Packing for a move can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure where to start. It’s not uncommon to find yourself stuck, unsure of the first steps, or frustrated when progress isn’t going as planned. 

To pack efficiently, you need to know the clear steps. If you pack without a strategy, you may end up wasting time and effort. In this article, we’ll share step-by-step instructions, useful tips, and key points to keep in mind to make your move as smooth as possible. 

At Village House, we offer over 1,000 rental properties across Japan. If you are looking for a new home to move to, be sure to check out our website for more information! 

Essentials packing materials

Cardboard boxes 

Cardboard boxes are essential for storing your belongings during a move. Make sure to prepare the necessary number of boxes in advance based on the volume of items you need to pack. Some moving companies may even provide cardboard boxes for free as part of their services, so be sure to check with them beforehand. 

Packing tape or cloth tape 

Packing tape and cloth tape are versatile tools that come in handy for sealing cardboard boxes and securing your belongings. When sealing or reinforcing boxes, it’s best to use strong, durable tape with high adhesive power to ensure everything stays securely in place during the move. 

 Permanent markers 

Permanent markers are crucial for labeling the surface of the cardboard boxes. It’s a good idea to have both black and red markers at hand. Use the black marker to write descriptions like “Tableware” or “Clothes” to indicate the contents of each box. Meanwhile, the red marker can be used for writing important notices for extra caution, such as “Fragile” or “This Side Up,” in a highly visible color to ensure proper handling during the move. 

Newspapers and cushioning materials 

Newspapers and cushioning materials are perfect for wrapping fragile items or filling the gaps between belongings in boxes. It’s a good idea to prepare about 1–2 weeks’ worth of newspapers or commercially available cushioning materials to ensure your items are well-protected during the move. 

Scissors and cutters  

Scissors and cutters are indispensable for tasks like cutting tape or strings while packing cardboard boxes. They’re also useful for applying labels to your belongings or opening boxes during unpacking. Since they’re useful throughout the entire moving process, from preparation to unpacking, it’s advisable to always carry them with you.  

Tools  

Tools like screwdrivers and measuring tapes are often needed for disassembling and reassembling furniture. Since these tools are essential for both packing and unpacking, it is convenient to keep them in a place where you can easily access them at any time during the whole moving process. 

Work gloves  

Work gloves are essential for protecting your hands while packing or carrying boxes. During the moving process, you might accidentally scrape your hands against the corners of boxes or the edges of documents, so it’s recommended to have a pair of gloves for each person involved in the moving process. 

Cleaning supplies  

Make sure to have garbage bags and cleaning clothes ready when packing. It’s not uncommon to discover dust or dirt while packing, so use this opportunity to clean areas that are usually hard to reach, such as behind appliances or furniture.  

Plastic string  

Plastic string is useful for bundling magazines, books, or long, thin items like umbrellas. You can also wrap it around cardboard boxes to reinforce their strength. Plastic string can be used for a variety of purposes, so it’s a good idea to have one on hand during the moving process. 

Packing order 

1 month to 3 weeks before moving 

Before you begin packing, you can divide your house into groups to make packing more efficient. About 1 to 3 weeks before your move, start by labeling and dividing your rooms or areas into groups. 

For example, classify them into “Living Room,” “Kitchen,” “Bathroom,” “Toilet,” “Balcony,” etc. If the room is large, you can divide them into smaller groups such as “Living Room 1” and “Living Room 2.” 

When dividing into groups, it’s helpful to sketch a simple layout of your new home on the floor plan. This will make unpacking much smoother later on. Use this layout to decide where to place your items and prioritize which boxes to unpack first. 

In the meantime, declutter by selling or donating unwanted items through a recycling shop or second-hand apps, or by discarding them. Reducing your belongings will save you time and effort when it comes to packing. 

1 to 3 weeks before moving 

Start packing the items you use less frequently. For example, prioritize packing off-season clothes or tableware used for guests into cardboard boxes. Additionally, take time to organize the contents of your refrigerator. Calculate and organize the stock of food and seasonings in the refrigerator based on the moving day timeline.  

