What I Packed: Tokyo in April

Packing for weekend in Tokyo in April turned out to be easier than I expected—even with a carry-on.

Spring weather in Tokyo is mild during the day but chilly in the evenings, especially when wind gusts picked up to around 20 mph. The key was packing versatile pieces that layered easily and worked with multiple outfits.

3 Things I Was Glad I Packed

I wore a slip dress as a top with these black pants and trench. Easy enough to pull the pants off for a classier dinner look!

After a week in Tokyo, a few items really stood out.

1. A trench coat
The wind made evenings cooler than expected, and the trench coat worked with every outfit.

This London Fog one is a classic at a a great price point and it comes in khaki and black. If you’re looking for something a little trendier, I also like this waterproof option with plaid lining. Some people don’t like the bracelet/wrist length sleeves, so keep that in mind if you have longer arms. A plus? It comes in 7 great colors!

2. Comfortable walking shoes
Tokyo involves a lot more walking than many travelers expect. I can wear my Onitsuka Tigers for 20,000 steps before my feet start to hurt and they’re SUPER popular in Japan. If you’re looking for a more affordable option that is similar, these have great reviews but they run small. (I find the Tigers to run true to size.)

3. A large crossbody bag
It made long sightseeing days much easier since I could carry everything I needed without feeling overloaded.

Here’s exactly what I packed for a comfortable weekend exploring Tokyo. Since I was traveling with limited luggage space, I focused on pieces that could easily mix and match.

• Lightweight trench coat

• Comfortable walking sneakers

• Comfortable travel sandals

• Large travel crossbody bag

• Small everyday crossbody bag

To save space in my carry-on, I wore a lightweight trench coat on the plane instead of packing it. I wore a black tank dress with black pants under it and pulled the pants off for a classier dinner look.

The trench coat ended up being the perfect travel piece. It was warm enough for windy evenings but light enough to wear during the day. If you're trying to stay under airline weight limits, wearing your bulkiest item on the plane makes a huge difference.

I also wore black pants that were comfortable - plus they don’t show dirt easily which is necessary when traveling with small, messy children!

I also packed another dress, two sweaters and two pants that could all be interchangeable.

The sweaters were essential for evenings when temperatures dropped. Layering them with the trench coat was usually enough even when it got windy, but I also wore them styled over my trench when I got too warm.

We visited Tokyo Disney on this trip and it’s right near the water, so having a sweater and trench coat handy was key to not be cold all day.

Tokyo involves a lot of walking, so comfortable shoes are essential! Comfortable tennis shoes for long walking days (like spending the day exploring the city or at Disney) and comfortable sandals for lighter walking days and dinner.

I brought two crossbody bags depending on the day. I’m not a backpack girl, instead I prefer a large crossbody bag. This was perfect for the plane and carrying snacks, waters and souvenirs. A smaller, crossbody bag was great for evenings out and when my husband was wearing his backpack. Having both made it easy to stay comfortable without carrying more than necessary.

Packing for Tokyo in April with just a carry-on was completely doable. By choosing versatile clothing, layering sweaters, and wearing my trench coat instead of packing it, I stayed within the carry-on limit without feeling like I was missing anything.

If you’re visiting Tokyo in spring, plan for comfortable daytime temperatures, breezy evenings, and plenty of walking—and pack pieces that can layer easily.

Pro tip: Pack warmer clothes for your kids than you think they’ll need. Sweatshirts and light jackets are easy to take on and off, and you can store them in the stroller basket when they’re not needed—so you’re not scrambling to find warmer layers during your trip. These were much needed after sunset at Disney!