Job Discussion Forums

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I've been thinking about how I am going to send my vital possesions out to Japan...

I know this general topic has been brought up before, but while searching I could not find how people sent their bikes out. It seems that on an airplane, it may cost me $90-$400.

I was thinking I may as well ship it, probably ahead of time.

What did you guys do for your bicycles?

I also have a snowboard to consider... that will most likely be shipped though; I won't be needing it immidiately anyway.

Between the allowance of two checked bags, one carry-on and one personal item, and their respective restrictions, it seems that I can fit everything else that I need on the plane.
Then again... would it be excessive to bring over one large suitcase, one small suitcase, and one box? Well, and a laptop briefcase 'personal item' too. The stories I've read of others who did this seemed as if they brought more than their fellow JETs.
I also heard that when we land they can send some of our luggage straight to our new home, so we only have to carry a bag or two around Tokyo. How did it work out for the JETs out there?

It may seem a little premature for all this, but with graduation I am also [already] dealing with the back and forth of Colorado (where I've lived the last 5 years) and Chicago (my original home town) on top of Japan.

[Glenski]

Snowboard and bikes are widely available here, whether new or in secondhand shops or even from outgoing expats. I wouldn't even consider bringing either.

As for your box, I'd suggest shipping it a month in advance. Using sea mail, it'll arrive in 4-6 weeks, and your employer can safely keep it in the office or your new apartment. If you have too many clothes, just pack what you need for 2 seasons, then have someone else send the remainder a month or so before the next season begins.

[JimDunlop2]

Agreed. Unless your bike is something really special (i.e. some 100% carbon-fiber-titanium-alloy-made-by-the-gods-themselves-component groups, plutonium-infused spoked miracle etc.. etc... ) it probably won't be worth the expense. However to address Glenski's suggestion of hitting a second-hand shop for a bike... Maybe. But don't count on it. Every second-hand shop that I've visited that had bikes either had nothing I would ever buy, or it was way over-priced considering what it was.

The snowboard.... Well, you probably won't need it at this point until next winter... Save up some $$ and have someone ship it about 6 weeks before winter starts...

Best thing to do is check your airlines policy on sporting equipment... Many consider a piece of such gear as 1 piece of check-in luggage.... But many will not insure them against breakage either... Eg. if they snap your surfboard in half.... It may be worthwhile asking how much you'd pay to take on an extra piece of check-in luggage...

I would strongly advise against taking more than 1 big suitacse, 1 small suitcase and 1 carry-on. Coming from the "been there, done that" department, let me say that lugging all that stuff around Tokyo is a bear! Especially considering that many train/subway stations don't have escalators or elevators.... Japan is NOT a handicapped-friendly place for the mobility-impaired (unless you are blind, in which case it's darn near close to paradise)...

The exception to this, I would say, is IF as you pointed out, you can get some of your stuff shipped to your new place directly from the airport. Then it's a whole new ballgame.

Good luck!

[worlddiva]

Ditto on the above!

I brought 2 large suitcases, 1 really heavy carry-on and my laptop bag.

My advice:

1. make sure to check the airline restrictions for weight and dimensions for everything and also check the restrictions for the shipping service you will use once in japan as it may be different. Usually the shipping service allowance is less (weight wise) than the airline. Airline allowance might be 31-32kg maybe more per bag, but the shipping service was max 30kg.

2. try to make your carry on as light as possible or at least easy to carry up and down stairs.

3. also, try to get a laptop bag that's on wheels or that you can attach to your carry on as it can get really heavy after hours of lugging it around on your shoulder through the airports.

As for the bike: depending on how much you love your bike... I would just buy one here. I got a brand new bike for 7800yen (78$CAD). Ok, so it's a little granny bike with a basket and stuff but it's all I need. if you want a mountain bike or some other cool thang you can also buy it here and sell it when you leave. There are also Sayonara Sales from exiting teachers...you might be able to buy a used bike that way. Don't ship the bike, it's not worth it!

As for the snowboard, you could ship it or take it with you as an extra piece of luggage. Check to see how much the airline would charge you. Also, I don't know if the shpping company would ship it from the airport for you...something to consider if you have to lug a board through the airports and stuff!

It took 7 weeks for my (personal effects) box to arrive from Canada, so mail it early. As was stated the school will keep it for you. My box weighed 20kg and cost around 120$CAD to ship. Also, make sure to check weight and dimension restrictions.


Good luck!

[Gordon]

Another thing to think about when shipping your bike is that you will have to build it again here or have someone else do it. That is quite expensive, about 8,000 yen to have someone put your bike together.

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Thanks for all the great advice, everyone.

As far as the snowboard is considered I am now realizing someone will eventually visit me or I will visit home. I've taken snowboards on planes before, but only domestic. Anyway, I don't have to worry about it when I am moving so for now it is a moot point, thankfully.
BTW, replacing my snowboard is simply NOT an option!

On the other hand, my bike looks like it will be sacrificed. It is not even a year old yet, but picking up a cruiser somewhere in Japan sounds like a MUCH better idea.

Now, as long as I can get my weight restrictions straight on the airplane I am set!
I'll complete this train of thought after JET tells me which airline we are flying, and what airport shipments they can arrange.

[Nismo]

Since you've figured out your bike and snowboard problems, the only thing left to talk about is regarding checked in bags. Make them as heavy as you want, up to 30 kilos. As long as they are 30 kilos or less, and within size regulations, you can ship your bags to your hometown for $30 USD a piece from the airport through Yamato Takkyubin (the company with the black cat logo), and take only your carry on with you for your stint in the Tokyo JET training bit. Whatever you can't fit in your bags that you must take with you, ship it to yourself by surface mail, as mentioned.

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Ah, yeah. I saw the formentioned black cat company in a semi-related post come to think of it. http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=22391

Thanks for all of the clear info.

When I was in Japan I noticed those trucks all over; good to know they are a public shipping service.

[stretch]

when i did jet we were pretty well taken care of.
i only had to bring my bags from the luggage pick up to a bus and then whatever i wanted was sent away for me (1 large bag for me) to my hometown. it was waiting for me when i got there after the tokyo orientation. we just had to pack enough for the orientation in our carry on, or another small bag.
as an experienced traveller my suggestion is to go and buy yourself a good quality and large backpack. (a la north face or MEC if you're lucky enough to be Canadian.) having the luxury of the backpack makes life a lot easier for carrying stuff around with you.
one large backpack, small carry on and a laptop and you should be good. send over the rest of your stuff for winter sea mail and you'll have no problems.
i'm a mountain biker and you can find great bikes in japan. just make sure you aren't 6'5". i was pretty much pooched on a variety things for my height, including bikes. (including a few knockout punches delivered by my ceiling to my forehead while i foraged for the bathroom at night.)
hope it helps.

[space]

Thanks, Stretch.

I go backpacking whenever I can out here in Colorado, looks like I'm set!

For airplanes, I bought this particular bag last summer when I went backpacking in Japan.
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=47605836&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1&addon=687852-693818&ext_cat=REI_RELATED_ITEMS_PRODUCT_PAGE&vcat=REI_SEARCH

It looks small.. and I don't know why the guy in the picture is using it for school... the carbon fiber rods are really helping with those notebooks, but it actually holds most of my non-dress clothes. It's amazing what you can do with 2800 cubic in.
An awesome feature it has is that all of the straps can be folded into its self so it is easier for carry-on, etc. And its so light too! Ok.. </ad>

Aside from that, since it looks like Jet will deal with my bags, I will be able to check in as large of a box and suitcase that the plane will allow.