empty TRIP — About Us
Empty your mind,
let travel fill it.
We help travelers reset their minds through the journey,
and discover a new version of themselves.
Our Story
Why I founded emptyTRIP
"I once left my entire suitcase behind in Tokyo."
In 2026, the streets of Tokyo are more vibrant than ever, welcoming over 40 million travelers a year. Yet, amidst this excitement, there is a sight I see every day that stays with me: travelers struggling to navigate the city while dragging two massive suitcases. Every time I see this, it brings back a bittersweet memory of my own.
When I was younger, I was an avid traveler, constantly making trips from my hometown to Tokyo. On one particular trip, the sheer exhaustion of moving such heavy luggage got to me—I actually boarded my train home and realized too late that I had left my entire suitcase behind on the station platform. Fortunately, I was able to recover it later, but that moment taught me a profound truth:
"The lighter you travel, the freer you become."
Without that "boulder" of luggage, the time between the airport and your hotel check-in transforms into pure sightseeing time. You no longer have to fear lost baggage or stress over packing on your final night.
Akio Narimatsu
Founder & CEO
This is why I wanted to offer a special kind of "Omotenashi" (Japanese hospitality) to those who have crossed the ocean to visit the country I love.
emptyTRIP is more than just a clothing rental service. It is a liberation from stress. My hope is that you fill that empty space in your suitcase with a lifetime of Japanese memories instead of heavy fabric.
A "journey of emptiness" that is kind to both the planet and the traveler—here in Tokyo, we are creating a new standard for the way we explore the world.
The Problem We're Solving
Real stories.
Real frustrations.
Every day, thousands of travelers share their luggage struggles online. These are real voices from Reddit — and the reason emptyTRIP exists.
Tokyo Station lockers were ALL full — had to drag my suitcase through Asakusa for 6 hours
I spent my entire first day in Tokyo pulling a 25kg suitcase through Nakamise shopping street in 32°C heat. Every coin locker was taken. My back was killing me and I missed seeing Senso-ji properly because I was too exhausted. Never again.
Sent my suitcase from Osaka → Kyoto via takkyubin. It arrived the NEXT DAY. Almost missed my flight home.
Everyone told me takkyubin was reliable, but the hotel said delivery could take 1–2 business days. My check-out was at 11am, flight at 6pm. I spent the whole last day in Kyoto panicking at the hotel lobby instead of sightseeing. Absolute nightmare.
Bought too many souvenirs in Japan and had to ship a whole box home — cost me ¥12,000
Packed clothes I literally never wore because I bought new things every day in Tokyo. On the last night I'm cramming matcha KitKats and a yukata into an overflowing suitcase at midnight. Had to buy a whole extra shipping box at the convenience store. Never packing this many clothes again.
Tip: Don't bring a big suitcase if you're taking the Shinkansen during peak hours
I booked the last-minute Nozomi and there was literally no overhead space for my large suitcase. Had to hold it between my legs for 2.5 hours Tokyo → Osaka. I could see Japanese salarymen staring. Please learn from my mistake — you need to reserve a luggage-space seat in advance now.
PSA: Airlines now charge up to ¥15,000 for overweight luggage at Japanese airports
Flew home from Haneda with 32kg because of all the shopping. The surcharge was more expensive than my extra night in Tokyo. I wish I had just rented clothes and left room for all the amazing things I bought. Lesson learned the expensive way.
Missed a full half-day in Kyoto because I had to find a hotel to store my bags between check-out and train
My check-out was 11am but my Kyoto→Tokyo Shinkansen was at 7pm. Spent 3 hours trying to find somewhere to leave my bags, ended up paying ¥1,500 at a luggage storage place that was miles out of my way. I had 4 hours left in Kyoto and spent 2 of them commuting to baggage storage.
Sound familiar?
emptyTRIP was built to eliminate every one of these problems — so you never have to post about it.
Our Initiatives
Our Commitment to the Planet
The real-world impact emptyTRIP creates for the Earth
1.2t
Clothing Waste Reduced / Year
1,200kg of clothing waste directly eliminated with 1,000 users per year
3.5t
CO₂ Reduced / Year
Equivalent to the annual CO₂ absorption of approx. 250 Japanese cedar trees
13.5M L
Water Saved / Year
Water resources protected by choosing rentals over new purchases
5kg
Lighter per Traveler
Contributes to improved fuel efficiency and reduced CO₂ in air transport
Our Values
What We Stand For
Your Wardrobe, Packed with Care.
Every item in our collection is more than just clothing—it's a part of your journey. We personally select, clean, and hand-pack each set to ensure it arrives at your hotel in pristine condition. Because your comfort starts with the touch of a clean, high-quality garment.
Human Support, Powered by Tech.
Behind our seamless digital interface is a team of real people who love Tokyo. Whether you need a quick fix or local advice, our chat support provides personalized care that no manual can offer. Reach out anytime—we’re here to ensure your emptyTRIP is nothing but perfect.
Born in Tokyo, Growing for Japan.
Since our launch, emptyTRIP has been shaped by the voices of travelers like you. Through rigorous testing and constant feedback, we have refined every detail—from our curated collections to our seamless return system.Currently, our journey is focused on the heart of Tokyo. However, this is just the beginning. We are rapidly preparing to expand our "Travel Light" experience to every hotel across Japan. Soon, wherever your curiosity takes you in this beautiful country, emptyTRIP will be there waiting for your arrival.
Empty your bags,
fill your memories.
Let us help you write your own travel story — one that you will never forget.