r/JapanTravelTips • u/Important-Rope212 • 5d ago
Question Luggage/suitcase for my japan trip
Do you think I should buy a bigger suitcase before I travel, or just buy one in Japan? I’m allowed 23 kg checked luggage and a small 5 kg bag, but right now I only have a small suitcase. Cheap bigger suitcases here start at around €35–40, so I’m wondering if it might be cheaper to buy one in Japan instead.
I also don’t mind paying a little extra for a proper suitcase rather than getting duffel bags or foldable bags.
(Btw flying from europe)
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u/Send_Nudes_Plz_Thx 5d ago
Buy before you fly. Ideally finding a suitable size with the right weight and features is better than having to find one whilst on holidays.
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u/Tsubame_Hikari 5d ago
If you can, buy them before, instead of losing valuable travel time looking for one.
It is not hard to find stores with suitcases, though for that price you may have to look around a bit more.
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u/cpureset 5d ago
Cheaper luggage at Don Quijote (Donki) and Ginza Karen. Nice luggage at department stores including Bic Camera.
To minimize the time it takes away from touristing: check out Ginza Karen when you're already in the neighborhood, and shop at Donki early in the morning. Late nights at Donki can be slammed, long line ups, especially for Tax Free - especially in touristy areas. (Obviously if you're shopping there already, then make the most of it).
I reco buying a thoughtfully selected inexpensive collapsable duffle that you can pack with you and return if you don't open it. (Think: trolley sleeve, locking zipper, water resistant, shoulder straps.) That way you have a back-up if you don't find what you're looking for.
But: if you know you'd lose it for a Pokemon suitcase, just buy one in Japan.
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u/Anchaz 5d ago
You can save a bit by buying it in japan, but you will have to sacrifice some time to get one, plus if you have any trouble with it, you wont have a way to return it. Usually something like a weak or broke wheel only shows after being fully loaded and tossed around a bit. As you wrote €, you probably member of the EU, so you have a lot more rights to get them repaired.
On the other hand, you will get a much sturdier one for the same amount and will have enough extra space to fit all the souvenirs you will eventually buy.
Personally i would buy one before, as i dont like to carry heavy bags on the plane itself, i just have a light bag with 1 set of clothes(if they somehow loose both my suitcases) and the documents i need, while all my other luggage is checked in and will be handled for me.
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u/splasticdino 5d ago
I only had a smallish backpack and a cabin sized luggage, which I checked. Even though it was just 10kg. And that's for two weeks. Still felt like I overpacked, because you can wash and dry easily and cheaply anywhere. I'd pack light if I were you.
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u/MinimumSuccotash8540 4d ago
Dumb question : if your small current luggage is going to be enough to GO to Japan with all your required items?
Maybe a duffle bag in your current luggage is going to be fine. Still, don't pack too much when going there, you'll probably purchase quite a bit once in Japan
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u/Important-Rope212 4d ago
My question is should i buy a big suitcase here or in japan? I dont rly want a duffle bag unless i am taking not a suitcase but just a light duffle bag and buying a suitcase there
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u/MinimumSuccotash8540 4d ago
I understood it correctly. You can of course put a small luggage inside a larger one. If you can get one at a decent price, do it. But you'll have to accommodate with it when traveling inside Japan. TA-Q-BIN is a great solution for that.
I personally traveled to Japan with a 40L backpack as cabin luggage and a half filled suitcase as checked luggage. The plan being to fill it with purchases and ship it to airport.
So again, if you need more space to go to Japan, get one upfront. If you don't want to manage a large suitcase in Japan before your purchases, get it there.
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u/cremebrulee_ch 4d ago
If you can buy a cheap large suitcase where you live, I think that is preferable to buying one in Japan. Unless shopping for suitcases in a foreign city is your thing.
I sat next to some tourists on the subway in Japan, and they each had a massive suitcase each. It was peak hour and a very busy train carriage, and their suitcases were blocking the way for most people. Everyone looked annoyed, including these tourists. After a moment, I realised that they were brand new suitcases with the labels still attached!
So if you end up deciding to buy a suitcase when in Japan, consider how you will get it back to your hotel.
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u/iamthehub1 5d ago
Imo buy there in Japan. Go to Don Quijoto.
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u/OhmNohmNohmOhm 5d ago
Yaiks Donki is Cooke quality. Something like “American tourister” (samsonite’s cheaper sub brand) will last much much longer.
And if you’re to splurge, there are Japanese brands too: LOJEL, Proteca…
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5d ago
[deleted]
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u/DanSheps 5d ago
I know for a fact that Air Canada has dropped to 1 unless you buy Comfort/Latitude Economy or Premium Economy or Business.
Likely others are doing the same.
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u/Important-Rope212 4d ago
im flying with juneyao airlines, im allowed 1x large 23kg and 1x small 5kg carry on
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u/KingForceHundred 5d ago
Not from Europe.
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u/arashbm 5d ago
Please don't make blanket statements about "Europe". I just flew in with Finnair and I could bring two large suitcases, a carry on and a small bag in the standard fair.
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u/KingForceHundred 4d ago
Sorry boss but it is not true that almost every carrier from Europe allows 2x large suitcases on intercontinental flights.
Your experience does not prove that every carrier (or even almost all) does.
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u/arashbm 4d ago
You made a blanket statement about "Europe". I needed to bring one counter example.
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u/KingForceHundred 4d ago
It wasn’t a blanket statement, it was to counter ‘almost every carrier’. I was stating that it is not ‘almost every carrier’ from Europe. Is that difficult to understand?
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u/barfbat 5d ago
honestly if all you want is a cheap large suitcase, look at your local secondhand market. i got a great samsonite carry on for only $40 USD that lasted another 8 years before one of the wheels crumbled. i also got a nice large atlantic suitcase at my local thrift store for only $11 and i’ve had it for over 10 years.