Luggage

Packing has been the most prominent thing on my mind as I prepare to leave for Japan. I’m still working on getting everything I need together, but I figured I’d write something quick about the luggage itself.

How much luggage you are allowed to bring without a fee will vary depending on the airline you take to Japan. Different cities will take different airlines, you will find out your airline probably about a month and a half before you leave. You don’t really have a say in which airline you take or if your flight has any stops because it is all coordinated by JET for you, but the baggage restrictions are all fairly similar. I am flying on Japan Airlines, which is one of the best airlines to fly in my opinion. Japan Airlines allows two checked bags with a weight limit of 50 pounds each, one carry on, and one personal item. More information about Japan Airlines bag restrictions can be found here. Other airlines used by JET and their baggage restrictions are: Delta, American Airlines, United Airlines, All Nippon Airways.

Everyone starts by flying to Narita airport near Tokyo for orientation. A few days later you will head off to your placement via bus, train, or airplane. You are required to send at least one of your checked bags directly to your placement once you reach Narita airport. I plan on sending both checked bags to my apartment in KitaKyushu and living out of my carry on while in Tokyo. I would suggest this to everyone.

Narita is about a 40 minute train ride from where you will be staying in Tokyo for orientation. Do you really want to drag more bags then you have to? Not only will it hold you up to have a big checked bag, but it will make everyone’s trip to the hotel slower. You are going to feel gross from the long plane ride and the easier and faster it is to get to the hotel the better. Same thing when you leave orientation for your placement, it is much easier to travel with less luggage.

Orientation in Tokyo is only for three nights, so you don’t need many clothes in your carry on. You will, however, want to bring nice clothes. Don’t worry, orientation will start the day after you arrive; you can be super comfy on the plane ride without having to worry about dressing up on that first night. I plan on bringing three nice shirts, a blazer, a long pencil skirt, and a pair of slacks. On the plane I’m going to wear some comfy jeans and a t-shirt. There will be a 24-hour ironing room in the hotel in case your nice clothes get wrinkled in your bag. I don’t know for sure, but I’ve heard the irons are not the best there. If you need to get wrinkles out of your packed clothes, I would take a warm shower and hang your wrinkled clothes in the room to steam.

Check your airlines bag restriction, pack light for orientation, and send your checked bags directly to your placement would be my suggestions. Also, if you have more to pack than is allowed by your airline, figure out what you need most that will fit in the allowed bags. Have a friend or family member mail you the rest. There is a good chance it will be cheaper than checking an extra bag.

I will talk more about what exactly to pack once I get to Japan because I’m sure I will realized there was something else I needed once I get there.