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What to pack for Japan: Lifestyle influencer shares her tried and tested travel must-haves

Lifestyle and travel influencer Rida Tharana shares her Japan travel essentials, favourite cafés, solo dining spots.

Updated on: Jul 31, 2026, 23:19:11 IST

By Neha Khandelwal

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Rida Tharana explores Japan with effortless style, from serene shrines to cosy cafés, capturing moments that define thoughtful solo travel. (Rida Tharana)

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There is a certain charm to Japan that pulls you in slowly. For influencer Rida Tharana, her recent trip to Japan was not about rushing through a checklist, but about soaking in moments. Think quiet temple walks, solo meals that feel comforting, and café stops that turn into your favourite memory of the day.

Her travel style is simple. Plan the basics, keep things easy, and leave room for spontaneity. And if you are heading to Japan anytime soon, her packing list is a good place to begin.

5 things Rida swears by packing for Japan

1. A solid pair of walking shoes

“Be ready to walk. A lot,” Rida says. Japan is best experienced on foot, from narrow lanes in Kyoto to wide crossings in Tokyo. Comfortable shoes are not optional. You will thank yourself by day two.

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2. A compact umbrella

The weather can change quickly. A bright morning can turn into a rainy afternoon without much warning. Carrying a foldable umbrella saves you from last-minute buys and keeps your plans on track.

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3. Cash in hand

Even though Japan is known for its efficiency, cash still plays an important role. Smaller restaurants, local shops, and even some transport spots prefer it. Keeping yen handy avoids awkward moments at checkout.

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4. A portable charger

Maps, translations, photos, train schedules, your phone does it all here. A portable charger becomes your backup through long days out, especially when you are hopping between locations.

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5. A medium-sized bag for everything you pick up

“You will end up shopping,” she admits. From skincare to souvenirs and little finds you did not plan for, a practical bag helps you carry it all without feeling overloaded.

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Where she stopped for the perfect matcha

Rida’s café pick in Tokyo was The Matcha Tokyo. Clean interiors, a calm vibe, and matcha that feels just right. “It was one of those places where you just want to sit for a bit longer,” she says. The kind of spot that fits right into a slow travel day.

Solo meals that she keeps going back to

Japan makes solo dining feel natural, and Rida leaned into it fully. Her comfort meal was ramen, especially at Ramen Nishiki. A warm bowl after a long day of walking hits differently here.

For sushi, she explored Kyoto favourites like Wagamamaya Gojo Muromachi and Sumiyaki Nagi. Each meal felt quiet, personal, and unrushed. “You do not feel out of place eating alone. It actually feels comforting,” she adds.

Her favourite spot to slow down

Away from the city’s fast pace, Meiji Shrine became her go-to escape. Surrounded by tall trees and soft pathways, it offered a pause that felt grounding.

“It is peaceful in a way that is hard to explain. You walk in, and everything just feels calmer,” she shares. A place to reset before stepping back into the city.

Rida’s Japan trip is proof that a little preparation goes a long way. Pack smart, keep things simple, and allow space for unplanned moments. Between long walks, comforting meals, and quiet corners, Japan has a way of making even the smallest experiences feel special.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neha Khandelwal
Neha Khandelwal Content Lead, HT Travel | Travel & Lifestyle Journalist With over 10 years of content writing experience, Neha Khandelwal is a lifestyle journalist and the Content Lead at HT Travel. She specialises in destinations, hotels, aviation, luggage, travel gear, and practical guides that help readers plan smarter and travel better. Her work combines first-hand experience, expert insights, and extensive research to create stories that are informative, useful, and easy to follow. Career Journey & Experience Neha began her writing career as a freelance journalist in 2010 before entering mainstream media with The Times of India in 2022. She later joined Hindustan Times, where she has written extensively across travel, lifestyle, home, and consumer trends. Her professional background extends beyond journalism. Before moving into digital media full-time, she spent nearly a decade in interior design, managing residential projects from concept to execution. She also trained in visual merchandising with Shoppers Stop and Pantaloons and worked with women-led startups across design and operations. These experiences continue to shape her storytelling, especially in how she evaluates hotels, design-led stays, hospitality spaces, and travel experiences. A naturally curious learner, Neha has completed beginner certifications in pottery, scuba diving, baking, creative writing, and other creative pursuits. She has read more than 2,000 books, trained in Bharatanatyam for 8 years, and ghostwritten a book on Ladakh tourism. Subject Expertise Travel is at the heart of Neha's work. She covers destinations, hotels, airlines, luggage, packing strategies, travel accessories, and emerging travel trends through a mix of reporting, product testing, and conversations with industry experts. A frequent traveller herself, she approaches every trip with a journalist's curiosity and a planner's mindset, focusing on experiences that readers can realistically recreate. From choosing the right cabin bag to decoding hotel openings and destination trends, her writing prioritises practical advice over promotional claims. Her background in interior design also gives her a distinct perspective on architecture, hospitality design, boutique hotels, luxury stays, and thoughtfully designed spaces. Education & Professional Background Neha holds a Master's degree in Interior Design. Her early experience in interior design, visual merchandising, and design operations gives her a unique understanding of aesthetics, functionality, and user experience, adding depth to her coverage of hotels, resorts, and travel spaces. Editorial Philosophy "As an avid, research-driven traveller, my goal is simple. To answer the questions you actually have before booking a trip. I cut through the promotional noise with honest reporting and expert insights. Making travel planning seamless, smart, and reliable so you always know where to go next."Read More

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