Introduction
Traveling around Japan with a huge suitcase is not fun.
Tokyo Station.
Shinjuku Station.
Crowded subway trains.
Long staircases.
Tiny elevators.
And then there’s the moment you realize your hotel is a 12-minute walk from the station.
With a 23kg suitcase.
In August.
Not exactly the Japan travel experience you imagined.
Fortunately, Japan has an incredibly useful solution:
Luggage forwarding.
In Japanese, you’ll often hear this type of delivery service called:
Takkyubin (宅急便) or Takuhai-bin (宅配便).
It allows you to send your suitcase from one location to another instead of carrying it yourself.
For example:
Tokyo hotel → Kyoto hotel
Airport → Hotel
Hotel → Airport
For tourists traveling between several Japanese cities, luggage forwarding can make the entire trip significantly easier.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is Luggage Forwarding in Japan?
Luggage forwarding is exactly what it sounds like.
Instead of carrying your suitcase with you, you pay a delivery company to transport it to your next destination.
Imagine you’re traveling:
Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka
Instead of dragging two large suitcases through Tokyo Station and onto the Shinkansen, you could send them directly from your Tokyo hotel to your Kyoto hotel.
Then you travel with only:
A backpack or small overnight bag.
Your suitcase arrives separately.
Simple.
And incredibly convenient.
Is Luggage Forwarding Common in Japan?
Yes.
This isn’t some unusual premium service designed only for tourists.
Parcel delivery services are extremely common throughout Japan.
Japanese people use them for:
- Suitcases
- Boxes
- Golf bags
- Ski equipment
- Gifts
- Online shopping
- Moving items between locations
For tourists, one of the most useful applications is sending luggage between hotels.
Japan Post, for example, operates Yu-Pack throughout Japan and says parcels can be sent through its roughly 24,000 post offices as well as participating convenience stores.
Do Tourists Really Need Luggage Forwarding?
No.
You can obviously carry your suitcase yourself.
But whether you should depends on your itinerary.
If you’re staying in one hotel in Tokyo for seven days?
You probably don’t need it.
But imagine this:
Day 1–3: Tokyo
Day 4–5: Kyoto
Day 6–7: Osaka
Day 8: Fly home
Now luggage forwarding becomes much more attractive.
Especially if you’re carrying:
Large suitcases.
Why Is Luggage Forwarding So Useful?
1. Japanese Train Stations Can Be Huge
Tokyo Station isn’t exactly a small building.
Neither is:
Shinjuku
Shibuya
Kyoto
Osaka
Shin-Osaka
Walking through a huge station with luggage can become exhausting.
And if you’re transferring between railway lines, you may need to travel quite a distance inside the station.
2. Trains Can Be Crowded
A large suitcase on an empty train?
No problem.
A large suitcase on a packed Tokyo commuter train at 8:15 AM?
Different story.
You have to think about:
Where to stand
Whether you’re blocking the doors
Whether your suitcase is hitting people
How you’re going to get off
Sending your luggage ahead removes all of that.
3. The Shinkansen Is Easier Without Huge Luggage
The Shinkansen is comfortable, but large baggage still needs to be stored appropriately.
On the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen, baggage with total dimensions exceeding 160 cm and up to 250 cm is subject to oversized-baggage rules on applicable trains.
So if you’re traveling with a giant suitcase, luggage forwarding can be a very attractive alternative.
Instead of worrying about luggage reservations:
Send it to your next hotel.
Then get on the Shinkansen with a small bag.
Much easier.
Who Should Use Luggage Forwarding?
I’d particularly recommend it if:
- You’re traveling between multiple cities
- You have large or heavy suitcases
- You’re traveling with children
- You’re traveling with elderly family members
- You’re taking several trains
- You’re using the Shinkansen
- You’re traveling during rush hour
- You’ve bought too many souvenirs
- You want to explore before hotel check-in
- You don’t want to carry luggage to the airport
For backpackers traveling with one small bag?
Probably unnecessary.
