Inside Marie Kondo’s Super-Organized Suitcase

Annie Harrigan: What is the best trip you’ve ever taken?
Marie Kondo: I lived in Tokyo in my youth, but I’d never seen it the way I did the most recent time I went. For example, I got to hold and use a samurai sword for the first time. I also got to experience this ancient art where you take pottery that has a chip or a crack in it and use this gold paste to meld it together again and restore it. So it really changed the way I saw a place that I thought I was very familiar with.

AH: What is one thing you always do in every place you travel to?
MK: It might sound quite simple, but I like to take in and feel the air or the atmosphere of wherever it is I’m traveling—that feeling that you have when you wake up in the morning. I am a firm believer in this form of energy. It’s a little bit meditative and kind of quiet in that respect. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the sights or seeing different things But that morning air, and interacting with nature in every destination I go to, is something that I really focus on.

AH: Are you a light packer or an over packer?
MK: I do want to be a light packer. I bring this lavender room spray with me because it sparks joy and helps me recenter myself. I bring different items to massage myself on the go. I even pack different pajamas. These are all things that help bring a different angle to my travel. I try to pack whatever sparks joy and not just the essentials.

AH: How do you like to organize your suitcase?
MK: There are two points I like to focus on whenever I pack: the first one is making sure you organize or sort by category. So whether it’s the packing cube or sections in your suitcase, room wear goes with room wear, undergarments go with undergarments, anything you wear outside would be in that category, and maybe your cosmetic items would be in its own category.

I fold items and pack them vertically. [That way], as soon as you open your suitcase, because it’s not stacked horizontally, you can see at a glance where everything is and what you’ve brought and how many of what item you have.

AH: What are some things you like to have in your carry-on to help you through the flight?
MK: Well, first off, during a flight, the air gets really, really dry, and I tend to get dry skin, so I keep a small bottle of Suki oil. It’s a type of flower in Japan and is really useful. I’ll apply it to my hands like a hand cream.

One other thing I like to carry around is small tea bags. Of course I’ll drink the tea that the airline provides, but there are certain occasions where I’m in the mood for a certain tea.

And lastly, I’ll always carry my notebook with me. It’s a very small notebook. During a flight you have a lot of time to think and let your mind wander. So I’ll try to gather my thoughts, and if I have an idea, something I want to put into writing or something I want to maybe use for my next book, I’ll jot that down.

AH: How do you deal with jet lag?
MK: I first try to check the time of my destination before boarding so I can adjust my internal clock during the flight. For example, if I’m leaving Japan at night and I look at my destination and it’s noon, then, even though it’s nighttime in Japan, I’ll do things to keep myself awake so that I can force myself to think it’s noon.

Another thing I take into consideration is making sure I bask in natural light whenever I arrive at my destination. I think natural light has this ability to reset your internal clock. Receiving that energy from whatever your destination is can really help your body adjust to the time zone.

AH: What is your airplane wardrobe?
MK: I haven’t given too much thought actually to airport or in-flight clothes, but I think subconsciously I go for items that are not very restricting. I’ll wear some sort of long, more loose one piece, and underneath it, a pair of leggings. I’ll try to use either organic cotton, or if it’s colder and we’re traveling in the winter, I’ll use cashmere.

AH: Do you get recognized when you travel?
MK: When I do get noticed, I try to have a little conversation or small talk. But oftentimes, I might be caught off guard. Maybe I’m a little sleepy or maybe I’m not fully made up in those cases, but everyone seems to be very kind. Oftentimes they’ll tell me, oh, “I read your book,” or “I’m tidying up right now,” which of course makes me feel really, really happy.