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Packing for a long flight to Japan is one of those things I take very seriously.

I know some people can get on a plane with just their passport, phone, and headphones and feel totally fine. I am not that person.

I like to be prepared, especially when I’m flying from Los Angeles to Narita, which is almost a 12-hour flight. I get anxious when I fly, so having the right things with me helps me feel a little more relaxed. I don’t need everything to go perfectly, but I do like knowing I have the essentials with me just in case something happens.

For this trip, I packed everything in my Lo & Sons Melrose Backpack, which has been one of my favorite travel backpacks because it is sleek, organized, and has a detachable pouch that can be used as a purse.

I also filmed a full YouTube video showing exactly what I pack inside my carry-on backpack, so if you want to see everything in action, you can watch that here.

My Carry-On Backpack for Japan

For this flight, I used my Lo & Sons Melrose Backpack.

What I love about this backpack is that it has several compartments, so everything has a place. I use different sections for different categories: important items, flight essentials, liquids, camera gear, tech, and a backup outfit.

The top pouch is especially useful because it detaches and turns into a small purse. This is one of my favorite features because I usually book an exit row seat, and I like to keep my most important items with me at the seat instead of having to reach up into the overhead bin.

Once I get settled, I can keep the small pouch with me, put my jacket over it, and have everything I need within reach.

What I Keep in the Detachable Pouch

This is where I keep the items I want easy access to during the flight. A couple of these items focus on hydration, since long-haul flights tend to leave my skin feeling very dry.

Tissues

I always keep tissues with me. Yes, you can usually ask for tissues on the plane, but I hate having to ask for things if I can just bring them myself.

Flights are also usually cold, and for some reason I always end up needing tissues, so this is one of those small things I never forget.

Hand Lotion

My hands get extremely dry on long flights, so lotion is a must for me.

I usually keep this in my jacket pocket so I don’t have to dig around for it during the flight. It’s one of those little comfort items that makes a big difference when you’re sitting on a plane for hours.

Lip Balms

I like to bring a moisturizing lip balm because my lips get super chapped on long-haul flights. My go-to is Fresh Sugar’s Lip Treatment Balm.

I don’t wear much makeup during the flight, but before we arrive, I like to freshen up a little. I like to add a little color to my lips before landing and Violette_FR’s Bisou Balm is really easy to apply. It’s a sheer matte lipstick with a hydrating balm. This balm adds a flush of color with a subtle blurring effect for a just-been-kissed lip look.

Fresh Sugar Lip balm

Travel Size Tissue

Travel Size Hand Cream

Violette_FR Bisou Balm

Travel Wallet for Japan

For most international trips, I do not always bring a full wallet. But for Japan, I do.

Japan still has a lot of places where cash is useful, especially smaller shops, local restaurants, temples, shrines, markets, and random little places that may not take credit cards.

I also always end up with a lot of coins in Japan. Every single trip, it happens.

That’s why I like using a wallet with a coin pouch. Mine also has separate sections, so I can keep Japanese yen on one side and U.S. dollars on the other. It makes it much easier to stay organized when I’m going back and forth between currencies.

Small Medication Pouch

I also bring a small pouch with over-the-counter medications.

Inside, I usually keep things like:

Advil
Dramamine
Imodium
NyQuil
Allergy medicine
Gum
Alcohol wipes
Small plastic bags

Japan has pharmacies and over-the-counter medication readily available, so it is not like you cannot buy things once you arrive. But when I’m on a 12-hour flight, I like having these things with me.

If I get a headache, feel nauseous, or need something during the flight, I don’t want to be stuck without it.

This is not something I only bring when I travel either. I usually keep a version of this pouch in my purse at all times.

Lo & Sons Wallet

Coin Purse

AirFly

Airpod Necklace

Compact Mirror

Single Use Wipes

To-Go Wipes

Nasal Saline Spray

Airpods, AirFly, and Backup Headphones

For long flights, I always bring my AirPods because I usually watch movies or shows during the flight.

To connect my AirPods to the airplane entertainment system, I use an AirFly. You just plug it into the airplane screen and then pair it with your AirPods. It makes watching movies so much more comfortable because you don’t have to use the wired headphones they give you.

I also bring a little AirPods necklace so I don’t lose them. AirPods can easily fall out during a flight, especially if you fall asleep, so this helps keep them secure.