For someone traveling around Japan for two weeks with a giant suitcase?
Very useful.
The Most Common Option: Hotel to Hotel
This is probably the easiest way for tourists to use luggage forwarding.
Imagine:
Today: Tokyo
Tomorrow: Kyoto
Ask your Tokyo hotel:
“Can you send my luggage to my next hotel?”
Many hotels can help arrange luggage delivery.
You’ll usually need information such as:
Your next hotel’s name
Address
Phone number
Your name
Check-in date
The hotel staff may help you complete the shipping form.
Then you pay the delivery fee and leave your suitcase with them.
Step 1: Ask Your Hotel
Go to reception and say:
“Can I send my luggage to my next hotel?”
You can also say:
“Takkyubin?”
Staff at hotels used to dealing with tourists will usually understand what you mean.
If they offer luggage forwarding, they’ll explain what you need to do.
Step 2: Have Your Next Hotel’s Information Ready
This makes everything much easier.
Before going to reception, open your next hotel reservation on your phone.
You should ideally have:
Hotel name
Hotel address
Phone number
Your reservation name
Check-in date
Don’t just tell the staff:
“I’m staying somewhere in Kyoto.”
Give them the actual reservation information.
Step 3: Confirm That the Next Hotel Accepts Luggage
This is important.
Don’t automatically assume every accommodation will accept luggage deliveries.
Large hotels usually have systems for receiving luggage.
Smaller accommodations may have different rules.
And unmanned accommodations can be particularly problematic.
Before sending your suitcase, confirm that the destination accommodation:
Accepts forwarded luggage
and
Can receive it before you arrive.
Step 4: Fill Out the Shipping Form
You’ll usually need to provide information about:
Sender
Recipient
Destination address
Phone number
Contents
Requested delivery date/time, when available
Don’t panic if the form is in Japanese.
Hotel staff may help you.
If you’re sending from a post office or another service counter, showing the destination information on your phone can also make the process easier.
Step 5: Pay the Delivery Fee
The price depends on factors such as:
Luggage size
Destination
Delivery service
Special handling
There isn’t one universal flat price for all suitcases.
As a rough expectation, forwarding a normal suitcase domestically often costs a few thousand yen, rather than an extremely expensive amount.
But don’t rely on a single fixed number when budgeting.
Ask for the exact price when sending your luggage.
For reference, Japan Post’s regular Yu-Pack prices are determined by parcel size and destination; standard Yu-Pack accepts parcels up to 170 cm total dimensions and 25 kg.
Step 6: Keep Your Receipt
Once your luggage is accepted, you’ll normally receive a receipt or tracking information.
Keep it.
Take a photo of it too.
If anything goes wrong, that information will make tracking your luggage much easier.
Step 7: Travel Without Your Suitcase
Now comes the best part.
Go to the station.
Take the train.
Get on the Shinkansen.
Stop for lunch.
Explore Kyoto.
Whatever you want.
Instead of dragging a giant suitcase behind you, you’re carrying a small bag.
This is why luggage forwarding becomes addictive once you use it.
How Long Does Luggage Forwarding Take?
This is extremely important.
Do not assume your suitcase will always arrive the same day.
Depending on the route, service, drop-off time, weather, contents, and destination, delivery times vary.
For Japan Post’s tourist-oriented Yu-Pack information, luggage sent from a nearby post office to a hotel will in most cases arrive the following day.
So if you need something tonight:
Don’t put it in the suitcase you’re forwarding.
Should You Send Your Luggage One Day Ahead?
In many cases, yes.
A simple strategy is:
Send your large suitcase ahead and keep one night’s essentials with you.
For example:
Large suitcase
Send to Kyoto.
Small backpack
Keep:
- Passport
- Wallet
- Phone
- Charger
- Medication
- Underwear
- Toothbrush
- Change of clothes
- Anything valuable
Then even if your suitcase arrives the following day, you’re fine.
Never Put Essential Items in Forwarded Luggage
This deserves its own section.
Don’t forward something that you absolutely need within the next few hours.
