Japan Airlines has introduced an innovative initiative called Wearbnb, allowing eco-conscious tourists to rent clothing during their trips to Japan. As part of a year-long pilot project, the airline offers a selection of second-hand or excess retail stock clothing for rental.
Passengers can book their clothing rental through the Any Wear, Anywhere service at least one month in advance, using their flight reservation number. They have the option to choose clothing based on season, color, and size.
Upon arrival, travellers can collect their rented clothing from their hotel or Airbnb accommodation and return it for washing at the end of their trip before heading back to the airport.
The rental period lasts a maximum of two weeks, with prices starting at 4,000 yen ($28) for three casual tops and two pairs of bottoms. The most expensive option, suitable for both men and women, costs 7,000 yen and includes five tops, three bottoms, and a coat.
Japan Airlines highlights the sustainability benefits of this option as it reduces the cargo load on their planes, leading to lower fuel consumption. For instance, travellers arriving from New York can save up to 7.5 kilograms of CO2 emissions by reducing their luggage load by 10 kilograms—an amount equivalent to running a hairdryer for 78 days.
The airline will monitor the uptake of this program and assess its impact on cargo loads to determine whether it will become a permanent offering for travellers.
As Covid-19 entry restrictions have been fully lifted in Japan, airlines, hotels, and restaurants are preparing to welcome more tourists during the summer holiday season. In May, the number of visitors reached 1.9 million, nearly 70 percent of pre-pandemic levels compared to the same month in 2019, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.
