Japan Private Chauffeur FAQ: Airport Transfers, Pricing, Luggage & Booking

Yes, every trip without exception.

Dark suit and tie is a fixed standard — not an upgrade.

This is what separates a licensed chauffeur from a taxi or ride-share.

Yes.

Chauffeurs operate under strict confidentiality — no recording, no sharing of passenger information or conversations.

Your privacy is non-negotiable.

Booking support is available in English, Japanese and Chinese.

Chauffeurs can communicate in everyday English; native-level Japanese or Chinese depends on the assigned driver.

Tell us your preferred language when booking, and we will confirm it before travel.

We do not provide professional guiding or specialist interpretation.

Website languages do not guarantee driver fluency.

Our booking office is available daily from 09:00 to 18:00 JST.

Journeys outside those hours may be operated when confirmed in advance; this does not mean live booking support or immediate dispatch is available 24 hours a day.

A fixed ¥3,000 late-night / early-morning supplement applies when any part of a confirmed journey falls between 22:00 and 06:00 JST.

Start with our website form.

Add your route, pickup date and time, passengers, and luggage so we can check the right vehicle and fixed rate.

Please submit at least 36 hours before pickup.

Requests within 36 hours are reviewed as last-minute and include a 15% rush surcharge if we can arrange them.

After submitting, use WhatsApp with your request reference if you need support.

Toyota Alphard: recommended for 1–4 passengers with standard luggage; up to 6 passengers, excluding the chauffeur.

Toyota HiAce Grand Cabin is recommended from 5 passengers: 5–9 passengers with around 8 checked suitcases.

More than 9 passengers or more than 8 checked suitcases require multiple vehicles or a custom arrangement.

Dimensions and special items still require confirmation.

Passenger and suitcase maxima are separate limits, not a combined loading guarantee.

Capacity depends on occupancy and bag dimensions.

Declare child seats, strollers, wheelchairs and oversized items before booking confirmation.

Yes.

Octoshell Japan is operated by 貝八方株式会社, holder of General Passenger Automobile Transportation Business Permit 関自旅二第1248号 (一般乗用旅客自動車運送事業), issued by the Kanto Transport Bureau.

Services use appropriately licensed commercial vehicles and qualified professional drivers.

Yes.

Corporate clients receive consolidated monthly invoicing via bank transfer, priority booking support, and a dedicated contact.

Email [email protected] to set up an account.

Airport pickup includes 90 minutes of complimentary waiting from actual landing.

Early or delayed landing moves that reference accordingly.

A later time entered in the booking form does not postpone or extend the waiting window, and standard airport pickup cannot be delayed for shopping or dining.

Waiting beyond 90 minutes follows the terms confirmed for your booking and is not automatically charged as charter overtime.

Complimentary waiting follows the pickup location: 30 minutes at a railway station, 15 minutes at a hotel and 15 minutes in the Tokyo Disney Resort area.

It does not follow the destination.

The starting point for these non-airport periods is stated in your booking confirmation.

Tell your chauffeur immediately.

They will confirm feasibility and any added costs — tolls, time surcharges, or parking — before proceeding.

Same-day extensions depend on availability and cannot always be guaranteed.

Your day trip includes up to 10 hours.

After 10 hours, extra time costs JPY 2,500 per additional 30 minutes for an Alphard, or JPY 3,000 per additional 30 minutes for a Toyota HiAce Grand Cabin.

We can extend the service only if the chauffeur and vehicle are available.

Please tell us as early as possible if you need more time.

Every published fixed fare includes all tolls and parking required for the agreed route.

Direct customers pay the fixed fare plus the disclosed 5% Stripe processing fee.

A requested route change, added stop, extra time or other separately applicable surcharge is agreed before service.

Child seats are available for ¥1,000 per seat.

Four seat types are available on advance request: Rear-facing infant seat (Typical age reference · 0 – 1 year), Forward-facing toddler seat (Typical age reference · 1 – 3 years), Forward-facing child seat (Typical age reference · 3 – 6 years), Booster seat (Typical age reference · 6 – 12 years).

Tell us each child's age and any relevant height, weight or current seating direction.

