One bag to Japan — in 21L and 7kg.

This post is to inspire how it’s totally do-able to travel to the other side of the globe with only a 21L backpack weighing in at 7kg or less. This is all I need for my adventure from California to Japan in a GoRuck GR1 21L.

Total weight fully packed: 7kg (on the dot) — the weight limit for ZipAir. Only excluded is the camera around my neck.

Contents of the bag

• 
  01

  Montbell Puffy Jacket

  Plasma 1000 Down Jacket, Size XL, ordered from montbell.com. This is the Japanese version, which has pockets (unlike the American version). It weighs a mere 4.8 ounces and packs down to the size of a baseball for when you’re not wearing it. Excellent warmth layer to have under a rain shell on those cold Hokkaido nights.

• 
  02

  Vasco Translator V4

  I bought this after using Google Translate on my phone the first two trips I made to Japan. When you are underground in the subways without cell signal, you can’t use Google Translate. This little device works offline, takes photos of signs and translates them for you, and has almost real-time translation at the press of a side button. More convenient than using my phone.

• 
  03

  Zeiss Lens Wipes

  Needed to keep my camera lenses clean, my iPhone/iPad screen clean, or even my watch face clean. They weigh almost nothing.

• 
  04

  Hero Clip

  I put this on the top handle of my backpacks when traveling. If you ever want to keep your bag off the ground in a questionable place (e.g. the men’s restroom), you just use this thing to hang your bag virtually anywhere — or hang it in your hotel room to keep it off the floor. Also handy for clipping an extra bag to yours when shopping. Holds up to 60 pounds.

• 
  05

  Lonely Planet Fast Talk Japanese book

  I’ll re-read this little book on the 13-hour flight to brush up on basic words and phrases. I want to show respect to the cultures and countries I visit by learning as much as I can and not imposing my own language or customs on others. Most Japanese people know a lot of English but are shy to try it — I’ll embarrass myself trying to speak Japanese instead.

• 
  06

  Eye mask

  Handy on the flight when trying to sleep, and in hotel rooms with outside city lights peeking through the windows. With a 16-hour time difference, any little gear that might help is worth trying.

• 
  07

  Snow Peak Titanium Chopsticks

  For convenience-store food, I want my own utensils that can be easily washed and re-used. These titanium chopsticks feel great in hand and weigh almost nothing.

• 
  08

  Snow Peak Titanium Fork and Spoon

  Sometimes it’s hard to eat certain foods with chopsticks, so this is my backup. I plan to try more foods from 7-11 this time around, so these should come in handy.

• 
  09

  Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones

  I flew once with only Apple AirPods Pro and regretted it: they got uncomfortable after 2+ hours and their battery life was short. I bought these at the airport on the way home. No regrets — great for blocking out sound and getting immersed in a movie during the flight.

• 
  10

  Montbell Versatile Jacket Rain Shell

  Looks like this jacket has been discontinued, but I bought it for its ultra-light weight of 6 ounces. It packs down to the size of a baseball. I prefer rain jackets to umbrellas to keep my hands free, and I’m almost certain it will rain in Japan, so this is a must-have.

• 
  11

  Nemo Fillo Elite Luxury Pillow

  My last ZipAir flight had a lay-flat seat, but I still couldn’t get my head comfortable. When deflated this is the size of a tennis ball and will help me actually fall asleep on the long 13-hour flight. I keep it on top of my bag for quick access.

• 
  12

  Anker Battery

  While finding the link for the battery I was going to bring, I found this one instead: 25,000 mAh with two built-in cables. It weighs a whopping 1.3 pounds, so my travel-hack cheat is putting it in my pocket at weigh-in to stay under 7kg. A battery in Japan is a must — you’ll be using your phone non-stop for directions, translation, and Suica.

• 
  13

  Cotton Hank from Japan

  No link — just a simple cotton hank. Handy for random stuff: wrapping your camera in your bag, drying your hands in Japan bathrooms that never have hand dryers, etc.

• 
  14

  Gitzo Mini Traveler tripod

  After a lot of research, the lightest, most deluxe travel tripod money can buy. It pairs with my iPhone 16 Pro Max and Leica Q3 43 for selfies and long-exposure night shots (trailing light effect). Weighs only 245g.

• 
  15

  Maui Jim Foldable Sunglasses

  My all-time favorite model — unfortunately discontinued. They folded down into a tiny travel case. Most Japanese people don’t wear sunglasses at all, but this white boy with blue eyes needs them when the sunlight is strong.

• 
  16

  Aer Slim Pouch X-pac

  Holds all my electronic accessories in one organized place. Lots of zips and pockets to keep your stuff in its proper place.

• 
  17

  Apple USB-C to SD Card reader

  This little dongle takes my SD card from the Leica and imports photos quickly to my iPad Pro or iPhone. Wireless transfer works, but I like the speed of this dongle.

• 
  18

  Magnetic Cell Phone Stand

  Another discontinued item, but it weighs very little and uses magnets to keep your phone standing on its own while watching movies on the plane.

• 
  19

  iPhone holder for Tripods

  For a selfie with the travel tripod and my iPhone, this is what I attach to the tripod. Without an Apple Watch, I also need a little wireless remote shutter to trigger the camera.

• 
  20

  25L Ultralight Shopping Bag by Nanobag

  Packs down to something smaller than a golf ball and weighs less than one ounce. For when I go shopping and can’t fit it all in the 21L GoRuck — clip it on with the HeroClip (above).

• 
  21

  Anker USB Charger (737 GaNPrime)

  120W, charges up to three things at once. I’ll charge my Anker battery while also charging my phone and either my camera, translator, or iPad. This plug works in both Japan and the US without an adapter — Japan has no third (grounding) prong.