Keep things such as:
Passport
Cash
Credit cards
Important medication
Travel documents
Electronics you urgently need
Keys
with you.
Think of luggage forwarding like checking baggage on a flight:
Keep essential and valuable items in your personal bag.
Can You Send Luggage From the Airport to Your Hotel?
Yes, depending on the airport, destination, counter and service.
This can be incredibly useful.
Imagine you arrive at Narita or Haneda in the morning.
Hotel check-in isn’t until 3 PM.
Instead of:
Airport → Hotel → Leave suitcase → Go sightseeing
you may be able to:
Airport → Send suitcase → Start sightseeing
Japan Post specifically promotes airport-to-hotel Yu-Pack as a way for travelers to leave luggage at the airport and receive it at their hotel.
Just remember that delivery timing varies; Japan Post says that in most cases this luggage reaches the hotel the following day.
Can You Send Luggage From Your Hotel to the Airport?
Yes, this is also possible through applicable services.
And honestly, this can be one of the best uses of luggage forwarding.
Imagine your flight leaves at:
10:00 PM
but hotel checkout is:
11:00 AM
You could potentially send your large suitcase to the airport in advance.
Then spend your final day:
Shopping.
Eating.
Sightseeing.
Without dragging your suitcase around Tokyo.
Later, travel to the airport and collect it at the designated counter.
Japan Post’s airport service, for example, allows luggage to be sent ahead and collected at an airport counter.
Important: Send Airport Luggage Early
This is one place where you should be conservative.
Do not wait until the morning of your international flight and assume your suitcase can be forwarded to the airport in time.
Cut-off times and required lead times vary.
Japan Post notes that airport delivery is generally from the day after acceptance, with some exceptions.
Always check:
How many days in advance the service requires
Which airport terminal/counter you’re using
Counter opening hours
Your flight departure time
If you’re sending luggage to the airport, give yourself plenty of time.
Missing a T-shirt is annoying.
Missing your entire suitcase before an international flight is considerably more annoying.
Can You Send Luggage From a Convenience Store?
Sometimes, yes.
Parcel delivery services are available through many convenience stores.
Japan Post, for example, allows Yu-Pack parcels to be sent through participating convenience stores as well as post offices.
However, available delivery companies and services depend on the convenience store.
So don’t assume:
“Every convenience store accepts every luggage delivery service.”
Ask the staff or look for delivery-service signage.
Can You Send Luggage From a Post Office?
Yes.
This is another useful option.
Japan Post’s Yu-Pack can be used to send luggage within Japan.
You can take your luggage to a post office, complete the shipping label, pay the fee, and send it to your destination.
Japan Post specifically promotes this option for travelers sending luggage:
Post office → Hotel
and
Post office → Airport.
What Is Yamato Transport?
While researching luggage forwarding in Japan, you’ll probably see a black cat logo.
That’s Yamato Transport.
Its well-known delivery service is called:
TA-Q-BIN
Yamato is one of Japan’s major parcel delivery companies and is commonly associated with luggage forwarding.
Hotels, airports, convenience stores and service counters may offer or handle different delivery services depending on location.
You don’t necessarily need to choose a delivery company before your trip.
For many tourists, the easiest method is simply:
Ask your hotel what luggage forwarding service they offer.
What About Japan Post?
Another option is Japan Post’s Yu-Pack.
Japan Post says Yu-Pack can be sent from roughly 24,000 post offices across Japan and participating convenience stores.
This can be useful if your hotel doesn’t arrange luggage forwarding or if there’s a convenient post office nearby.
What About Sagawa Express?
Sagawa Express is another major Japanese delivery company.
It also operates hands-free travel and baggage services at certain locations.
Availability and same-day options vary by service center and area, so check the specific location rather than assuming the same service exists everywhere.
For most first-time visitors, though, you don’t need to memorize Japan’s delivery companies.
Start with your hotel.
Can Luggage Be Delivered the Same Day?
Sometimes.
But don’t build your entire itinerary around same-day delivery unless you’ve confirmed it.
