By MOOK Scenic Spots Home Travel Life Network, Zhang Yingying
Recently, it was reported that a group of Taiwanese tourists on a Japan trip ordered a large number of items from Japanese shopping websites and had them delivered to their hotel for pickup. A related party disclosed the incident online, claiming it involved a tour organized by a major Taiwanese travel agency. The group members reportedly ordered 55 items to be delivered to their Tokyo hotel, causing inconvenience to the hotel. The incident has led to conflicting accounts, with disputes among tour guides, tour leaders, and tourists highlighting a growing trend: the rising popularity of ordering online and having purchases delivered to hotels. This has resulted in frequent disputes and inconveniences for Japanese service staff.
Many shops in Tokyo’s Akihabara district cater to tourists. (Photo by Zhang Yingying)
In recent years, Japan has consistently been a top travel destination for Taiwanese tourists. According to data released by the Japan National Tourism Organization, out of 1.76 million foreign visitors in April 2015, 330,000 were from Taiwan, second only to those from mainland China. Whether traveling independently or on group tours, Taiwanese tourists—driven by their love for Japanese goods, shopping for family and friends, or even working as professional buyers—consistently demonstrate impressive purchasing power. In recent years, this trend has evolved to include ordering from Japanese shopping websites before arriving in Taiwan, calculating delivery times to their hotels, or arranging pickups at nearby convenience stores. While Japanese hotels and ryokans strive to accommodate these extra services, the resulting issues and inconveniences are unavoidable. There have even been cases where guests canceled their bookings after deliveries arrived, either before check-in or after checkout, adding to the workload and complicating storage. All of this has impacted the reputation of Taiwanese travelers.
Cosmetic and pharmaceutical products remain must-buy items for tourists visiting Japan, with many Japanese shops now featuring Chinese instructions and signs. (Photo by Zhang Yingying)
Travelers who wish to have their purchases delivered to their hotel are advised to confirm in advance by phone or email. They should also exercise restraint when requesting multiple deliveries and ensure clarity to avoid misunderstandings or unexpected charges. Additionally, if a large volume of purchases causes delays at customs, travelers should arrive at the airport earlier to avoid disrupting other passengers’ check-in processes. As travel becomes increasingly popular, it's essential to uphold proper travel etiquette and behavior to avoid ruining the fun, causing trouble for others, or spoiling the enjoyment of the trip.