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Shipping your luggage is a fantastic way to travel around Japan, but one of its downsides is that you have to wait 24-48 hours for your case to turn up. However, JAL is just one company offering a guaranteed same-day service from Haneda. Here’s what you need to know…
The service runs out of Terminal 3 at Haneda, the one most international flights come into (ANA will sometimes fly into Terminal 2) by the airline JAL – but you don’t need to be flying JAL to take advantage of it.
What’s the Cost?
The cost is 4500 yen per suitcase – more than Yamato charges for shipping longer distances on their slower services, but I guess you’re paying for speed and convenience.
When Is It Open?
The counter accepts baggage from 4 am to 6 pm. If you drop your luggage off before 4 pm, it will arrive at your hotel by 8 pm that evening. If you drop it between 4-6 pm, it will arrive before 10 pm that evening.
Sadly, if you arrive after 6 pm, they’ll be closed.
Where Will They Send To?
Hotels in 14 wards of Tokyo, including Shinjuku, Shinagawa, Chiyoda, Chuo, Minato, Koto, Ota, Shibuya, Taito, Toshima, Bunkyo, Sumida, Meguro, Edogawa.
Most tourist hotels will be in one of these wards – but note that it doesn’t include Chiba, where Tokyo Disney Resort is located.
Note the Luggage Size
This is important if you’re a heavy packer. To use the service, your suitcase must be under 160cm if you measure its height, depth, and width and add them together.
It also cannot weigh more than 20kg – which is slightly under the allowance of some airlines.
This is the same upper limit as the rules for carrying luggage on the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Hakata (which includes Kyoto and Osaka) kick-in. On this service, anything over 160cm must be put in the oversized luggage space. This must be booked in advance, and there aren’t a lot of seats that service it, which limits your train options slightly.
Generally, I’d say don’t bring a case bigger than that to Japan anyway if you can help it. It will be an absolute pain from start to finish. 160cm is a decent-sized case. Mr Japlanease is a horrible overpacker, and his case is still under 160cm.
If you do, bring a larger case; definitely look into sending your luggage rather than carrying it.
Where Do You Find the Counter
It’s on Level 2 of Terminal 3. This is the level you will be at when you clear customs. The counter is off to the right as you walk out of the doors from customs. It’s called the JAL ABC Counter.
Will They Speak English?
The service is very much aimed at foreign tourists to try to reduce congestion on the airport trains – so, yes, I would expect it to be staffed with people who speak at least some English.
However, it’s largely automated. You’ll scan the barcode on the poster at the counter, then fill in your hotel details – ensure you have the full address handy.
Once your application is completed, you’ll get an automated baggage tag to add to your luggage. Then you go to the counter and check in your bags.
Can They Deliver to AirBNB?
No. The service is only for hotels.
Does Anyone Else Offer This Service
Yes, there is another option to send your luggage on a same-day service from Haneda.
Yamato, the most popular company for sending luggage around Japan, also offers same-day delivery to hotels from Haneda. They guarantee same-day delivery if you drop it off before 11 a.m. It will arrive at your hotel at 6 p.m. or later. See more about it here.
Need Extra Planning Help?
Our Japan trip planners can help. You might like our First-Timers Japan Planner, which will help you plan your trip to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka step-by-step, including tips on everything from picking hotels to sightseeing and dining. Or our super-duper Tokyo Disney Planner makes arranging your park trip MUCH easier. Find them in our Planners store – printable and digital versions are available.
What to Think About
I am a big fan of shipping my luggage inside Japan, but I never do it from the airport as it requires thinking about what you might need for the rest of the day, as well as on the flight, and I hate carrying too much in airports.
Remember, your luggage might not arrive until 8 pm, so think about things like medication you might need, contact lenses (if you fly in glasses but want to swap), a change of clothes/underwear to freshen up after the flight, paperwork for your hotel, your comfy sightseeing shoes if you’re not wearing them on the plane.
You might want to just stash some things in an easy-to-access place in your case so you can open it on arrival rather than lug them on the plane.
Ditto, do you need to think about putting anything in your case once you arrive? I travel with an iPad and a Kindle, which I usually stash in my case before I hand them over to be stored at my hotel to protect them from getting bashed in my smaller bag which is not as padded as my case.
How much you’ll need to consider the above depends on your travel style, and/or arrival time. Plus, things like medication and important paperwork should probably be in your carry-on anyway, but it’s just something to remember when you’re packing if you are going to send your luggage on.
So, that’s it, the quick guide to JAL’s new hands-free travel service. Hands-free travel is a big travel buzzword in Japan right now as they try to stop us tourists from clogging up transport with our bags.
If you’re also going to Kyoto on your trip, you might also want to read about their new tourist bus service that will take you and your bags to your hotel.
