Japan & Sake...

PICHARDO

One Dominican at a time, please!
May 15, 2003
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Santiago de Los 30 Caballeros
I'm leaving in a few days to Japan and will return later on, but one thing I NEED to know now (so that I can arrange something else here and now) is if they'll still allow me to stuff some bottles of precious Sake in my checked luggage on return from Narita airport?!?!?!?

On my last trip I carefully packed a bottle of Sake with no problems at the check in counter and trip back home via Europe. This time I'm going via NYC and would like to have some credible input on this!

As far as calling the airline service in Japan (with my rustic Japanese) is that historically they are too ambiguous with answers regarding packing stuff into your carry on or checked bags. One time they say yes no problem! And when you hit the airport is another thing!

This time I'm renting a car that will be at my disposal until I leave Japan and will not have the services of an aide, to take care of no-clearance items at the time of flying back home...

A "Choto" is way too liberal when you want a yes or no from a Japanese speaker... I once asked for a room-level availability and stood for minutes waiting for a yes or no, after the hotel clerk said Choto mate... Hah! Choto...

So! Can I or can't I pack those bottles all the way here from Narita to NYC to STI????? I'll even place a label of "yeast" samples on them if need be!
 

blkronin

New member
Sep 30, 2008
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0
I'm leaving in a few days to Japan and will return later on, but one thing I NEED to know now (so that I can arrange something else here and now) is if they'll still allow me to stuff some bottles of precious Sake in my checked luggage on return from Narita airport?!?!?!?

On my last trip I carefully packed a bottle of Sake with no problems at the check in counter and trip back home via Europe. This time I'm going via NYC and would like to have some credible input on this!

As far as calling the airline service in Japan (with my rustic Japanese) is that historically they are too ambiguous with answers regarding packing stuff into your carry on or checked bags. One time they say yes no problem! And when you hit the airport is another thing!

This time I'm renting a car that will be at my disposal until I leave Japan and will not have the services of an aide, to take care of no-clearance items at the time of flying back home...

A "Choto" is way too liberal when you want a yes or no from a Japanese speaker... I once asked for a room-level availability and stood for minutes waiting for a yes or no, after the hotel clerk said Choto mate... Hah! Choto...

So! Can I or can't I pack those bottles all the way here from Narita to NYC to STI????? I'll even place a label of "yeast" samples on them if need be!

I just got back from Japan two weeks ago. I flew to Chitose through Narita Airport. I had no problems bringing a few bottles of Sake in my checked luggage on my return trip.
 

PICHARDO

One Dominican at a time, please!
May 15, 2003
13,280
893
113
Santiago de Los 30 Caballeros
I just got back from Japan two weeks ago. I flew to Chitose through Narita Airport. I had no problems bringing a few bottles of Sake in my checked luggage on my return trip.

Thanks!!! I almost made a plan for a super "contraband" packaging to bring my fresh Sake with me safely!!!

I know you understand me in regards to wanting my Sake to come along!! LOL!!! With the hoopla caused by the Nigerian flyer, I was in fear of having to part with my Sake at Narita or the stop over in the US...

Is not about the value in cash but the expectation of having my Sake to sip in the DR, from my own nose-selected stash!

Thanks again for your prompt and comforting response!!!
The miasma is now cleared around my head!!!
 

PICHARDO

One Dominican at a time, please!
May 15, 2003
13,280
893
113
Santiago de Los 30 Caballeros
Are you in the military by any chance??? Plenty of military (US) in that area!
I used to fly into Okadama a lot when working with a military contractor based in Sapporo... Not quite Narita but functional...
 

PICHARDO

One Dominican at a time, please!
May 15, 2003
13,280
893
113
Santiago de Los 30 Caballeros
I was a bit worried when I checked this notice in Narita's warnings to travelers:

Liquor, cosmetics and other items purchased at duty free and other shops after departure procedures have been completed are not subject to the preceding restrictions and may be carried on as cabin baggage.
(*)Please note that passengers transiting through locations such as the US and Europe where liquid items are not permitted on board may not be able to place liquid items in there check-in luggage at their transit airport and may have those items confiscated when making their connection. For further information, please contact your airline.

Narita-airport

I bought my ticket to NYC and back from the DR apart from my JFK - NRT flight. So I surmised that my trip was not in the category of transit but final destination into New York and Tokyo as well...

You just gave me a huge peace of mind!!!
 

blkronin

New member
Sep 30, 2008
36
6
0
I am with the Army National Guard. We were involved in a major exercise with the Japanese Self-Defense Force. We had a connecting flight in Minneapolis and went through customs there. We had no problems. I think that it is more difficult to bring things into Japan then to bring things out. I came back with three bottles of sake.
 

PICHARDO

One Dominican at a time, please!
May 15, 2003
13,280
893
113
Santiago de Los 30 Caballeros
Figured as much! Keep up the good work you carry out there!
Lucky for me in Japan (just like in the DR) connections are of valued at the time of going thru inspectors, for which I still keep some direct contacts there.

The problem was as I explained (and most people don't realize) that once you step onto the airport to leave, Japanese enforce directives from the transit/final destination countries without any room for talk... That's why most people traveling out of Japan, if not all Japanese, have local company escort them to the check out counter and loiter a bit until they call them to say good bye and that everything is fine.

Like I said: Thanks for giving me a well needed assurance of having my Sake in the DR and savoring that great taste for a while!!!