A pen and small notebook are helpful, since sometimes it’s necessary to fill out paper forms or write something down for reference. I have noise-cancelling earbuds, which I use mostly on airplanes.

My house key is attached to a loop inside my backpack. I keep a paper copy of my identification, a useful but inconsequential amount of backup cash, a backup credit card, and backup ATM card separately from my passport and wallet.

I also have a handkerchief and facial tissues.

Everyday Clothing

I wear a basic outfit that works in a variety of conditions and situations: pants, a t-shirt, and a long-sleeve shirt with a collar and buttons. The shirts can be adjusted for different temperatures, and wearing pants and long sleeves helps protect my skin from the sun.

I usually wear fairly lightweight socks to try to prevent my feet from getting too hot. When walking, it’s helpful to have a dry pair handy.

There is a famous underwear brand that suggests using exactly two pairs for world travel. Regardless of the actual number, if I wash this kind of clothing in the sink after I’m done walking and let it dry overnight, I don’t need to carry around a bunch of dirty laundry. Therefore, I also have a small bottle of liquid soap. It weighs less than a pair of socks, and I can also use it to wash my hands if no other soap is available.

My shoes are road running shoes.

Clothing for the Weather

I wear a rain jacket when it rains, and rain pants if I’m going to be walking in the rain for a while. The rain pants can be used as a second pair of pants when I launder my regular pants. I also carry an umbrella, which is useful for both rain and sun.

Most of the time, I wear a hat to shade my head from the sun.

When it’s colder, I’ll need to bring more clothing to keep warm, such as a pullover, warm hat, warm gloves, an insulated jacket, and leggings.

Things for Walking

I have a Japanese tenugui cloth that’s useful for various things, similar to a bandana.

I don’t usually plan to walk at night, but if I can’t avoid it I’ll use a headlamp and wear a reflective arm band. I have a hiking bell to use on trails, and an emergency whistle.

Because walking means being in the sun for long periods of time, I have sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip balm.

I also have adhesive repair patches for my backpack.

Food and Water

I have a snack and a bottle of water at all times when traveling or walking, and I carry more food and water depending on what will be available along the way. I often refill plastic water bottles I get from vending machines or convenience stores because they’re lightweight and cheap.

If I carry food to eat while walking, I’ll need to store the packaging to throw away later, so I have a gallon-size plastic zip-top bag or two.

First Aid Kit

The contents are similar to first-aid kits for short outings you can buy at an outdoors store: adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, alcohol prep pads, sterile dressing, a roll of gauze, a roll of cloth tape, upset stomach medication, pain medication, antihistamine allergy medication, insect bite medication, single-use gloves, a safety pin, tweezers, and a small pair of scissors with blunt ends.

For preventing and treating blisters, I have paper-backed strips of 2″ wide athletic tape and a small container of skin protectant balm.

Bath

I have a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, a razor, and shaving soap. Many hotels provide these things to guests, but since I stay in a different place almost every night, it’s less wasteful to carry them and easier not to worry about finding them. I also prefer to have familiar things.

I also have nail clippers. When walking, it’s especially important to make sure my toenails are properly trimmed.

Organization

I carry everything in a backpack. I keep things I need readily, like water, my umbrella, or my first aid kit, in the side or front pockets.

Since my backpack is not meant to be completely waterproof, I use a plastic pack liner (just a plastic bag) to make sure things won’t get wet in the rain. A pack liner is lighter and more effective than a pack cover; it’s protected by the outer bag, so it can be made of thin plastic, and it completely encloses its contents.

I have a small shoulder bag that’s useful for carrying things separately from my backpack; on airplanes or trains or when walking around town in the evening. I keep small items and my first-aid kit in zippered pouches.

I use plastic zip-top bags to isolate liquids or things that can be damaged by liquid. These bags are very useful, since they weigh very little and are designed to hold liquids without leaking.

I keep clothing in a stuff sack.

That’s All…!

I hope this list will serve me well on my next walking trip. I imagine yours will be different, but I’ll be happy if you found it useful to read mine.