And because I like to overprepare, I also bring wired Apple headphones as a backup. My AirPods have never failed me on a flight, but just in case they do, I like having another option.

Passport and Important Items

Of course, my passport goes in the detachable pouch too.

This is one of those items I want with me at all times. I don’t like putting it in a random compartment where I have to search for it later, especially when going through the airport, boarding, or filling out any arrival forms.

I also keep a small mirror in here so I can do a quick touch-up before landing.

Disinfecting Wipes

When I get to my seat, I wipe everything down.

The tray table, armrests, seat area, screen, buttons, anything I can wipe down. I know some people may think this is a lot, but I always feel better after doing it.

I usually bring travel-size disinfecting wipes or single-use wipes, but I prefer the single-use wipes.

What I Keep in the Front Pocket

The front pocket of the backpack is where I keep some of my smaller items and liquids.

I used to carry more liquids in my carry-on, but now I try to put most of them in my checked luggage. For this flight, I kept it pretty minimal.

Saline Spray

This was my first time bringing saline spray on a flight, but airplane air can be so dry, so I wanted to try it.

Ray-Ban Meta Glasses

I packed my Ray-Ban Meta glasses in this pocket too. I like using them when I want to record things hands-free, especially while traveling.

Pen

I always like having a pen with me when I travel internationally. You never know when you’ll need to fill something out.

Plastic Bag

I keep a small plastic bag in my backpack just in case. It’s useful for trash, wet items, or anything I want to keep separate.

Bandolier’s Phone Wristlet

Sometimes I wear my phone crossbody with a strap, but if I don’t have the strap on me, I like using a phone wristlet. It makes it easier to hold onto my phone when I’m walking through the airport or filming.

Carabiner

I also keep a carabiner in my bag. This comes in handy if I need to attach something to the outside of my backpack (like trash) or if I run out of room inside.

narita airport bathroom selfit — Bathroom selfie at narita airport

departures terminal 2 narita airport — departures terminal narita airport

My Camera Compartment

One of the bottom compartments of the backpack is what I use as my camera section.

Inside, I pack:

My Sony camera & camera accessories
External hard drive

I like having all of my camera gear together in one section so I know exactly where everything is.

I also use a small soft pouch from Daiso to cover my battery pack. It was originally meant to go over a bottle, but I thought it worked perfectly for protecting the battery pack and keeping it from scratching my camera.

Tech and Chargers

I also bring a retractable USB C charger that works for my iPhone and other devices as well as travel size power bank.

For long travel days, I like having multiple ways to charge my phone, camera, and other gear. I use my phone so much when traveling, especially for photos, video, maps, and airport information, so I don’t want to risk running out of battery.

I have also seen a lot of travel posts recently mentioning that battery pack information needs to be visible when flying, so I try to keep that in mind when packing mine.

Side Pockets

The side pockets are perfect for miscellaneous items.

On one side, I keep my selfie stick and on the other side, I put my bottled water.

Bandolier Wristlet

Bandolier Case

Compact Selfie Stick

Travel Battery Power Bank

What I Pack in the Main Compartment

The main compartment is where I keep the bulkier items.

Feminine Products

I always bring feminine products just in case. Even if I don’t think I’ll need them, I would rather have them with me.

One Extra Outfit

I always pack one extra day of clothes in my carry-on backpack.

For this trip, I packed:

Underwear
Pants
A top

I usually keep this outfit simple and black so it’s easy to wear if needed.

This is mainly in case my checked luggage gets lost or delayed. It’s also helpful if a flight gets diverted or something unexpected happens and I end up needing an extra outfit.

It has never been a major issue for me, but again, this is one of those things that helps me feel more prepared.

Room for Onigiri (Rice Balls)

On the morning of my flight, I also like to leave a little extra room in my backpack for snacks.

For Japan flights, I usually like to make a couple of onigiri (rice balls). It’s easy, filling, and much better than relying only on airplane food.

Laptop Compartment

This backpack also has a padded laptop compartment on the side.

I try not to bring my laptop unless I really need it because it adds weight, but it is nice having the option.

Final Thoughts

I know I pack a lot, but I would rather be overprepared than stressed during a long flight. Flying makes me anxious, so having my essentials, comfort items, medication pouch, tech gear, and one backup outfit helps me feel a little more at ease.

And once I take my Dramamine, I can usually relax, sleep, and wake up in Japan.