Mailing dolls from Japan

I’m planning to backpack around Japan this winter, and while I’d love to pick up a Dream Choice/D’Coord doll it’s going to be tough to pack them in my bag. Anyone have experience sending dolls back to the USA during your travels? I’m trying to find a post office in Tokyo that’s easier for someone who’s not a Japanese speaker to package and mail a big EMS box.

On my last visit I went to the post office kiosk in Narita airport but we weren’t able to communicate well and I don’t want to mess up shipping my doll!

When I visited there in 2010 I bought 2 dolls and had to ship them and a bunch of other stuff back home before I left. I was in Osaka at the time tho and staying with a friend that was fluent in Japanese so all we had to do was make a box out of cardboard to fit everything, take it to the PO and then he told them what I wanted to do.

 

I wish I could tell you where you could find a PO there with good English speakers. Maybe check with your hotels front desk? If they can't help you do it themselves maybe they can find you a place closeby that can. Or maybe try to find a FedEx or DHL shop there, it may be easier to find an English speaker in one of those places than in a regular post office.

 

 

Billy

In my experience, it's better not to ship your purchases as a mail package. But take it with you on your return flight as extra luggage. The cost of an extra piece of luggage is usually not much more expensive than EMS package + you may save the duty + it's safer + it's faster + you do not have translation problems at the post office. I have done this several times already. I left the extra suitcase a few days earlier in Narita at the baggage storage and then on departure day carried it only from the storage to airline checkin counter with all my usual travel baggage.