I’ve been fortunate to travel to Japan multiple times. It’s an amazing country and each time I go I admire how polite, clean and orderly everything is. However, there’s a surprising new trend happening according to the local news (embedded below): abandoned suitcases. From Tokyo’s neon-lit Kabuki-cho to Narita Airport, the gateway for millions of travelers, forgotten or deliberately discarded luggage is piling up and creating both social and logistical headaches.
A Growing Pile Up at Airports
At Narita International Airport alone, police have already collected around 700 abandoned suitcases in 2024, nearly double the number from last year. These range from half-empty carry-ons to oversized roller bags that travelers realized too late they couldn’t take onboard. I’ve walked through Narita plenty of times and the idea of hundreds of suitcases sitting in storage is hard to imagine in a country so careful about order.
One man was even indicted this summer after leaving an empty suitcase at Chubu Centrair Airport in Aichi Prefecture. His explanation? The bag was too large to check in so he emptied it and abandoned it.
Why Travelers Are Leaving Luggage Behind
For many, the issue isn’t forgetfulness, it’s airline baggage policy. Several frustrated travelers have shared their stories online. I can relate to that last-minute panic at the check-in counter when rules change between flights. Nothing kills the calm of a Japan trip faster than a surprise baggage fee.
Hotels Are Feeling the Weight Too
It’s not just airports. Hotels in Osaka and Tokyo report that 20–30 suitcases per month are left behind by departing guests. I can see why this would be stressful for hotels. Japan’s rooms are famously compact and back rooms aren’t built to store mountains of luggage. Still, I like the idea that some of these abandoned bags could get a second life helping students study abroad.
How Japan Is Responding
Thankfully, some businesses are stepping up with traveler-friendly solutions. At Narita Airport, a luggage shop now offers free suitcase collection when visitors buy a replacement bag.
What Travelers Should Know
If you’re heading to Japan or transiting through, it’s worth double-checking your airline’s baggage allowance for both inbound and outbound flights. Rules may differ depending on the route, airline partnerships or ticket class. To avoid stress and extra fees:
✅ Check baggage policies before departure (especially return flights)
✅ Consider shipping services — Japan’s takkyubin (宅急便) delivery system can send suitcases home or to your next hotel
✅ Ask about disposal services at airports or luggage shops if your suitcase breaks
Looking Ahead
Japan isn’t the first country to grapple with abandoned luggage. Sydney Airport, for example, auctions off unclaimed bags for charity, but the rapid rise of suitcase dumping in Tokyo and Osaka suggests a wider issue linked to modern air travel.
As baggage fees rise and tourists travel with more, this “hidden cost” of global tourism is becoming harder to ignore. From my perspective, it’s a rare crack in Japan’s famously smooth travel experience. For now, Japan is testing creative solutions but the problem highlights something every traveler should remember: sometimes the trickiest souvenir from a trip abroad is your suitcase itself.
