How to Use Japan Luggage Forwarding: Complete Guide
Last Updated on October 24, 2025 by Audrey
Want to use Japan luggage forwarding? Here's how.
One of the things I love most about Japan is using their luggage delivery service. If you’ve ever hauled your heavy full sized carry on around a foreign country, trying not to bump into people as onlookers give you a weird stare, then you know the struggles I’m talking about.
Additionally, Japan is a compact place. Even though there are coin lockers at every station, finding one that will fit a large check-in suitcase can be like finding a needle in a haystack.
Luckily, Japan’s overnight luggage forwarding service saves you from the pain, the embarrassment, and the struggle of it all. I’ve used it several times all around the country and never had any issues, even when I did long distances like from Hokkaido to Tokyo.
You can ship your baggage between hotels, from convenience stores, and even to the airport so you don’t have to lug it to the train station. Let’s break down how to use Japan’s Takkyubin service!
Using Japan’s Luggage Delivery Service
Why Use Japan’s Luggage Forwarding Service
First, let’s break down all the reasons why you should be using Japan’s overnight luggage delivery service, otherwise known as Takkyubin (宅急便).
No Space on Public Transportation
Japan’s public train system, while otherworldly high-tech, can get very, very cramped during rush hours.
At times, there’s just no space for large luggage on public transportation like the buses or commuter trains.
Additionally, you want to take your large suitcase with you on the bullet train (Shinkansen), you have to book a ticket that includes extra large luggage space. These seats are extremely limited because it’s only the back row in every car. I’ve tried to reserve these seats many times and am usually unsuccessful.
If you can’t book a seat with extra luggage space, you have few options.
Either you have to put your luggage in front of you, which leaves you no leg room and is also annoying to whoever is sitting next to you, or you’ll have to ask an attendant to hopefully find somewhere to put it.
Last resort, you’ll have to stick your luggage on the small overhead space, which is almost impossible to do.
Limited Elevators at the Train Station
While you’re in Japan, expect to be taking the stairs and escalators a lot. Many times there won’t even be an escalator and you’ll be forced to use the stairs.
There’s usually always an elevator at each train stop, but it’s usually horribly inconvenient and the opposite way of the direction you need to be. So if you’re able, you’ll just end up taking the stairs anyway.
The first time I went to Japan, I didn’t even know the luggage delivery service existed. I was an overpacker back then too, so I ended up hauling my full sized luggage up stairs multiple times. It was awful.
Limited Coin Lockers at Train Stations
Now, you might be thinking that you’ll just pop your check in bag into a coin locker at the train station.
You might get lucky and find a large locker, but most of the time these lockers are very limited. Some stations even only have one or two big lockers in the entire station! So don’t expect it.
Hauling around a large luggage is a hassle
In bustling cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, the streets are compact and it’s literally just annoying to just haul around your check in.
Benefits to Using the Luggage Forwarding Service
Here are some times when using luggage delivery really helps you out.
- Traveling with kids or elderly: It would make trips smoother for families
- Travel in comfort: While you’re already fighting jet lag, not having to lug your bags on crowded trains is a big plus.
- Shopping in Japan: If you love shopping like me, then you know your bags are going to get heavy. Shipping the luggage makes it easier to gather all your items and move it between cities with ease.
- Airport return service: You can forward bags directly to the airport before your flight to save yourself on the train ride to the airport.
How to use Japan's luggage delivery service
There are 3 main ways to use Japan’s luggage service.
1. From the Airport to the first Hotel
There will be luggage delivery counters all around the airport. Tell them the name of your hotel and they’ll handle the paperwork for you.
If it’s a short distance, for example Narita Airport to your hotel in Tokyo, it’ll probably only take one day. You’ll still need a day bag to hold essentials like travel documents, meds, toiletries, your phone, and some clothes.
When your luggage arrives, most hotels will either have it behind the front counter or even bring it up to your room for you.
💡 Pro tip: Make sure to put the same name as the person who booked the hotel reservation. Don’t put your own name if you did not reserve your room, as they’ll get confused.
Avoid These Mistakes When Forwarding Bags to the Airport
I would be a little careful if you choose to ship your bags to your departure airport when leaving Japan. If you do, make sure to write your airport terminal and your flight number on the takkyubin form.
