Japan’s Luggage Delivery Services: A How-to Guide

Wondering why you get awkward looks when heaving your luggage down escalators, on subways, and along sidewalks? 🧳

Notice that local folks seem to get around without the need to shlep their suitcases? 

Here's the secret nobody is telling you…

👉 Japanese ship their bags, not shlep them.

Instead of taking your bags on public transport and shinkansens, ship them from your hotel to the airport (or your next domestic destination) using a service like JAL ABC or Yamato Transport. ✨

Ready to get to your next destination in Japan without having to bother with bullet train luggage space limits?

(Trust us, you don't want to experience crowded public transport in Japan while lugging around a 30 kg item.)

Here’s the TLDR version for sending your bags before you need them to arrive: 

• Method 1: Send suitcases via your hotel’s front desk

• Method 2: Send suitcases via convenience store

• Drop off your bags, usually before 5 pm. 

• They will arrive the very next day in most places. 

Let’s understand how luggage forwarding in Japan works and the steps for each method.

How do I book a luggage transport in Japan?

Booking a luggage transport in Japan is easy. You can visit the JAL ABC or Yamato Transport counter at the airport, fill out the waybill, and pay the shipping fees. Your request will be accepted.

If you’re already in Japan, you can send your suitcase to the next hotel with the current you’re staying at or the convenience store. 

Can I send my luggage from the airport in Japan?

JAL ABC or Yamato Transport counters are located in major Japanese airports, such as Narita and Haneda airports in Tokyo and Kansai International Airport in Osaka. You can send your luggage to your hotel or your home in Japan.

What is the best luggage forwarding service in Japan?

JAL ABC's Airport Baggage Delivery Service

Japan Airlines (JAL) offers a convenient luggage delivery service for everyone in Japan, making it easier for luggage free travel.

JAL offers same day same day luggage delivery only between Hanada airports select hotels in Tokyo if the luggage is dropped off by 2pm on the same day. For other Tokyo location, you luggage will be delivered the next day.

For airport-to-hotel luggage deliveries, visit any JAL desk at the airport.

For any hotel-to-airport, you can book a luggage delivery online or ask the hotel front staff to help you out.

Yamato TA-Q-BIN

Yamato's TA-Q-BIN luggage forwarding service, also known as Kuroneko (literally black cat), offers amazing luggage forwarding and delivery service everywhere in Japan from airports, hotels, homes, and convenience stores.

Yamato’ transport luggage system have convient English waybill forms for you to fill out at their service counter. If use Yamato’s services before 12:30pm, they can ensure same day luggage delivery by the end of the night. 

What’s great about Yamato’s luggage delivery service is they can accommodate hotel-to-hotel luggage delivery as well to hotel-to-airport delivery.

How does luggage forwarding in Japan work?

Luggage forwarding is when you send your luggage to your next destination without bringing it around with you as you travel around Japan.

Think of it like a luggage shipping system.

Method 1: Sending suitcases via your hotel’s front desk

Most hotel reception desks will send your luggage to your next hotel or destination using Yamato Transport’s luggage delivery service (aka, Ta-Q-bin or takkyubin, also known for their black cat logo) or JAL ABC’s luggage delivery service.

The steps are the same for either service provider. 

1. Go to the hotel’s front desk and request luggage delivery service.

2. You will be presented with a form to fill out. 

3. Write your destination address on the form/waybill. 

4. Pay the fees. 

5. Receive your luggage at your next location on your specified day. 

Do hotels provide same-day delivery for luggage services? 

No. Generally speaking, expect next-day delivery when you ask your hotel to arrange luggage forwarding. 

Can hotels in Japan send luggage to another hotel?

Ask the hotel front desk staff to help send your luggage to your next hotel. Most hotels will use Yamato’s Takyubin service

Method 2: Sending suitcases via convenience stores

This next method is great for anyone staying at an Airbnb or a smaller hotel chain that isn’t registered with Yamato Transport’s luggage forwarding service.

Simply drop your luggage off at one of the following convenience stores to get Yamato. Yamato Transport will then pick up your luggage from the convenience store. 

• 7-Eleven

• Family Mart

• New Days

• Daily Yamazaki

• Poplar

You can also use Yamato Transport’s counter location tool to find the nearest convenience store to your hotel. Turn on Google Chrome’s browser translation. Then filter by station, facility, address, or postal code. And select the pink icon for luggage drop-offs. 

1. Locate the closest convenience store to your hotel. 

2. Bring your suitcases to the convenience store.

3. Fill out the form/waybill. 

4. Pay the fees. 

5. Receive your luggage at your next destination on the day you specified. 

Maximum size for 1 luggage piece via Yamato Transport luggage forwarding is 160cm and up to 25kg.

How to fill out a convenience store luggage delivery form

Yamato Transport (takyubin) forms can be filled out in English. 

Here’s an example of what they look like plus how to fill them out.

1. In the To section, add the postcode, telephone number, and the destination address of where you want your luggage to be sent to. For example, your next hotel, etc. 

2. In the From section, list your current address (your hotel, or other accommodation you are presently staying at).

3. In the upper right corner, お届け（お受け取り）希望日, write the day you would like the luggage to arrive, and select the time. 

4. In the section お届け（お受け取り）希望日　時間帯, place a checkmark in the box indicating what time you want your luggage to arrive. 

5. If you aren’t sure or aren’t particular about when it arrives, select 指定無し.  

In the Contents (Fragile / Perishable) section, write down what is inside your luggage, particularly if there is anything fragile and you want your luggage handled with care.

Do convenience stores registered with Yamato Transport provide same-day luggage delivery services? 

According to Yamato Transport’s site, if the sending and receiving locations are within the same region, and you drop off your luggage first thing in the morning, it’s possible that the luggage will arrive on the same day.

However, since not all regions can provide this service, they advise that you call their service center to find out for your specific sending/receiving destination. 

How reliable is luggage forwarding in Japan?

Luggage forwarding services in Japan, such as takkyubin, are generally reliable. However, if you choose to ship your bags to your departure airport, ensure you specify the correct terminal and flight number on the takkyubin form to avoid any issues. 

How much is luggage delivery in Japan?

Costs will vary depending on where you are traveling too and how large your luggage is. 

For example, here is the cost of luggage forwarding from Tokyo to Osaka.

The cost of forwarding luggage in Japan typically ranges from ¥2,400 to ¥3,000.

Frequently asked questions

Do all hotels in Japan offer luggage forwarding?

Most hotels and ryokans in Japan offer luggage forwarding services. Companies like Kuroneko Yamato provide this service as well, making it convenient for travelers.

Is same-day luggage delivery for Japan possible? 

Same-day luggage delivery in Japan is available from airports to hotels within the same region and from Yamato Transport hand’s free luggage counters located inside major train stations. Please see our article on Yamato Transport’s airport luggage delivery service and JAL ABC’s luggage delivery service. 

What is the size limit for luggage delivery in Japan?

In order for it to be delivered in Japan, a piece of luggage must be within 200 cm and weigh up to 30 kg.

In closing

So there you have it, a guide to stress-free travel through Japan! Here are some other articles you might be interested in:

• Mail Forwarding Japan Post: How to Forward Mail Online

• Mail Forwarding Service in Japan: Top Picks for 2024

Before you go, check out our directory of English-speaking services in Japan!

Tomoko Matsuoka is a contributing editor and writer for MailMate, Shoeboxed, and a number of online resource libraries. She writes guides on life in Japan and covers Japanese business news, digitalization, and productivity tools and software.