Small, organized bags make inn hops and luggage forwarding easier, and keep what you carry on your back light.
A small, ventilated daypack is the right size for a trail day when your main bag is being forwarded to the next inn.
Keep in mind: Wear it on your front, or hold it, on crowded trains; that's the local etiquette.
When you sleep somewhere new every night, cubes turn unpacking into pulling out one bag. They also make it easy to split a one-night kit into your daypack when the big bag goes ahead.
Keep in mind: Label one cube as your 'tonight' cube for nights when luggage is forwarded and arrives a day later.
Ryokan washrooms and small city hotels often have little counter space. A hook-on bag keeps everything off the floor and in one place.
Keep in mind: Many inns supply toothbrushes, razors and body wash, so you can pack less than you think.
Inns and onsen usually provide towels, but a quick-dry one is useful on trail days, after a footbath, or for wiping sweat on a hot climb.
Keep in mind: At an onsen, your small towel never goes into the bath water. Fold it on your head or leave it at the edge.
Rain is part of travel in Japan, and the Kii Peninsula and Hakone are both wet places. A small auto-open umbrella is easy to carry and easy to open with one hand.
Keep in mind: Many shops and temples have umbrella stands or plastic sleeves at the door. Use them.
Kumano · Wakayama
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