What to wear in Japan Winter – Packing and clothing Guide

What do people usually wear in Japan?

In Japan, people dress pretty stylishly, often sporting brands like Prada, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. Although not everyone would afford luxury branded clothing, they know how to keep it stylish yet simple.

I was there in Japan for 3 and half week during the beginning of winter, December – Even their winter clothing wasn’t just about keeping them warm, but trendy.

After two days of roaming in Japan, I realised Japanese are shy but approachable. So, I never hesitated to appreciate someone’s expensive bags, nails and outfits whenever I liked them!

But later when I understood how to approach Japanese, some even let me touch their bags /showed their nails, and informed me where to find them!

Plus, we have spent a fair amount of time in metros where locals commute and on buses on tourist trails. So, while the Japanese sat in trains glued to their phone, I observed and was awespried by their fashion sense.

The long coats and below knee skirts in pastel shades or beige, paired with sweaters are typical Japanese winter fashion.

It isn’t just Harajuku in Tokyo where people embrace modern, stylish clothing. Even in rural areas near Mount Fuji, locals love to dress neatly in style.

While people in Metropolitan cities like Osaka and Tokyo favour long coats, rural Japan opts for short parkas and winter jackets, adding their own flair to winter fashion.

Do they still wear kimonos in Japan?

Yes and no both. Japan’s traditional dresses like Kimonos and Yukata aren’t regular outfits. It isn’t even as common as Drindl in Austria / Germany.

However, I saw foreign and domestic tourists wearing it near castles of Osaka and temples for photoshoots,. You get these on rentals near famous attractions, especially in Kyoto- the city of temples. The shop owners will help you wear it.

As it covers most of the body, tourists and locals can easily wear kimonos in Japan during December—unless it’s snowing.

What do most people in Japan wear?

Kimonos almost became a celebratory outfit by the 1930s. Japanese started wearing western outfits by then.

After World War II, the Western fashion spread as the main attire throughout Japan. So now the Japanese call their style “Yofuku”, meaning “Western clothing.”

What is Japanese style fashion?

Japanese style fashion takes formal Western clothing and makes it fun and elegant. You’ll see bright lavender skirts paired with classic white shirts, beige jackets, and stylish accessories like metal necklaces and cute bag charms.

Their shoes are always classy, with a bit of shine, but never over the top.

For example, women wear slightly flared bright lavender skirts, a classic white shirt, and a beige puffed jacket and add some bling with nice metal neck-pieces– Formal yet attractive.

They pair it up with nice heeled shiny, but not tacky shoes. Their bags are classy and will always have a cute bag charm.

Is beauty important in Japan?

Yes for 100%.. Japanese care a lot about their skin and use plenty of skin care products. We thought hardly any Japanese use found makeup!

When I stayed at the Tokyo Akasaka Capsule Hotel for a night, I noticed how elaborate Japanese women’s skincare routines are.

As we had to share a common dressing room in the capsule hotel, I met a few Japanese women who relentlessly washed their faces and applied about five different creams before finally putting on the last layer of foundation.

I asked two of them, and they said this is their usual routine. Until then, I really thought they didn’t wear makeup and that their skin just naturally glowed like that because their makeup is so subtle and natural.

They do makeup so flawlessly with nude shades that it looks natural. So perhaps I was the only one wearing bright pink lipstick!

Men wore classy suits of nice colours and mostly had short hair – Trust me, I didn’t see even one Japanese man with a beard and moustache!

How do you describe a Japanese street style?

When it’s not formal wear, Japanese street style is cutting-edge—it’s not bohemian or free-spirited, but super chic. Loose, oversized clothing in muted colours is quite common.

It’s generally all about silhouettes and mixing things up—layers, vintage pieces, designer items, and more. Popular accessories include stylish sneakers and belt bags.

What do girls wear in Japan?

In Japan, girls wear a mix of styles, from Kogal, with their modified school uniforms seen in places like Harajuku, to cute Kawaii outfits with vibrant colours and accessories. Yofuku, or Western-style clothing, is also common, with creative touches, even in winter.

I couldn’t help but ask a shop owner at Harajuku why she sells school uniforms with other super-styled stuff.

Fortunately, as it was closing time, she had some time to explain why we had been seeing girls roaming in school uniform skirts at night and in temples. Usually, Yofuku takes many forms, even in winter.

At the beginning of the Japanese winter in December, I saw Japanese women wearing trendy skirts, either in Harajuku or Kogal style, paired with thermal stockings and high boots. So, skirts never go out of style—it’s an all-season outfit among locals!

Harajuku Style

It is named after the Harajuku neighbourhood of Shibuya in Tokyo, where the style originated. The mix of western and traditional Japanese clothing with uniquely bright and multicolour styles is poppy and vibrant.

