Japan Luggage Delivery Service Guide 2026
Note: Prices and availability change frequently. The prices shown in this article are examples as of April 2026. Always verify the latest prices and details on the official provider’s website before booking/purchasing.
Quick Summary
- What: Takkyubin (宅急便) delivers your luggage between hotels, airports, and cities — usually next-day arrival for ¥2,000–¥3,000 per bag
- Best for: Multi-city trips where dragging suitcases through train stations ruins the experience
- How: Drop your bag at any convenience store, hotel front desk, or Yamato/Sagawa office — fill out a simple form and pay
- Key tip: Send luggage one day before you travel so it arrives at your next hotel before you do
Traveling light? Book luggage delivery on Klook →
Still planning? Read the full luggage delivery guide below →
What Is Takkyubin (Luggage Delivery)?
Takkyubin (宅急便) is Japan’s luggage delivery service — a nationwide system that ships your suitcases, bags, and boxes between any two addresses in Japan. The two major providers are Yamato Transport (ヤマト運輸, recognizable by the black cat logo) and Sagawa Express (佐川急便). Both deliver reliably, usually within one day for domestic routes.
This service is a game-changer for tourists. Instead of wrestling a heavy suitcase through crowded train stations, up stairs (many stations lack elevators), and onto packed Shinkansen cars, you send your luggage ahead and travel with just a day bag. Your suitcase arrives at your next hotel before you do.
Takkyubin is used daily by Japanese people — for everything from shipping purchases home to sending luggage ahead on business trips. The system is extremely reliable, with lost luggage being virtually unheard of.
How Much Does Luggage Delivery Cost?
Prices depend on bag size and distance. Here are typical rates for standard suitcases:
| Size | Dimensions (Total) | Same Region | Cross-Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (60 size) | Up to 60cm total | ¥930–¥1,150 | ¥1,370–¥1,850 |
| Medium (80 size) | Up to 80cm total | ¥1,150–¥1,370 | ¥1,590–¥2,070 |
| Standard suitcase (120 size) | Up to 120cm total | ¥1,610–¥1,850 | ¥2,070–¥2,510 |
| Large suitcase (160 size) | Up to 160cm total | ¥2,070–¥2,280 | ¥2,510–¥3,060 |
Size calculation: Add the three dimensions of your bag (length + width + height in cm). A standard carry-on suitcase is typically 80–100 size. A full-size checked suitcase is 120–160 size.
Payment: Cash at convenience stores and Yamato offices. Some hotels add the delivery charge to your room bill. Credit card payment is available at some Yamato offices and through online booking platforms.
Pre-book luggage delivery on Klook (English support) →
How to Send Your Luggage: Step by Step
Option 1: Hotel Front Desk (Easiest)
- Tell your hotel front desk you want to send luggage via takkyubin. Most hotels handle this daily and have forms ready.
- Fill out the delivery slip (伝票, denpyō). Write the destination hotel name, address, phone number, and your name. Ask the front desk staff for help with Japanese addresses.
- Specify the delivery date — choose the date you will arrive at your next hotel.
- Pay the fee (cash or added to your room bill).
- The hotel arranges pickup. Your bag arrives at the destination hotel by the specified date.
Option 2: Convenience Store
- Bring your bag to any 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, or Lawson (Yamato handles 7-Eleven and FamilyMart; Sagawa uses Lawson).
- Tell the staff “takkyubin onegaishimasu” (宅急便お願いします).
- Fill out the delivery slip they provide. Write the destination address clearly.
- Pay in cash. The staff will give you a receipt with a tracking number.
- Track delivery status using the tracking number on the Yamato or Sagawa website (English available).
Option 3: Yamato Transport Office
Yamato has service counters in major train stations, airports, and shopping areas. Look for the black cat logo. Staff can help with form filling and provide packing materials if needed.
Option 4: Online Booking (English)
Services like Klook and Luggage-Free Travel offer English-language booking for luggage delivery. You book online, attach the provided label, and drop your bag at a designated location. This eliminates the language barrier entirely.
Pack light and ship the rest — see the Japan packing list →
Airport Luggage Delivery
Airport to Hotel
Send your luggage from the airport directly to your hotel on arrival day. Yamato and Sagawa counters are in the arrival halls of Narita, Haneda, Kansai, and other major airports. Drop your bag, pay ¥2,000–¥3,000, and it arrives at your hotel by the next day (same-day delivery is not available for most routes). Travel to your hotel with just a carry-on.
Important: Airport-to-hotel delivery is typically next-day, not same-day. If you need your luggage on arrival night, take it with you. Plan to send luggage from the airport only if you have at least one night’s essentials in your carry-on.
Hotel to Airport
On your last day, send your luggage from your hotel to the airport. Most hotels can arrange this 2 days before your departure. Your bag will be waiting at the airport Yamato/Sagawa counter when you arrive for your flight. This is ideal for spending your final day sightseeing without luggage.