These are Octoshell Japan booking references, not legal age bands; our team confirms fit, quantity and availability before booking.

Airport Meet & Greet with a personalised name board is available for ¥3,000.

Meet & Greet is ¥3,000 per eligible service visit.

Shinkansen Platform Meet for an arrival or Platform Escort for a departure at Tokyo or Shinagawa Station is ¥5,000 per station visit and includes the same-visit greeting.

Hotel Check-in or Check-out Assistance is ¥5,000 per visit and includes the same-visit greeting.

The lower greeting tier is never added again to either ¥5,000 service for the same occurrence.

Chauffeur-Guided Sightseeing is ¥20,000 per day with parking separate; On-course Golf Accompaniment is ¥20,000 per occurrence.

All require confirmation and are excluded from B2B thresholds and volume discounts.

Direct customers pay securely by Stripe.

Full payment is due 7 days before pickup and equals the confirmed fixed fare plus a 5% processing fee.

If a booking is confirmed within 7 days of pickup, payment is due immediately.

Approved B2B accounts follow separately agreed written terms.

Yes.

Stripe issues a payment receipt by email.

Approved B2B accounts receive the invoice or receipt specified in their written payment terms.

Direct customers pay the full amount through Stripe seven days before pickup.

The final written quotation shows the fixed fare plus the 5% processing fee and any applicable supplement before you confirm.

For a trip requested or confirmed within seven days, ask us to confirm the payment deadline in that quotation.

The 10 hours run from when the vehicle leaves our garage until it returns—not from your pickup to your drop-off.

We confirm the itinerary and any extra-time charges in your written quotation before you book.

No.

Tipping is not customary in Japan and is never expected by our chauffeurs.

A kind word or an online review is the best way to show your appreciation.

Toyota Alphard: recommended for 1–4 passengers with standard luggage; up to 6 passengers, excluding the chauffeur.

Toyota HiAce Grand Cabin is recommended from 5 passengers: 5–9 passengers with around 8 checked suitcases.

More than 9 passengers or more than 8 checked suitcases require multiple vehicles or a custom arrangement.

Dimensions and special items still require confirmation.

Passenger and suitcase maxima are separate limits, not a combined loading guarantee.

Capacity depends on occupancy and bag dimensions.

Declare child seats, strollers, wheelchairs and oversized items before booking confirmation.

Toyota Alphard: 3 passengers / 4 checked suitcases; 4 / 4; 5 / 3; 6 / 2.

Suitcases: 26–29 inch.

Dimensions and special items require confirmation.

No smoking (including e-cigarettes).

Drinks in sealed bottles are fine.

Light snacks with no strong smell are OK.

Yes.

USB-A and USB-C ports are available, and free charging cables for iPhone and Android are provided at no charge.

Every published fixed fare includes all tolls and parking required for the agreed route.

Direct customers pay the fixed fare plus the disclosed 5% Stripe processing fee.

A requested route change, added stop, extra time or other separately applicable surcharge is agreed before service.

Child seats are available for ¥1,000 per seat.

Four seat types are available on advance request: Rear-facing infant seat (Typical age reference · 0 – 1 year), Forward-facing toddler seat (Typical age reference · 1 – 3 years), Forward-facing child seat (Typical age reference · 3 – 6 years), Booster seat (Typical age reference · 6 – 12 years).

Tell us each child's age and any relevant height, weight or current seating direction.

These are Octoshell Japan booking references, not legal age bands; our team confirms fit, quantity and availability before booking.

Child seats are ¥1,000 per seat.

Rear-facing infant seats, forward-facing toddler seats, forward-facing child seats and booster seats are available, subject to advance confirmation and vehicle fit.

No.

Child seats are available for ¥1,000 per seat.

Children under 6 generally require an appropriate child restraint in private vehicles in Japan, but licensed taxis and hire cars are exempt when carrying passengers.

Octoshell Japan can still prepare an age- and size-appropriate seat on advance request, subject to fit, availability and vehicle configuration.

Japanese law does not impose a blanket booster-seat rule for ages 6–12.

A booster or junior seat may still be appropriate when the vehicle seat belt does not fit correctly.