It first developed as a form of rebellion against strict social norms. As a result, kaleidoscopic colours, bold designs, and multiple layers are common.

Cute Japanese style – Kawai

At least once a day, you will see a girl dressed like a doll – with turquoise hair and a cute flared frock. This is called Kawai or Lolita.

Child-like or doll-like features depict Lolita’s fashion. This style revolves around cuteness. Now you know why you find Japanese girls wearing cute backpacks. This is why shopping streets in Japan are filled with  Hello-kitty stores and other merchandise.

Japanese school uniforms as Kogal Style

The term Kogal refers to “high school girl student.” Short skirts, jackets, loose socks, scarves, and crazy boots make up the distinctive look.

So when you see girls wearing checkered black and green skirts with white shirts at Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho sipping beer or Sake, don’t worry if they are underage to drink.

Is there a dress code in Japan?

There is no dress code in Japan nor to enter temples or palaces. Not even at Cultural Capital of Japan- Kyoto or Nagano built around holy Zenko Ji Temple. It is “wear what you want” – except showing off your shoulders and upper body.

However, if you are on a business trip and attending official meetings, you need to groom well and tidy with exact business formal wear.

What is inappropriate to wear in Japan?

Cover Up Tattoos: Tattoos can be seen as a link to the mafia, and many places won’t let you in if they spot even a tiny one, so keep them hidden with clothes, plasters, or concealer.

Avoid wearing thick jackets when dining on the floor : Many Japanese places with tatami floor seating, especially when having temple meals, will ask you to remove your jacket. Since they usually have indoor heating, you’ll need to store your jacket in a locker or hang it up.

Mind Your Socks: You’ll be taking off your shoes a lot as part of Japanese customs — not just in temples but in restaurants, hotel rooms, and historical houses too. Make sure your socks aren’t holed or mismatched, or you might feel a bit awkward.

No Swimsuits in Onsens: Swimsuits are a no-go in most hot springs (onsens) for hygiene reasons, so you’ll be bathing in your birthday suit, except in a few mixed-gender onsens.

Can you show skin in Japan?

You can wear short skirts. But showing off your shoulder and upper body is frowned upon.

Though it was the beginning of Japan winter, we found many wearing dresses. Some can bear the winter chills. And others wear sheer stockings that come with a warmer layer inside.

Is it OK to wear shorts in Japan?

Yes. It is practical to wear shorts in Japan in summer. But if you want to wear them during winter, you can always pair them with Japan’s favourite sheer stockings. You can by them at stores like “Three coins.”

Can you wear leggings in Japan?

Locals in Japan won’t bother you if you wear leggings, so if you love them, go ahead and bring them along. Just know you’ll stand out a bit, as not many people wear leggings there.

Are ripped jeans OK in Japan?

Ripped jeans are fine in Japan, even at temples and shrines. There’s no dress code, so wear what you like! A few local Japanese also sport ripped jeans even in winter.

What do people wear in Japan in winter?

Now that we have understood Japanese fashion style, it is clear that they wear super-stylish winter clothes.

Places like Tokyo don’t get extremely cold (except in February). So you find long coats and jackets that serve fashion more than the cold here.

But getting heated matters most if you go to areas like Kawaguchiko that reaches -2*C in December itself.

So if you are planning to buy winter wears in Japan, you must know what works for Tokyo won’t for areas like Nagano and definitely not for the cold prefecture of Hokkaido.

Is it cheaper to buy winter clothes in Japan?

Yes and No Both. If you go for brands like Mr Porter, you will pay nearly 3 million yens. But don’t worry; there is always Uniqlo for people like us.

If you are planning to go to Japan in winter and need to buy winter wear, it is better to buy them in Japan (especially if you are from a Tropical country like us).

Plus, Japan offers tax-free shopping for tourists ! Many shops, including Uniqlo, give an 8% discount on purchases over 5,500 yen for tourists.

I had read a lot about how good Uniqlo winter wears is. We both wondered what difference it could make that everyone praises Uniqlo. Trust me, Uniqlo’s quality and comfort are unmatchable to what I bought from India at Decathlon.

Plus, they have way too many choices in everything needed for Japan’s winter.

How do you keep warm in Japan?

This is a list of things that keep you warm in Japan in the Japanese way using heat pads and layers-Because they are better quality, cheaper, more comfortable, cuter and more practical.

Heat pads AKA Kairo

Our favourite thing in Japan and an essential for winter is their heat pad.

You activate these single-use heat packs when you are ready to use them. They stay hot for at least 8 hours; some brands up to 15 hours.

You pop them into your pockets to keep your hands warm. Or attach them to your clothing, such as an undershirt, to provide heat around the body core. This kept us warm (sometimes hot), even at heavy snowfall.

