A first weekend in Tokyo: Asakusa, Ueno and Shibuya
Asakusa on foot: Senso-ji, Nakamise and the Sumida River
Shinjuku Gyoen: a garden walk with ponds, lawns and a tea breakAn example packing list for Tokyo in May
Use this as a starting point and choose what suits your plans. Packtricia tailors your list and quantities to your trip length, weather and preferences.
Clothing
- Underwear
- Bras (if worn)
- Socks
- Sleepwear
- T-shirts or lightweight shirts
- Trousers
- Skirt or dress (if worn)
- Light sweater or cardigan
- Light jacket
- Hooded waterproof jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes
Toiletries
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body wash or soap
- Deodorant
- Skincare products
- Sunscreen
- Hairbrush or comb
- Shaving supplies (if used)
- Menstrual products (if needed)
- Contact lens solution (if used)
Essentials
- Passport or accepted travel ID
- Travel tickets and booking confirmations
- Wallet and payment cards
- Phone
- Charging cable and charger
- Travel adapter (if needed)
- Medication (if needed)
- Glasses or contact lenses (if used)
- Refillable water bottle
- Day bag
- Sunglasses
- Compact umbrella
- Small towel (if needed for your outings)
- Reusable shopping bag
Monthly weather and packing notes
May supports lighter outfits but remains showery. Breathable tops and a thin overshirt work for warm walking days, indoor air conditioning and a cooler evening.
- Daytime
- 22–26°C
- Evenings
- 13–17°C
- Rain
- Rain and showers possible
- Daylight
- Long days and later sunsets
- Packing style
- Breathable clothing + sun and rain protection
Broad planning ranges, rounded to about 2 degrees Celsius either side of the historical mean daily maximum and minimum for May. Japan Meteorological Agency lists Tokyo normals for 1991-2020: maximum 23.6°C and minimum 14.6°C. These averages are not forecast limits; individual days and city neighbourhoods vary. Check the forecast for your dates.
Outfit ideas for your outings
A May city-and-cafe day
- Light tops and a thin sweater or overshirt
- Lightweight trousers or a longer skirt
- Broken-in walking shoes with grip that are easy to remove
- A thin overshirt for changing indoor temperatures
A wetter sightseeing day
- Light tops and a thin sweater or overshirt
- Lightweight trousers or a longer skirt
- Broken-in walking shoes with grip that are easy to remove
- Compact rain jacket or umbrella
Indoor visits and transport
- Comfortable top
- Trousers or longer skirt
- Easy-to-remove walking shoes
- Clean socks and a removable outer layer
What to leave behind
- A heavy winter coat by default: lighter removable layers are more adaptable; adjust for the forecast.
- Unworn stiff shoes: test your walking footwear before the trip, especially if your plans involve long outdoor days.
Reviewed 2026-10-07