JAF uses approximately 150 cm as a practical height guide, while actual belt fit remains decisive.

Yes, one folding manual wheelchair may be requested for use only during the booked Octoshell Japan transportation service, subject to advance confirmation and availability.

¥2,000 per transportation service occurrence.

It is presented as an Optional Extra and remains classified internally as equipment, not chauffeur labour.

It is excluded from B2B volume thresholds and discounts and requires Operations confirmation.

No.

It is available only during the booked transportation service and must be returned at the end.

It is not a standalone, hotel-stay or independent sightseeing rental.

No.

The passenger must transfer to a standard vehicle seat.

Current vehicles have no wheelchair ramp, lift or in-vehicle restraint system.

Yes.

Provide the quantity and folded dimensions where possible.

Vehicle fit depends on passengers, luggage and the actual folded item.

No.

The request and provisional ¥2,000 fee are recorded, but equipment availability, vehicle fit and suitability remain pending until Operations confirms them in writing.

Toyota Alphard: recommended for 1–4 passengers with standard luggage; up to 6 passengers, excluding the chauffeur.

Toyota HiAce Grand Cabin is recommended from 5 passengers: 5–9 passengers with around 8 checked suitcases.

More than 9 passengers or more than 8 checked suitcases require multiple vehicles or a custom arrangement.

Dimensions and special items still require confirmation.

Passenger and suitcase maxima are separate limits, not a combined loading guarantee.

Capacity depends on occupancy and bag dimensions.

Declare child seats, strollers, wheelchairs and oversized items before booking confirmation.

Toyota Alphard: 3 passengers / 4 checked suitcases; 4 / 4; 5 / 3; 6 / 2.

Suitcases: 26–29 inch.

Dimensions and special items require confirmation.

Often, but passenger and suitcase maximums are not a combined guarantee.

An Alphard can carry up to 6 passengers; luggage space falls as seats are used.

For 5–9 passengers, we usually recommend a Toyota HiAce Grand Cabin.

Tell us each passenger's age, required child seats, suitcase count and sizes, plus any stroller, golf bag or folding wheelchair.

Our team checks the full layout before confirming the vehicle; larger combinations may need more than one vehicle.

7 or more days before pickup: free cancellation.

Less than 7 days to 48 hours before pickup: 20% of the confirmed price.

From 48 to 24 hours: 50%.

Within 24 hours or no-show: 100%.

The cancellation fee may be waived when force majeure causes the passenger’s scheduled public transport to be officially canceled and prompt evidence is provided.

A delay or schedule change is not a cancellation; for airport and cruise pickups, we monitor the confirmed flight or ship service.

Yes, but only when stated clearly in the written quotation before booking confirmation.

Selected multi-day, peak-season, high-demand or special-event B2B bookings may require a 20% non-refundable deposit and a separate cancellation schedule.

Otherwise, the standard cancellation policy applies.

Please book at least 36 hours before pickup.

Requests within 36 hours are subject to availability and a 15% urgent-booking surcharge if accepted.

Submit your trip details for confirmation.

Complimentary waiting follows the pickup location: 30 minutes at a railway station, 15 minutes at a hotel and 15 minutes in the Tokyo Disney Resort area.

It does not follow the destination.

The starting point for these non-airport periods is stated in your booking confirmation.

Yes.

Send both travel dates, routes and flight numbers in one request, or reply to your existing request email to add the return trip.

You do not need to repeat passenger and luggage details if they are unchanged; tell us what changes.

We check availability, vehicle fit and the price for each journey separately.

A return trip is not automatically confirmed or discounted because the first journey is booked.

A request reference means we received your details; it is not a confirmed ride.

We then check the route, vehicle, luggage and availability and send a written quotation.

Please reply if anything is wrong or missing.

The trip is confirmed only when we send a separate written booking confirmation.

A quotation or payment receipt alone should not be mistaken for that confirmation; if you have paid but have not received it, contact us with your request reference.

Reply directly to the “Booking Request Received” email with the correct information.

Keep the same email thread and request reference so our operations team can update it accurately.

There is no need to submit a new request.

Yes.

List all stops at booking.

Common examples: airport → hotel → clinic, or multi-district sightseeing across Tokyo.