Timing: Send luggage at least 2 days before your flight. Allow extra time for peak seasons (Golden Week, Obon, New Year) when delivery volumes are high.
Airport Luggage Storage
If you need your bags on arrival day, airport luggage storage is an alternative. Coin lockers and staffed storage counters at Narita and Haneda charge ¥400–¥800 per bag per day. Useful for day trips from the airport before checking into your hotel.
Need data to track your delivery? Get Japan eSIM →
Shinkansen and Luggage Rules
Since May 2020, oversized luggage (total dimensions over 160cm) on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen requires a special seat reservation with “oversized luggage space.” Without this reservation, you may be charged ¥1,000 and asked to move your bag.
This rule makes takkyubin even more valuable. By shipping your large suitcase ahead, you avoid the oversized luggage hassle entirely and travel comfortably with a small day bag.
Regular-size bags (under 160cm total) can be placed on overhead racks or at your feet without reservation. Most carry-on suitcases fit this category.
Tips for Using Luggage Delivery
- Send one day early: Standard delivery is next-day within the same region (Kanto, Kansai). Cross-country routes (Tokyo to Hokkaido) may take 2 days. Always send your bag the day before you travel.
- Keep essentials in your day bag: Passport, medication, phone charger, one change of clothes, and toiletries should stay with you. Never ship your passport.
- Take a photo of the tracking slip: The receipt has your tracking number. Photograph it immediately — you will need it if there are any questions about delivery.
- Label bags clearly: Write your name, phone number, and destination in both English and Japanese (ask hotel staff for help with Japanese).
- Confirm your hotel accepts takkyubin: Almost all hotels do, but confirm at check-in. Business hotels, ryokan, and major chains all accept deliveries. Some Airbnb hosts may not.
- Pack fragile items in your carry-on: Takkyubin is careful but not gentle — bags go through conveyor systems. Do not ship electronics, souvenirs in glass, or anything breakable.
- Check holiday schedules: Delivery may be delayed during Golden Week (late April–early May), Obon (mid-August), and New Year (late December–early January).
Luggage Delivery vs. Coin Lockers
| Feature | Takkyubin (Delivery) | Coin Lockers |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ¥1,500–¥3,000 per bag | ¥400–¥800 per locker per day |
| Best for | Multi-city trips, large bags | Day trips, small bags |
| Duration | Next-day delivery to any address | Same-day storage only (3-day max) |
| Size limit | Up to 160cm total (large suitcases) | Large lockers fit carry-on size only |
| Availability | Always available (ship from hotel/convenience store) | Often full at popular stations |
| Language | Forms in Japanese (hotel staff help available) | Instructions in English at major stations |
Rule of thumb: Use coin lockers for same-day storage when exploring a city. Use takkyubin for moving luggage between cities or to/from the airport.
Learn what to pack (and what to ship) →
Common Mistakes
- Expecting same-day delivery: Takkyubin is next-day at minimum. Send your bag the day before you need it at your destination.
- Shipping your passport: Always keep your passport on your person. It is legally required for foreigners in Japan.
- Not confirming the delivery address: Japanese addresses are complex. Double-check the hotel name and full address with your hotel reception before filling out the form.
- Forgetting about Shinkansen luggage rules: Bags over 160cm total dimensions need a special reservation on Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen. Ship them via takkyubin instead.
- Waiting until the last minute: Do not send your bag on the same day you need it at your destination. Allow buffer time, especially during holidays.
FAQ
Can I send luggage from any convenience store?
Yes — 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson all handle takkyubin. 7-Eleven and FamilyMart use Yamato Transport; Lawson uses Sagawa Express. All work the same way: bring your bag, fill out a form, pay in cash.
Is luggage delivery safe? Will my bag get lost?
Extremely safe. Japan’s delivery services have near-perfect track records. Lost luggage is exceptionally rare. Each bag gets a tracking number so you can monitor its progress online. Yamato Transport handles over 2 billion packages per year with a damage/loss rate near zero.
Can I send luggage internationally?
Takkyubin is a domestic service. For international shipping (sending souvenirs or purchases home), use Japan Post (EMS), Yamato International, or DHL. Costs are significantly higher — expect ¥5,000–¥15,000+ depending on weight and destination.
How far in advance should I arrange delivery?
One day before travel is standard for same-region delivery (e.g., Tokyo to Hakone). Two days for cross-country routes (e.g., Tokyo to Hiroshima or Hokkaido). During peak seasons, add an extra day as buffer.
What if my bag arrives before I check in?
Hotels hold delivered luggage for guests who have not yet checked in. When you arrive, tell the front desk your name and that a takkyubin delivery should be waiting. They will bring it to your room or hold it at the desk.
Can I ship ski equipment or sports gear?
Yes. Yamato offers a dedicated ski delivery service (スキー宅急便) that ships skis, snowboards, and golf clubs between any address in Japan. Costs are similar to standard luggage delivery. This is standard practice for Japanese skiers — most ski resorts have Yamato counters.
Travel light across Japan — send your luggage ahead and enjoy the journey hands-free.
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