Japan Airlines Same-Day Luggage Delivery: A Game-Changer for Family Travel

Traveling with three kids under ten makes every bit of convenience a lifesaver. Japan, our family’s favorite destination, never fails to deliver with its seamless efficiency, from Tokyo DisneySea to Nara’s bowing deer. But hauling suitcases through busy airports and packed trains? That’s a headache we’d rather avoid. Japan Airlines’ (JAL) Same-day Delivery Service lets you explore Japan hands-free from the moment you land, and it’s been a game-changer for our family’s trips in 2023 and 2024. Here’s why this service is a must for families and how it can transform your Japan adventure.

What Is JAL’s Same-Day Delivery Service?

JAL’s Same-day Delivery Service allows passengers arriving at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (Terminal 3), Narita International Airport (Terminal 2), or Kansai International Airport (Terminal 1) to have their luggage delivered to their hotel on the same day. Drop your bags at the JAL ABC counter in the arrival lobby, and they’ll be at your hotel by evening—no wrestling with suitcases on the Tokyo Metro. Available to all passengers, not just JAL flyers, the service costs JPY 4,500 (about USD 30) per bag. For our family of five, that’s a small price to pay for starting our trip stress-free.

We discovered this service via an Instagram post before our 2023 Tokyo trip. After a long flight from Los Angeles, the idea of navigating Shinjuku with three jet-lagged kids and five suitcases was overwhelming. We dropped our bags at Haneda’s JAL ABC counter, hopped on the monorail, and were enjoying ramen in Shibuya by noon—completely luggage-free.

How Does It Work?

The process is as smooth as a bullet train. Here’s how it works:

1. Find the JAL ABC Counter: After clearing customs, head to the JAL ABC counter in the arrival lobby. At Haneda (Terminal 3), it’s on the second floor, open 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Narita (Terminal 2) runs from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Kansai (Terminal 1) from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
2. Apply for the Service: Pre-book online at JAL’s booking page or apply at the counter by scanning a QR code. Provide your hotel details and, if you’re a JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) member, your membership number to earn miles.
3. Tag and Drop: Issue a baggage sticker from the machine next to the counter, attach it to your suitcase, and hand it over. Bags must be within 160 cm (length + width + height) and 20 kg (44 lbs)—no golf bags or bicycles allowed.
4. Explore Hands-Free: Your luggage arrives at your hotel by 8:00 p.m. (if checked in by 4:00 p.m.) or 10:00 p.m. (if checked in by 6:00 p.m.). Our bags were waiting at our Shinjuku hotel after a day at Ueno Zoo.

Pro Tip: Fill your luggage-free day with activities like a Tokyo Skytree visit or a cultural tour, booked through Klook with code ADAMANDLINDSKLOOK for a discount. Stay connected with an eSIM from Holafly using code ADAMANDLINDS for 5% off to track your bags or navigate Japan. This post contains affiliate links, and we may earn a commission on purchases made through them.

Why It’s Perfect for Families

With kids, you’re always carrying extra—snacks, toys, spare clothes, you name it. When we landed in Tokyo in 2023, Harper, then four, was still recovering from a broken arm from our 2022 Vienna trip. Dragging suitcases through crowded stations was a non-starter. JAL’s service let us focus on keeping the girls happy and exploring Japan’s kid-friendly attractions.

Japan’s public transport is world-class but not always luggage-friendly. Tokyo Metro stations often have stairs, and storage lockers are scarce during peak seasons like cherry blossom season. By sending our bags ahead, we could take the girls to places like the Ghibli Museum or Asakusa’s Senso-ji Temple without worrying about luggage. In 2024, we used the service again and spent our first day in Tokyo at Senso-ji, where the girls learned about Buddhist traditions by tossing coins into the offering box—luggage nowhere in sight.

For worldschooling families like ours, this service is a dream. We educate Lily (second grade), Cora (first grade), and Harper (kindergarten) through travel. The extra time from not managing bags meant a visit to the National Museum of Nature and Science, where the girls sketched dinosaur skeletons for their journals, turning our first day into a learning adventure.

