Originally Posted by
redleader74
I was assuming that when I check in at SFO that I’ll be given two BP’s, one for SFO-NRT and one for NRT-CTS and that the bags would be checked through to CTS. Is this not the case?
No. NRT is your port of entry to Japan. You'll deal with passport check and customs there. Following the passport check, you'll pick up your luggage from the carousel, go through the customs channel, and then into the arrivals hall. Then to the domestic check-in desks where you can re-check bags for the domestic flight.
Coming the other way (from a domestic flight to an international flight), the airline can check bags all the way through.