Any routing surcharges are confirmed before your trip — no surprises.

Yes.

Tokyo City charter is a 10-hour garage-to-garage service: Toyota Alphard ¥50,000 or Toyota HiAce Grand Cabin ¥60,000.

The agreed fixed route includes all required tolls and parking; stops and overtime are confirmed in writing.

Yes.

You may request a transfer for a family member, colleague or hotel guest.

Give us the booking contact's email, the passenger's name for the pickup sign and a phone number reachable on the travel day.

Add the route, pickup time, passenger count and luggage.

Hotel concierge and front-desk teams can use the same process.

We confirm the vehicle and trip separately in writing; submitting the request does not confirm the booking.

Airport pickup includes 90 minutes of complimentary waiting from actual landing.

Early or delayed landing moves that reference accordingly.

A later time entered in the booking form does not postpone or extend the waiting window, and standard airport pickup cannot be delayed for shopping or dining.

Waiting beyond 90 minutes follows the terms confirmed for your booking and is not automatically charged as charter overtime.

For most Haneda and Narita arrivals, your chauffeur meets you after customs at the public meeting point stated in your confirmation.

If your booking includes the optional ¥3,000 Airport Meet & Greet, the chauffeur displays your confirmed passenger name.

Narita Terminal 3 is the exception: the meeting point and vehicle pickup are at Terminal 2 because Octoshell Japan vehicles do not enter the Terminal 3 parking area.

Exact directions are sent before travel.

Typically 50–70 minutes (approx. 65 km via expressway).

Allow up to 90 minutes during peak hours.

We monitor real-time traffic and reroute when needed.

Typically 30–45 minutes (approx. 20 km via expressway).

Allow up to 60 minutes during heavy traffic.

Give us your flight number so we can track the actual landing time.

A flight delay before landing does not use your free waiting allowance.

From actual touchdown, 90 minutes are included for immigration and baggage claim.

If you expect to need longer, or cannot find the name board after exiting customs when Airport Meet & Greet is included in your confirmation, contact the number in that confirmation.

Waiting beyond 90 minutes follows the terms confirmed for your booking.

We recommend exchanging at major Tokyo stations (Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya) where queues are minimal.

Airport counters can have 1–2 hour waits.

Your driver can take you to a station counter after drop-off if needed.

Your flight arrives at Narita Terminal 3, but your Octoshell Japan chauffeur meeting point and vehicle pickup are at Terminal 2.

Our vehicles do not enter the Terminal 3 parking area.

After collecting your luggage, continue to Terminal 2 by the free terminal shuttle or pedestrian walkway.

We send the exact Terminal 2 meeting point and directions before travel.

Do not wait for the vehicle at the Terminal 3 taxi stand.

No.

For a flight departing from Narita Terminal 3, the Octoshell Japan vehicle drops you at Terminal 2.

Continue to T3 by the free terminal shuttle or pedestrian walkway, and allow additional time for the terminal transfer.

Your trip confirmation identifies the T2 drop-off point.

Pets must stay in a secure carrier or crate throughout the trip; they can share the vehicle with children.

Tell us how many carriers you have and each one's dimensions before booking.

Our operations team checks the full passenger, child-seat, luggage and carrier layout before confirming the vehicle.

Yes — a popular option for golf and hiking groups.

We drop you off at the golf course or trailhead, then deliver your bags to your hotel ahead of you.

Available for passengers booked on our service only — not standalone cargo.

Professional guiding is not included in the transportation fare.

Chauffeur-Guided Sightseeing may be requested for ¥20,000 per day, in addition to the charter base fare; parking is separate and the scope and availability require confirmation.

A chauffeur is not described as a nationally licensed tour guide unless that qualification has been verified.

Yes.

When requesting your journey, you can select minimal conversation or a smooth, gentle driving style.

Tell us if a passenger needs to rest after a long flight, is prone to motion sickness, or is travelling with children or older guests.

We record the preference and share it with the assigned chauffeur after the booking is confirmed.

Road, traffic, weather and safety conditions always take priority.

Yes — hotels, homes, Airbnb, offices, and cruise terminals across Tokyo, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Chiba, and Saitama.