• 
  22

  White Noise machine

  Truly tiny and very light. In a noisy hotel room, this drowns out the outside world so you can rest better. I prefer it to earplugs, and a dedicated device means no other dings, interruptions, or blips.

• 
  23

  Anker Nano small USB charger

  A “just in case” item I probably don’t need, but will bring anyway. 30W in a tiny package, as a backup to the 737.

• 
  24

  3ft USB-C cables

  Anker makes the best USB cables — silicone-coated and they function beautifully. I’m bringing 3 total, 3 feet each.

• 
  25

  US Currency

  Just in case my Yen runs out and I need to exchange USD. I do this instead of a debit card — no risk of my main checking account being compromised abroad, and no need to open a new account.

• 
  26

  Silicone drain plug

  Seems weird, but it’s a life-saver for sink laundry. Most sinks have a plug that isn’t sealed tight and you’ll lose water. This plops over the hole and keeps your soapy laundry water where it should be.

• 
  27

  Tom Bihn toiletry kit (standard spiff kit)

  Lightweight and waterproof with just the right amount of space, plus a little hanger hook.

• 
  28

  Magnesium and Melatonin

  It’s hard to adapt to sleep going from the US to Japan. Magnesium helps me relax and sleep better; melatonin helps my body learn it’s time to sleep when it’s dark. I bring it because I don’t think they even sell it in Japan.

• 
  29

  Tide Laundry Travel packs

  For sink laundry. I don’t count on a laundry machine anywhere I stay, so I go ready to wash my own clothes in the sink. My wife thinks that’s gross, but it’s not — the cleanliness in Japan is incredible.

• 
  30

  Salt Crystal Travel Deodorant stick

  Last time I forgot deodorant and bought some in Japan — whatever chemical they use burned like hell and wouldn’t wash off. Lesson learned: bring your own. This salt-based deodorant is unscented and works well (and lasts forever). I choose unscented because the Japanese tend not to wear much scent.

• 
  31

  Sea to Summit Clothing Line

  After sink laundry, squeeze the water out, roll the item in a towel, then hang it on this line to dry overnight. Max exposure to air for fast drying in your hotel room.

• 
  32

  Tiny travel hair gel

  Bought this super tiny thing last time I was in Japan. You can easily buy stuff like this when you get there.

• 
  33

  Norelco OneBlade Electric Shaver

  Most Japan hotels provide a razor daily, but it’s nice to have your own option. Small and lightweight — clean shave to beard trimming. 154 grams, charges via USB-A.

• 
  34

  Toothbrush with cover

  Cocofloss toothbrushes are my favorite — very soft and won’t damage your gum tissue. These toothbrush covers work great as well.

• 
  35

  Tweezers

  German-made, and I love products made in Japan and Germany — both have very high standards of design and production quality. Just in case of a splinter, bee sting, or random hair to pluck.

• 
  36

  Nail clips

  Again, the German ones. Japan makes some mighty fine nail clips too — just buy some when you get there if you don’t already have the best clippers on earth.

• 
  37

  Prescription medication

  I have a prescription I must bring. They say to be ready to show proof it was prescribed to you, and to check Japan’s list of illegal drugs before traveling with anything drug-related — they are much stricter than the USA.

• 
  38

  Travel bidet by CuloClean

  Almost everywhere in Japan has a built-in bidet (some of the finest toilets on earth). In the extremely rare event my hotel doesn’t, this thing is TINY and works with any water bottle.

• 
  39

  Clothing container

  This one is by GoRuck, clamshell opening. Any compression-type option keeps your clothes organized, compressed, and in a small space.

• 
  40

  Clothing container (opened up)

  The same container, opened. I like the mesh for airflow — you don’t want to trap moisture in with your clothes.

• 
  41

  One hat, two shirts, two underwear

  The bucket hat is super light and packs down. My two shirts are by Herleon — “the world’s cleanest shirts,” and they really resist odor better than any material I’ve tried. The underwear is by ExOfficio, great for sink washing because it dries extremely fast.

• 
  42

  Face mask, pants, two socks, buff, and stretch strap

  Just in case I catch a cold, my own fancy face mask (all black with special filtration). The pants are ultralight, waterproof, by GoRuck. The buff covers my neck when it’s freezing, or my face/eyes when sleeping. The stretch strap is for stretching out my legs and hamstrings after a long day of walking.

• 
  43

  iPad Pro with pen

  For photo and video editing with Final Cut Pro and Lightroom, importing from the SD card with the dongle (item 17). Also for movies on the plane and reading e-books.

• 
  44

  Yen Currency

  I bring more than I probably need, since many big-ticket items can go on a credit card. Cash is just in case a vendor only accepts cash.

• 
  45

  Silk currency holder

  By Eagle Creek — the only silk undercover money belt I could find; everything else was polyester or a blend. Silk feels better and won’t smell as quickly if you sweat. I wear it under my clothing with all my yen.

• 
  46

  Fully loaded 21L backpack

  At the ZipAir limit of 7kg. My only cheat is removing the battery at weigh-in. I fly Los Angeles to Tokyo, then to Sapporo, in compliance on size and weight. It always fits under the seat in front of me. One of the best bags ever made, in my opinion — and I’ve tried them all. Waterproof, tough, and comfortable.

So there you have it — you can travel across the globe with only one small backpack. Anything you forget or need can likely be bought there upon arrival. When I find stuff to buy in Japan, I either ship it home from a Japan post office or buy a suitcase there to fill and check on the way home.