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South Korea and Japan are two incredible countries with similar weather patterns and style-savvy locals. Read our tips to find out what to bring to Japan and South Korea from Spring to Autumn!
What to Bring to Japan and South Korea
Written by: Phebe Schwartz
Weather
Spring and fall alternate between hot summery days and cooler days, so be prepared to layer. Summers can be hot and humid, but there are cooler days as well.
Japan and South Korea are roughly at the same latitude as San Francisco in the U.S., or Sydney in Australia. Winters, however, can be bitterly cold, so much warmer clothing is needed.
Always check the weather forecast before your trip. Once you’ve researched the weather, you can focus on creating a travel capsule wardrobe, which should easily fit in a carryon suitcase with the help of packing cubes to compress your clothing.
Spring to Mid-Autumn
Tank | Longsleeve | Top | Sleeveless | Tee | Top
I recommend packing a variety of tops in various sleeve lengths. It’s a bonus if you can layer them together or over a simple black tank dress! Include a 2-3 sleeveless tops, 2-3 short-sleeve tops, and 2 long-sleeve shirts. Talk about multi-use clothes! Love it!
Learn more about how to layer clothes!
Dresses
Minidress | Striped top | Tank dress
When you plan what to bring to Japan or South Korea consider packing a dress (or a few). Here’s an example of simple black tank dresses that can work under every top and can, of course, be worn alone.
I love the slightly cropped striped shirt over the dress – this is a look we often saw in northern Asia. If you bring a basic white tee, you can also layer underneath for another way to layer!
Learn more about how to transform a dress into various outfits!
Bottoms
Wide Leg Pants | Mini Skirt | Jeans
Add a pair of jeans for cool days or higher elevations, a pair of cropped slacks, and a pair of dressy shorts. You could swap out the shorts for a skirt. In Seoul it’s not uncommon for young women wear short skirts but short shorts are rarely seen, and most sleeveless tops/dresses have wide straps. The style is modest but classic.
For more ideas, take a look at the best pants for travel!
Maxi Skirt | Cashmere Sweater | Flats | Scarf
Flowy maxi skirts are also a good option as they’re lightweight, easy to walk around in, and even offer a bit of warmth for breezy days. They’re versatile, most commonly paired with lightweight sweaters, quarter-sleeved tops and simple tee shirts.
Combine these with an airy scarf and some flats for a look that is both in style and incredibly cozy.
These are the 20 most comfortable ballet flats for travel!
Outerwear
Raincoat | Pullover | Off the Shoulder Sweater
Bring a sweater or a raincoat. We experienced quite a few rain showers; in Japan, you may encounter a typhoon during the fall. Along with a rain jacket, consider waterproof footwear.
Take a look at these stylish travel raincoats!
Shoes
Rain Boots | Sandals | Slip-on Loafers
Bring along quality sandals and slip-on sneakers for walking. A pair of comfortable sandals, flip-flops, or classic rain boots would be good for rainy days.
Keep in mind that people take off their shoes and leave them at the entrance of homes, temples, hotels, and some restaurants. Depending on where you stay, you may be expected to take off your shoes before you enter your room. Once again, slip-on shoes are ideal for this including slip-on sneakers and ballet flats.
Bring hiking shoes if you plan on hiking, be sure to check the mountain conditions. Mt. Ontake, a volcano, erupted while we were there–so be safe.
Scarves
Thin ribbed scarf | Shimmery blush scarf | Tan scarf
Another essential to add to your list is a light scarf or wrap. They’re perfect to dress up a casual outfit or wear as a shawl with a dress. Choose from these popular circle scarves!
Swimwear and a coverup
Crochet swim cover | Striped bikini | Lace-up swim cover
When planning what to bring to Japan or South Korea don’t forget to bring your swimwear if you plan on visiting beaches, islands, or spas.
Sunglasses and a hat
Panama hat | Sunglasses | Wide brim hat
You can never go wrong with sunglasses and a hat, and don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses. (Gotta protect the face!) Find out why we love these summer accessories!
Shopping:
This is a random shopping tip but you have got to buy socks in these countries! Korea, especially, has some of the craziest, funniest socks I’ve ever seen. They’re very inexpensive and make great gifts for family and friends at home. Cotton kimonos and yukatas also make wonderful gifts or a present for yourself.
As a matter of fact, leave plenty of room in your luggage for shopping! Both Japan and South Korea are meccas for women’s fashion so planning what to bring to Japan or South Korea should allow for extra room in your suitcase.
Along with the plethora of trinkets, souvenirs, and snacks you’ll be bringing back, it’s almost certain that you’ll leave with a lot more clothing than you first arrived with. Don’t forget to leave room in your luggage so that you too can bring back as much clothing as your heart desires!
