Job Discussion Forums

Lister100 · Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 106

Hello Again,

Right now I have enough luggage to meet the full allowance of Air Canada. This entitles me to 2 large bags in the cargo hold and two carry-on (brief case bag and a midsized bag).

My concern is that once I am in Japan I am going to travel on a train (kintetsu line) and another domestic flight (between Nagoya and Fukuoka) and I don't know how strict they are about luggage.

1.Does anyone know if trains(not shinkansen) will allow people to bring extra baggage? Are there extra fees? How much?

2.How much baggage is allowed on Japanese domestic flights?

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

I carried half (1/2; .5) of my total luggage with me through Tokyo on my flight out of the city. I was carrying the "lighter ones". Let me completely clear about this: It was hell. Do yourself a favor and pay the 3000 Yen it costs to ship your luggage to yourself. 6000 Yen. 9000 Yen. It's still worth it.

Some of the adventerous obstacles you may face lugging your baggage include, but are not limited to, stairs, crowds, cramped quarters, long walks, operating ticket machines while still maintaining a grasp on the whereabouts of your luggage, and trying to get through the little ticket gates (by far the worst obstacle of them all). Please enjoy.

wintersweet · Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 7:30 pm Post subject:

I suspect this is not going to work out, but hopefully other people have more experience with the details.

As an aside, keep in mind that most train stations have lots and lots and lots of stairs, but no elevators. Shocked

Moving around with that much stuff is going to be extremely difficult.

Lister100 · Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 106

Hi Nismo & wintersweet,
Thanks for your perspectives on the misery moving about Japan with luggage.

I might be able to drop one of my big bags, but I'm still looking at a big bag, midsized bag and brief case bag. They have wheels so I can strap the midsized bag to the large one. Its going to be hell lifting them through gates. ARRRRGGHHH! What can I say, "I'm a material girl living in a material world."

Will train attendants stop a person with too much luggage?

Do you know if shipping bags is done through the Japanese post office or train services? Can they hold on to them until you arrive at your destination, say a week and a half later? That would make things a lot easier.

Has anyone else found I way to travel with a lot of luggage on trains?

Lindsay · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 29 Location: kitakyushu, japan

hi
i went back to canada at christmas time. i had to bring two large suitcases and two large carry ons (large family = many christmas presents) i had no problem with my luggage limit in either country. i had to take a taxi, two trains, a bus, then finally i was at the fukuoka airport. it was very difficult to manuveur at times. however, i seemed to have people want to help me. it seems i couldn't go a few steps without someone offering to help. the most difficult leg of the journey was the bus. i felt like john candy in planes, trains and automobiles with his large chest! when i was taking trains, the staff on the JR were extremely helpful. i had one guy carry some of my bags for me, bring me to my train, then to my surprise he had callled where i was arriving and had someone meet me at my train car, carry my bags again straight to the taxi! in a way, it was fun being a damsel in distress for a day!

that said, if you can ship some of your luggage, do it! save youself from being the damsel in distress!

Lister100 · Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 106

Hi Lindsay,

Thanks for the optimism. Things are pretty frantic right now. Nothing like waiting to the last minute. I can't say how the damsel in distress card will play out considering the impressive facial stubble I will be sporting after the flight. The material girl thing was just a tribute to gold old C. Lauper and Goonies. Truth is that I have never planned a trip of this scope before so I'm sure that I have packed to much.

I'm happy to hear that you were still allowed to travel with all of that luggage. When you arrived in Japan did you bring a lot of luggage too?

Thanks for your input

wintersweet · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 5:35 am Post subject:

You might want to look in a current travel guide book or something for info about "takkyubin," which is a luggage-forwarding service available within Japan.

I hear ya though...I'm aghast when I think about how much I'll need to pack to live in Japan for a year, especially since my bust, feet, height, etc. all make it impossible for me to buy clothes or shoes there. Shocked

(edited to correct spelling of "takkyubin" Embarassed

)

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

When you land in Osaka, forward (takyubin) everything to Fukuoka except for a bag that you will need in Nagoya. The extra costs will be well worth the extra costs. It is so easy and cheap to send packages/suitcases within Japan. That is how the Japanese travel around the country. You almost never see them take heavy bags with them on the train, just us cheap foreigners trying to save a few dollars.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Land in Osaka (presumably KIX - Kansai International) and ship everything except your one bag that you will need during training straight to your final destination school. The carriers have a deak at the airport and your bags will be waiting for you at your school when you arrive.

Easy!

nicyvesweet · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 90

wintersweet · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 10:32 pm Post subject:

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Lister100 · Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 106

Thanks to everyone that has responded,

Only thing I can see that will be problematic is that there may not be anyone at the school to receive my bags. I the opening teacher at a new franchise school.

I've heard of places you can send luggage where it is safely kept until you reach that destination. If anyone knows anything about this service please jump in.

Otherwise if you see a clumsy oaf juggling bags at a train station be sure to say hello.

thanks again

juliebearjapan · Joined: 28 Mar 2004 Posts: 13

my guess is There will already be someone at your school. I know with the company i work for they send the manager and usually a japanese trainer a month or at least a few weeks ahead of time to move everything into the school and begin setting up trial lessons and things before the other staff arrive.
If it is a new name school my guess is they will still have someone there to set things up before you arrive.
Takkubyin (SP??) is a great thing you can send straight from the airport and it is really reasonable!!If you are worried that someone wont be there perhaps you should ask whoever you have been talking to that hired you.

juliebearjapan · Joined: 28 Mar 2004 Posts: 13

my guess is There will already be someone at your school. I know with the company i work for they send the manager and usually a japanese trainer a month or at least a few weeks ahead of time to move everything into the school and begin setting up trial lessons and things before the other staff arrive.
If it is a new name school my guess is they will still have someone there to set things up before you arrive.
Takkubyin (SP??) is a great thing you can send straight from the airport and it is really reasonable!!If you are worried that someone wont be there perhaps you should ask whoever you have been talking to that hired you.