What is the best way to travel from Narita airport to Tokyo (Akasaka) with 2 adults, 3 small children, 5 pieces of large luggage, and 5 carry-on bags?
Thanks,
AnLee

There is one taxi company that we use that has vans. They charge the same as a regular taxi, which is 23,000 yen from the airport. In that direction, you have to book them, though. They are not waiting out there. If you would like to do that, let me know. They meet you at the customs exit with a sign. It's pretty easy.

The other option is to take the bus. It's about 3,000 each adult/2,500 each child. You would want the one to ANA Hotel probably. That is in Akasaka. Then you have to get all your stuff into two cabs from there for a short ride.

Scott

Sorry, even though it sounds crazy to take 3 small kids and all that luggage on the train, if money is an issue, and kids under 6 ride for free, then it might not be a bad idea to take the train into Ueno or Tokyo station and get a taxi from there.

The Keisei Skyliner (with toilets, reserved seats and non-smoking cars available from Narita to Keisei Ueno station) costs 1900 yen per adult. Kids under 6 are free and there is a place at the front of each car for luggage.

Two sites I could find with some info and pictures, not really great but here they are:
http://markun.cs.shinshu-u.ac.jp/olympic/Japan/Ken/SL2/index-e.html
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~mt5h-nitu/jrs/nex/skynex.htm

The Japan Rail Narita Express is a bit more expensive and goes into the larger and more confusing stations such as Tokyo station (the most convenient one to Akasaka area).

Depending on where you are coming from you may just be too tired to try to save money. We have written a page on Narita Airport (under the FYI section of the Tokyo With Kids web site) which also includes some info on the trains.

To AnLee,
One thing we usually do to avoid luggage carrying in the crowded train is to send all luggaged by 'takkyubin'. They come to collect your things if you are sending to the airport and deliver to your door if you are sending from the airport. Each luggage costs about 1200-1500 yen. Without the luggage, you can concentrate on getting your children in and out of the train before the train doors shut. We have done it so many times and think it is worth the money.
p.s. There is a counter at the airport for the service. The delivery companies are the Kuroneko and the Sagawa Kyubin. Good Luck.

Ann Tang

Yes, I agree that sending the luggage separately can be very helpful. Sometimes we send only part of it.

If you're arriving, the counters are just outside the customs exit. In Terminal 1, they are all the way to left. There are a few and they're all about the same. They are eagerly waiting with clipboards in hand to help you fill out the forms.

It would help to have your address written in Japanese for them to copy. But, English is ok, too.

Scott

To Scott
I am arriving with my family + about 90 kilos of luggage at Narita in a fortnight. Can you give me the phone number for the van service please?

This site has given me lots of help in preparing our movnig, by the way!

Inger

the taxi company with vans is:

Kehin Bolag
3790-0117
Operates like a regular taxi.
Seats 7 plus a fair amount of luggage or 4 and a lot of luggage.
There is a wheelchair lift in the rear where the luggage goes. So, with a wheelchair, there could be up to 4 passengers.
You can make a reservation between Tokyo and Narita in either direction. Give them a few days notice, at least- more for busy times.
If they are picking you up from Narita, they will wait outside the customs exit with your name and the taxi is right outside, usually. Have your flight info when you make the
reservation. They know to keep track if your flight is delayed.
Typical fare between say Shibuya and Narita is about 23,000 plus 2,350 in tolls.
The vans are pretty clean. They try to be non-smoking, but I think they have a hard time stopping people that are intent. Drivers I've had have all been professional. (unlike
a lot that you run into now)
It is best to deal with them in Japanese, but they may be able to receive a request in English.
Best would be to ask for their fax number and send your information by fax in English.
Hope this is helpful.

Hello,
We'll be moving to Japan by the end of this year. The question is how do you get to your apt from the airport with 2 kids and 8 suitcases? Do you take a taxi? Are there large size taxis that would take 8 suitcases and 4 people??

What do we do?
Thanks!

Hi,
Here is the omnibus taxi from your house to an airport. The car of a photo will offer sufficient width for you.

http://www.teito-group.com/liner.htm

Have a good travel!

Hi Terri:

One of the wonderful things about Japan is the variety of choices in how to move people and 'stuff' !

