What's in my bag after traveling to 70 countries & my pre-departure to-do list

I have traveled abroad for various lengths of time, ranging from 0-night 3-day trips to five and a half months.

As I wrote in this article, for someone like me who prefers solo travel, is a worrier, and lacks confidence in my English skills, pre-trip preparation is super important.

To avoid trouble, I have updated my "packing list" and "pre-departure to-do list" with every trip I've taken.

In this article, I will talk about those two things (though I say that, it's nothing special).

5 My Rules

My rules regarding packing are as follows.

1. Prepare thoroughly for trouble

Since I am a worrier, I anticipate all kinds of trouble. What people often laugh at is that I carry three mobile batteries and two iPhone chargers, treating them as valuables on the same level as my passport.

2. Carry-on luggage only

I carry two bags: a backpack and a bag for walking around town. I take both on the plane as carry-on luggage.

Not checking in luggage saves time at check-in and baggage claim, and the risk of lost baggage is zero. Above all, I love the feeling of excitement the moment I get off the plane with my backpack on.

3. Do not rely on local procurement

I get everything I need in Japan. The reason is simple: I don't want to panic locally, and I want to surround myself only with things I like.

4. The lighter the luggage, the better

This may seem to contradict rule 3, but it is a point I am particularly careful about when traveling alone.

This is because if my luggage is heavy, I might think, "I'll just leave my luggage for a second to go to the restroom," and I could be a victim of theft during that time. Also, since it's a trip abroad, I want to avoid a situation where I don't want to move because my luggage is too heavy.

5. Dress like a budget backpacker

While I consider the rank of the hotel, I believe that casual clothing helps prevent trouble. Including my behavior, it is important to be as inconspicuous as possible. I also seal away Japanese-style makeup and hairstyles when I am abroad.

Overseas travel packing list

To ensure I can pack quickly, stress-free, and without forgetting anything, I keep my personal packing list saved in Evernote. It's like a long-standing restaurant's secret sauce, refined over 10 years by adding and removing items based on what I wished I had brought or what I didn't need.

I will introduce the contents of my city-walking bag and my backpack respectively.

Contents of my city-walking bag

The bag I use for walking around the city is the Adidas by Stella McCartney 'Convertible Bum Bag'.

It is a 2-way bag that can be used as a pouch or a backpack, and I mainly use it as a backpack.

I like it because it's easy to use, but the only drawback is that the backpack lid doesn't close tightly. Sometimes things fall out with a thud, so I carry it in front of my body so I can notice immediately if something drops.

Here is the list of contents.

You might think, 'Aren't you carrying too much stuff? You should just leave your PC at the hotel.' Since I have had valuables stolen from a hostel locker in the past, I don't want to leave important things behind when I go out unless I'm staying at a luxury hotel.

Also, as a travel geek and a book geek, I carry a paper book when I go to cafes and such.

The number one choice for a travel companion is a Haruki Murakami work, which offers new discoveries no matter how many times I read it. I also like to bring a mystery novel and spend my free time searching for subtle foreshadowing.

For long-distance travel, I add the following items.

Uniqlo's Ultra Light Down is a travel staple that folds up compactly and is warm. Heattech-style innerwear is also essential.

Something I surprisingly often forget is a USB Type-A cable. Since Type-C cannot always be used at airports or on planes, I always keep one in my bag.

The 100% honey candy not only prevents my throat from drying out, but the sweetness is also perfect for refreshing myself when I'm not feeling well. I'm happy that it doesn't contain any unnecessary ingredients and feels good for the body.

What's in my backpack

My backpack is a Gregory that I bought when I went around the world, and it's 45 liters. This is also the one I'm carrying in my icon.

I pack the following items.

Perhaps a bit unusual is that I carry a spoon with me. This is because I often buy yogurt at supermarkets. Trying local yogurt is one of the joys of traveling.

When traveling alone, my cosmetics are just Orbis sunscreen, Nivea lip balm, Lip Monster, and a Visee eyebrow pencil with a brush. I basically wash it off with face wash, but I also bring a few cleansing sheets in a Ziploc bag. They are convenient for staying at airports or on planes.

My skincare is also simple. I either use an all-in-one type or put face masks in a Ziploc bag to bring along, and at night I add eye cream for moisture. For face wash, I usually go with Fancl or Obagi face wash powder, or a mini size of Bioré's "Ouchi de Este".

On the other hand, I'm the type whose mood drops immediately if my hair gets dry, so I take my hair care products seriously. I bring refills of the products I use in Japan. For leave-in treatment, I use a mini size of N.'s Polish Oil or Ellips hair vitamins.

A recent addition to my travels is the "MediQttO Fluffy & Tight Pajama Leggings." They served as a great item for preventing swelling and keeping warm under jeans on the plane, and as loungewear at the hotel.

Pre-departure to-do list

My pre-departure to-do list looks like this, and I also save this in Evernote. If you go through it from top to bottom, you'll be all set.

What I want to make sure not to forget is pinning locations on Google Maps and downloading the data. I download detailed data around the destination so that I can view it offline.

It's my routine to do only the minimum pinning in advance and then research various things during my free time before boarding.

【For customization】 Overseas travel packing list

So far, I have introduced the "packing list" that I customized for myself.

I'm also posting a more general list that I share with family and friends.

If you have your own list, even if you're a worrier, you'll be fine.

What I value is customizing the list to fit my personality, preferences, and travel style, updating it repeatedly, and keeping it in a state where I can access it immediately. Preparing according to a list gives me a sense of security that "everything is covered," allowing me to focus on the trip.

I have more tips, like carrying clothes in laundry nets, recommended mobile batteries, and why I choose a backpack instead of a suitcase... but this has become quite long, so I'll stop here.

✈️Updated 2025/6/8: I've summarized 7 travel essentials that I'm sure to repeat.