Choosing the perfect Japan Outfits for May…
If you’re visiting Japan in May, then you might be looking for some outfit ideas and inspiration for what to wear. Seriously, the amount of research I must’ve done before my trip… just for the outfit side of things. I don’t know why, I just felt really conscious about packing the right kind of stuff.
If that sounds like you, hopefully scrolling through some of my outfits below (taken from my recent visit in May 2025) will help.
Choosing the right balance of outfits for May
One thing I was struggling with before my trip, was packing the right balance of things. I knew I’d be doing a lot – from visiting markets and temples, to strolling beaches and walking city streets. I also knew the weather could be unpredictable too – which added even more confusion to the mix.
I know how important the right mix of outfit are for a successful trip – and I wanted to make sure I got it just right. Which (in hindsight) I think I did!
Listen, I’ll be honest, I’m no influencer. My outfits might not the most stylish, but I felt great in them, and they suited the weather and the environment well. Hopefully you’ll find a little inspiratiuon in these outfits no matter what your style.
In a nutshell, this is my style
Here’s what my wardrobe kind of looks/feels like, and my general vibe:
- Feminine shapes
- I like flattering clothes
- I don’t like feeling hot
- I like floaty fabrics
- I prefer cute sandals to walking shoes or trainers
Before we get onto the bulk of the outfits though, here are a few general tips for choosing your May outfits for Japan.
- Pack light weight materials, the weather starts to heat up in May.
- Just as a general I can’t stress this enough – but BRING COMFY SHOES. The kind of shoes/trainers you’re happy to do 10k steps in. I had trainers, and ECCO sandals and Skechers Sandals as my main footwear choices. Plus a couple of cute ballet flats for the evening (don’t bother with heels).
- Floaty skirts, and a lightweight Uniqlo top became my go-to combination. Modest, cool, and cute! Perfect combination.
- Easy mix and match outfits are great. Tops and skirts, or tops and shorts, for example. Things you can easily swap in and out.
- As a woman, I tried to dress a little more on the modest side. I noticed that this seemed to be a pattern with what the locals were wearing, so I wanted to respect that and follow their example. I also don’t like ‘standing out’ too much – so I wanted to fit in wherever possible.
- Jeans and a top and cap were cute on the slightly cooler days, and really easy to throw together. But honestly, they would’ve felt too hot on the more humid days. So give yourself both options.
- For the warmer days – skirt and a cami top was ideal.
- I also bought some black mesh tops that I could throw over camis. This gave me instant modesty when I needed it, and they were really light and easy to keep in my bag (and quick drying too)
- I lived in this combination below!
- Expect a little rain, and make sure you’ve got some quick-drying options for those days!
- I found sandals were best for rainy days. Skechers have some wonderfully comfy, and quick drying options. Trainers are comfy – but they took FOREVER to dry in the hotel rooms, and sandals dried within an hour.
- A hat (for the sun) or an umbrella (for the rain, and also for the sun!) is crucial. But don’t worry – you can buy these over there.
- Expect a little humidity in May, so pack accordingly. It won’t quite be as humid as June, but still be prepared! Light fabrics are your best friend. If you can’t find anything before you go – I really recommend heading to a Uniqlo when you arrive, and just stocking up there. It’s cheaper too!
- The UV is strong in Japan, so on sunny days it’s a good idea to cover up with lightweight clothing. Helps avoid burning!
- Don’t bother with stuff that need ironing, it just wastes time! You should be sightseeing, no ironing!
- When in doubt – just wear black. I lived by this advice in Japan.
- Black is stylish, classic, often modest, and also it doesn’t show sweat or rain. Also, you can rewear black again and again, and it keeps your outfits super easy to manage and organise!
Hopefully this little guide has been helpful!
If you’ve got any specific questions about preparing for Japan, or packing for Japan – just drop me an email and I’ll be more than happy to help wherever possible!
Oh, and another tip before you leave – pack light. For someone like me (a clothes addict) that’s much easier said than done – but trust me.
The less you take the easier the whole trip will be. Hotel rooms are VERY small compared to European or American rooms, and the storage is super limited.
You’ll also get sick of lugging your heavy cases around too – so the smaller and lighter, the better for your back!
