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My Trip From Tokyo To Hakone With Luggage-Free Travel

A new luggage delivery service makes travel easy peasy — japanese-y.

I tried the new Luggage-Free Travel service on my trip to Tokyo and Hakone — safe to say, I’m never carrying my suitcase with me ever again.

The week before

It was one more week until my Tokyo and Hakone trip. Very exciting stuff, but I had a dilemma. The plan was to go from Narita Airport to Tokyo and down to Hakone, touring around on the way. What in the world was I going to do with all my luggage? My first idea was to use the lockers that can be found in stations but that would mean I’d have to come back to collect them each time I change locations. My next thought was to just carry it around but that equalled heavy lifting all day up and down stairs, through busy streets and in and out of stores. Really I just wished my suitcase could grow some legs and follow me all day, but that just seemed a little weird — and not scientifically possible.

However, coincidentally, or non-scientifically, the stars aligned and fate chose me to trial a new luggage service that apparently carried your bags right from the airport all the way to your hotel. Thank you universe!

Booking my luggage transfer

Getting a quote was very simple. I just scrolled down the website and selected my route, destination and luggage size. It was going to be ¥2,500 for a 25kg bag from Narita to Hakone.

I filled in all the details, confirmed and paid with my credit card. A ping from my phone signaled an email confirmation with a barcode to use once I was at the airport.

I’d arrived at Narita and was already frustrated with my luggage whilst I looked for the JTB Luggage-Free Travel service desk. Luckily it didn’t take long to find it. I went up to the desk, and put my code into an iPad.

From there I just had to confirm my details; a receipt printed out automatically on the other side which was given to me by the desk clerk in return for my suitcase. And that was it. My suitcase was gone. I was now free!

On the train to Tokyo, I watched other tourists awkwardly help each other lift up their suitcases onto the train and then sit with them between their legs. They all had to keep apologizing to the locals that they were bumping into. If only they’d known it didn’t have to be that way.

Luggage-free #smuglife

Arriving in the city, I headed to Tokyo Tower. I wanted a nice photo from Zojoji Temple just in front. The first thing I noticed when I got to the temple was: a whole lotta’ stairs. But having no luggage meant I had no excuse, so up I went and got my photo for the ‘gram.

After all that walking and climbing I needed food ASAP. Looking up recent popular snacks in Japan, it didn’t take me long to find these mozzarella corn dogs and fancy teas in Shin-Okubo, known as Tokyo’s Koreatown.

Now, I realize Japan has a huge population but when I arrived I was pretty sure this area was where they were all at. Was I walking the street or part of some sort of moshpit? It was hard to tell. I found the corndog store — thanks to the huge line out front — but the real struggle was to stop to actually get in it. Behind me was a human wave that wasn’t easy to jump out of.

About to be taken out by someone’s travel bag, I somehow dived out of the way, Mission Impossible -style, and secured myself a place in line before devouring the mozzarella corn dog almost as fast it was handed to me. Impressed with my own moves I then decided to go back the crazy way I just came from to grab a drink at a popular bubble tea store.

The corn dogs we nearly died for.

After finishing up my bubble tea and checking out some more of Tokyo it was time to head to Hakone. I got to Shinjuku Station and went down to the “Ekichika” (the food basement of the station) to pick up some delicious things to eat on the train. I may have looked around for too long, because I ended up having to run to make it. I said a prayer of thanks to the Savvy goddesses that I didn’t have my suitcase.

Look! No hands!

An hour and a half later I arrived. The area around Hakone Yumoto station was beautiful, completely surrounded by green mountains and a river that ran along the side of it. After exploring, it was soon check-in time for my hotel. I couldn’t help but feel smug again as I passed families waiting at bus stops with their big suitcases. Just a quick luggage-free ride got me to my hotel, no worries.

Reunited with my suitcase

My home for the night, Hotel Okada, was about as photogenic as they come. My luggage was going to be delivered between 6 and 9 p.m. that night so I decided to check in first. Relaxing in my lovely room, I’d half forgotten about my luggage until I received the arrival email and a phone call from the front desk.

I went down, showed the hotel clerk the code from my phone, he then confirmed it and handed me over my suitcase. Easy!

The rest of the night was spent enjoying a traditional Japanese meal in my room and dipping in multiple outdoor onsen (hot springs). The perfect way to end a fun-filled day.

The day after

All-you-can-eat buffet breakfast and more onsen — what an awesome way to start the day. After repacking my suitcase with the little souvenir snacks that came free (I hope) with the room, I had a choice to make. I could either send my suitcase back to the airport, or on to my next destination. I guess another choice was to keep the suitcase and carry it around all day but pfft , who would do that when it can just meet up with you itself elsewhere — and without growing legs.

Me—suitcase free!

The Deets on the Luggage-Free Travel Service

This convenient service, provided by JTB, one of Japan’s leading travel agencies, is available all over Japan. I highly recommend it to all travelers who want to really enjoy Japan without the baggage hassle, and especially for big families with multiple suitcases or people like me who tend to overpack!

Website: www.luggage-free-travel.com/travel/index.php Send from: Airport, hotel, or Tourist Information Center Receive from: Airport or hotel Languages available: English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Spanish, French, Italian and Japanese

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“Hands-Free Sightseeing” for Relaxed Travel

Luggage storage services for foreign visitors are spreading across Japan (courtesy of ecbo)

     Warmly welcoming travelers is at the heart of Japanese hospitality. When we see a foreign visitor doing sightseeing with luggage in both hands, we would like to help him or her enjoy the trip in a more relaxed manner. This wish has led to “hands-free sightseeing” services that offer foreign visitors to simply leave their luggage with them or have it shipped to a desired location. In this way, Japanese hospitality services provide for a more relaxed vacation.

Utilizing Empty Business Space

     Luggage storage lockers at major train hubs like Tokyo station often fill up quickly. Large lockers able to fit a suitcase are particularly few in number compared to smaller ones for regularly-sized bags in the first place. This is one of the reasons for a rise in foreign travelers dragging large suitcases as they walk around town, for example when switching hotels.      In January 2017 a Japanese start-up initiated an effort to help such travelers. This sharing service offers “empty space” in established businesses such as restaurants as storage locations for luggage.      The process is simple: Users merely have to enter the necessary information (date and time of storage and pickup, storage location, luggage size and number, and customer name) in advance via the service’s website. Because travelers are able to secure a storage space via the internet before coming to Japan, they no longer have to walk around looking for storage lockers and be frustrated by the lack thereof. The service is offered in Japanese, English, Chinese (simplified and traditional), and Korean.

“ecbo” input screen. Registration is available in English (left), Chinese (traditional and simplified), and Korean (ecbo)

     There are no bothersome procedures such as filling in forms or presenting identification during the storage and pickup process. It’s enough to show your smartphone screen. A picture of the luggage taken by phone or a QR code – the use of which recently has been spreading rapidly abroad as well – serve as “proof” for storage and pickup. Payment is completed by credit card.      Many foreign travelers visiting Japan are responding positively, saying that the process is uncomplicated, that they would use the service again, and that the service is no more expensive than a storage locker. Reportedly the number of users is steadily increasing.

Luggage can be stored and picked up simply by showing one’s smartphone screen (courtesy of ecbo).

