What to pack for your Japan trip in June…
If you’re visiting Japan in June, you might be wondering what on earth to pack. I get it — June is the start of tsuyu (rainy season), the days are suddenly MUCH warmer.
You’ve got to juggle a few things when traveling to Japan in June. You have got to think about heat, humidity, and surprise downpours. But don’t worry – it’s still a great time to visit, because the trade off for these weather worries, is a much quieter and less touristy trip. Bonus!
I just got back from my trip this June, and I’ve got you covered with tips and outfit ideas that kept me feeling comfortable and put-together while exploring. I think I did a pretty good job of packing (even if I do say so myself!).
Don’t agonise over your wardrobe like I did!
Honestly, before my trip, I spent far too long agonising over what to bring. I knew my days would be full — temples, tea houses, busy city streets, even a few evenings out — and I wanted outfits that could handle it all without leaving me a sweaty mess by lunchtime. Which, honestly, was a real possibility.
I’ll be real with you: I’m not a fashion influencer. My outfits aren’t runway-ready, but they worked perfectly for Japan in June — breezy, practical, and (most importantly) easy to wear all day while clocking up 20k+ steps.
Here’s my style in a nutshell:
- feminine shapes
- floaty, breathable fabrics
- nothing too clingy (humidity + clingy fabrics = no thank you)
- easily interchangeable (I like variety!)
- sandals over trainers whenever I can (I just feel a bit more cute in them)
- outfits that feel put-together but not overdone
My Top Tips for June Outfits in Japan
Think lightweight and breathable. June gets warm and humid, so linen, cotton, and airy fabrics are your best friend.
One of the best things I took with me were some mesh tops – these were easy to throw on over cami tops, and gave me sun coverage, modesty and style – whilst being quick-drying and light to carry around. I always kept one in my bag, in case I needed it.
Another great option, would be a lightweight uniqlo top, and floaty skirt. If you don’t have a Uniqlo near you at home, just wait until you arrive in Japan, because they’re everywhere.
I really did live in the combination below!
Pack rain-friendly layers. A light waterproof jacket or packable raincoat is a lifesaver, as well as an umbrella (or just buy one there – convenience stores have cute ones for cheap).
Shoes that can get wet are also a must-have in June in Japan. It is going to rain.
If you’re not a fan of wet trainers, pack sandals that can handle puddles or quick-drying shoes. I bought some from ECCO and some from Skechers, and they were literally perfect. My trainers took hours and hours to dry, wheras the sandals took only minutes.
Avoid denim. It just stays damp forever if it gets wet, and it can feel heavy in the humidity. Also, nobody wants to be wearing denim in 35 degree heat and 90% humidity. Trust me!
Maybe denim shorts might work for some, but not for me! Sorry! I much preferred floaty fabrics and light cotton.
Modesty goes a long way. You might not be able to cover up every day, all day (sometimes it really does feel too hot in June for that) but you’ll soon notice that many locals dress modestly, so longer skirts, culottes, or wide-leg trousers.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll prefer to blend in, so it’s good to have a few easily adaptable pieces to make outfits more modest (if and when it’s appropriate). For example – modesty is expected for temple visits, or any shrines or hold places. But you might also want to cover up in shopping malls, and air-conditioned places too.
Easy, mix-and-match outfits. Stick to a simple colour palette so you can re-wear and swap pieces easily without overpacking. Honestly – for me that was black!
Black goes with everything! And it also doesn’t show sweat as much, or rain!
It can be mixed and matched, it looks put-together, classic and stylish. And I think it’s literally the easiest colour to wear in Japan in June.
Quick-dry everything. With humidity and rain, anything that dries fast is a win.
Skip anything that needs ironing. Trust me — you won’t want to spend time ironing when you could be exploring.
For nights out, the only difference to pack home was considering modesty (I always took a little cardigan/mesh top with me) and also considering your poor aching feet!
Wheras at home I might wear heels on a night out, in Japan I just couldn’t be bothered! After doing 20k stepssightseeing in the day, there was no way I was going to wear heels all night. So I bought myself some cute little ballet flats with an inch heel, and they were ideal.
Final Packing Advice
If I can give you one last piece of advice — pack light. Japan’s hotel rooms are famously compact, and lugging a huge suitcase on the train is no fun.
Capsule wardrobes really shine in June — you can always pick up a cute umbrella, fan, or even an extra top while you’re there (Japan has amazing shopping!).