Most 'takkyubin' (FED-Ex) all or most of their suitcases. The takkyubin counter is right at arrivals in the airport.

It would cost about $10 per suitcase and they would arrive at your apartment the next day.

Then I would take the train into Tokyo...$15 for adults and $7 for children.

Most any district in Tokyo is near a train station so a quick walk or short taxi ride would be the next choice.

I hope this helps...

Lea
www.scooterwally.com

Just to add to Lea's reply,

If you are completely bewildered by the layout of the airport on arrival, to find the couriers turn either left or right (different companies on both sides of arrivals lounge) and look for the people holding up cardboard signs and shouting. One company has a logo of a cat holding a kitten in its mouth - this is the one I use because it's easy to spot and has been consistantly reliable. If possible, have your address written down-most are okay with this being written in English. They will ask you if you have anything valuable in your bags, and what is it, and also when you want your bag delivered.

If you are completely at a loss, head to the information counter for more help. The train stations are downstairs, though you can buy your tickets upstairs (there is the NEX - Narita Express, and the Keio express) The upstairs ticketing booths usually have staff who speak excellent english. The trains tend to be much faster than the buses or taxis due to heavy traffic on the Tokyo roads.

If you want to avoid the hassle of changing money at the airport (though it's not difficult to do here) bring some yen with you - I don't think you can use visa for the luggage, though there are ATMs available, but these are in diffirent places, depending on which terminal you arrive in.

It's much simpler than it sounds!

Good luck

Mcnulty...I just have to ask !

A bit off topic, but I don't think there are too many Mcnulty living in Japan.

Is this the Vancouver PGGC Mcnulty who's (wonderful) dad has us bring care packages over and then takkyubin them to you once they land in Japan?

If so..."hello" ! we've shuttled packages to you for a few years now but never met or talked before.

Lea Watson
www.scooterwally.com

Changing money at the airport:

I would like to comment that from what I have seen, unlike the rest of the world more or less, the Narita airport money exchange rates are as good as anywhere else in the city. The exchange rates are all controlled by the government or rather the official Bank of Japan daily x-change rates. The only bank I've found that diverges from it slightly is Citibank, and is not always necessarily in your favor. It has also been my experience that it is cheaper to buy the yen once I am in Narita then to buy them in advance (with the possible exception of Hong Kong? which has a super competitive money exchange market).

In other words, you will not find a better exchange rate by waiting until you get to a major hotel or something.

On the subject of couriers, I found out the last time I went through Narita that they will give you a discount if you ask for one-- the way I asked was by walking up to the company reps (five people holding cardboard signs, accosting you to choose their company) and saying in as LOUD a voice as I could muster, "I'LL USE WHICHEVER OF YOU IS THE CHEAPEST." ("Ichiban yasui no ga ii") They immediately proceeded to fall all over themselves to give discounts -- I think I paid 1500 yen per bag, maybe 1600, instead of the usual 2000 yen, with guaranteed next-morning delivery (I live in Tokyo).

As for credit cards, you CAN use them for sending your bags, but they won't give you the discount if you use a credit card.

Tara, Adachi-ku

Thank you all for your suggestions! We might have to stay at a hotel for a week because the custom process takes a week (?) according to the shipping company rep. He said the Custom office will NOT start the process unless you're physically in the country (Japan). Is that right? We don't want to stay in our apt without any furniture and other stuff.

The above post from 2000 is no longer valid. Please see the information about MK Taxi in the Narita article at: http://www.tokyowithkids.com/fyi/narita.html
Scott

Hello!
We are going to Canada with Air Canada but I do not have concret information: exactly how many kilos, how many bagagge can take with me and my infant. The another big problem is the stroller. I have a big one, foldable in two, 9 kg. Is possible to take with me for free?
Thank you!

Hi Nusko!
http://www.aircanada.jp/en/checked-baggage.htm?cLoc=jp
For the stroller, I think it is better to call them to make sure!

http://www.aircanada.jp/en/contact.htm?cLoc=jp

Good luck!

I concur you should check with Air Canada but if you gate check it it doesn't count as baggage or towards your total weight of baggage. We used to gate check two strollers, no problem.