Storing Businesses Benefit Too

     The number of participating businesses serving as storage locations is over one thousand (as of December 6, 2018). The nature of such storage locations includes public facilities like train stations, post offices and tourist information centers, as well as restaurants and coffee shops, manga cafes, clothing stores, variety and electronics shops, real estate businesses, hair salons, and even Shinto shrines. These diverse locations are centered in the major cities of Sapporo, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Matsuyama, and Okinawa, and are slated to expand further in the future.      　 Participating businesses of course register as storage locations because they are compensated for the space provided, but that’s not all they get in return. When foreign travelers visit a storage location, they may notice products and services offered by the business and become customers. One restaurant saw a higher number of foreign customers and increased sales after registering as a storage location. A hair salon even had a foreign traveler who decided to get a haircut there when visiting to store luggage.

Businesses benefit from their participation, such as through increased sales (courtesy of ecbo).

     At temporary luggage storage facilities and forwarding services to travelers’ accommodation installed at locations like Tokyo station by major Japanese transportation companies, customers are welcomed by staff who wear traditional happi coats, which used to be worn as work clothes by Japanese artisans, in order to provide the customers with a pleasant sight.

A staff member wearing a happi coat while handing over luggage at the Tokyo Service Center, located at Tokyo station. (courtesy of Sagawa Express)

Expanding Services

     Japan’s major tourism agencies, in cooperation with major transportation companies, also started a new service in January 2018 to help foreign visitors to Japan with their hands-free sightseeing. Using these companies’ nationwide networks, the service offered by them forwards large pieces of luggage to travelers’ accommodation or the airport when arriving in Japan, moving around domestically, or leaving the country.      Users can access the service’s reservation portal with a PC or smartphone and request forwarding of their luggage. A QR code assigned to the luggage is then issued. When picking up the luggage, travelers show this QR code on their smartphone screen to staff at the airport counter or their accommodation to complete the process. The service features language support for Japanese, English, Chinese (traditional and simplified), Korean, Thai, Spanish, Italian, and French.

“Luggage-Free Travel” reception terminal. Luggage is managed via QR codes (courtesy of JTB)

Demonstration of JTB’s new service “Luggage-Free Travel” for foreign visitors to Japan, started in collaboration with Yamato Holdings and Panasonic (courtesy of JTB)

English flyer explaining the service (courtesy of JTB)

     Luggage can be entrusted to the service at the four main airports of Narita, Haneda, Kansai, and Chubu, and foreign travelers can then enjoy hands-free sightseeing from the airport they landed at. Of course luggage can also be sent from one accommodation to the next when transferring domestically, or from an accommodation to the departure airport. The major agencies are planning to expand the number of regional airports offering this service in the future.      Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, which aims to increase the number of foreign visitors to Japan, in 2015 created a shared “hands-free sightseeing” logo in a bold red, so that foreign travelers can immediately recognize luggage storage spaces, as one element of the ministry’s promotion of hands-free sightseeing. The private enterprises offering luggage handling services for foreign travelers can display this logo at their reception counters and the like, as long as they are approved by the state. As of December 5, 2018, approved locations number 239. The staff whose smiles look like the accompanying logos look forward to foreign travelers arriving in Japan every day.

“Hands-Free Sightseeing“ shared logo

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GUIDE Travel around Japan luggage-free by JNTO Travel on 14 November 2018

One of the biggest hassles about travelling is often the issue of handling your luggage, especially when you’re taking public transport to get around. You don’t want to be burdened with dragging your luggage around an unfamiliar city, or carrying them up and down the stairs at train stations. It’s a lot more tricky when you take public transport during rush hours.

Thankfully, there are multiple ways to handle your luggage so you can enjoy travelling with ease of mind, and without the burden, thanks to the nationwide ‘ Hands-FreeTravel ’ network.

What is Hands-Free Travel?

Simply look out for the ‘Hands-Free Travel’ logo at places like airports, train stations, hotels, and department stores, and you’ll be able to deliver your baggage between two locations, or store them in a safe place so that you can enjoy luggage-free travel (some locations may have limited service).

Luggage Delivery: From the airport to your hotel, or vice versa

How do you get your luggage from the airport to your hotel when you’ve just arrived early in the morning and your check-in is in the afternoon? Or what if you don’t want to drag your heavy luggage – after you’ve stuffed it full of souvenirs – from your hotel to the airport?

There are several luggage mail service options, some of which offer same-day services if you send before 11am. Prices normally depend on the size and weight of the luggage; most companies charge between 2,000-3,000 yen to deliver a piece of check-in luggage (up to 30kg; 160cm dimension). Most also offer delivery for odd-sized luggage like sports gear (ie. snowboards, bicycles) as well as insurance for lost items up to 300,000 yen.

From the airport to your hotel:

Simply drop your baggage off at a designated delivery counter – look out for signs that say ‘Hands-Free Travel’. Staff will be at hand to assist you with filling in the forms; your luggage will normally be sent to the hotel reception.

Some credit cards and airlines may offer discounted luggage delivery; for example,  JCB  and  UnionPay  customers get discounts on select operators when they pay with their card.  JAL  passengers can also take advantage of discounted baggage delivery to and from major airports.

From your hotel to the airport:

There are several options, but all require advance booking at least a day ahead. Your luggage will normally be delivered to a designated counter to be picked up before you check-in.

• Some hotels have a ‘Hands-Free Travel’ counter, where you can arrange for your luggage to be delivered to the airport
• Schedule a pickup via services like  Airporter  or  Luggage-Free Travel  online, and they will pick up your luggage
• Head to the nearest  Yamato  or  Sagawa  Express service counters - which can usually be found at major hotel lobbies or convenience stores - to drop your luggage. Sagawa can drop your luggage by 4pm the same day if you send it off before 11am (Haneda Airport only).

Travel between hotels and cities without your luggage

Are you travelling to another city by train and don’t want to bother with dragging your luggage onto trains, up the stairs, or across platforms? On trains, there is limited storage space, so what do you do? You can have your luggage sent to your next accommodation, so you can easily get to your destination without the burden, and even go sightseeing along the way!

Depending on the distance, some companies offer same-day delivery if dropped off before 11am. There are several options for delivery depending on your accommodation:

• Check with your hotel if they offer a ‘Hands-Free Travel’ service
• Yamato operates nationwide, so you can simply drop your luggage at the nearest service counters. Sagawa Express has drop-off counters at train stations and tourist centres in Tokyo, like Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree
• Schedule a pickup via services like Luggage-Free Travel (nationwide) or  QL Liner  (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka) which will pick up your luggage from your hotel

Same-day delivery for your luggage is also ideal in these situations:

• From major JR stations in cities all over the country to various hotels within the city; each station will have different courier providers like Yamato or Sagawa Express
• Between the stations and hotels along the  Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route ; depending on the distance, fees cost between 1,000-2,200 yen
• Between the towns of Tsumagoi and Magome in the Kiso Valley, which is handy if you’re walking the Old Nakasendo Road; drop your luggage off at either tourism information center between 8:30 and 11:30, and it will arrive at 13:00 (not valid during winter) at 500 yen per luggage

Here’s a sample price list to deliver one check-in luggage (160cm dimension)*:

*Check directly with the service provider for a more accurate quote. Dimensions calculated as width+height+depth

Luggage storage: Store your luggage for hands-free day trips

Ever wondered what to do with your luggage when you want to go sightseeing without the burden? Or what if you went shopping and bought a ton of stuff and you don’t want to drag it around town with you? If you’re in these situations, there are several ways for you to store them safely.

