✓ Policy web-verified 2026-06-20
Spring Japan (IATA IJ), the Tokyo-Narita-based low-cost arm of China’s Spring Airlines, sells its cheapest fare as Lucky Spring — and it includes zero checked baggage. What you get is one carry-on bag up to 7 kg (56 x 36 x 23 cm) and that’s the lot. If the deal you booked says Lucky Spring, you are flying with a cabin bag only, full stop.
Step up and the picture changes: the mid-tier Spring fare bundles 20 kg of checked baggage, and Spring Plus bundles 30 kg. There is no regional carve-out here — unlike North American carriers that quietly include a bag on long-haul fares, Spring Japan applies the same fare-tier rule on every route, domestic and international alike. The cheapest fare never includes a checked bag, anywhere on the network.
Quick facts
| Cheapest fare (Lucky Spring) | Carry-on only, no checked bag |
| Carry-on bag | 7 kg, 56 x 36 x 23 cm (115 cm total) |
| Spring fare checked | 20 kg included |
| Spring Plus fare checked | 30 kg included |
| Max checked bag | 30 kg, 203 cm total dimensions |
| Pre-bought 20 kg (intl) | ~JPY 10,000 online |
| Same rule all routes? | Yes — no regional bag inclusion |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Carry-on bag (all fares) | 1 piece, max 7 kg, 56 x 36 x 23 cm (115 cm total) — gate-weighed |
| Personal item | Not separately listed for international; carry-on allowance is 1 piece |
Checked baggage & fees
| Lucky Spring (cheapest) | 0 kg — buy a bag or travel cabin-only |
| Spring fare | 20 kg included |
| Spring Plus fare | 30 kg included |
| Per-bag max | 30 kg, sum of three sides <= 203 cm |
| Pre-paid bag (online, intl) | ~JPY 2,500 (5 kg) to ~JPY 10,000 (30 kg) |
| Airport-counter bag (intl) | ~JPY 5,000 (5 kg) to ~JPY 20,000 (30 kg) |
| Boarding-gate bag (intl) | ~JPY 6,000 (5 kg) to ~JPY 21,000 (30 kg) — avoid |
Baggage by region & route
Checked-bag inclusion on the cheapest fare can depend on where you fly, not just the fare name. Here is what the lowest fare includes by route:
| Route / region | Cheapest fare includes |
|---|---|
| Domestic (within Japan) | No checked bag on cheapest (Lucky Spring) fare |
| International (Japan to China etc.) | No checked bag on cheapest (Lucky Spring) fare |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucky Spring | Included (in carry-on) | 7 kg / 56x36x23 cm | None |
| Spring | Included (in carry-on) | 7 kg / 56x36x23 cm | 20 kg |
| Spring Plus | Included (in carry-on) | 7 kg / 56x36x23 cm | 30 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
On a cheap Spring Japan deal fare you get a cabin bag and nothing in the hold. The headline price you saw is almost certainly Lucky Spring, which means 7 kg of carry-on — and Spring Japan weighs it at the gate, so the ‘just stuff it in my backpack’ trick fails fast. If you need a 20 kg bag, you are either booking the Spring fare from the start or paying to add one.
Budget accordingly: pre-buying a checked bag online is far cheaper than improvising at the airport. International add-ons run roughly JPY 2,500 for 5 kg up to JPY 10,000 for 30 kg online, but the same bag at the counter is roughly double and at the boarding gate more again. Decide your bag before you book — a Lucky Spring fare plus a counter-bought 20 kg bag can erase the whole ‘low-cost’ saving.
Oversize, sports & special items
Oversize and sports gear (skis, surfboards, bicycles, large instruments) is handled as special baggage and charged at the airport counter — typically around JPY 8,000 per item, with golf equipment cheaper at roughly JPY 4,000. A tennis racket can travel as part of the 1 personal item + 1 carry-on (7 kg) allowance. There is no cap on the number of checked bags on international routes, but each piece must stay within 30 kg and 203 cm total.
Spring Japan has kept its three-tier Lucky Spring / Spring / Spring Plus structure into 2026, with checked-baggage charges remaining a significant share of ancillary revenue — so expect the pay-to-add-a-bag model to stay firmly in place rather than soften.
Frequently asked questions
Does the cheapest Spring Japan fare include a checked bag?
No. The Lucky Spring fare includes zero checked baggage — only a 7 kg carry-on (56 x 36 x 23 cm). You must buy a bag or upgrade to the Spring fare (20 kg) or Spring Plus (30 kg).
What is Spring Japan's carry-on allowance?
One carry-on bag up to 7 kg, max 56 x 36 x 23 cm (115 cm total dimensions). It is weighed at the gate, so going over 7 kg can mean a gate-check charge.
How much does it cost to add a checked bag?
Pre-buying online is cheapest — roughly JPY 2,500 for 5 kg up to JPY 10,000 for 30 kg on international routes. Buying at the airport counter is about double, and at the boarding gate more still.
Which Spring Japan fare includes 20 kg checked?
The mid-tier Spring fare includes 20 kg of checked baggage. Spring Plus includes 30 kg. Lucky Spring includes none.
Is the bag allowance different on international versus domestic flights?
The fare-tier structure is the same: Lucky Spring has no checked bag on either domestic or international routes. There is no region where the cheapest fare quietly includes a bag.
What is the maximum checked bag size and weight?
Each checked piece can be up to 30 kg, and the sum of its three sides must not exceed 203 cm. There is no limit on the number of checked bags on international routes.
Can I bring sports equipment or a musical instrument?
Yes, as special baggage paid at the airport counter — roughly JPY 8,000 per item (golf around JPY 4,000). A tennis racket can go within your 7 kg carry-on allowance.
Should I pre-buy my bag before flying Spring Japan?
Yes. Adding a bag at the boarding gate costs the most, the counter is mid-range, and pre-buying online is by far the cheapest. On a cheap Lucky Spring fare, a counter-bought bag can wipe out your saving.