5 days before moving 

About 5 days before your move, start disassembling furniture and packing up your home appliances. For large appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators, make sure to drain any remaining water and prepare them for transport so that they can be moved easily on moving day. 

In addition, if you have items that you may still want to use until the day of the move, put them in cardboard boxes and leave them unsealed, so that you can easily take them out when you need them. Make sure that everything is ready to be moved when the moving company arrives.   

Tips and tricks for packing efficiently

Packing with a clear idea of where each item will go in your new home can help make the moving process more efficient. Additionally, packing items that will be in the same room within the same cardboard box will make unpacking much easier after the move. 

For items you will need to use right away after moving, label the box with something like “Items for Immediate Use.” This way, you’ll know which box to open first for essential items. Items you might want to include are tools needed for unpacking, cleaning supplies, smartphone chargers, curtains, etc. 

Packing methods for different types of items

• Clothing 

Pack your clothes in a large cardboard box to prevent them from getting wrinkled. Some moving companies will provide specialized cardboard boxes for you. If you have a lot of clothes, be sure to check the service details in advance. 

• Books 

Books can become very heavy when packed in large quantities, so it’s best to divide them into smaller boxes. Limit each box to about 20–30 paperback books or 15–20 comic books to make them easier to handle. 

• Tableware 

Since tableware is often fragile, wrap each one individually with newspaper. In addition, wrap the tableware securely in cushioning materials to prevent breakage during delivery. When placing wrapped tableware into boxes, fill any gaps with additional newspaper or cushioning materials to keep them secure. 

Tableware and clothing often come in large quantities, so start packing them systematically about two weeks before the move. Begin with items you use less frequently and save the tableware you use daily for last to ensure a smooth packing process. 

• Home appliances 

In most cases, professional movers will take care of the transportation of home appliances since they are delicate and require careful handling. To be safe, it’s a good idea to keep a backup copy of your computer or DVD recorder beforehand. For home appliances you can pack yourself, wrap them in bubble wrap and place them securely in a cardboard box, then fill any gaps with cushioning materials to prevent movement during transport.  

• Shoes 

For shoes, after removing any dirt, stuff them with paper or other fillers to prevent them from losing their shape. Then, wrap each pair individually in a plastic bag or newspaper. For shoes you use less frequently, it’s a good idea to pack them up at least a week before the move.  

Key points to consider when packing

When packing for a move, there are three things to keep in mind: 

1. Do not pack valuable items in cardboard boxes 

Please be careful not to pack valuable items such as wallets, bankbooks, or jewelry in cardboard boxes. To avoid losing important items, make sure to keep valuables separate and carry them with you. 

2. Dispose of unwanted items as soon as possible 

Large items such as home appliances and furniture that you will not be taking to your new home should be disposed of as bulky waste as soon as possible. The method of disposing of bulky waste varies depending on the region, so plan to ensure you can dispose of them before your move-out date. 

3. Drain water from appliances 

Make sure to drain water from home appliances like refrigerators and washing machines in advance. For refrigerators, unplug it the day before the move and remove the water from the water tank. Additionally, don’t forget to drain the water from the automatic ice maker. For washing machines, drain the water from the water supply and drainage hoses. Be sure to do this to prevent any water leakage during transport. 

At Village House, there are no fees for the security deposit, key money, renewal fee, or handling charges（※）. If you want to save on initial costs, feel free to contact us for more information. 

※ A security deposit may be required depending on the contract details and screening results. 

Related articles:

• The Quintessential Moving Day Guide
• I Can’t Finish Packing! What Should I Do?
• I’m Moving! What Should I Do With My Plants?!
• Guide on How to Make Unpacking After Moving a Smooth Experience
• Everything You Need to Know About Moving and Packing Fragile Items

Machiko Doi

Hello, I’m Machiko Doi, a freelance writer who writes about housing and living in Japan.

I live in an 80-year-old house that I inherited from my grandparents along with my two shelter cats and daughter.

We live a relaxed life while repairing the house.

I like to cook vegetables from the garden and fresh fish caught by my father, and enjoy them with cold beer on a hot day or hot sake on a cold day.