Coin lockers

Most train stations all over Japan have coin lockers where you can store your luggage or bags – usually, the locker sizes are only large enough to accommodate small backpacks, although larger stations may have lockers large enough for luggage. These lockers are ideal if you’ve got a lot of small bags to carry, or if you don’t want to lug heavy packs around. Coin lockers at train stations charge by the day, whereas lockers at airports like Narita and Centrair can store them for longer period (up to 8 days).

Coin lockers cost from   300 yen (small) , which is usually valid for a day. If you don’t have coins, some lockers accept Suica or Pasmo (similar to our MRT card) payment.

Left luggage

If you have odd-sized luggage that don’t fit into lockers, the best place to store them is with a luggage storage service. Most services have a size limit of 200cm in dimension (height + width + depth). Prices range from about  500 yen per day .

At cafes and offices:

A growing number of cafes, shops, and offices (in addition to selected JR stations and post offices) are offering luggage storage service via a service called  ecbo cloak . You can store your items in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka, Okinawa, Hokkaido, Ehime, and Iwate. With your smartphone, locate available spaces and reserve a spot.

If you’re in Tokyo,  Voyagin  offers luggage storage at their Shibuya office, while  Sagawa Express  has several luggage storage locations at tourist sites like Tokyo Skytree.

At train stations, hotels, and commercial areas:

Some train stations, VIP Liner bus lounges, department stores (like Daimaru and Aeon Mall), and tourist information centres (like Kansai Tourist Information Center) offer luggage storage – simply look out for the ‘Hands-Free Travel’ logo, or look out for Yamato (with its iconic black cat logo).

At the airport:

If you want hands-free travel at the airport, like Narita International, Haneda Airport, and Kansai International Airport – usually offer luggage storage. You can store large/bulky items as well, and prices are determined by size.

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2017年9月21日 株式会社ジェイティービー パナソニック株式会社 ヤマトホールディングス株式会社

〜もっと自由に日本を楽しんでいただくために〜 訪日外国人旅行者の手ぶら観光支援サービス「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」販売開始

株式会社ジェイティービー（所在地：東京都品川区、代表取締役社長 橋 広行、以下JTB）と、パナソニック株式会社（所在地：大阪府門真市、代表取締役社長 津賀 一宏、以下パナソニック）、ヤマトホールディングス株式会社（所在地：東京都中央区、代表取締役社長 山内 雅喜、以下ヤマトグループ）は、2020年に4,000万人に到達すると予測される訪日外国人旅行者に向けて、手ぶらでもっと自由に日本を楽しんでいただくため、国内における手ぶら観光を支援するサービス「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL（商標登録済）」（ラゲージ・フリー・トラベル）のサービス提供にむけ、8月8日より海外での販売を、そして本日9月21日より取次店募集を開始しました。

2020年に向けて訪日外国人旅行者が増加する中、日本に到着した外国人客の多くは、自身で大型手荷物を宿泊施設まで運ぶ時間を要しているのが現状です。また、観光施設や公共交通機関にとって外国人客の大型手荷物を携えた国内移動や滞在先での保管が課題となっています。こうした課題を解消し、訪日外国人旅行者に手ぶら観光の快適さと自由な時間を提供するため、3社は2016年9月1日から2016年10月31日の期間で「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」の実証実験およびアンケート調査を実施しました。その結果、サービスの認知に対する課題があったものの、満足度や手続きの効率化などで評価があったことから、さらなる利便性向上のための開発やマーケティングなどを経て販売開始に至りました。

JTBの訪日外国人旅行者向けパッケージツアー「サンライズツアー」では、LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVELサービスを組み込んだ周遊コースの販売を8月8日より順次開始しており、2018年1月5日にはサービス提供を開始します。

JTBは人々の交流を創造し感動と喜びを提供する「交流文化事業」を、パナソニックは2020年とその先にある「未来の暮らし」の実現に向けたソリューションの提案を、ヤマト グループは「Let's Enjoy Hands-Free Japan〜さあ、日本を“手ぶら”で楽しもう！〜」を掲げ、日本ならではの手ぶらサービスの推進に取り組んでまいりました。

「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」サービスは、それぞれが培ってきた知見やノウハウ、技術を掛け合わせることで実現した、訪日外国人旅行者がより簡単、便利、安心に手ぶら観光を楽しむための新たなプラットフォームです。3社は、2018年1月からのサービス提供に向けて万全の準備を整えるとともに、配送エリアの拡大とサービスレベルの向上を目指し、連携して取り組みを続けてまいります。

【「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」サービスの概要】

訪日外国人旅行者の日本到着・周遊移動・帰国の際、日本語で送り状を手書きすることなく、大型手荷物を宿泊施設や空港まで配送することで、国内における手ぶら観光を支援する全国対応型サービスです。

＜ご利用の流れ＞

• [1] JTB海外支店や提携代理店が提供する当サービスの組み込みツアーを通じて、または個人のPCやスマホによる当サービスの予約サイトへのアクセスを通じて、「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」サービスを購入
• [2] サービス購入時に、受付用番号としてQRコードを取得
• [3] 日本のLFT取次店である空港カウンターや宿泊施設等の荷物受付スタッフにQRコードを提示
• [4] 5か国語対応（日・英・繁・簡・韓）の「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」受付システムにQRコードを読込み
• [5] 事前に登録した配送情報や荷物サイズと個数、規約等を画面上でスタッフとともに確認し、荷物をお預け
• [6] ご指定の宿泊施設や空港カウンターで、配送された荷物をお受取り

＜サービスの概略図＞

＜荷物のお預け・お受取り時間＞

（※）取扱拠点により、お預け時間や受取時間が異なる場合があります。

＜サービス提供によるメリット＞

• [1] 荷物の煩わしさから解放され、快適かつ自由な時間を創出し、より日本の旅行を楽しむことができる
• [2] 送り状の手書きが不要になり、荷物を預ける時間が大幅に短縮できる
• [3] 旅行の途中でもスマートフォンなどから本サービスを手軽に申し込みができる（2018年1月から）
• [1] 専用端末設置等にともなう初期導入費用が不要
• [2] 荷受業務の時間短縮、一時預かり荷物の削減等による業務効率化
• [3] 多言語対応（英語、中国語繁体字、中国語簡体字、韓国語、日本語）による受付スタッフの負担軽減
• [1] 大型手荷物を持った旅行者の移動が減ることで公共交通機関の混雑緩和・安全性向上に貢献
• [2] 訪日外国人旅行者に優しい日本・地域の発信、観光の回遊性向上で地域活性化などに貢献

「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」サービスの利用料金は、大型手荷物のサイズと重さによって「Small」と「Large」の2タイプに分かれます。

