Japan's door-to-door delivery services (takkyubin) are a game-changer for travellers. Send your big bags ahead and ride trains with just a daypack.
How it works
- Ask your hotel front desk to send your luggage, or take it to a convenience store or courier counter.
- Fill in a waybill with your next hotel's name, address and phone number, your name and the arrival date (and the guest's name as booked).
- Pay — usually by size and distance. Typical per-bag prices for domestic delivery are often in the low thousands of yen; check the courier's fare chart.
Timing
Delivery between major cities usually takes a day; longer distances take two. Plan to have one night's essentials with you. Many hotels hold arriving bags before you check in — confirm in advance.
To and from the airport
Airport counters at Narita, Haneda and Kansai send bags to hotels and receive bags for departure. Send them at least a day or two before your flight.
Main providers
Yamato Transport (TA-Q-BIN) and Sagawa Express are the most common, and several services cater specifically to visitors.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: