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 also 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. And 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.

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 have a few changes of socks, underwear, and t-shirts, and another long-sleeve shirt which is slightly warmer. The quantity of extra clothing is a balance between convenience and weight, but I don’t need a lot because hotels almost always provide laundry facilities.

My shoes are trail running shoes.

Clothing for the weather

I wear a rain jacket when it rains, and rain pants and rain mitts 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.

If I’m a little cold, I wear a pullover. For a trip in colder seasons or in the mountains, I’ll need to bring more clothing to keep warm, such as a warm hat, warm gloves, an insulated jacket, and leggings.

Things for walking

I have a handkerchief to dry my hands, and 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. 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. Inevitably I’ll need facial tissues. 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, 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 also 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 bath and travel items in a zip pouch, with liquids and electronics in two separate quart-size plastic zip-top bags. I keep my first aid kit in yet another plastic zip-top bag. These bags are very useful, since they weigh very little and are designed to hold liquids without leaking.

I keep clothing in stuff sacks, and then in a mesh bag after wearing to separate it for washing.

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.