This July, we’re heading to Japan, and we can’t wait! We booked this trip ages ago, and it’s suddenly coming up so quickly. I’ve been brushing up on my international travel checklist and starting to dream up all of the fun outfit ideas.
I always love sharing my packing lists here, so today I thought it might be helpful to chat about what to wear in Japan for a summer trip. I’ll break everything down by activity and location so you can see exactly what I plan to wear for each part of the trip — and hopefully get some summer outfit inspiration along the way!
What’s Culturally Appropriate to Wear in Japan
I’ve been doing a lot of research on what’s culturally appropriate to wear in Japan. From everything I’ve read, people tend to dress a bit more modestly there compared to the U.S., so I’m keeping this in mind as I plan outfits.
And if you plan to visit any temples during your trip, you’ll especially want to dress appropriately and keep things a bit more covered on those days.
What to Wear in Japan in the Heat
Another thing I’m keeping in mind is the summer heat. Being from Florida, we’re no strangers to hot and humid weather, but I’ve heard there’s a lot more walking in Japan. Whereas in Florida, we’re usually retreating to the AC or the ocean when the heat hits, that’s not always the case while traveling. So deciding what to wear in Japan in July feels a bit trickier.
As always, the goal is to stay comfortable while still looking put together. I’ve been trying to shop my own closet and pull breathable pieces that I think will work, while also filling in the gaps along the way. I’m thinking that as long as I pack plenty of natural fibers and take some breaks, we should be good.
And of course, I’ll be bringing my trusty fan and a spritz spray with me as well!
Summer Makeup to Pack
On the flip side, there is one nice bonus to packing for the heat — minimal makeup. I’ve learned there’s really no point in going all out with makeup if it’s just going to sweat off anyway, so I’ll be keeping things very simple for this trip.
I plan to pack tinted SPF, a highlighter stick, concealer, a favorite lip balm, and volumizing mascara.
What to Wear in Japan in the Summertime
Okay, now onto the fun part — what to wear in Japan! After taking both the heat and cultural considerations into account, I’ve come up with a few outfit ideas. You’ll notice a theme with these looks — they’re all simple, classic, and comfortable. That makes them not only great for our trip, but also styles I’ll be wearing all season long!
Fish Market in Tokyo Outfit
We plan to visit a fish market in Tokyo, and I think it’s going to be such a unique and memorable experience. We’ll be doing a lot of walking and browsing that day, so I’m especially focused on casual comfort.
This striped button-down is one of my go-to styles, and I plan to pair it with these linen pants. I love the comfy pull-on waistband. These neutral sandals match everything and will hopefully keep my feet from aching.
Since this look is pretty simple, I thought I’d dress it up a bit with a few elevated accessories, including these retro-style sunnies, timeless drop earrings, and a pop of color on my lips.
Outfit for a Shopping Day in Ginza
One of the activities I’m most excited about is a shopping day in Ginza. What can I say? Your girl loves to shop! Naturally, I’ve been thinking about what to wear in Japan for a full day of shopping. I want to look elevated and put together, while still feeling comfortable for all of the walking.
I’ve landed on this scoop-back white maxi dress. I can’t get over the design — it’s timeless, elegant, and still so simple. I plan to style it with these champagne gold sandals and a large straw tote to hold all of my finds!
Touring Tokyo Outfit
We’ll be spending a few days touring Tokyo, as I know there is so much to see and do in the area. So I’ve put together two different outfits for these sightseeing days.
First up is a super casual look — these fun striped poplin pants paired with this breathable $25 white tee. I’ll slide on the gold sandals again, add these classic sunglasses, and grab my pleated sunhat to help beat the heat!
Dressier Touring Tokyo Outfit
For the second day spent touring Tokyo, I plan to dress things up a bit with this beautiful white dress featuring the prettiest floral embroidery. I’ll keep the sandals and sunnies the same, but add my favorite pair of gold hoops and this chic nylon bag, which is perfect for a day of sightseeing and shopping!
Onsen Spa Day Outfit
I’m very much looking forward to a relaxing spa day at the Onsen natural hot springs. For this look, I’ll be packing some of my favorite classic poolside staples with a few added pops of color.
This chic white swimsuit is truly timeless, and the removable belt makes it super flattering. I always love wearing an oversized button-down and printed pareo on top because they can easily take me from the pool to lunch to shopping.
I plan to add these beautiful blue earrings and fun jelly sandals for a playful pop of color.
Outfit for Touring Temples in Japan
If you’re wondering what to wear in Japan for a temple tour, my advice is to lean into a more conservative look. I want to make sure my outfit keeps me covered while also not overheating, which can be a bit tricky.
I plan to wear this timeless navy shirtdress, which is incredibly flattering. This is one of those styles I reach for over and over again. It’s sleeveless, which will feel great outdoors, but inside the temples I’ll layer my favorite cashmere wrap on top to cover my arms.
I’ll complete this outfit with these fun floral earrings, the perfect straw tote, and my favorite wrap sandals, which I’ve walked hundreds of miles in and still find incredibly comfortable!
Nara Sightseeing Outfit
Lastly, we plan to spend a day visiting Nara, which looks absolutely beautiful. Again, we’ll be doing quite a bit of walking and sightseeing that day, so comfort is key.
I plan to pair this neutral linen maxi skirt with a simple $15 white tee for a casual yet put-together look. I’ll repeat some of the shoes and accessories from previous outfits, including this green tote, these retro sunglasses, neutral flip flops, and this non-toxic lip balm.
What to Wear in Japan in 2026
If you have an upcoming trip, I hope these ideas on what to wear in Japan are helpful. And if you’re staying closer to home, I truly think all of these styles make great summer outfits, no matter where you’re spending your days!
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