Infinite Travel
Since settling in Japan in 2022, I’ve been on a continuous journey across the country—from the northern wilderness of Hokkaido to the subtropical islands of Okinawa.
Tokyo is my home base, but on average, I’ve been leaving it almost every month, embarking on trips that last a week or longer. It’s been over three years now, and somewhere along the way, travel stopped being an escape and became a way of life.
Before all this, I wasn’t particularly interested in gear or EDC setups. But constant movement changes you—it forces you to rethink what you carry and why. Brand and functionality matter, sure, but I’ve come to value something else: gear that simply feels right.
Inspired by Jeremy Maluf’s Indefinite Backpack Travel, this post is my own ongoing log of the gear I’ve used throughout these years of travel. While Jeremy’s “one-bag” philosophy leans toward pure minimalism, my setup is a touch more flexible—since most of my journeys are road trips, I usually bring a 24-inch suitcase alongside a backpack.
This list will keep evolving, just as my travels do.
What works for me may not work for everyone. But if it sparks an idea or helps refine your own setup, then it’s done its job. There’s no perfect trip—but preparation brings you close.
Backpack
MOUNTAIN Panel Loader 22L (Evergoods × Carryology Edition)
To cut down on weight this year, I swapped out my long-time Manfrotto 30L camera pack for something smaller—the Evergoods MPL22. Designed to balance light outdoor use and daily commuting, it includes hydration-bladder routing, dedicated laptop and tablet sleeves, generous bottle pockets, and well-organized front compartments.
It’s perfect for my current style: day hikes, short treks, and intercity road trips. The Carryology edition uses ULTRA 200tx fabric—stronger, lighter, and more abrasion-resistant—and even hides a small pocket ideal for an AirTag.Sony A7 IV + 24-105 mm Lens
My primary camera for travel photography and blog content. It handles almost every shooting scenario, from mountain landscapes to café interiors.DJI Osmo Pocket 3
My go-to for video and ultra-wide scenic shots—great for filling in the gaps where the Sony’s focal range falls short.999.9 SP-28 Polarized Sunglasses
Essential for driving in Japan’s bright countryside. Lightweight sport frames with Talex lenses designed for drivers and athletes—they cut glare beautifully. I also keep a Zoff pair with magnetic clip-on lenses as backup.Nitecore EDC23 Flashlight
Rural Japan can get really dark. This slim flashlight delivers up to 2500 lumens, charges via USB-C, and has saved me more than once on late-night mountain roads.Anker 140 W Charger
One brick to power everything—MacBook, camera, phone. For shorter trips or Shinkansen rides, I swap it for a smaller Aohi 40 W dual-USB-C charger.
- 9CIVIC Flat Pouch
Perfect organizer for small tech accessories—cables, SD cards, drives, earbuds, lens wipes, and chargers. Even after packing all that, there’s still room left.
Favorite drive: ZHITAI Portable SSD—tiny, fast, reliable.
Clothing
Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid Hoody
One of my favorite pickups of 2024.It hits that sweet spot between warmth and breathability—somewhere between the R1 and R2—but lighter and more comfortable. Works equally well as a mid-layer or outer layer through autumn and winter.Hardshell or Softshell Jacket
As a believer in the three-layer system, my go-tos are a Montbell hardshell for rain and wind, or an Arc’teryx softshell for milder days. The former packs small yet shrugs off sudden downpours; the latter breathes beautifully for long walks or easy climbs.Arc’teryx Cronin Pant
I opted for the nylon version—stretchy, well-cut, and weather-resistant enough for both commuting and trail use.Flower Mountain Shoes
Waterproof, lightweight, and surprisingly capable. I first bought them for the design, but after hiking Asahidake and Kurodake in Hokkaido, I realized they perform just as well as my heavier Hoka Kaha 2 GTX or Salomon Elixir GTX.Merino Wool Socks & Base Layers
Merino has been my go-to for three years now—comfortable in any season, naturally odor-resistant. It pills a bit and costs more, but it’s worth every yen.
When it’s hot, I switch to Tabio, a Japanese brand that makes excellent socks entirely in Japan. One of the few times where “Made in Japan” truly equals quality.
- Arc’teryx Index Gear Organizer 10 L
My compact clothing cube—mesh dividers keep items separate, and the handles make it easy to hang or repurpose as a sling.
- (I’ll share more detailed gear reviews in my year-end “Favorite Gear” roundup.)
Electronics
MacBook Pro 14″ (M2 Pro)
I replaced my old Intel Mac two years ago, and the performance jump was transformative. To me, a new computer should earn back its cost through productivity—and this one did it in just eight days.-
Apple Watch Series 10
Mainly for heart-rate and health tracking. I’ve also started going to the gym weekly this year—the watch automatically syncs with machines, making workouts feel slightly more legitimate. iPhone 16 Pro Max
In Japan, nothing beats an iPhone. Apple Pay works flawlessly, and tapping my Suica card on JR gates feels instantaneous. That said, I’ve still found myself stranded in cash-only countryside shops—searching for ATMs with mild regret.Sony WH-1000XM5
Bought at launch—still one of the best investments I’ve made. It’s been with me on countless flights and Shinkansen rides, and Sony’s noise-canceling tech consistently delivers quiet sleep in loud places.DJI Action 5 Pro
Paired with my old GoPro 9 for car-mount and neck-mount shooting—great for capturing both road-trip footage and hiking moments.
Miscellaneous
TRAVELER’S Notebook Passport Size
Compact and timeless. Mine doubles as a travel journal and stamp book. I customized the leather cover in Kurashiki in 2023, and it’s been with me ever since.Sakura Ballsign ID Gel Pen
My favorite affordable pen—sleek, balanced, available in 0.4 and 0.5 mm. The matte “skin-touch” coating feels premium without attracting lint, and the weighted tip gives it a surprisingly refined hand-feel.Fotopro X-AIRFLY Max Video Tripod
Compact enough to fit in my 24″ suitcase, with a hybrid head for both photo and video use. It supports low-angle shots and even converts into a monopod—versatile for any travel scenario.
- Peak Design Wash Pouch (Small)
Just as the company describes: “elegant simplicity meets thoughtful utility.” Despite its small footprint, it carries everything I need for grooming and first-aid on the road.
Panasonic ES-PV3A Shaver
Light, compact, and perfect for long trips. Shavers are one of those “don’t-want-to-bring-but-can’t-go-without” items—this one strikes the perfect balance.Wise Card
My essential companion for overseas travel—works flawlessly for cash withdrawals in Taiwan, Indonesia, and Singapore.Xiaomi 90-Point Suitcase (24″)
This suitcase has been with me since college—over eight years now—and still going strong. It’s cheap, light, and tough; I’ve taken it across continents, and aside from one replaced handle (20 yuan on Taobao), it’s as reliable as ever.
Currently Considering
RE:FORM Wallet or Bellroy?
After reading Jeremy Maluf’s piece, I was tempted by RE:FORM’s minimalist wallet, but reviews suggest that its materials and QC don’t quite justify the price. I might lean toward Bellroy instead—if you’ve used either, I’d love to hear your thoughts.Haglofs LIM ZT II 30 Backpack
A new ultralight hiking pack released this year—only 600 grams, smartly organized, and surprisingly capable. I first saw it in person at a store, then read their official blog post and got instantly hooked.
Thanks for reading. If you have questions, feedback, or gear recommendations, feel free to leave a comment below—I’ll do my best to reply.
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