Before you start packing, take a few minutes to jot down everything you need—clothing, pajamas, skincare, makeup, medicine, contact lenses, and so on. This will help you avoid forgetting anything important. Then, lay out all the items in one place, like on your bed, to visually check what you're bringing before putting them into your suitcase.

For a 5-day, 4-night trip, plan your outfits in advance. Pick tops in different colors or patterns so it doesn’t look like you’re wearing the same thing every day. In summer, consider packing 4 tops and 2 bottoms, plus what you're wearing on departure day—enough for 5 outfit combos. In colder seasons, you can bring fewer tops since you'll be layering with warm undergarments.

For winter trips, 2 tops and 2 bottoms are usually enough. Since you'll likely wear the same coat every day and layer with thermal wear or innerwear, no one will notice what’s underneath. Prioritize packing warm, close-fitting layers instead of bulky outer clothing.

Hats can eat up precious suitcase space. Stick to soft, foldable options like bucket hats or knit beanies, and avoid rigid ones like wide-brimmed straw or fedora-style hats. As for shoes, wear your comfiest pair on the plane and only pack an extra pair if needed—ideally lightweight ones like slippers. Skip bulky or impractical shoes like heels unless absolutely necessary.

Bring worn-out basics like socks, underwear, and T-shirts that you can throw away after use. It saves space on the way back and means less laundry when you return home.

For skincare and haircare products, pack only what you need for the number of days—use travel-sized versions or portion them into smaller containers. This keeps your bag lighter and avoids spillage. For medicine and disposable contact lenses, just bring enough for the trip plus one or two extras in case of emergencies. No need to bring entire boxes.

For smarter packing, be sure to check the weather forecast and follow local tips on what to wear. We've included seasonal clothing advice based on Tokyo’s climate, so you can pack with confidence. If you're heading to Osaka or Kyoto, LIVE JAPAN also has articles with outfit suggestions for that region too.

Folding clothes might look neat at first, but they often shift during transit and end up wrinkled. Rolling soft fabrics into tight cylinders helps maximize space, keeps items in place, and reduces creases.

While packing cubes make things look tidy, they can actually waste valuable space. According to our flight attendant source, they take time to organize and often leave awkward gaps in your suitcase. Unless you strongly prefer categorized packing or want to keep contents hidden during customs checks, limit yourself to just one or two.

Plastic bags are lightweight, flexible, and easy to shape around other items. They're perfect for keeping things organized without taking up much room. Ziplock bags work great for storing liquids like shampoo or lotion, preventing spills and saving space compared to bulky pouches.

Items like underwire bras or molded pieces often take up more room. Instead of using a bulky storage case, stuff small items like underwear or socks inside to make use of the empty space—or even tuck in fragile containers that need padding.

Don’t forget to bring a foldable carry-on or tote that can hang on your suitcase handle. It’s a lifesaver if your luggage becomes too full on the way back or if you need to redistribute items due to airline weight limits.

After several days of travel, the night before heading home often brings one big question: How do you fit all your souvenirs into your suitcase? Based on real in-flight experience, our interviewed flight attendant shares clever tricks to help you save space and make the most of every corner of your luggage.

Since duty-free bags are sealed and can’t be opened until you return home, ask the staff to pack similarly sized items together instead of putting everything into one bag. This allows for better packing flexibility and prevents wasted space in your suitcase.

If you’re not gifting an item and don’t care about the outer packaging, remove unnecessary boxes or bulky wrappers. For example, take snacks out of their boxes and discard the packaging, or squeeze air out of chip bags and secure them with rubber bands to reduce their volume.

Place soft items like clothes or towels at the bottom of your hardshell suitcase to fill gaps and cushion more fragile goods like boxed snacks or duty-free items. Once everything’s packed, add another layer of soft items on top for extra protection.

Winter coats and hats take up serious space, so wear your heaviest items on your travel day home. Not only will this free up your suitcase, but it can also help avoid overweight baggage.

No need to keep all your bottles and containers in one pouch—slide them into gaps between clothes. This maximizes space while protecting them from impact.

The corners of your suitcase are often overlooked. Stuff them with socks, underwear, gloves, or even capsule toys and snacks. Bowl-shaped cup noodles also fit snugly into corners. Fill your suitcase tightly to make the most of the space and keep items from shifting during transit.

If your suitcase is full but you still have lightweight items like plushies or instant noodles, pack them in a foldable carry bag. If your checked baggage has room left by weight, you can even check this extra bag. In a pinch, you can also buy a cardboard box and tape from a convenience store or 100 yen shop to send items back home separately.

Flight attendants may travel for work, but their luggage isn’t as spacious as a tourist’s. They too face the challenge of overbuying and not having enough room to pack it all. That’s why space-saving skills matter for everyone. These expert packing tips straight from a flight attendant are incredibly practical—perfect for travelers who always find themselves short on space. Take note and you’ll be ready to shop freely and come home with a full haul next time!