My Winter Trip to Japan from Texas
Last December, I flew from Texas to Japan for my long-awaited ski trip. Like many winter travelers, I packed a snowboard, skis, poles, boots, and layers of gear — everything needed for a few weeks of chasing Japan’s famous powder snow.
But as soon as I checked into my hotel in Tokyo, I realized the problem: I had too much luggage. I planned to explore Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara before heading to the ski resorts, but there was no way I could drag two oversized bags and ski gear through trains, stairs, and crowds.
So, I searched online for a long-term luggage storage service in Japan that could handle large ski bags — not just small suitcases.
Why Regular Delivery Services Weren’t Enough
My first thought was to use Yamato Ta-Q-Bin, Japan’s popular door-to-door delivery service. It’s excellent for short-term transfers between hotels, but they don’t offer multi-week storage. I needed a flexible solution that could keep my gear safe while I explored Japan, then ship it to my next destination when I was ready to ski.
That’s when I found SilkCrane.com and their Annual Ski & Snowboard Storage Service.
Discovering SilkCrane’s Long-Term Storage
I reached out to SilkCrane and signed up for their annual ski & snowboard storage plan. The process was easy and fast. They provided me with a dedicated storage unit address in Hokkaido where I could ship my luggage.
I packed my large snowboard bag (with a snowboard, skis, poles, boots, and winter wear) and a duffle bag with ski boots, then shipped them directly from Tokyo.
From that moment, I was traveling light — just a backpack with clothes and essentials. Riding Shinkansen bullet trains, exploring Kyoto temples, and strolling through Nara’s deer park became so much easier. I finally felt free to enjoy Japan instead of dragging gear around.
Effortless Ski Travel in Japan
In early-January, I headed to Hakuba, one of Japan’s most famous ski destinations. A few days before the trip, I simply notified SilkCrane to send my gear to my hotel.
When I arrived, my snowboard and skis were already waiting for me at check-in — perfectly timed. The shipping cost for two large bags was cheap, which felt incredibly reasonable for the convenience.
After a few amazing days in Hakuba, I continued north to Hokkaido to experience the legendary Japow in Niseko and Rusutsu. The snow was deep, the scenery breathtaking, and the food both fresh and affordable. It was everything I dreamed of — and I never had to worry about my gear.
Reliable, Safe, and Convenient Storage
When my ski adventure ended, I shipped my gear back to SilkCrane’s facility for the off-season. Their storage is temperature-controlled, SECOM-secured 24/7, and they even offer optional dry cleaning for ski wear — which I gladly used.
I’ll be returning to Japan again this winter, and my skis and snowboard are already there waiting for me. No need to haul them from Texas again — SilkCrane keeps them safe, clean, and ready for my next trip.
Why I Recommend SilkCrane
If you plan to ski or snowboard in Japan — whether in Niseko, Hakuba, Furano, Myoko or Sapporo — I highly recommend SilkCrane’s Long-Term Ski & Snowboard Storage Service.
It saves you from carrying heavy gear, reduces shipping costs, and lets you explore more places in Japan comfortably.
Key Benefits:
- ✅ Store your ski/snowboard gear in Japan year-round
- 🚚 Ship from anywhere in Japan and receive it at your hotel or Airport
- 💰 Affordable shipping
- 🔒 Temperature-controlled and SECOM-secured 24/7
- 🧥 Optional dry-cleaning for ski clothing
- 🌏 English-friendly and easy to use
Whether you’re coming from Texas, Australia, Asia or Europe, SilkCrane makes your Japan ski trips smoother and more enjoyable.
Other Useful SilkCrane Services
SilkCrane offers much more than just annual storage. Depending on your travel style, you can also choose:
- Monthly Ski & Snowboard Storage – Ideal for those who visit Japan multiple times during the season.
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Regular Luggage Storage Monthly or Annual – Perfect for travelers who want to store personal items, luggage, or souvenirs between visits.
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Backcountry Ski, Snowmobile, Private Tour for Everyone, families, couples
These services are not only perfect for repeat Japan travelers, but also for anyone who wants to travel light, explore more cities, and make more memories in Japan.
Travel smart, ski more, and experience Japan freely — with SilkCrane.com taking care of your gear.