Choosing your bag wisely can make your trip even more enjoyable. So, we asked stylist Ayano Nakai, who is good at casual yet fashionable styling and who loves to travel herself, to introduce us to her recommended bags for three different travel situations.
Ayano Nakai
Born in Mie and raised in Chiba. After studying under Nobuko Ito, she became independent. She is active in a wide range of fields, including styling for magazines, actresses, and children.
Instagram: @_nakaiayano
Web: https://nakaiayano.com/
Tips for choosing a bag that will allow you to travel light
Due to the nature of my job as a stylist, it's difficult to make plans in advance, so I often suddenly decide to go on a trip. I sometimes go on a one-night trip to a local photo exhibition or a solo exhibition of my favorite ceramic artist, and sometimes I make a plan that crammes all the places I want to go, such as select shops, vintage clothing stores, and restaurants, in a short number of days. What I realized while traveling like this repeatedly is the importance of a bag that allows you to move around flexibly. I will introduce the appeal of a bag that is easy to move around in while traveling, along with some tips on how to choose one.
Three recommended bags for different travel needs
1. A versatile Boston bag that you can use for a long time and enjoy its changes that occur over time.
When I buy a large bag such as a Boston bag, I pay special attention to the width and strength of the handles. I especially like that this bag meets those criteria and is made of cow leather, which is water-resistant and durable. It will come in handy during the rainy season, and I can't wait to see how its texture changes over time.
I liked the classic, somewhat nostalgic shape and color, and the size was small enough to be carried on board, so I decided to buy it immediately. I fold this Boston bag and put it in a large suitcase, and use it as a souvenir bag. It's cute and relaxing to see it sitting on top of the suitcase.
2. A map is essential for a shopping trip
If you spend the whole day walking around with a map in one hand, visiting the stores you want to visit, the perfect bag for such a shopping trip is a moderately sized knapsack.
If you choose a shoulder bag with an adjuster, you can adjust the length according to the clothes you are wearing and the volume. Among them, the simple design items go with any clothes, so they are easy to use and are my favorites. Fashion-wise, it looks cute if you wear thick clothes, tighten the adjuster, and wear it tightly.
When I leave the hotel, I put only the bare necessities in it, and then I pack in the items I buy at my destination. Because it's an outdoor brand, the fabric is sturdy despite its appearance. It's also convenient because it can be folded up small and carried around, so it's a very reliable item.
The sheer material gives you a sense of satisfaction when you fill it with cute souvenirs. At the end of your trip, you can look back on your memories while looking at the things you bought.
3. A bag that acts like an accessory and can be worn all the time
The last recommendation is a bag with a design that you can wear anywhere, like an accessory. It is convenient to have a bag that can be transformed into a shoulder bag, waist pouch, or crossbody bag by adjusting the adjuster. Furthermore, despite its small size, it has mini pockets and pen holders, giving it excellent storage capacity. It will be very useful in various situations when traveling.
I often carry my iPhone, passport, cards, and lipstick in a waist pouch while traveling. Since I started using the bag in the photo, I often put the shop cards of the stores I visit in the bag.
It's made of nylon and is waterproof, so you can use it on rainy days and it doesn't matter if it gets dirty. I wash it like I would a piece of clothing, dry it out, and keep using it.
Know your favorite bag and go on a trip
These three bags combine convenience, such as ease of movement and storage capacity, with a sense of fashion. Even when it comes to a single bag, choosing the right one carefully can bring about changes in the way you enjoy your travels.
Stylist Nakai says that the style of "putting a lightweight bag for travelling in a large Boston bag" has become standard, and recently she has been collecting body bags, which are a fashion accent. In this way, knowing your favourite bag is also a way of creating your own travel style. When planning your next trip, why not consider your favourite bag and head out on the road?
Domestic Discount Fares Skymate
Limited to ages 12 and over and under 25!
Extremely affordable discount fares available for booking from the day of departure (4 hours before departure)
Related article
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