Same-day services exist on certain routes and at certain service counters, but availability and cut-off times vary.
The safest assumption for a tourist traveling between cities is:
Your luggage may not arrive until the next day or later.
Plan accordingly.
Can You Forward Luggage to an Airbnb?
This is much more complicated than forwarding it to a hotel.
Traditional hotels have:
Reception staff
and
Someone available to receive deliveries.
Many Airbnb-style properties don’t.
If nobody is there when the delivery driver arrives, receiving the suitcase can become difficult.
So before sending luggage to a vacation rental:
Contact your host and ask whether luggage delivery is accepted.
Never assume.
If the accommodation cannot receive luggage, you may need to use another delivery or storage option.
What About Hostels and Guesthouses?
Ask them.
Some will happily receive luggage.
Others may not have staff at reception all day.
The important question isn’t:
“Is this a hotel?”
It’s:
“Will someone be there to receive my suitcase?”
Confirm before sending.
Can You Send Luggage Several Days Ahead?
Depending on the service, you may be able to specify a future delivery date.
This can create some very useful itineraries.
For example:
Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto
You don’t necessarily need your huge suitcase in Hakone for one night.
Instead:
Send suitcase from Tokyo directly to Kyoto.
Take a small overnight bag to Hakone.
Stay one night.
Then travel to Kyoto.
Your suitcase can meet you there.
This is one of the smartest ways to use luggage forwarding in Japan.
A Great Example: Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto
Let’s imagine you’re doing this:
Day 1–3
Tokyo
Day 4
Hakone
Day 5
Kyoto
Instead of taking your giant suitcase:
Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto
you could potentially do:
Large suitcase: Tokyo → Kyoto
You: Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto with a backpack
Now you’re not dragging a suitcase onto buses and trains around Hakone.
Much better.
Another Great Example: Kyoto → Osaka → Airport
Imagine you’re staying:
Kyoto → Osaka → Kansai Airport
and you’ve accumulated a lot of souvenirs.
Depending on your schedule and the available service, sending some luggage ahead can make your final travel day much easier.
This is particularly useful when you’re trying to navigate train stations with multiple large bags.
Is Luggage Forwarding Safe?
Japan’s parcel delivery systems are widely used.
You’ll also normally receive tracking or shipment information depending on the service.
But that doesn’t mean you should treat your suitcase like a bank vault.
I would still keep:
Passport
Money
Credit cards
Medication
Expensive electronics
Irreplaceable valuables
with you.
The purpose of luggage forwarding is to move your clothes and travel gear.
Not your entire financial life.
What Should You Put in Your Small Travel Bag?
If your large suitcase is traveling separately, I’d carry:
- Passport
- Wallet
- Smartphone
- Charger / power bank
- Medication
- One change of clothes
- Underwear
- Basic toiletries
- Hotel information
- Important documents
- Valuables
Think:
“What would I need if I didn’t see my suitcase until tomorrow?”
Put those things in your backpack.
What Can’t You Send?
Restrictions depend on the delivery company and service.
Certain items may be prohibited or require special handling.
For example, Japan Post warns that parcels containing items that cannot be transported by air may need to travel by another method, potentially delaying delivery by 1–4 days.
If you’re carrying unusual items, batteries, hazardous materials, valuables, liquids, or anything you’re unsure about:
Ask before sending.
Is Luggage Forwarding Expensive?
For most international tourists, I think the better question is:
“How much is not carrying this suitcase worth to me?”
If you’re paying a few thousand yen to avoid dragging a giant suitcase:
Through Tokyo Station.
Onto a Shinkansen.
Through Kyoto Station.
Onto a subway.
Then 800 meters to your hotel…
the service can suddenly look pretty reasonable.
Especially when you’ve already spent hundreds or thousands of dollars on the trip.
Luggage Forwarding vs Coin Lockers
These solve different problems.
Coin lockers
Best when you need to store luggage temporarily and return to the same area later.