Where and When Can You Use It?

The service covers specific areas:

• Haneda and Narita: Tokyo’s 14 wards (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shinagawa, Taito, Sumida, Chiyoda, Chuo, Minato, Meguro, Koto, Edogawa, Ota, Toshima, Bunkyo). Narita also includes areas around Narita International Airport and Narita Station.
• Kansai: Osaka City, around Sakai Station in Sakai City, and Kyoto City.

Delivery times depend on the airport:

• Haneda: Check-in by 4:00 p.m. for delivery by 8:00 p.m.; check-in by 6:00 p.m. for delivery by 10:00 p.m.
• Narita and Kansai: Check-in by 6:00 p.m. for delivery by 10:00 p.m.

Slots are limited, so book early, especially during busy seasons. Weather or traffic may cause delays, but we’ve never had issues. Stay connected with Holafly using code ADAMANDLINDS for 5% off to track your luggage or explore with ease. We earn a commission on Holafly purchases.

Worldschooling Connection: Learning Without Luggage

Worldschooling is about weaving education into travel, and JAL’s service gives us more time for it. In Tokyo, we skipped luggage hassles and took the girls to a sushi-making class booked via Viator, where they learned Japanese numbers from the chef. Lily turned the experience into a second-grade writing journal entry about fresh wasabi. The service also simplifies multi-city itineraries, crucial for worldschooling. After Tokyo, we took a bullet train to Osaka for Super Nintendo World, using JAL’s Japan Explorer Pass for affordable domestic flights.

Things to Watch Out For

A few key points to keep in mind:

• Size and Weight Limits: Bags must be 160 cm or less in total dimensions and 20 kg or less. Our roller suitcases fit, but oversized items like golf bags or bicycles don’t qualify.
• Hotel-Only Delivery: Delivery is limited to hotels, not private residences or Airbnbs. Confirm your hotel is in the service area.
• Limited Availability: Book early, especially during cherry blossom season or Golden Week, as slots fill up fast.
• JMB Miles: Enter your 7- or 9-digit JMB number correctly to earn miles. I mistyped once and missed out—learn from my mistake!
• Cancellations and Refunds: Cancel via the URL in the application email. Refunds are available within three days only if the service fails due to flight delays or similar issues. No refunds for customer negligence after delivery.

For inquiries, email [email protected]. Responses are in English, Chinese, or Korean only.

Why We Love It

As a dad, I’m always looking for ways to make travel easier for Lindsay and the girls. JAL’s Same-day Delivery Service is like having a personal concierge, reflecting Japan’s incredible attention to detail. Whether we’re feeding deer in Nara or riding coasters at Tokyo DisneySea, this service lets us focus on making memories, not managing bags.

In May 2024, we used it again in Kyoto, spending our first day exploring Fushimi Inari’s red gates. The girls learned about Shinto shrines while our bags were safely delivered to our hotel. It’s moments like these that remind me why we sold our house to travel full-time.

Plan Your Japan Adventure with Ease

JAL’s Same-day Delivery Service is a must for families visiting Japan. It’s affordable, efficient, and frees you to dive into your adventure. Ready to plan your trip? Contact Lindsay at [email protected] for personalized itineraries, from JAL flights to kid-friendly activities. Book experiences with Klook using code ADAMANDLINDSKLOOK and stay connected with Holafly using code ADAMANDLINDS for 5% off.

This post contains affiliate links, and we may earn a commission on purchases made through them. Learn more at JAL’s official site.

About the Author

Adam Clarkson is the dad behind Adam and Linds - The Worldschool Family, a YouTube channel with over 31,000 subscribers chronicling his family’s global adventures since May 2022. With his wife, Lindsay, and daughters, Lily, Cora, and Harper, Adam has explored 20+ countries, sharing worldschooling and family travel tips. A Japan enthusiast, he dreams of RVing New Zealand. Follow their journey on YouTube and Instagram.