Over 80% of lodging operators in Osaka struggle with abandoned suitcases: survey
There have been many cases of tourists visiting Osaka Prefecture leaving their suitcases unattended in accommodation facilities or on the streets. The questionnaire survey on the situation was distributed in late June to approximately 720 companies and organizations that are supporting members of the tourism bureau, and the results were announced on July 29. Of the 34 lodging operators who responded to the survey, more than 80%, or 29 businesses, reported that abandoned luggage has become a significant issue.
With the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai underway, Osaka Prefecture is welcoming large numbers of tourists from both Japan and abroad. In particular, there has been a notable increase in inbound tourism, with approximately 8.476 million people visiting in the first half of 2025 (January to June), up 20% from the same period last year, setting a new record.
However, poor etiquette has also become more noticeable, with multiple cases of suitcases being left behind or discarded. Many overseas tourists reportedly bring suitcases with the intention of replacing them, and dispose the old ones after purchasing new luggage.
According to the tourism bureau, several lodging operators noted in the survey that securing space to store abandoned luggage as lost property and covering the cost of disposing such items as waste poses a major challenge.
At a press conference on July 29, bureau director Hiroshi Mizohata stated, "We see this as a major problem," and expressed his intention to urgently consider countermeasures. He added, "Strengthening awareness of proper manners and promoting thorough reuse can help reduce the problem, but for issues that cannot be resolved, it may be necessary to establish new rules."
Including non-lodging businesses, 87 companies and organizations responded to the survey, with nearly half, or 40, reporting that abandoned suitcases are a problem.
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Over 80% of lodging operators in Osaka struggle with abandoned suitcases: survey
OSAKA -- Over 80% of accommodation providers in Osaka Prefecture are struggling to deal with suitcases abandoned by their guests, according to a survey by the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau. There have been many cases of tourists visiting Osaka Prefecture leaving their suitcases unattended in accommodation facilities or on the streets. The questionnaire survey on the situation was distributed in late June to approximately 720 companies and organizations that are supporting members of the tourism bureau, and the results were announced on July 29. Of the 34 lodging operators who responded to the survey, more than 80%, or 29 businesses, reported that abandoned luggage has become a significant issue. With the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai underway, Osaka Prefecture is welcoming large numbers of tourists from both Japan and abroad. In particular, there has been a notable increase in inbound tourism, with approximately 8.476 million people visiting in the first half of 2025 (January to June), up 20% from the same period last year, setting a new record. However, poor etiquette has also become more noticeable, with multiple cases of suitcases being left behind or discarded. Many overseas tourists reportedly bring suitcases with the intention of replacing them, and dispose the old ones after purchasing new luggage. According to the tourism bureau, several lodging operators noted in the survey that securing space to store abandoned luggage as lost property and covering the cost of disposing such items as waste poses a major challenge. At a press conference on July 29, bureau director Hiroshi Mizohata stated, "We see this as a major problem," and expressed his intention to urgently consider countermeasures. He added, "Strengthening awareness of proper manners and promoting thorough reuse can help reduce the problem, but for issues that cannot be resolved, it may be necessary to establish new rules." Including non-lodging businesses, 87 companies and organizations responded to the survey, with nearly half, or 40, reporting that abandoned suitcases are a problem.
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