（※1）配送エリアによって追加料金が発生します。（以下、追加料金の例参照）

＜関東から発送の場合＞北海道・九州（500円）、沖縄（2,000円）行きは追加料金が発生します。 ＜関西から発送の場合＞北海道（500円）、沖縄（2,000円）行きは追加料金が発生します。

（※2）宿泊施設から空港への配送は、別途空港手数料（648円）が発生します。 サービス利用料金の詳細につきましては、1月末頃 サイト名：LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL申込Webサイト （URL： https://www.luggage-free-travel.com/ ）にてご案内予定です。

【対象エリア（2018年1月時点）】

（※1）成田、羽田、関西、中部の4空港 （※2）東京、大阪、京都、高山を中心としたLFT取次店約100施設

（※3）訪日外国人旅行者の利用傾向から選ぶ全国約1万の宿泊施設が対象となります。 取扱空港およびLFT取次店は順次拡大していき、2020年には全国2,500施設から主要な宿泊施設・空港へ荷物輸送できるサービスを目指します。

【今後のスケジュール】

• [1] 2017年8月より、国内外のJTBグループ会社および海外提携エージェントやOTA（オンライントラベルエージェント）、JAPANiCAN.comなどのWEBサイトにて、LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVELサービスを組み込んだサンライズツアー商品の販売を開始しました。訪日外国人旅行者に人気の東京・高山・京都の周遊ツアーからサービス提供を開始し、随時拡大していきます。併せてLUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL予告サイト（英語：URL： https://www.luggage-free-travel.com/ ）、取次店募集サイト（日本語： https://www.luggage-free-travel.com/partner/ ）を開設し、東京・大阪・京都・高山を中心としたエリアから取扱店を順次拡大していきます。
• [2] 2018年1月より、LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL組込みサンライズツアーのサービス提供を開始します。
• [3] 2018年1月末より、訪日外国人の個人旅行者が旅行前、日本滞在中にいつでも申込みができる「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL申込Webサイト（英語）」を開設し、サービス提供を開始します。4月には韓国語、中国語の簡体字・繁体字の言語対応を拡充し、以降もフランス語、スペイン語など多言語拡充をしていきます。
• [4] 2018年4月以降、取次店募集エリアを全国エリアに拡大してまいります。

【今後の展望】

サービス内容について、スーツケースを中心とした大型手荷物に加え、スキー・スノーボード・ゴルフバック等の「レジャー・ラゲージ」、買物したお土産を帰国日に空港で受取れる「ショッピング・ラゲージ」、全国観光施設の入場・体験の割引・優待サービスの拡充など、外国人旅行者に利便性の高いサービスを随時拡充していきます。

2020年には訪日外国人旅行者の2.5％、100万人が利用するデファクトスタンダード・サービスを目指します。

参考： 【実証実験の概要】

サービスの商用開始に向け、羽田空港および都内の宿泊施設6箇所に「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」受付端末を設置し、多言語対応のICT手ぶら観光の実証実験を以下のように実施しました。

＜実証期間＞ 2016年9月1日（木）〜2016年10月31日（月）

＜実施場所＞ 羽田空港〜都内6ホテル〜箱根・京都・大阪

＜実施対象＞ JTB海外支店・海外提携代理店で宿泊予約した訪日外国人旅行者150人によるサービス利用調査、ならびに訪日外国人旅行者336人へのアンケート調査

＜実証内容＞ 旅程・属性情報と配送情報を連携させたICT手ぶら観光のサービスの有用性・ニーズ検証

＜実証実験施設一覧＞

• ・羽田空港 京急トラベルインフォメーションカウンター（東京都）
• ・京王プラザホテル（東京都）
• ・サンルートプラザ新宿（東京都）
• ・ホテルサンルート東新宿（東京都）
• ・イビス東京新宿（東京都）
• ・ホテルサンルート有明（東京都）
• ・ホテルインターコンチネンタル東京ベイ（東京都）

＜実証実験の結果＞ 訪日外国人旅行者の旅程情報を活用したサービス提供の仕組みの有効性と、「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」サービスの事業可能性を確認し、訪日外国人旅行者の大型手荷物へのストレスを解消することは、利用者のみならず、宿泊施設側にも大きなメリットが生まれると結論づけました。主なポイントは以下の通りです。

• ・現行の荷物の輸送サービスへの認知度は28％、過去の利用経験は3.5％と非常に低く、あまり活用されていないのが現状であり、訪日外国人旅行者に向けたタビマエからのサービス認知促進活動が必要である。
• ・荷物の輸送サービスを利用する際の重視点は、[1] 紛失や遅延が無いが58％、[2] 価格が47％、[3] 申込みが簡単が45％であり、メールや問い合わせ対応が万全な安心・安全のサポート体制、わかりやすいサービスメニューと料金設定、ICTを活用し多言語で簡単に申込み決済ができる仕組が必要である。
• ・「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」サービスの運用フローとシステム操作性への評価は、受付スタッフの説明「分かりやすい」 が72％、システム操作性「わかりやすい」が54％であり、外国人・スタッフ共に、受付時は「シンプルな手順」と「多言語サポート」が求められている。
• ・料金設定と次回利用意向について、空港から宿泊施設および宿泊施設から次の宿泊施設への配送で1,500円程度なら利用したいが90％、2,500円程度なら利用したいが56％と、「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」サービス料金設定で市場性があると判明。

≪報道関係の方からのお問合せ先≫

● 株式会社ジェイティービー 広報室 電話：03-5796-5833 ● パナソニック株式会社 ブランドコミュニケーション本部 広報部 電話：（東京）03-3574-5661（大阪）06-6908-0447 ● ヤマトホールディングス株式会社 広報戦略担当 電話：03-3541-4141

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JTB, Panasonic, Yamato eye paperless luggage transport service for tourists

JTB Corp., Panasonic Corp. and Yamato Holdings Co. said Wednesday they are joining forces on a cloud-based service that will give tourists the option of exploring Japan without carrying their luggage around.

The platform developed by JTB and Panasonic can then read the barcodes via tablet computer to deliver the luggage from place to place.

To use the "luggage-free travel" service, foreign tourists need to register their travel information and apply for it beforehand via travel agency JTB's reservation management system to get the unique barcodes.

An increasing number of companies are trying to capitalize on the tourism boom as the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe aims to get 40 million visitors a year visiting Japan by 2020.

After conducting trial tests from this month through October at Tokyo's Haneda airport and hotels in Tokyo, the three companies plan to launch it by the end of March.

JTB and Panasonic also plan to launch a multilingual concierge service that uses a tablet computer and provides information on tourist destinations, hotels, and travel routes. Following its scheduled launch by the end of fiscal 2016, the two companies aim to have it available at 5,000 locations across Japan by 2020 when Tokyo hosts the Olympics and Paralympics.

Panasonic Executive Officer Masahiro Ido expressed hope that the combination of information and communication technology with tourism can boost satisfaction for foreign tourists.

"We hope to encourage tourists to visit not just Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto but other regional areas as well," Ido said at a press conference.

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

Traveling Light

JTB and Panasonic’s LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL Prepares For The Upcoming Big Events In Japan

Sponsored by JTB Corp., Panasonic Corp. and Yamato Transport Co., Ltd

A New Form Of Tourism On The Horizon

The number of tourists coming to Japan (Source: Japan National Tourism Organization)

With the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and The Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020, as well as the World Masters Games in 2021 and the Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan is drawing the attention of the world with a range of ongoing global events. The goal is drawing 40M inbound visitors by 2020 and 60M by 2030.