Japan’s big airports have multiple terminals, and each terminal has a luggage delivery counter. You don’t want to ship your bag to the wrong terminal!
I personally have never shipped my bags to my departure airport when leaving the country. It’s just a bit too scary for me.
I always end up taking a taxi to Haneda Airport or the express train to Narita and hand carrying my bags. It is honestly a little annoying, so maybe I’ll take a leap of faith and ship my bags to the airport next time.
If you do decide to ship your luggage, make sure to leave extra time in case you have to track down your bag.
2. Between Hotel Takkyubin
It’s extremely easy to ship your luggage between hotels.
Luggage delivery forms will either be at the front desk or in your room. All you have to do is show your hotel clerk your next hotel address and they’ll fill out the paperwork for you.
If you ship in the morning, you might be able to get the luggage after a day. From my experience I usually have to repack my items and end up shipping my luggage in the evening, so it takes around 2 days to receive. Many hotels have 24/7 reception, so you can drop your luggage off at any time, but they won’t ship out until the early morning.
You can also book hotel to hotel luggage delivery online with Klook.
3. Shipping from Local Convenience Stores
If you’re staying in a hostel or airbnb, you probably won’t have luggage delivery service. In that case, you can ship your luggage from a convenience store like Lawson, Family Mart, or 7/11. Stores that have the black cat Yamato sign will offer luggage service.
I’ve done this twice, and it worked well! You can also ship your luggage to be picked up at another convenience store as well.
Pro tip: It’s best to wait until the staff aren’t too busy, or you can create a really long line.
Japan Luggage Service Cost
The number one luggage shipping service is Yamato (Black Cat), but there are a couple other companies like Sagawa, and they’re all relatively the same in speed and price.
In my experience, expect to pay around $20 (3000 yen) to ship your luggage from Tokyo to Osaka and Kyoto. If you ship early in the morning, it could take 1 day, but in my experience it usually always takes 2 days to arrive.
I’ve also shipped my luggage from Tokyo to Sapporo, and that was around $35 (5,200 yen) and took 3 full days. You can expect Hokkaido, Okinawa, and Kyushu to be pricier and take longer since it’s a farther distance.
These prices are all for standard check in bag sizes. Costs vary by luggage size and distance. Yamato has a size guide from S to LL.
Japan Luggage Service Tips
How to Pack for Japan’s Luggage Forwarding Service
Now, I love to shop while I’m in Japan. So I usually pack a full sized check in, a carry on suitcase, and a day bag.
When I first arrive to Japan, I put all my essentials in my day bag, spare clothes in my carry on, and my full sized luggage is completely empty. I put my carry on inside my check in so it’s easier to carry around. Then I’ll bring my day bag and my carry on to my hotel to start off.
I typically don’t start filling up my full sized check in until 3-4 days into my trip. By the time my trip is over, my suitcase is usually bursting at the seams.
Here’s what I pack in my personal bag:
- Travel documents (passport, etc)
- Ipad/laptop
- Toiletries and medications
- glasses/lenses (or in my case, 50 eyedrops for my post-lasik dry eyes)
- 1 pair of socks
- 1 pair of underwear
- 1 shirt
- 1 bottoms
- Airpods
- Chargers
- Optional: Book
And in my carry on I’ll pack the essentials to get me through one to two more days until my check in arrives:
- 2 more pairs of socks
- 2 more pairs of underwear
- 1 dress
- 1-2 shirts
- 1-2 bottoms
Pro tips for using luggage forward service
- Bring a carry on inside your empty full size luggage so you only have to carry one.
- If you’re bouncing around cities, forward it to a city you’ll be staying a few days in
- Ask for assistance when filling out the form so you don’t mess up the address.
- Pack valuables in your carry-on. luggage forwarding is safe, but they won’t take passports, laptops, or cash.
- Ship bags two days ahead if you need them at a certain destination.
japan luggage service FAQs
conclusion: How To Use Japan’s luggage Forwarding service
Now you’re ready to ship your luggage to your hotel as soon as you arrive in Japan!
I fully recommend taking advantage of this service while you’re in Japan. It’s affordable, easy, and just so convenient. It’s a small luxury that we should all embrace.
Ready to hit the ground running and shop your heart out? For ideas on what to do next, you can head to my 4 day Tokyo itinerary or 10 day Japan itinerary. Happy traveling!
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