Hi! Me and my girl are planing a month long bike trip around Japan. We're flying to Tokyo from Poznań, Poland on 31st May. However after we booked our tickets and paid for them I called the airlines (in this case Lufthansa) to make sure they'll take our bikes on that flight. And they won't, apparently there's enough room for only one bike in the airplane. It's really frustrating since we've planned our vacation around touring bikes. I also couldn't check if they'll fly two bikes before booking the tickets and it really feels like Lufthansa employees I've talked to don't give a damn about that.

I'm requesting help from Tokyo or Japan residents. Are there any here? I'm considering two ideas right now:
A) We will fly with only one bike and try to buy a used touring bike when we're in Japan.
B) I will ship one of the bikes to Tokyo before we fly ourselves.

What are the chances we'll be able to find a fitting bike that will handle fully loaded touring in Tokyo? Are there any used bike stores around the city anyone could recommend? Any idea about the prices?

I don't have high hopes about finding a Miyata 1000 or something like that. Really any bike that can take 4 panniers and has correctly sized frame would do.

Please help!

Tokyo can be rather expensive, however the flip side is you can find pretty much anything. Haven't been there for many years so a lcal who speaks english will be a huge help. On a search I found a Tokyo bike tour group and they might help otherwise found this, https://https://cycle-tokyo.cycling.jp/weblog/archives/000085.html

Hi. I live in Tokyo. I think there are a few others here who do too.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1) what sizes are you looking for? It is nearly impossible to find a frame larger than 58 in Japan and even that is pretty rare. I know this well because I ride at least a 62cm frame.

2) used bikes (and really anything used) isn't as cheap here as you might expect. Vintage bikes and parts seem to go for a lot more here than they do in other countries.

There are a few shops in Tokyo that cater to cyclo touring. Particularly Velo Craft in Kichijoji (new and used) and Blue Lug (new only). Blue Lug has several locations around Tokyo. Unfortunately any thing you buy at those stores will probably be prohibitively expensive.
There is also Cycly who have a number of locations and only sell used bikes / equipment. You might get lucky there but they tend to be over priced. Cycle Paradise is another chain of used bike shops, usually even more over priced than Cycly.
There are also a few shops that specialize is nice vintage stuff. Hasegawa is by far the best among these and definitely worth a visit, but you're not likely to find anything affordable.

If you happen to ride a 64 cm frame I would be happy to lend out my Nishiki Sport beater repainted in baby pink.

bikeflights does international- maybe you could just pick it up at the airport.

Here's a list of all the bikes at Cycly...
https://www.cycly.co.jp/Shop/Browse?p=1
Slim pickins!

Another possibility is renting from GS Astuto. https://www.gsastuto.com/japan-bike-rental

If you're spending the first night in Tokyo, you can use something like bikeflights, ship the bikes to your hotel a few days in advance. It just takes a bit of coordination, but folks do it all the time.

However, before doing anything complicated, I'd speak to Lufthansa. The planes they fly on these routes are large and have plenty of excess baggage capacity so I suspect someone might be giving bad info. Alternatively, do as I do, and break the bike down so you can pack it in two bags, one for wheels, one for frame, with the rest wherever it fits. I do this and use my clothing as padding, with some EP foam as protection all the way around. I pack in two large duffels because the airlines don't measure those too precisely, and when I check in, it looks like I have 2 hockey or diving bags, and nobody says Boo.

This. I found a few bicycle co-op like things in Tokyo and Kyoto on my first visit in 2010 and good grief, not cheap! Renting a bike though wasn't bad. I'd consider shipping a bike. I built a Surly Traveler's Check for another trip this year, but I still have to manage the case, which has me considering getting a soft case because it will double as the bike bag that's required if you're using the Shinkansen or other trains.

Used clothing however, super cheap and in excellent condition if you're into that sort of thing (I am).

I am also having a hard time believing an international flight from Poland to Tokyo can't handle more than one bike box planned months in advance. I'd just pack up the bike in bags as previously suggested or call someone else at the airline.

Does not surprise me.
I did some planning a few years ago to fly to Italy with a bike.
$400. Each way.
If you can get it into a bike bag ( or two, even better) and don't disclose what it is, you will be much better off.
Bikes equate to buck$, no matter the flag of the carrier.

My understanding is that you can get cheap used city bikes at thrift stores everywhere in Japan.
https://tokyocheapo.com/lifestyle/re...-to-find-them/

Here's an article about flying with a tandem. Might be some useful info.

Bill's Tips for Traveling pt.1

Thank you everyone for such helpful advises. The links you've provided gave me a pretty good idea of what the prices are in Japan. On the good side touring bikes are not as rare as they're in Poland. I think we will try everything before we'll think about buying a used bike.

As for the airlines, talking to them is really flustrating. I've tried calling them both in Poland and Germany and also we've contacted them via e-mail. All the answers were pretty much negative. There's no more space for a bike on the plane. Talking to them really makes you feel like you're trash and they don't care about individual customers. Even though it clearly says at their site to contact them AFTER booking/paying for the ticket. I'd honestly recommend to avoid Lufthansa if you're traveling with a bike.

There's been a lot of very useful comments about how to pack a bike to make it look like a luggage.
We can check the bike as a luggage but it has to be no more then 158 cm all dimensions added. So I might be able to pack a bare frame to fit the requirements. It's not going to be easy since it's a Koga Miyata touring bike with over 100 cm wheelbase! Another luggage will be full with wheels, handlebars, seat and other components. Downside to this is what if they take bike one way and refuse to take it on the plane on the return? Also I was really hoping to get some unique bike stuff in Japan and now I probably won't since I won't have spare luggage space.

If this won't work we will probably try to find a used bike inTokyo or try to rent one. Buying in a recycling center isn't really possible if you're an outsider andThere's been too much funds and effort spent on this trip to let it go now.

FYI, here's a link to some rental services.

https://www.tsunagujapan.com/9-renta...ou-should-try/

I would have thought shipping it there separately would be the way to go, but out of curiosity I looked up the prices. It's not cheap is it?! Ouch!! You could buy a new bike in Tokyo, throw it away when you're done, and still spend less. Or you could buy 2 Dahon folding bikes, ride them, and take them home with you...

Keep in mind that airlines tend to lose and damage bikes. I don't know Lufthansa's reputation in this regard, but I wouldn't absolutely count on it getting there even if you manage to get it on the plane.

I'm curious to hear how this story turns out, in case i ever do the same thing. Please keep us updated.