Tokyo, in particular, is a perfect spot for any fashionista, with areas such as Shibuya 109 and Takeshita Street housing a vast array of cute and unique storefronts unlike anything in the States. If there’s any time to truly utilize the Travel Fashion Girl capsule wardrobes, it’s now.
Travel Tips:
Because these countries use a different alphabet than most of us are used to, I started taking a photo of the name of where we wanted to go, so I could show it to people on the street and get directions. It’s much easier than mispronouncing the word and trying to explain where we wanted to go.
Just show the photo on your camera or phone, and most people on the street can point you in the right direction.
Do you have any tips on what to bring to Japan and South Korea? Share in the comments below!
For more Asia Packing lists, please read:
Suggested Travel Resources:
- Lonely Planet North East Asia on a shoestring
- Lonely Planet Japan (Country Guide)
- Lonely Planet Korea (Travel Guide)
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Author Bio: Phebe Schwartz started traveling at age 19 and hasn’t stopped. Retired, she and her husband are traveling the world and having the time of their lives! The plan is to have no plan, the philosophy is that where they end up is where they are meant to be. Follow their adventures: Rolling Luggagers
I used to live in South Korea and just went back for a visit during the hottest summer days. I am plus-size (22-24). Because I have been a Travel Fashion Girl for 5+ years I packed carry-on only for the 10-day trip. I took 6 dresses (knee to mid-thigh length) and shorts to go under the dresses. As another post said, short clothes are more common than cleavage. I live in Florida so I am used to sweating so I knew the fabrics that would work well. MY packing strategy and clothing choices were much more effective than the four men who were with me. TFG for the win!
Thank you for the wonderful article.
I notice this list doesn’t include what to wear or pack for the winter — planning to travel to Seoul in February which I understand is very cold with wind/rain/possible snow! Any recommendations?
Hi Kathryn, for traveling in winter this is a sample packing list for the cold: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/how-to-pack-for-cold-wether/ You can use the principles to create your own capsule wardrobe according to your own clothing preferences, not necessarily to pack what is shown in the example.
To get the best destination specific advice, I would highly recommended that you join our TFG facebook group and post your question there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/
It’s a fabulous community of helpful female travelers that love to share all their amazing travel advice and experiences.
Have an amazing time on your trip!
I find that S Korea is a little more liberal than expected. No undergarments showing, but the shorts and skirts can be super short. Not too much cleavage but crop tops are just fine.
Purchasing linens in Korea are great as they are light and soft!
Shoes are always a little more trendy than here in the US.
I’m so happy to be back browsing TFG articles after Covid scuppered our travel plans! Thanks for all these handy tips for Korea, we’ll be travelling in winter so my challenge is to pack for cold weather and leave room for shopping. Thank goodness I have my Compass Rose packing cubes!
I’m literally going on a trip to Japan and South Korea next week and you have exactly what I need. This is why this site continues to be one of my favs! Thank you!
We are planning to travel to South Korea (Busan, Jeonju and Seoul) around end of Oct and early Nov. Could you tell me what to wear?
I’m an American currently living in South Korea. For swimming, I would advise bringing a rash guard style shirt and either swim shorts or a swim skirt. At a pool or beach, you will never see a local wearing a bikini, or even a one piece western swimsuit, and you will feel out of place wearing one — conversely, Koreans are perfectly comfortable wandering around locker rooms stark naked! Also, some pools require a swim cap. On the street, tank tops or plunging necklines are not common, although exposed legs are fine. Wear shoes that you can walk comfortably in!
Thanks for your tips Elizabeth!
I agree with most of this, but I wouldn’t take a sleeveless top or dress to Japan. I packed ONE for my airplane travel days for my 4th extended-stay in Japan, and ended up wearing it around one day. Big mistake. I offended many people and in some shops I wouldn’t even be helped (not the norm at all). After speaking to my guesthouse host we both figured it was most likely my shirt. You can go super short on your shorts and skirts in Japan, but bare shoulders are apparently more scandalous outside of very large and hip cities like Tokyo.
Other tips: Bring socks with you if you’re wearing sanders. Some temples require them to walk on the tatami.
Google translate the things you need most commonly and take a screen shot. That way if you don’t have service you’ll still have an approximation of what you’re trying to say.
Load Google Maps when you have wifi and “favorite” places you want to go and where you’re staying. Don’t close the app and it’ll also show you almost exactly where you are.
Pick up a tourist map in both the English AND Japanese versions. Sometimes the Romanji translations can’t be read by the Japanese people (in my personal experience), but if you have the map in Kanji too you can show the locals that copy for directions!
Where is the top photo from? We recently decided to do a RTW trip and Japan will be on our list!
You may have done your RTW trip already, but incase you are still curious or anyone else, this is Kinkakuji (golden pavilion temple) in Kyoto, Japan.
We’re planning on going to Japan next year so this is super helpful!
Thanks Carrie, happy to help!