Increasing the number of tourists coming to Japan is key to achieving sustainable tourism initiatives around the country. Various efforts are now underway to shore up Japan’s infrastructure and make it easier for inbound travelers. Key points implicated in tourist satisfaction are the appeal of destinations and convenience factors, as well as the hospitality of personnel at various sites.

In some cases, the accommodation facilities and infrastructure, such as public transport, in major cities still lag behind, despite these being key destinations for large numbers of tourists. Complications include stairs in train stations, difficulty getting onboard trains during rush hour, or roads and pathways being uneven. This makes manipulating a heavy suitcase quite the challenge.

JTB, Panasonic, and Yamato Holdings, some of Japan’s foremost leading companies, came together to develop and launch the new LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL service to meet these needs.

We sat down with representatives from each company to learn more about what went into developing this service.

Speaker Profiles

What Led To This New Service From Three Of Japan’s Top Firms

What key issues did inbound tourists to Japan face? How Panasonic and JTB partnered to analyze the true essence of travel

Tanaka: While many solutions we develop continue to evolve day by day, there was still one area of concern: resolving the pain points faced by inbound travelers, such as linguistic barriers and the need for Wi-Fi coverage. We decided to sit down and explore what issues Japan still needed to resolve, or what was lacking, in terms of making the travel experience better for visitors. However, we knew that simply treating surface-level technical or infrastructure issues was only the beginning, and would not lead to substantive change of the real issues.

In a questionnaire we ran, many people reported difficulties with moving their luggage around. Many people also temporarily deposit their luggage with hotels after checking out, and we received a lot of feedback from hotel staff about the lack of storage space and the challenges in accommodating these requests.

The average length of stay by inbound tourists exceeds ten days. Over a long stay, luggage only increases as tourists make purchases. Since they’ve come all this way to experience the different culture, scenery, and seasons that Japan has to offer, it would be a shame to not give tourists the opportunity to fully stretch their legs and travel far and wide. As we explored this issue, we came to realize that many people give up on more elaborate travel plans because of their luggage.

We spent about 18 months brainstorming a solution and decided we had to go beyond just offering luggage shipping services, but promote the actual value -- as an experience -- that travelers stand to gain by traveling hands-free. We decided to partner with Yamato Holdings, experts in transport solutions, to handle the actual shipment process for the LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL service.

Higeta: As it turns out, with the exception of Japan, most countries do not have a service for shipping personal luggage by courier. Therefore, when we asked inbound tourists what sorts of luggage-related services they might like to have, they didn’t have the context to even suggest something like luggage shipping, since it was unfamiliar to them. And for our part, when traveling overseas, we had never encountered a scenario where, for instance, you would travel to the US and then deposit luggage in LA to be shipped to New York. It’s surprisingly uncommon. So we had the sense that Panasonic, JTB, and Yamato Holdings could come together to offer this as a totally new, fresh service.

We want inbound tourists to experience just how convenient travel truly can be when you travel luggage-free throughout your entire journey.

Making Travel A Continuous, Unbroken Experience

Araki: While there are some services for temporary storage of luggage, such as coin-operated lockers, you ultimately have to come back to retrieve your luggage and put it in a vehicle. This can even be quite dangerous when trying to fit luggage into a train during Japan’s congested rush hour. In terms of costs, having to temporarily store your luggage at each point of your journey, such as traveling from a ryokan in Kyoto to Kyoto Station, then boarding a bus or train to your next destination, quickly adds up. Furthermore, temporary storage tends to be lacking in terms of capacity, so you ultimately end up using taxis or other services to get all of your luggage where you want. As a result, not only is the process inconvenient, but it’s expensive. It would be vastly more convenient to get your luggage right from the ryokan you are staying at to your final destination.

Tanaka: Users of the service can apply both before arriving in Japan or during their stay, then enjoy touring the sites hands-free and let their heavy luggage arrive at their destination on its own. Doing this at each leg of the journey with LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL creates an unbroken experience of travel -- we believe this will usher in a new way to travel Japan.

Araki: The name LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL comes from the idea of enjoying travel in a stress-free and hands-free fashion. This lets people avail themselves of public transport with no burdens, and keeps public transit safer and more convenient for other passengers.

A Robust Support Structure Offers Peace Of Mind

Araki: In 2017, two years after launching the service, we launched a questionnaire to about 500 users. When the results came back, 28% of people said they knew about services to deposit luggage while traveling in Japan, but only 3.9% said they had availed themselves of these services. It was much lower than we expected.

As we analyzed why the service was still not a household name and not being used, we came upon three psychological causes of concern for users. Primarily, they were concerned about their logic being broken, lost, or delayed. So our goal was finding a way to resolve these three points.

Higeta: As mentioned earlier, there are few services overseas for shipping of personal luggage. Therefore, it seemed that many people had some psychological hurdles to overcome in terms of accepting this new service.

Araki: In a subsequent questionnaire, we found three other issues beyond the psychological ones. The first was linguistic barriers to using the service; the second was having to prepare Japanese shipping labels by hand; and the third was having to pay in cash. We set about designing the service to handle the three psychological aspects and three physical blockers.

How did you go about making the service more approachable in terms of the psychological hurdles?

Tanaka: Even if using an online service, we felt that thorough communication to the end user was critical to making them feel at ease. We reflected on our own experiences of using services overseas and having various questions and concerns prior to booking or using them. Therefore, we implemented a chat functionality and a call center to accommodate users’ questions. These can be used as early as the initial booking phase, and support multiple languages.

In addition, we automatically send e-mail notifications when the luggage is picked up and loaded on a truck, when the user’s card is processed and charged, and when the luggage is delivered. In addition to this communication before and after the fact, we also offer robust support services to cope with possible adverse events like damage or delays. In terms of submitting luggage shipment details and credit card information for payment, we referred to online hotel booking sites to develop a simple and intuitive UI and UX that users could relate to.

Eliminating the concerns inbound tourists have also allows for personnel at the various facilities they use and stay to better work with them in a seamless manner. We believe this is a testament to the Japanese standard of quality and peace of mind.

Implementing New Ways To Use LFT And Creating A Better Service

Araki: We initially built the service around the idea of using it for trips between airports and hotels, and between two hotels, but we came to see that users would also want to use it to ship additional souvenirs or items they bought during their trip. More customers are now using the service to, for example, ship items from Tokyo to Kansai International Airport on the third day of their trip, then from Hida Takayama to Kansai International Airport, and so on. This lets them stay unencumbered and hands-free throughout the duration of their journey.

Tanaka: In this way, the term LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL has come to encompass a lot of different use cases. That includes LFT as a total travel concierge solution to shipping customers’ luggage per their hotel itinerary, LFT as a convenient and simple tool for the end user to quickly book online, or LFT for small groups led by tour operators. It is used in diverse ways. Our hope is that whether the customer is traveling solo or in a group, they will find new ways of getting the most out of the service.

You currently partner with select locations. Are you planning on expanding this coverage?

