Takkyubin (宅急便) is Japan's luggage forwarding service — you can ship your suitcase from one hotel to the next for ¥1,500–¥2,500, typically arriving next day. Traveling without heavy bags on the shinkansen transforms the experience. Here's how to use it.
How It Works
1. Ask your hotel reception to ship your luggage to your next hotel. 2. Fill in a forwarding slip (hotels usually have them and staff will help). 3. Pay at the hotel or konbini. 4. Your bag arrives at the destination hotel by the following day. For same-day delivery within a city, some operators offer morning delivery if sent the night before.
Where to Send From
Hotel reception: Most hotels offer forwarding — the easiest option. Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson): Take your bag to any konbini, fill in the slip, pay at the register. Airport forwarding: From Narita or Haneda to your hotel (same or next day). Perfect for arriving in Japan and shipping your suitcase directly so you can take the train unencumbered.
Main Services
Yamato Transport (Kuroneko Yamato): The black cat logo — Japan's largest parcel service. Available at most konbini and hotels. Sagawa Express: Alternative, slightly less widespread. Both are equally reliable. Tracking is available online or via app (Yamato has an English app).
Pricing
Based on size (measured in cm sum of three dimensions) and distance: Small bag (60cm): ¥1,000–¥1,500. Medium suitcase (80–100cm): ¥1,500–¥2,000. Large suitcase (120–160cm): ¥2,000–¥2,500. Tokyo → Osaka next-day delivery: approximately ¥1,500–¥2,000 for a standard suitcase.
Timing Strategy
For next-day delivery, send your bag before 12:00 noon. Send the evening before if you want morning arrival. For travel to Kyoto or Osaka, send from Tokyo on Day 2 of your Tokyo stay — it arrives at your Kyoto hotel by the time you get there on the shinkansen. Some ryokan will hold your bag if you arrive before check-in time.
Airport Forwarding
At Narita and Haneda airports, forwarding counters (near baggage claim) ship to hotels by next day. You travel to your hotel with only your day bag. On departure day: ship your suitcase from the hotel to the airport the night before — collect it at the airline check-in counter. This service (called "ABF" at Narita) costs ¥2,500–¥3,500 per bag.