Moving Preparation and useful information for moving in Tokyo.

Packing Tips

Packing Tips for Moving in Tokyo

Moving to a new apartment in Tokyo? Whether you're an expat relocating within the city or moving out of Japan, proper packing can save you time, money, and stress on moving day. Here are our expert packing tips based on 15+ years of helping foreigners move in Tokyo.

1. Start Early — Pack from the Back of Your Apartment

One of the most common mistakes when moving apartments in Japan is starting to pack from the entrance or hallway — you'll quickly block your own doorway with boxes! Instead, follow these two golden rules:

• Start from the rooms furthest from the entrance (spare room, storage area, balcony)
• Start with items you rarely use (seasonal clothes, decorations, extra kitchenware)

Dishes and kitchenware take a surprisingly long time to pack, so get those less-used items boxed up early. If your moving day is two weeks away, start packing this weekend — you'll thank yourself later.

2. Declutter Before You Pack — Less Stuff, Lower Cost

Here's a simple truth about moving in Tokyo: the less you have, the cheaper your move will be. Studies show that most people never use items that have been sitting untouched for over a year.

Before you start packing, go through your closets and drawers. Be honest — if you haven't worn it or used it in a year, it's time to let it go. You can donate items, sell them on apps like Mercari, or use a disposal service to remove everything at once.

This is especially important in Tokyo, where apartment sizes are smaller and moving costs are calculated based on volume. A smaller load means a more economical price for your move.

3. Gather Boxes and Packing Materials Early

Don't wait until the night before your move to find boxes! Start collecting free cardboard boxes and newspaper whenever you pass by a supermarket, drugstore, or convenience store. In Tokyo, you can often find clean boxes near the recycling areas of larger stores.

What you'll need:

• Small sturdy boxes — for heavy items like books and dishes
• Medium and large boxes — for clothes, linens, and lighter items
• Newspaper or packing paper — for wrapping fragile items
• Packing tape — reinforce every box, especially the bottom
• Markers — for labeling (see tip #5 below)
• Plastic bags — to line boxes containing liquids or condiments

4. How to Pack Fragile and Special Items

Packing fragile items properly is the key to a damage-free move. Here's how to handle the tricky stuff:

🍽️ Dishes & Kitchenware
Wrap each item individually with newspaper or packing paper. Use crumpled paper as cushioning between items. Stand plates on their edges rather than stacking flat — this greatly reduces the risk of breakage. Pack them in small, sturdy boxes and mark the box as "FRAGILE".

🍾 Bottles & Liquids
Always pack bottles upright. Line the inside of the box with a plastic bag to contain any leaks. Fill gaps with crumpled newspaper so bottles can't shift during transport.

🔪 Knives & Sharp Objects
Wrap blades with thick layers of newspaper and clearly label them as "SHARP". Make sure no blade can poke through the box — this prevents injuries for both you and the moving crew.

🛏️ Futons & Bedding
Fold your futon neatly, place a futon bag over the top, then flip it over. Never put other items inside futon bags — some people stuff fragile items in with bedding, but this often causes more damage, not less.

5. Label Everything — The Room Number System

Good labeling is the secret to fast, stress-free unpacking after your move. Here's a system used by professional movers in Tokyo:

1. Draw a simple floor plan of your new apartment
2. Assign a number to each room (Kitchen = 1, Bedroom = 2, etc.)
3. Write that room number on every box, along with a brief description of the contents
4. Give a copy of the floor plan to the moving team

Pro tip: Write the contents on the side of the box as well as the top. When boxes are stacked, you can still read the side labels without moving anything.

For items stored in drawers, pack each drawer's contents separately so you can easily put everything back in the right place at your new home.

6. Pack an "Open First" Essentials Bag

Even during a move, daily life continues. You'll need certain things right away at your new apartment, so prepare an essentials bag or box and label it clearly as "OPEN FIRST!"

Include items like:

• Change of clothes for 1-2 days
• Toiletries (toothbrush, soap, towel)
• Phone charger
• Basic medications and first-aid supplies
• Toilet paper
• Snacks and a water bottle
• Keys to your new apartment — keep these in your pocket, not in a box!

Think of it like packing for an overnight trip. Carry this bag with you rather than loading it on the truck.

7. Avoid These Common Packing Mistakes

After 15 years of moving expats and foreigners across Tokyo, we've seen these mistakes over and over:

❌ Using paper bags instead of boxes. Paper bags tear easily, are difficult to carry, and can't be stacked. Always use proper cardboard boxes.

❌ Tying books with string instead of boxing them. String-tied stacks are unstable and can injure hands. Always put books and magazines in small boxes.

❌ Overstuffing boxes. If you can't close a box without forcing it, remove some items and use another box. Overstuffed boxes burst open during the move.

❌ Not taping the bottom of boxes. Never just fold the bottom flaps — always reinforce with packing tape in a cross pattern (tape in both directions). This is the #1 cause of boxes breaking open during a move.

❌ Packing heavy items in large boxes. Heavy items (books, dishes, tools) should always go in small boxes. A large box full of books is almost impossible to lift safely.

8. Preparing Appliances for Moving Day

Appliances need special preparation before your moving company arrives. Failing to prepare them properly can cause water leaks in the truck or damage to the appliance itself.

Refrigerator: Empty the fridge and unplug it the day before your move. Plan meals around what's left to minimize food waste. Leave the door slightly open overnight so it can defrost.

Washing Machine: Unplug it and drain any remaining water from the hoses and drum. Make sure nothing is left inside. In Japanese apartments, the drain hose often holds more water than you'd expect — have towels ready.

Kerosene Heaters: If you have a kerosene stove or fan heater (common in Tokyo apartments), drain all remaining fuel completely. Running the heater until it's empty is even better. Remove the ignition batteries as well.

Electronics (TV, PC, Stereo, etc.): Disconnect all cables and bundle them with their remote controls so nothing gets lost. Label each cable with colored tape or numbered stickers — this makes reconnection at your new place much faster. Don't forget to back up your computer data before the move!

9. Keep Valuables With You — Never in the Moving Truck

Always carry your valuables personally on moving day — never pack them in boxes that go on the truck.

Always keep with you:

• Passport and residence card (在留カード)
• Wallet, cash, and credit cards
• Important documents and contracts
• Laptop and external hard drives
• Jewelry and sentimental items
• Keys to your new apartment