Araki: Yes, we are. Since JTB operates this service, it allows for sending luggage to about 12,000 hotels nationwide at present. We have a unique network that other firms cannot offer, which lets us reach deep into local regions and still offer coverage. Having more touchpoints with consumers increases recognition of the service, which we believe is key in terms of getting more users onboard.

Higeta: I wholeheartedly agree. Currently, hotels are the main point where users can deposit luggage. However, we have also gotten feedback from people who want to use the service outside of a hotel context, so we’d like to offer more points in key locations within cities.

Tanaka: As we head towards 2020, overnight accommodations are diversifying, such as people renting private residences. We’d like to expand to accommodate beyond hotels. We believe this is a prime opportunity to expand our service coverage and offer more touchpoints.

Major city centers are struggling with a lack of capacity to meet “overtourism” demands, and regional destinations have transit and transport dilemmas associated with the challenges of using multiple transport routes to get there. What solutions do you see to these issues?

Tanaka: In terms of 2018 performance, use of the service at Narita Airport and Haneda Airport was highest, with Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto -- major city destinations -- also dominating the numbers. Going forward, people will probably start fanning out to more remote regions, so this requires the local communities there to think about how to accommodate this surge in travelers.

Higeta: As people gain more exposure to regional destinations and extend their travel routes, popular destinations like Kyoto and Osaka may become less congested. Therefore, when people from other, more remote regions face the challenges of handling travelers’ luggage, we want to be there to offer an integrated solution.

Tanaka: Personally, my goal for the near future is to segment transport of people and transport of goods such that the speed at which travelers and their luggage move are on totally separate vectors. People can have richer experiences, traveling unfettered where they want to go, while their luggage travels straight to where it needs to be, skipping unnecessary steps. We hope this becomes the norm going forward. JTB is involved in a range of initiatives to foster local exchange, so we are excited to see where this service develops.

The time you have during a trip overseas is limited. This solution allows you to save precious time and not waste it on looking for where to store your luggage, letting you travel freely and with ease.

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Use LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL for Easier Travel in Japan

JTB, Panasonic, and Yamato Holdings will launch  LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL , a luggage transportation service for foreign tourists in January 2018.

The service will enable foreign tourists to send their luggage easily from the airports or hotels, and receive at the counter of the designated hotel or the airports. To avoid any hassle, booking and payment can be completed online in advance.

In January 2018, the service will be available at the following 4 airports; Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, and major hotels commonly used by foreign tourists (about 10,000 hotels). They plan to expand the service by 2020, by the year of Tokyo Olympics.

Table of Contents

How the service works

For example, to send luggage from the Airport to Hotel,

1. Book and compelte the payment online. Get a QR code. 2. Once you arrive in Japan, show the QR code at the counter, and drop off your luggage. 3. You are free to explore Japan without luggage. 4. Collect your luggage at your hotel.

Delivery time

From Airport to Hotel Drop off by 11AM Pick up available from 6PM

From Hotel to another Hotel Drop off by 3PM Pick up available from Check-in time the next day

From Hotel to Airport Drop off by 3PM, 2 days before the departure date Pick up available from the morning on the departure date

Small  (The total of height x width x depth is max 120cm, max 15g) 2,000JPY +tax/per way *

Large  (The total of height x width x depth is max 160cm, max 25g) 2,500JPY +tax/per way *

*There are additional charges to send to Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Okinawa regions. *There is an additional handling charges for luggage sent from a hotel to the airport.

Service Website

For the latest updates of the service, please check the official English website. LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL

*Top Image: PR times

GetAround Japan is your number one travel guide, providing the latest information on visiting and living in Japan, with tips on what to eat, things to do, and places to stay.

Whether you’re planning for a trip far in the future, or already in Japan in need of some fresh ideas, our archive of posts will help you find the best way to fill your time and get the most out of your travel experience. We provide you updates on serious policies that affect visitors and foreign residents while also keeping things light and fun with articles on quirky trends and pop culture.

How do we know how to provide visitors the information they need? Our affiliate company CDJapan Rental provides WIFI and Sim Card rentals to thousands of visitors to Japan every year. In other words, we are constantly in touch with and listening to the voices of our customers, and infuse our blog with the information they ask us for.

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Enjoy Luggage-free Travel in Japan

No matter you are traveling from far or close to Japan, you must have prepared numbers of huge luggage and bags to keep your favourite Japanese souvenirs. Wouldn’t it be perfect if you can enjoy a hassle-free trip between cities?

Coin Lockers

The first most common practice is storing your luggage in coin lockers. You may find coin lockers of different sizes at most major stations and tourist spots, which cost about 300 – 600 yen. It is possible to pay by IC cards in some downtown facilities, yet, it is always best to keep some 100 yen coins with you. In some popular and busy locations, such as Shinjuku Station and  New Yokohama Station, you may find it difficult to find a free locker. Remember to research, prioritize and note down the location of your targeted locker.

Luggage Delivery Service

The Japanese hospitality of course would never disappoint you. Now you can enjoy the luxurious and comfortable  hands-free travel service in Japan.

Airport-Hotel Delivery

Upon your arrival to the four major airports Narita , Haneda , Kansai International Airport and Chubu Centrair in Nagoya, you can immediately drop off your luggage and have it delivered to your hotel on the same day, or any designated date and time. Then you can start your day trip right away. It is definitely a great option for family travellers. 

Hotel to Hotel Delivery

Nevertheless, most major hotels also offer luggage delivery between hotels . Send your luggage to the next hotel at the reception of the current hotel and go sightseeing, your baggage will then be waiting for you at the next hotel. If you are staying at small hotels, you can also enjoy travelling in comfort with convenient store delivery service . If you are travelling to ski resorts, golf course or planning to do a lot of shopping, the delivery service would absolutely be a great help.

LikeJapan Editorial Team

See author's posts

Luggage-free Travel and Clothing Rental Makes Traveling in Japan Even Easier

Now you can travel light within japan and still have all you need.

by Catherine McGuinness August 26, 2018, 11:26 am 2.7k Views

With the number of tourists visiting Japan on the rise and the 2020 Olympics around the corner, the need to make travel around the country as easy as possible is one at the forefront of people’s minds.

Visitors to the country can now avail of services that will take some of the stress out of navigating a foreign country.

Let someone else ‘lug’ your luggage

A new luggage delivery service has been set up by the sponsors of the 2020 Olympics JTB, Panasonic and Yamoto Transport.

The service, Luggage-Free Travel , transports travelers’ baggage from the airport to their accommodation. That way, they are free to travel without worrying about lugging their baggage with them on public transport.

People wishing to avail of the service must create an account on the Luggage-Free Travel website and arrange the delivery in advance. You can check how much the delivery will cost you by getting an instant quote online. Then you select the date and time you’ll be needing the service. You will receive a QR code and email confirmation once you’ve made your booking. At the airport you leave your bags, quoting your QR code, at the Luggage-Free Travel desk and the staff will take care of the rest.

The billing service is secure and you will receive emails when your luggage is collected and delivered. Insurance is available, and you can also track your baggage’s journey or use live chat for further peace of mind.

