KYOTO - A trial luggage storage service has begun at a bank in Kyoto, as part of efforts to address the growing number of tourists visiting the city.
According to a report by Ishikawa Chisato: "At what appears to be an ordinary bank branch, visitors can now leave behind large pieces of luggage."
Mitsubishi UFJ Bank’s Kyoto branch has partnered with major logistics company Sagawa Express to launch a temporary luggage storage and delivery service starting on April 6th.
With the spread of cashless payments reducing the number of in-branch visitors, the bank had been exploring ways to utilize unused space within its premises.
The initiative aims to encourage tourists to store large luggage, helping to ease congestion on streets and public transportation in Kyoto, where overtourism has become an increasing concern.
Kosugi Yuji, head of Mitsubishi UFJ Bank’s Kyoto branch, said: "We have real estate in prime locations that is not being fully utilized, and through this partnership, we have been able to create a framework to address social challenges that we could not solve alone."
The bank is also considering expanding the service to other branches in the future.
Source: YOMIURI