For example:
Arrive at Kyoto Station → Store suitcase → Explore → Return to Kyoto Station
Luggage forwarding
Best when you’re moving to another destination.
For example:
Tokyo → Send suitcase → Kyoto
You don’t need to return to the original location.
Luggage Forwarding vs Carrying Your Suitcase on the Shinkansen
Both are completely valid.
Carry your suitcase if:
- It’s reasonably small
- You need everything immediately
- You don’t mind handling luggage
- You’re going directly from station to hotel
- You have appropriate luggage space/reservations when required
Forward your suitcase if:
- It’s huge
- You’re traveling between multiple cities
- You want to explore before check-in
- You’re making several transfers
- You’re staying somewhere for only one night
- You simply don’t want to deal with it
Personally, the more complicated your itinerary becomes, the more attractive luggage forwarding becomes.
Do You Need to Speak Japanese?
Usually, no.
Especially if you’re arranging the service through a hotel accustomed to international visitors.
Have the destination address ready on your phone.
If necessary, show staff:
Your hotel reservation.
That’s much easier than trying to pronounce a long Japanese address from memory.
You can also use the phrase:
“Nimotsu o okuritai desu.”
Meaning roughly:
“I’d like to send my luggage.”
But honestly?
Showing your hotel booking and saying:
“Luggage delivery?”
will often get the idea across.
The Biggest Mistakes Tourists Make
Here are the mistakes I’d avoid:
Assuming luggage will arrive the same day
Sending medication or essential items inside the suitcase
Sending luggage without confirming the hotel accepts deliveries
Trying to forward luggage to an unmanned Airbnb without checking
Waiting until the last minute to send luggage to the airport
Not keeping the receipt or tracking number
Not checking the suitcase size or weight
Putting prohibited items inside
Sending every piece of clothing and then realizing you need something tomorrow morning
Avoid those and the process becomes much easier.
My Recommended Strategy for First-Time Visitors
If you’re traveling around Japan for a week or two, I wouldn’t necessarily forward your suitcase every single time you change hotels.
Use the service strategically.
For example:
Tokyo — 3 nights
↓
Hakone — 1 night
↓
Kyoto — 3 nights
↓
Osaka — 2 nights
A great strategy could be:
Tokyo → Send large suitcase directly to Kyoto
Take a backpack to Hakone.
Meet your suitcase in Kyoto.
Then decide whether you want to carry it to Osaka or forward it again.
The point isn’t:
“Never carry luggage in Japan.”
The point is:
Don’t carry it when you don’t need to.
Is Luggage Forwarding Worth It?
For the right itinerary?
Absolutely.
It’s one of those Japanese travel services that many first-time visitors don’t think about until they’re already standing inside a giant train station with a suitcase.
And then suddenly it makes perfect sense.
If you’re traveling:
One city + one hotel
you probably don’t need it.
If you’re traveling:
Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto → Osaka → Hiroshima
it can completely change the experience.
Less luggage.
Fewer stressful transfers.
More freedom.
More sightseeing.
And significantly fewer moments of carrying a 20kg suitcase up a staircase while questioning your life choices.
Final Thoughts
Japan’s luggage forwarding system is one of the most useful services for tourists traveling between multiple destinations.
You can potentially send luggage:
Hotel → Hotel
Airport → Hotel
Hotel / Post Office → Airport
Post Office → Hotel
and use other supported combinations depending on the delivery company and location. Japan Post officially describes airport-to-hotel, post-office-to-hotel, and post-office-to-airport use cases for travelers.
The most important thing to remember is:
Luggage forwarding is not instant.
Plan ahead.
Keep essential items with you.
Confirm that your destination can receive the luggage.
Keep your receipt.
And allow enough time when sending bags to an airport.
Do that, and traveling around Japan becomes much easier.
You don’t need to forward every suitcase on every journey.
But if you’re traveling between several cities?
Use it strategically.
Your back will thank you.
And when you’re walking through Tokyo Station with nothing but a small backpack while someone next to you is dragging two enormous suitcases?
You’ll understand exactly why.