Tokyo dresses well and quietly. Match it and you'll be treated as a guest rather than a tourist.
By season#
| Season | Months | Wear |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | A real coat, layers, scarf, gloves; dry and cold (Jan, Feb, Dec) |
| Spring | Mar–May | Layers, a light jacket, an umbrella in March (Mar, Apr, May) |
| Rainy season | June–mid July | Light clothes that dry, a compact umbrella, puddle-proof shoes (June) |
| Summer | July–Sept | Lightest clothes, hat, towel, fan, a layer for AC (Jul, Aug, Sep) |
| Autumn | Oct–Nov | Shirts and a jacket, then a coat by late November (Oct, Nov) |
The dress codes you'll meet#
- Shrines and temples: covered shoulders, nothing very short. Unenforced, noticed.
- Good restaurants, hotel bars, department store dining: smart casual. No flip-flops, no gym wear.
- Onsen, sento, gyms: tattoos covered or private baths (the guide).
- Clubs: some want smart shoes; nightlife guide.
- Ryokan: they give you a yukata; wear it.
Shoes#
Slip-on, comfortable, clean. You'll remove them daily in temples, some restaurants with tatami, ryokan, fitting rooms and any home. Socks matter. Heels and laced boots are a daily chore.
What Tokyoites wear#
Neat, understated, well-fitted, muted colours, nothing ripped or loud, long sleeves in summer against the sun, a mask when they have a cold. Women dress modestly on top; short skirts are normal, low necklines aren't. Men wear trousers more than shorts. You don't have to copy it, but a clean shirt and real shoes get you a better table.
Pack#
Season above, plus: a compact umbrella (or buy one for a few hundred yen at any konbini), a hand towel, a tote for shoes-off situations, a layer for air conditioning, and one smart outfit for the dinner you booked. First time in Tokyo has the rest of the list.
Ask a Tokyoite#
What people wear in Shimokitazawa on a Saturday, whether that restaurant cares about trainers, how cold the evenings really are this week: post your dates on Roavi Community and Local Friends answer. A Local Friend is also the person to go out with, dressed right.
Packing for Tokyo? Ask someone who lives there what's right this month.
Post your tripFrequently Asked Questions
What should I wear in Tokyo in summer (July and August)?
The lightest, loosest clothes you own, a hat, a small towel for your neck like everyone else, a folding fan, and a light layer for air conditioning that runs cold. Locals wear long light sleeves against the sun; shorts and vests are fine but read as tourist.What should I wear in Tokyo in October and November?
Layers: shirts and a light jacket in October, a jacket or light coat with a layer underneath in November, a scarf by late November. Walking shoes. It's the best dressing weather of the year.Are there dress codes in Tokyo?
Some: covered shoulders and no very short shorts in shrines and temples (unenforced but noticed), smart casual at good restaurants and hotel bars, no tattoos visible in most onsen and gyms, smart shoes at a few clubs. Everywhere else, neat and clean is the only rule.What shoes should I bring to Tokyo?
Comfortable walking shoes you can slip off without sitting down, because you'll remove them in temples, some restaurants, ryokan, changing rooms and homes. Clean socks without holes. Heels and lace-up boots are a daily nuisance.
