Sometimes, bringing the right gear to certain travel destinations can make or break a trip. Here’s some things that I packed for Okinawa that proved useful.
FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Waterproof, Breathable Rain Poncho – Amazon link →
Rain, so much rain. It rains a lot in Okinawa. In fact, August averages 9.4 inches and 14 days of rain. You need something to deal with this and, for me, a poncho was the ideal choice. I was able to be hands-free and have enough material to cover my “water resistant” backpack. A lot of people had umbrellas but, in my opinion, a poncho beats an umbrella every time.
SinkSuds Laundry Detergent, Travel Size Liquid Soap – Amazon link →
I have been on a mission to get down to single carry-on bag international travel. While I haven’t had the guts to actually do it, I have been making changes to how I pack so that once I jump in with both feet, I won’t regret it. Packing lighter, i.e. fewer items, is where travel laundry soap comes in. These small packets are enough to do a decent sized load of laundry in a hotel room sink or bath tub. I did a trial run in Okinawa and it was a success. Washing my outfit for the flight home along with some underwear and socks was completely painless. These gems will be a staple in my luggage going forward.
CamelBak Chute Mag BPA Free Water Bottle – Amazon link →
Tossing this into my backpack was a last minute thought as I was walking out the door headed to the airport. Boy oh boy am I glad I did. I drank SO much water in that terrible Okinawan heat and having this water bottle avoided extra costs as well as extra garbage that I would have had to carry around in the form of empty disposable water bottles. I like this bottle specifically because it has a secure cap that stays attached and out of the way via a magnet and the spout is large allowing ample flow when used. I really don’t like water bottles that require sucking or squeezing so this was perfect.
Reusable Wine Bags for Travel – Amazon link →
In my research I learned that, in Japan, it was customary to bring your host a gift. I also learned that a lot of Japanese folks really like American bourbon. These travel wine bags fit a fifth of bourbon perfectly, even though it was shorter and stouter than a typical wine bottle. The bags are reusable, light weight, and take minimal space, so I’ll always have one or two in my luggage just in case I find that perfect bottle of something that I want to bring home.
Cooling Towel – Amazon link →
Towels like these were recommended by several blogs and YouTube sites for locations that are hot. Wetting the towel and wrapping it around my neck, I found that it did a decent job cooling me off, likely because of the cooling effect it had on the blood flowing through that area. As the towel dried off, I would move it under my hat where it hung over my ears and neck. It probably looked ridiculous but it created enough shade to prevent sunburn and keep me just a bit cooler. That also positioned it perfect for wiping all the sweat from my brow.
Anker USB C Charger(Nano II 65W) – Amazon link →
I use this charger all the time and, when travelling, I don’t leave home without it. It fast charges my Samsung Galaxy S23 as well as anything else I throw at it. It seems well built, like everything Anker, and it just works. Fits the standard Japanese 2-pronged outlets.
Manhattan Portage Coin Purse – Amazon link →
A lot of my Okinawa research indicated that Japan is a cash forward society and that there is a lot of coinage used. Most articles I read recommended a coin purse of some sort. I picked this one because it seemed durable and secure. The coin purse was perfectly sized to hold all the coins I received as well as a credit card and hotel door card. It was sized just right to fit in my pocket and, being made of fabric, was unobtrusive.
Anker PowerCore III 10,000 mAh Wireless Portable Charger – Amazon link →
The Anker PowerCore III is your standard portable charger that offers both wireless Qi charging and fast charging for my Samsung Galaxy S23. There’s not a lot to say about it other than it is well built and performs its function flawlessly.
👉 Have you been to Japan or another hot, rainy climate? What gear saved your trip? Let me know in the comments.
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