Travelers can pack lightly and borrow the things they need easily when they arrive at their destination

Travel light by renting clothes

Entrepreneur, Shimpei Watanabe’s new startup, Locarry , allows people to rent a whole range of clothing items instead of having to pack and carry heavy bags when traveling. People can rent things like hiking boots, workout clothes, suits, or even yoga mats and other bulky items that are difficult to transport. This allows people to save on paying excess baggage fees and travel lightly wherever they go.

Locarry is not an entirely new idea. There are already businesses that rent out their own products to customers but Watanabe’s startup is different in that it allows anyone at all to lend their items to users of the service. The focus of Locarry is convenience. Travelers can pack lightly and borrow the things they need when they arrive at their destination.

Lenders post a list of items that they have available to use and borrowers input their measurements, so items can be filtered by size.  Borrowers and lenders then meet up to exchange the clothing or other items and the fee for renting them. A five-star review system ensures the quality of items being lent.

Watanabe believes Locarry can be a handy side hustle for people wanting to earn a bit of extra cash or a full-time job for people living in popular tourist destinations. It’s a little like Airbnb in the fact that anyone can earn money from it.

Worldwide travel is increasing all the time so it’s not surprising that people are coming up with news ways to make the experience more convenient. Transporting heavy luggage and having to be economical with the things you can bring are difficulties faced by most travelers so the services we mentioned can certainly solve those issues. Now, if only someone could find a solution to the leg-room problem on flights …

Convenience when traveling to Japan can certainly lead to a further increase in the number of visitors to the country.

What do you think?

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• 株式会社ジェイティービー
• ヤマトホールディングス株式会社

製品・サービス / プレスリリース

～もっと自由に日本を楽しんでいただくために～

訪日外国人旅行者の手ぶら観光支援サービス「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」販売開始

株式会社ジェイティービー（所在地：東京都品川区、代表取締役社長 髙橋広行、以下JTB）と、パナソニック株式会社（所在地：大阪府門真市、代表取締役社長 津賀一宏、以下パナソニック）、ヤマトホールディングス株式会社（所在地：東京都中央区、代表取締役社長 山内雅喜、以下ヤマトグループ）は、2020年に4,000万人に到達すると予測される訪日外国人旅行者に向けて、手ぶらでもっと自由に日本を楽しんでいただくため、国内における手ぶら観光を支援するサービス「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL（商標登録済）」（ラゲージ・フリー・トラベル）のサービス提供にむけ、8月8日より海外での販売を、そして本日9月21日より取次店募集を開始しました。

2020年に向けて訪日外国人旅行者が増加する中、日本に到着した外国人客の多くは、自身で大型手荷物を宿泊施設まで運ぶ時間を要しているのが現状です。また、観光施設や公共交通機関にとって外国人客の大型手荷物を携えた国内移動や滞在先での保管が課題となっています。こうした課題を解消し、訪日外国人旅行者に手ぶら観光の快適さと自由な時間を提供するため、3社は2016年9月1日から2016年10月31日の期間で「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」の実証実験およびアンケート調査を実施しました。その結果、サービスの認知に対する課題があったものの、満足度や手続きの効率化などで評価があったことから、さらなる利便性向上のための開発やマーケティングなどを経て販売開始に至りました。 JTBの訪日外国人旅行者向けパッケージツアー「サンライズツアー」では、LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVELサービスを組み込んだ周遊コースの販売を8月8日より順次開始しており、2018年1月5日にはサービス提供を開始します。

JTBは人々の交流を創造し感動と喜びを提供する「交流文化事業」を、パナソニックは2020年とその先にある「未来の暮らし」の実現に向けたソリューションの提案を、ヤマト グループは「Let's Enjoy Hands-Free Japan～さあ、日本を“手ぶら”で楽しもう！～」を掲げ、日本ならではの手ぶらサービスの推進に取り組んでまいりました。 「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」サービスは、それぞれが培ってきた知見やノウハウ、技術を掛け合わせることで実現した、訪日外国人旅行者がより簡単、便利、安心に手ぶら観光を楽しむための新たなプラットフォームです。3社は、2018年1月からのサービス提供に向けて万全の準備を整えるとともに、配送エリアの拡大とサービスレベルの向上を目指し、連携して取り組みを続けてまいります。

【「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」サービスの概要】

訪日外国人旅行者の日本到着・周遊移動・帰国の際、日本語で送り状を手書きすることなく、大型手荷物を宿泊施設や空港まで配送することで、国内における手ぶら観光を支援する全国対応型サービスです。

• （1）JTB海外支店や提携代理店が提供する当サービスの組み込みツアーを通じて、または個人のPCやスマホによる当サービスの予約サイトへのアクセスを通じて、「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」サービスを購入
• （2）サービス購入時に、受付用番号としてQRコードを取得
• （3）日本のLFT取次店である空港カウンターや宿泊施設等の荷物受付スタッフにQRコードを提示
• （4）5か国語対応（日・英・繁・簡・韓）の「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」受付システムにQRコードを読込み
• （5）事前に登録した配送情報や荷物サイズと個数、規約等を画面上でスタッフとともに確認し、荷物をお預け
• （6）ご指定の宿泊施設や空港カウンターで、配送された荷物をお受取り

＜荷物のお預け・お受取り時間＞

• （※） 取扱拠点により、お預け時間や受取時間が異なる場合があります。

＜サービス提供によるメリット＞

• ・ 訪日外国人旅行者 （1）荷物の煩わしさから解放され、快適かつ自由な時間を創出し、より日本の旅行を楽しむことができる （2）送り状の手書きが不要になり、荷物を預ける時間が大幅に短縮できる （3）旅行の途中でもスマートフォンなどから本サービスを手軽に申し込みができる（2018年1月から）
• ・ 観光事業者（宿泊施設等） （1）専用端末設置等にともなう初期導入費用が不要 （2）荷受業務の時間短縮、一時預かり荷物の削減等による業務効率化 （3）多言語対応（英語、中国語繁体字、中国語簡体字、韓国語、日本語）による受付スタッフの負担軽減
• ・ 社会 （1）大型手荷物を持った旅行者の移動が減ることで公共交通機関の混雑緩和・安全性向上に貢献 （2）訪日外国人旅行者に優しい日本・地域の発信、観光の回遊性向上で地域活性化などに貢献

「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」サービスの利用料金は、大型手荷物のサイズと重さによって「Small」と「Large」の2タイプに分かれます。

• （※1）配送エリアによって追加料金が発生します。（以下、追加料金の例参照） ＜関東から発送の場合＞北海道・九州（500円）、沖縄（2,000円）行きは追加料金が発生します。 ＜関西から発送の場合＞北海道（500円）、沖縄（2,000円）行きは追加料金が発生します。
• （※2）宿泊施設から空港への配送は、別途空港手数料（648円）が発生します。

サービス利用料金の詳細につきましては、1月末頃「サイト名：LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL申込Webサイト （URL: https://www.luggage-free-travel.com/ ）にてご案内予定です。

【対象エリア（2018年1月時点）】

• （※1）成田、羽田、関西、中部の4空港
• （※2）東京、大阪、京都、高山を中心としたLFT取次店約100施設
• （※3）訪日外国人旅行者の利用傾向から選ぶ全国約1万の宿泊施設が対象となります。

