Already tired and having to carry those heavy suitcases!
"How am I gonna carry all these bags and heavy suitcases all the way to my hotel?!" This might be a question many of us have asked ourselves regretfully upon arriving in Japan after a long flight. Well, you might want to consider packing lighter or making use of a delivery service that will send your luggage from the airport all the way up to your hotel lobby.
Sounds unbelievable right?
Believe it! It's possible. At Japan's major airports there is a way to avoid having to carry your heavy bags and suitcases in crowded trains and those many staircases. And you know what? It's quick, easy and not expensive at all.
Who and where?
Delivery service companies such as Yamato Transport, Sagawa express and Japan Airlines' JAL ABC have special luggage counters in the arrival halls of Narita, Haneda, and Kansai airport that will send your luggage all the way up to your hotel, guesthouse, Airbnb etc. The best thing about this service is that your luggage will arrive the same day, usually even before the evening in cities close to the airport. If you're visiting Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto and you don't need to reserve in advance either.
(Image by jalabc.com)
Step 1: Hand in your luggage
Right, so you've just arrived at the Airport in Japan, this could be Narita, Haneda or Kansai airport. And now, after retrieving your luggage and passing immigration you are in the arrivals hall. There you will find the luggage pick up counters of Yamato Transport and JALABC and tell them that you would like to send your luggage to your hotel.
Step 2: Hotel information or address of destination
The staff will ask for your hotel's information such as address and booking name, so be sure to have these detail ready when you hand in your luggage. Tip: Take out a change of clothing before you hand in your bags, you might need a change during the day or in the case that your shipping has a delay and will come later than expected or even the next morning.
Step 3: Weighing and paying
Then you will hand in your luggage and the staff will weigh it for you and tell you how much it will be. The average costs of one bag for same day delivery will be around 1700 yen. Finally, the staff will give you a shipping slip that you show later at your hotel when you pick up your luggage.
Step 4: Enjoy your stay!
Now, you're done! Leave that airport and go have fun or relax a bit! You can now go around and enjoy your day until you arrive at the hotel.
(Image by Wikiwand.com)
Step 5: Collect your luggage
Once you arrive in your hotel, you go up to the front desk and show your shipping slip. The staff will inform you if your luggage has already arrived or not. They might even have already brought it to your room! If the case is that your luggage has not arrived yet you can ask the hotel staff to notify you as soon as it has.
Convenient as can be
So yes, why not make it more easy on yourself? Japan is known for its high standards in service, so make use of it, make your travelling as convenient as it possibly can be and indulge yourself in this wonderful country without any troubles on your mind.