You can find them in any convenience store, AKA konbini, like 7-Eleven, Family Mart and Lawson.

Umbrellas and Poncho.

Japan’s winter umbrellas reveal the world to you – because they are transparent! They are the saviours when you go hiking on snow-filled trails.

The see-through umbrellas protect you from dropping snow from trees and roofs. Transparent ponchos are great if the snowfall reaches a peak. Though we bought one for each, we never used it.

Like your heat packs, you get ponchos and umbrellas at 7-Eleven, Family Mart and Lawson.

Winter wears at Uniqlo.

Uniqlo is a Japanese brand that started in the 1970s in Hiroshima City. Now it is one of the most famous affordable yet high-quality clothing brands.

You find these stores all across Japan. Even in some random places on the highway of Nagano and Shin Takaoka.

We went to the store at Ginza, which has 12 floors dedicated to winter wear (the last floor is a cafe that serves horrible coffee). Trust me; we never knew that you could get that many choices in winter wears.

Things to keep in mind before you buy any winter wear in Japan

As the Japanese are very petite, you find smaller sizes more than the larger ones. Ask attendees for help finding your size.

First layer- Heattech is essential for any Japan region during winter. We refer to these as “Thermal wear” that you wear on your inner wear.

The fibres of this clothing absorb the heat and keep the body warm. Uniqlo heattech is way lighter, thinner and warmer than I bought from Decathlon.

The last layer – You must know to which temperature you need the jackets. For example, the most stylish ones I picked were good enough for only Tokyo.

What suited us most was the hybrid down coat for Ashrith and Hybrid Down Parka for me. 

(Price that we paid at the store is 20% less than the online price) – Both were waterproof and kept us super warm even during the heavy snowfall of Shirakawago and the snow-filled breeze of Nagano.

How to layer for winter in Japan?

How should foreigners dress in Japanese winter?

While foreigners aren’t expected to dress like locals, it’s a good idea to follow Japanese style, even in winter, as a tourist.

How hot you feel when entering any indoor space in Japan in winter is weird. Dress in layers because the indoor temperature will be much warmer than outside.

Even the smallest local cafes keep their indoors heated. Ear muffs aren’t really a thing among the Japanese.

So it is to differentiate between tourists and Japanese with ear muffs. Plus, I am not an earmuff fan. I rather use the hood than use my earmuffs.

Common mistakes foreigners make in Japan during winter

Underestimating the Cold: Many travellers, especially from Western countries, aren’t prepared for Japan’s winter. Comments like “We didn’t enjoy Shirakawago because of the snow” or “We didn’t know it would snow in Hiroshima” are common.

Inappropriate Clothing: Some tourists are caught off guard, like those in hiking shorts while it’s snowing, or booking ski resorts like Hakuba without knowing it gets to -14°C.

Ignoring the Weather Forecast: Always know where you’re headed and check Japan’s accurate weather forecasts to avoid unpleasant surprises. Plan properly and don’t blame Japan for your lack of preparation!

What shoes to wear in Japan in winter?

Wear super comfortable waterproof shoes with thick soles that are great for walking, even on snowy streets in Japan.

Japanese women love heel shoes, and men can’t let go of their sneakers.

As a tourist, you may tend to go with the flow. I saw many managing the snow-filled hiking trails to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and at Shirakawago with heels and sneakers – Trust me, it looked like they were doing a circus!

Does it mean that you need to wear snow boots?

Don’t wear snow boots unless your Japan winter travel is restricted to mountain skiing. Because if your plan includes wandering in streets and visiting temples, snow boots become annoying as you have to remove them often.

Instead, choose waterproof walking shoes with high grip.

What should I pack for Japan?

Travelling light is key in Japan, especially since public transport like metros, buses, and even airport monorails can get crowded. Large bags aren’t ideal, and bullet trains require a reserved seat for oversized luggage.

Baggage forwarding service is a way to get rid of carrying your luggage on public transport by having it delivered directly to your destination. So you spend less when you have less number of suitcases.

How to pack light while travelling to Japan?

Fewer Clothes Needed: In Japan’s winter, you won’t need many outfits since you’re usually wrapped up in coats. It’s clean, and you won’t sweat much, so re-wearing shirts and trousers 3-4 times is normal.

Easy Access to Laundry: Most hotels have laundry machines, and coin-operated laundries are found on main streets, so packing fewer clothes is smart.

Clothes not to Carry to Japan in Winter

Skip Indoor Slippers, Towels, and Napkins: No need to pack these; hotels have you covered.

Bathroom Kit: Most places offer good-quality razors, hair combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and shampoos, so you can leave yours at home.

Nightwear: Hotels provide super clean and comfy pyjamas, and you’ll often see guests wearing them in smoking rooms or laundry areas. Most Machiya stays in Kyoto also provide Yukatas.