取扱空港およびLFT取次店は順次拡大していき、2020年には全国2,500施設から主要な宿泊施設・空港へ荷物輸送できるサービスを目指します。

【今後のスケジュール】

• （1） 2017年8月より、国内外のJTBグループ会社および海外提携エージェントやOTA（オンライントラベルエージェント）、JAPANiCAN.comなどのWEBサイトにて、LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVELサービスを組み込んだサンライズツアー商品の販売を開始しました。訪日外国人旅行者に人気の東京・高山・京都の周遊ツアーからサービス提供を開始し、随時拡大していきます。併せてLUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL予告サイト（英語：URL: https://www.luggage-free-travel.com/ ）、取次店募集サイト（日本語： https://www.luggage-free-travel.com/partner/ ）を開設し、東京・大阪・京都・高山を中心としたエリアから取扱店を順次拡大していきます。
• （2） 2018年1月より、LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL組込みサンライズツアーのサービス提供を開始します。
• （3） 2018年1月末より、訪日外国人の個人旅行者が旅行前、日本滞在中にいつでも申込みができる「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL申込Webサイト（英語）」を開設し、サービス提供を開始します。4月には韓国語、中国語の簡体字・繁体字の言語対応を拡充し、以降もフランス語、スペイン語など多言語拡充をしていきます。
• （4） 2018年4月以降、取次店募集エリアを全国エリアに拡大してまいります。

サービス内容について、スーツケースを中心とした大型手荷物に加え、スキー・スノーボード・ゴルフバック等の「レジャー・ラゲージ」、買物したお土産を帰国日に空港で受取れる「ショッピング・ラゲージ」、全国観光施設の入場・体験の割引・優待サービスの拡充など、外国人旅行者に利便性の高いサービスを随時拡充していきます。 2020年には訪日外国人旅行者の2.5％、100万人が利用するデファクトスタンダードサービスを目指します。

サービスの商用開始に向け、羽田空港および都内の宿泊施設6箇所に「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」受付端末を設置し、多言語対応のICT手ぶら観光の実証実験を以下のように実施しました。

• ＜実証期間＞ 2016年9月1日（木）～2016年10月31日（月）
• ＜実施場所＞ 羽田空港～都内6ホテル～箱根・京都・大阪
• ＜実施対象＞ JTB海外支店・海外提携代理店で宿泊予約した訪日外国人旅行者150人によるサービス利用調査、ならびに訪日外国人旅行者336人へのアンケート調査
• ＜実証内容＞旅程・属性情報と配送情報を連携させたICT手ぶら観光のサービスの有用性・ニーズ検証
• ＜実証実験施設一覧＞ ・ 羽田空港 京急トラベルインフォメーションカウンター（東京都） ・ 京王プラザホテル（東京都） ・ サンルートプラザ新宿（東京都） ・ ホテルサンルート東新宿（東京都） ・ イビス東京新宿（東京都） ・ ホテルサンルート有明（東京都） ・ ホテルインターコンチネンタル東京ベイ（東京都）

訪日外国人旅行者の旅程情報を活用したサービス提供の仕組みの有効性と、「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」サービスの事業可能性を確認し、訪日外国人旅行者の大型手荷物へのストレスを解消することは、利用者のみならず、宿泊施設側にも大きなメリットが生まれると結論づけました。主なポイントは以下の通りです。

• ・ 現行の荷物の輸送サービスへの認知度は28％、過去の利用経験は3.5％と非常に低く、あまり活用されていないのが現状であり、訪日外国人旅行者に向けたタビマエからのサービス認知促進活動が必要である。
• ・ 荷物の輸送サービスを利用する際の重視点は、（1）紛失や遅延が無いが58％、（2）価格が47％、（3）申込みが簡単が45％であり、メールや問い合わせ対応が万全な安心・安全のサポート体制、わかりやすいサービスメニューと料金設定、ICTを活用し多言語で簡単に申込み決済ができる仕組が必要である。
• ・ 「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」サービスの運用フローとシステム操作性への評価は、受付スタッフの説明「分かりやすい」 が72％、システム操作性「わかりやすい」が54％であり、外国人・スタッフ共に、受付時は「シンプルな手順」と「多言語サポート」が求められている。
• ・ 料金設定と次回利用意向について、空港から宿泊施設および宿泊施設から次の宿泊施設への配送で1,500円程度なら利用したいが90％、2,500円程度なら利用したいが56％と、「LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL」サービス料金設定で市場性があると判明。

記事の内容は発表時のものです。 商品の販売終了や、組織の変更等により、最新の情報と異なる場合がありますのでご了承ください。

• 企業・法人向けソリューション

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Yamato Transport, together with the Japan Tourism Agency, recommend the "Hands-Free Travel" services. These include parcel delivery and temporary luggage storage, which allow travelers to enjoy sightseeing such as shopping, fine dining and other cultural experiences.

This is the logo mark for service counters certified as "Hands-Free Travel" by the Japan Tourism Agency.

Japan is a Train-based Society

Public transportation in Japan is highly developed in metropolitan areas and at sightseeing destinations. A large percentage of people travel by train, so it is common for major stations and trains to be crowded throughout the day.

This is why we recommend "Hands-Free Travel"

Walk around stations with ease

Enjoy comfortable travel in both crowded stations and trains! You will also be relieved from hauling luggage when going up and down stairs, or wandering through large stations.

Travel safely while holding your children's hands

When both of your hands are busy carrying luggage, it is easy to lose track of your children. This service allows you to travel through crowded stations without worry by freeing your hands so that you can hold your children's hands.

No more lost luggage

A little carelessness could lead to lost or stolen luggage when traveling through stations you are unaccustomed to. "Hands-Free Travel" ensures a comfortable and safe journey.

Customer's Voice

Stations in Japan were very crowded so it was very difficult for us to change trains with our children while carrying our luggage as well. We found large coin-operated lockers at train stations, but they were often full. Luckily, we found Yamato's temporary luggage storage service at the train station so we left our luggage with them. We were so surprised to find that Yamato was also able to have our luggage sent to the airport or our hotel! The friendly staff helped us to fill out the waybill and even handed us sightseeing pamphlets. Thanks to the "Hands-Free Travel" service, we were able to enjoy our trip throughout Japan even more.

Tourist from Taiwan

Learn more through Manga

• Yamato's Website

This is "YAMATO Quality"

Introducing the safe, secure and reliable service which Yamato provides.

Celebrating our 100th Anniversary in 2019

No. 1 Market Share in Japan

100% Delivery Coverage

How we can assist your travel

Same-day luggage delivery * Except some counters

Send your luggage to the hotel from the airport

Free your hands, save time and travel in comfort by sending your luggage from the airport to your hotel and vice versa with Yamato.

Luggage delivery between hotels

Travel to your next destination hassle-free

Enjoy traveling to your next destination, even when using crowded public transport, by sending your luggage to your next hotel with Yamato.

Luggage storage and tourist information services

Enjoy your holiday even more with your hands free

Yamato has service counters at train stations and commercial areas where you can temporarily store your luggage and receive tourist information.

Leisure goods delivery

Travel to ski resorts and golf courses hands free

Send your heavy ski equipments and golf bags to designated ski resorts and golf courses with Yamato while traveling with your hands free.

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Chubu / hokuriku, chubu / hokuriku ＋.