|
Luggage is not such a problem in countries where rental cars and taxis are the norm, but in train-dominated Japan, it pays to study up on the alternatives to luggage lugging.
 Limousine Buses
These buses go from the airports straight to major hotels, and offer a space to store luggage. The only downsides are that they are not covered by the J.R. Pass like the express trains are, and they generally take slightly longer to get into town.
 Luggage on Trains
JR's official restrictions on luggage are within what's allowed by most airlines, but physical restrictions make carrying luggage on trains difficult for some. There are no porter services or luggage cars on any trains in Japan, and the only trains with plenty of luggage space are the airport trains. Transfers can also be difficult; more and more stations are being equipped with elevators, but in some instances people will have to carry their luggage up and down stairs when changing trains.
On shinkansen trains, there is no space to store luggage except for the small overhead bins, which can accommodate small backpacks or purses. There is space for 4 suitcases toward the back of each shinkansen car, but other passengers sometimes take this space. As a last resort, passengers may have to store their suitcases in other cars out of sight or in front of their knees. It is much more convenient to send one or both pieces of luggage to the next destination using the courier service.
Takuhaibin (Courier Service)
Courier service in Japan is very fast and cheap in comparison to the same in the U.S. To send a single piece of luggage (25 kg, 160 cm) overnight a distance of 500 kilometers (300 miles) from Tokyo to Kyoto using Yamato Transport's takkyubin service (takkyubin is a brand name, takuhaibin is the generic term) costs 1,890 yen. Luggage can be sent from hotel to hotel, to and from the airport, or even from a convenience store. Many people opt to send one suitcase ahead of time and take a smaller one with them on the train. Delivery times and costs vary by distance, and there is a surcharge for sending luggage to and from the airport. Here are links to delivery services at the international airports
Narita Airport: http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/svc_05.html
Kansai Airport: http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/service/baggage/index.html#_03
Chubu Centrair Airport: http://www.centrair.jp/en/service/sv-luggage/index.html#1174592
Coin Lockers and Luggage Storage
Oftentimes, the most convenient thing to do is leave luggage in one place and travel around blissfully hands-free. Major airports and train stations have coin lockers large enough to hold suitcases. On average, they charge about 500 yen per locker per calendar day (less for smaller lockers) and take coins only. In general, hotels do not hold luggage after checkout, but many will hold luggage before check-in. Airports also have luggage holding services, which cost about the same as the coin lockers.
Publisher: Japan National Tourist Organization, L.A. Office
515 South Figueroa St., Suite 1470, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Email: info@jnto-lax.org
Website: www.jnto.go.jp or www.japantravelinfo.com
|