For destinations outside the Greater Tokyo Area (Hakone, Nikko, Karuizawa), contact us for a quote.

Yes, subject to advance confirmation.

We review Osanbashi, Daikoku Pier and Shinko Pier requests individually because the assigned terminal, vehicle access and meeting point can change.

Include the ship name, exact terminal, direction and relevant ship times.

Yes — both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, approximately 30–40 minutes from central Tokyo.

Please book at least 36 hours before pickup.

Requests within 36 hours are subject to availability and a 15% urgent-booking surcharge if accepted.

Submit your trip details for confirmation.

Our established services focus on Tokyo, Haneda, Narita and reviewed leisure routes such as Mt.

Fuji, Hakone and nearby regions.

Longer or multi-day journeys are assessed route by route before we confirm availability and provide a quote.

Contact us immediately at [email protected].

We check with the chauffeur right away.

If found, we arrange return shipping at the client's expense.

Items are held for 30 days.

Yes, when the confirmed vehicle plan has enough space.

Tell us the number of players, standard or hard travel covers, suitcases, and other luggage.

For larger groups, we can coordinate multiple passenger vehicles and an additional Toyota HiAce Grand Cabin for golf bags; we have served groups of up to 20 golfers this way.

Octoshell Japan provides private chauffeur transport and does not directly sell golf packages or reserve tee times.

If you need help with a course, accommodation, or golf itinerary, we can introduce a licensed travel partner.

Review the latest forecast and course notices before the 7-day free-cancellation deadline.

Golf-course fees are separate and follow the course or booking provider’s policy.

If the course officially closes or your plan changes, contact Octoshell Japan immediately so we can review the confirmed chauffeur service.

Send the updated cruise-line information as soon as possible.

Operations will recheck the exact terminal, meeting arrangement, vehicle availability and any fare adjustment before confirming the revised service.

A new port is not automatically accepted.

Yes.

Travel agencies, cruise advisors and DMCs can request direct transfers, multi-segment transport and small-group shore excursions.

Operations confirms the terminal, timing, passenger and luggage fit, vehicle availability and B2B quotation before service acceptance.

Yes.

We can coordinate multiple chauffeur-driven vehicles for corporate travel, private aviation movements, events, roadshows, group transfers and multi-day programmes in Tokyo and the Greater Tokyo area.

A single operations contact can coordinate the movement plan, vehicle assignments and schedule updates.

Where additional capacity is required, we may arrange licensed trusted partner operators alongside our own fleet, subject to availability.

For approved B2B accounts, bookings can also be consolidated for invoicing according to the agreed account terms.

Yes.

Corporate travel managers, executive assistants, DMCs, travel agencies, aviation operators and other authorised bookers can make reservations on behalf of passengers.

The booking contact and passenger may be different people.

We can coordinate operational updates with the designated contact while providing the chauffeur with only the information required to perform the service.

For private aviation and other time-sensitive movements, we recommend providing the relevant flight details and a reachable operations contact so schedule changes can be handled efficiently.

Yes.

Octoshell Japan works with travel agencies, DMCs, concierge companies, hotels, family offices, and executive assistants that need private transport in Japan.

Yes, when the trip can be operated safely that way.

Before the first booking, we agree who contacts the passenger, what information is shared, and how urgent changes are handled.

Passenger privacy and discretion are treated as part of professional chauffeur service.

Booking, passenger and itinerary information is handled on an operational need-to-know basis.

Chauffeurs are expected to maintain discretion regarding passenger conversations, business activities, documents and travel arrangements encountered during a journey.

For corporate, executive or private aviation accounts with specific confidentiality requirements, NDA or additional confidentiality arrangements can be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Approved partners may request trade pricing or consolidated billing.

We first review the booking pattern, payment process, service scope, and each team’s responsibilities.

For approved B2B accounts, we can provide consolidated invoicing under agreed payment terms.

Booking references can be included to help your finance or operations team reconcile individual movements.

If your company requires PO numbers, project references, department codes or other internal billing identifiers, please provide the required format when establishing the account or confirming the booking.

Availability of specific invoice fields may depend on the agreed billing workflow.