Happyfella

How do I get myself and two suitcases (one a carry on) from Kyoto, where I'll be staying at a hotel, to Narita Airport? I have a 6:20 p.m. flight on a Sunday back to the United States from Narita, so I have all day to get there, but of course would like to arrive around 2 p.m. to be safe. I assume I'd take a train from Kyoto--which one? Traveling with two suitcases is difficult. Can I ship my suitcase from my hotel in Kyoto a day or two in advance and pick it up, ideally at Narita, when I arrive on my day or departure? If not, I'd have to take them on the train, yes? Suggestions welcome.

russ_in_LA

Hi Happy,

Check on hyperdia.com. The link below will take you to the result of a search I just did. The trip is under 4 hours.

http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi/en/searc...d&sum_target=7

Yes, you can ship your bags ahead. We did this many times and it is very worth the moderate cost. Your hotel in Kyoto can make all the arrangements, but if you want more info, check out this link:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html

Happyfella

Thanks, so much, Russ. If I may pick your brain further: maybe I'd be better off spending my last night near or at Narita--but ship my suitcase, per your research, from Kyoto a day or two before. I'm going to do a lot of flying the day I depart. I think it would be less taxing to my senior body if I stayed at or near the airport the night before. That way I could stay in Kyoto for half a day Sat. and then take the train to my Narita hotel/motel. I'm leaning toward that scenario. Assuming I do that, would you ship luggage from Kyoto to a hotel--which I haven't booked yet--or to the airport? Or is it six or one, half dozen of the other. And do you--or anyone--recommend a 3-star hotel, by which I mean about $150-$175, at the airport?

russ_in_LA

I've never stayed in or near Narita, but I've heard that that town is well worth visiting. See this link for details:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6401.html

Personally, I would probably stay my last night in Tokyo near the Tokyo or Shinagawa stations. From there it is less than an hour by train to the airport.I used Booking.com for most of my Japan bookings, and you can search by location, star rating or budget.

On both of my trips I shipped my luggage to the airport the day before, and just had an overnight bag on my last night to make travel easier. Just note that the shipping company name will be on the receipt that you get from your hotel, so you will need to wait in line for the same company when you pick up your bags. You can get guidance at the airport if you are not sure.

Happyfella

Thanks, again, Russ. Yes, that is what I want to do: send my bag ahead to Narita airport on Friday--two days before I depart--and then on Saturday take the train from Kyoto to to Tokyo. Will the shipping company hold my bag for two days, Saturday and until I pick it up Sunday? I suppose they charge for each day? You suggest stay I near the Shinagawa train station--I assume because it is easier (or less money and hassle and time) to get from the Shinagawa train station to the Narita airport on Sunday, correct? That makes sense to me. Do I search Booking.com by the location "Shinagawa train station" or is there another name for the area in which the Shinagawa train station is located?

And does the train schedule you gave me the link to take me from Kyoto to the Shinagawa train station? Or do I have to transfer to get there, which is okay--I'll only be traveling with a carryon bag that has wheels.

I don't understand your point that the shipping company name will be on the receipt I get from my hotel in Kyoto? do you mean that I have to look for that company's name--or ask someone--so I won't stand in line at another company? Once I pick up my large suitcase at the shipping company, am I near the airline terminals-do I walk, with a luggage cart, from the shipping company to my airline, which is American? Or take a shuttle. At that point I'll have two bags and, unless I have a cart, it is difficult to maneuver around an airport. Thanks for your time and knowledge.

Mara

http://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/t...rt/index2.html

Here's some info about sending suitcases to NRT via Yamato/Kuroneko.

I have used them twice - the pick up area has luggage carts that you can use to bring the luggage to the airline check-in area.

You write all the flight info on the shipping label - on above link toward the bottom of the page. You don't pay by the day just whatever the set price is.

I have only used it from Tokyo and it was under 2000 JPY. I sent my suitcase three days in advance because it was over a weekend. Also I brought it directly to the Yamato depot as where I was staying didn't provide that service.....

russ_in_LA

Hi Happy,

Here are the answers to your questions:

Will the shipping company hold my bag for two days, Saturday and until I pick it up Sunday?

- Yes

I suppose they charge for each day?

- No, one price. Just ship it 2 days before your departure date. You can confirm this at your hotel.

You suggest stay I near the Shinagawa train station--I assume because it is easier (or less money and hassle and time) to get from the Shinagawa train station to the Narita airport on Sunday, correct?

- From Tokyo or Shinagawa stations it is equally easy to get to Narita Airport. Just be sure you know if your airline is in Terminal one or two, so that you get off at the right station.


Do I search Booking.com by the location "Shinagawa train station" or is there another name for the area in which the Shinagawa train station is located?

- enter "shinagawa, tokyo"

And does the train schedule you gave me the link to take me from Kyoto to the Shinagawa train station? Or do I have to transfer to get there, which is okay--I'll only be traveling with a carryon bag that has wheels.

- there are multiple trains per hour that will take you from Kyoto to Shinagawa station without a change of trains. Below is a link to several of them. You can change the departure time in the search criteria if you want to leave earlier or later.

http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi/en/searc...d&sum_target=7

I don't understand your point that the shipping company name will be on the receipt I get from my hotel in Kyoto? do you mean that I have to look for that company's name--or ask someone--so I won't stand in line at another company?

- Correct

Once I pick up my large suitcase at the shipping company, am I near the airline terminals-do I walk, with a luggage cart, from the shipping company to my airline, which is American?

- The shipping company pick-up counters are in the same terminal with the check-in counters.