Exactly how heavy is a hundred pounds...

[spacealien_vamp]

Since I now have the chance to carry a bunch of stuff back to Michigan, I decided to get the most out of the opportunity. Unfortunately, Northwest has reduced their checked baggage weight limit from 70 pounds to 50 pounds per suitcase. ;_; Still, I'm allowed two suitcases, so that makes 100 pounds of books and presents I can take back with me, not counting my carryon.

This inspired me to spend the day shopping. I bought nearly every manga on my recommendation list, which turned out to be quite a hefty amount. I even bought a rather extravagant present for the family...but I'm sure they'll get a lot of use out of it. My prize find of the day was a pair of cookbooks that tell how to make shoujin ryouri, the 100% vegetarian traditional dishes devised by Japanese Buddhist monks.

Don't ask me how I'm going to transport 100 pounds of luggage plus carryons from Moriyama to the Kansai International Airport. @_@ That will be the adventure.

Comments

[bentleywg.livejournal.com]

How much would it cost to mail books by book rate, or whatever the slowest, cheapest boat route is called? I met a tourist once who went to England and hit every used book store for stuff she couldn't get at home (this was in the days before the internet), bought lots and lots of books, and then shipped them to herself. She got them a few months later.

[spacealien-vamp.livejournal.com]

How much would it cost to mail books by book rate, or whatever the slowest, cheapest boat route is called?

Japanese postage is very expensive. The absolute cheapest rate is to send books in a special bag by sea...that costs nearly $200 for 30kg.

When I came back from Niigata, it took me FIVE of such bags to ship all my books home. Not only that, the books wound up getting battered and crushed along the way, and one of the bags lost some books when their box was crushed and they slipped through both the box and a hole in the bag.

That, at least, was safer than sending things regular sea mail. One box I had delivered sea mail never arrived--I got the top flap of the box that had my address on it, but the rest of the box (and contents) had vanished. I've also had boxes arrive with contents missing.

The sad thing is, if such damage occurs on the way to Japan, the Japanese postal service is quick to apologize and pay for damages. When it happens on the way to the US, on the other hand, the US postal service wants to claim they have no responsibility for it. Even when the contents were insured, it's like pulling teeth to get anything from the USPS.

[wednesday-10-00.livejournal.com]

Don't ask me how I'm going to transport 100 pounds of luggage plus carryons from Moriyama to the Kansai International Airport.

I feel your pain, although at least I only have to make it to Chiba Station. After that, it's a straight shot to Narita. (You have to transfer at least once, right? Where do you do that?)

I know it seems like a waste when you live so close to the station, but don't rule out taking a taxi. Pulling two suitcases that far is no fun, trust me.

[spacealien-vamp.livejournal.com]

(You have to transfer at least once, right? Where do you do that?)

I have to transfer at Osaka station. I am really hoping I can locate the elevator.

I know it seems like a waste when you live so close to the station, but don't rule out taking a taxi.

I'm planning on getting an early start and taking it slowly...but I'll go the taxi route if it proves to be too difficult walking.

[wednesday-10-00.livejournal.com]

I am really hoping I can locate the elevator.

Eh, it shouldn't be a problem at a big station like Osaka. It's the little dinky stations you have to worry about.

(I accidentally typed "kinky." I don't think I'd want to be in one of those stations, either.)

How to transport 100 pounds...

[megory.livejournal.com]

Take a taxi...we'd be happy to cover it! It's not worth hurting your back or any other parts of you before a long trip like that, or any other time, for that matter. You have absolutely no recovery time. And you only get one back the rest of your life. While studying in Spain in college, I used to hitch hike side trips throughout Europe, carrying stuff on my back. That was the beginning of my back troubles that I still suffer.

Bob just reminded me...

[megory.livejournal.com]

What about the courier service you used to be able to use from Matsudai? Is there one in Moriyama, too? Will they take things all the way to the airport service for you? If so, that would be the route to take so you don't have to worry about the transfer from the train station to the airport as well as the trip to the train station. We'll cover the charge.

Re: Bob just reminded me...

[spacealien-vamp.livejournal.com]

Will they take things all the way to the airport service for you?

The problem with that is, I would have to have my suitcases packed and ready to send two full days in advance. That probably isn't going to happen.