Originally Posted by
Stocktc1
Do locals fly with that small of luggage? If the rule is not a typo , the alternative is taqubin but who would use it for a direct bus from Sendai to Narita ?
If you are thinking that having to forward "oversize bag(s)" 2-3+ days in advance (due to airport takkyubin rules) seems expensive when the traveler's budget is regular highway bus, well, yes. But also keep in mind that most Japanese office workers take short vacations and trips of a few days to a week so opting to travel with larger luggage is usually a choice and not a necessity. Rather than focusing on the frugal aspect and time to drop/pick-up, I choose to be happy the service exists as the luxury of paying someone $30 to solve these types of logistical issues on a much more expensive trip is one I can totally save/budget for.
Locals do often send larger checked bags in advance or later arrival via takkyubin when taking public ground transit for longer distances. That includes overnight highway buses like from Sendai to several stops in core Tokyo & then Narita. Note - If you're going from Tokyo Station to NRT on the less expensive bus or vice versa, that's also limited to 1 checked bag size with specific dimensions. Friendly Limousine bus allows two checked bags per person.
Locals are probably mostly flying domestically and connecting at Itami
Haneda if needed*. Of those who are going internationally, some are traveling on the company dollar which probably pays for some conveniences. If a company requires employees to take the overnight highway bus and not even the option of a luxury bus... that seems more the behavior of a black company?
* Had ChatGPT look up in Japanese and summarize in English - 2nd prompt = "
Once they are at Sendai airport, what airports do they typically connect to for international travel? What if Sendai residents need to go to NRT or HND? Once again, look in Japanese and reply in English."
Key Takeaways
- For direct international departures from Sendai, residents most commonly fly to East Asian cities like Seoul, Taipei, or Shanghai.
- To reach Narita, limited direct options via ANA are available. // Incorrect, as clicking through citation on JP website, translating to English "※As of October 2023, the Sendai-Narita flight is suspended."
- To reach Haneda, they typically go via Osaka or another hub using connecting flights—no direct SDJ–HND service exists.
- If not flying, an extended bus journey to Haneda is another option, though significantly longer.
Sendai to NRT bus: Fare table: s,a,b,c,d,e Early 5 meaning?
Takkyubin companies like Yamato & Sagawa handle general shipping, not just luggage. I've seen people ship Costco size bag of rice in the countryside which in this economy is probably worth more money than the shipping fee. I've used them for refrigerated food from Hokkaido to Tokyo. I've dropped off bags in the countryside before returning a car 1.5 hrs drive away and catching a series of trains to wander a botanical park then onwards with "next train with available seats" to Tokyo.
Do you really need to send a larger bag from Sendai? Some people start in Tokyo/Osaka and do the bulk of their larger item shopping there. Those people can takkyubin a bag directly to the airport before getting on a train or bus to the next stop of their Japan vacation, taking advantage of the complimentary 10 day hold while bag is in transit and 2-3 day before flight requirements.
https://faq-en.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/...rt-in-japan%3F