To combat luggage congestion amid Japan’s ongoing overtourism challenges in its major cities, transportation companies are enhancing their luggage delivery offerings, including services connecting train stations and airports.
In January, a trial luggage delivery program was launched by airport and railway authorities in Nagoya, targeting tourists on specific flights, as reported by Japan News, the English-language version of the Yomiuri Shimbun.
During the trial, visitors could leave their luggage at Meitetsu Nagoya railway station, where staff would inspect and measure it before transporting it to Nagoya’s airport. This allowed tourists heading directly to Hong Kong or connecting through Taipei to explore Nagoya unburdened by their bags, retrieving them upon arrival at their home airports. The trial service charged 3,000 yen (approximately US$20) per item, according to Japan News.
A comparable service exists for travelers departing from Sapporo to Tokyo and Osaka, priced at 2,000 yen per item.
Both programs enable users to monitor their luggage via an app available in English, Japanese, or Chinese.