Recently, we traveled with our 4–5 month old baby for a 2-night, 3-day trip in Japan.
This time, we traveled from Tokyo by the limited express train “Azusa,” stayed at a traditional ryokan, visited Suwa Taisha Shrine for our baby’s omiyamairi, and also spent time at our family home nearby.
Before becoming parents, traveling with a baby felt intimidating. We were not sure how much we needed to bring or what would actually become useful during the trip.
So in this article, we wanted to share the baby items we actually packed, what helped us the most, and what we were glad we brought extra of.
We hope this becomes helpful for families planning:
- travel with a baby in Japan
- visiting family with a newborn
- omiyamairi trips
- train travel with babies
- staying at a ryokan with a baby
Baby Travel Checklist We Actually Used
Milk & Feeding
- Milk disinfectant packets (“Milton”-style)
- Bottle drying stand
- Large freezer bags
- Thermos bottle with hot water
- Water for baby formula
- Meiji Hohoemi Cube formula
- Liquid formula packs
- Baby bottles + extra disposable bottles
- Nursing pads
While going out, we mostly used ready-to-feed liquid formula because it made feeding much easier during train rides and sightseeing.
We still brought a thermos with hot water just in case.
The cube-type formula was also extremely convenient because we did not need to measure powder while traveling.
Clothes
- 4 rompers
- 4 bodysuits
- Socks
- Leg warmers
- Swaddle blanket
- Special outfit for omiyamairi
We were surprised by how many clothes we ended up using because of spit-up, drool, and milk stains.
Bringing extra clothes gave us peace of mind.
Diapers & Hygiene
- About 15 diapers
(+ extra diapers prepared for us at our family home) - 2 packs of wipes
- Gauze cloths
- Sanitizing spray
- Baby soap
- Moisturizing cream
- Prescription ointment
- Inflatable baby bathtub
- Mother-and-baby health handbook set
- Insurance card and medical documents
We actually brought a portable inflatable baby bathtub, but in the end we did not need to use it because we could wash our baby directly in the bath at the ryokan and family home.
We were very glad we packed extra diapers. During travel, babies’ routines can change unexpectedly, and having extras made us feel much more relaxed.
Things That Also Helped Us
Compression bags
Compression bags helped reduce the volume of clothes and blankets in our luggage, especially for the train ride.
Portable baby mattress
Having a familiar sleeping mat made naps and bedtime feel more comfortable for our baby during the trip.
Toys
Small toys became surprisingly important during train rides and quiet moments at the ryokan.
Two pacifiers
Having an extra pacifier helped more than we expected, especially in case one fell or became difficult to clean while outside.
Temperature & humidity monitor
We found ourselves checking room temperature and humidity often, especially because babies can be sensitive to dry air and changing environments.
Small humidifier
A compact tabletop humidifier helped keep the room comfortable during the stay, especially at night and in dry hotel rooms.
Things That Helped Us Most
1. Bottle disinfectant packets
At home, we can sterilize bottles normally, but while traveling, facilities are more limited.
The portable disinfectant packets made everything much easier and gave us peace of mind.
(The items I’m about to introduce don’t seem to be available on Amazon.com, so I’d like to share links for Amazon.co.jp instead.)
2. Bottle drying stand
One thing we did not expect was how difficult it can be to dry baby bottles cleanly while traveling.
Ryokan sinks and hotel wash areas are often small, so having a compact drying stand was surprisingly helpful.
3. Meiji Hohoemi Cube Formula
For baby travel in Japan, cube-type formula was incredibly convenient.
No measuring was needed, and it was easy to carry during train rides, sightseeing, and overnight stays.
We were very glad we packed it.
Things We Were Glad We Packed Extra Of
Clothes
Babies go through more clothes than expected during travel because of drool, spit-up, and milk spills.
Baby bottles & nipples
Even though bottles can be washed and reused, timing does not always work perfectly during travel days.
Diapers
Travel changes a baby’s normal routine, so having extras felt reassuring.
Final Thoughts
Traveling with a baby definitely means carrying more luggage.
But after actually doing the trip, we realized that the more prepared we were, the more relaxed and enjoyable the experience became.
We also found ourselves thinking more about unexpected situations, such as train delays caused by weather or emergencies.
We hope this article becomes helpful for anyone planning:
- travel with a 4–5 month old baby
- omiyamairi trips
- overnight travel with a baby in Japan 🇯🇵
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