One of the most genuinely useful things Japan offers tourists — and one of the least appreciated until you experience it — is takkyubin (宅急便), the overnight luggage forwarding service. For roughly ¥1,600 to ¥3,700 per bag, you can ship your suitcase from your hotel directly to your next hotel, arriving by the following morning, while you travel light by train, bus, or subway.
This is not a gimmick or a luxury service — it is how experienced Japan travelers move between cities. Dragging a large suitcase through crowded train stations, narrow ryokan corridors, and packed subway cars is one of the more exhausting aspects of Japan travel. Takkyubin eliminates it entirely.
1. The Two Main Services: Yamato and Sagawa
Two companies dominate Japan's luggage forwarding market:
The largest and most tourist-friendly service. Recognizable by the black cat logo. Offers airport-specific TA-Q-BIN service at Narita and Haneda. English-language slip available at most locations. Drop-off points at hotels, convenience stores (especially 7-Eleven and FamilyMart), and airport counters.
Yamato's main competitor, slightly less common at tourist-facing locations but equally reliable. Drop-off at convenience stores and hotels. Coverage across all Japanese prefectures. Similar pricing to Yamato.
Almost any mid-size or larger hotel in Japan will send and receive takkyubin at the front desk. The hotel staff handles the paperwork. You can also use 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart as drop-off points — just bring the addressed slip.
2. Current Prices (2026)
Yamato Transport's standard hotel-to-hotel prices for 2026:
| Bag Size (total cm) | Cash Price | Cashless Price |
|---|---|---|
| 60 cm | ¥1,600 | ¥1,595 |
| 80 cm | ¥1,930 | ¥1,924 |
| 100 cm | ¥2,310 | ¥2,305 |
| 120 cm | ¥2,690 | ¥2,685 |
| 140 cm | ¥3,070 | ¥3,065 |
| 160 cm (standard large suitcase) | ¥3,700 | ¥3,674 |
To measure your bag: add length + width + height in centimeters. A typical large carry-on might be 55+40+25 = 120cm. A large checked suitcase is often 160cm or more.
3. How to Use Takkyubin: Step by Step
Hotel to Next Hotel
From the Airport to Your Hotel
At Narita and Haneda airports, Yamato's TA-Q-BIN counters are located in the arrivals hall, typically near the baggage claim exit. After collecting your bags from the belt:
If you are shipping your bag from the airport on day one, it will not arrive at your hotel until the afternoon or next day. Pack a small day bag with your valuables, medications, chargers, and one change of clothes before handing off your suitcase. Do not put your passport, phone, or anything you cannot survive without overnight into the forwarded bag.
4. Practical Tips
The Convenience Store Option
If you are not checking out of a hotel, you can drop off luggage at any Yamato-affiliated convenience store (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and some Lawson locations). The store provides the slip. Payment is at the register. This works well for day-trip logistics — store your bags in the morning and pick them up at your next stop.
Coin Lockers vs. Takkyubin
For same-day storage (exploring a city without your bags for a few hours), coin lockers at train stations are the right choice — typically ¥300–¥700/day. For moving between cities overnight, takkyubin is better value and eliminates the need to retrieve bags before departure.
Ski Resorts and Beach Destinations
Takkyubin is especially popular for skiing: ship your ski equipment from Tokyo to your Nagano or Hokkaido resort in advance, ski all week, ship it back. Equipment shipping costs the same as oversized luggage and is handled without any special procedure.
Language Note
Key phrase at the hotel desk: 「このバッグを宅急便で〇〇ホテルへ送ってください」 (Kono baggu wo takkyūbin de [hotel name] e okutte kudasai) — "Please send this bag by takkyubin to [hotel name]." Most hotel front desks in tourist areas handle this request frequently and speak enough English to complete the process without this phrase.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Can I track my bag?
Yes. Yamato provides a tracking number on your slip. Track online at Yamato's website (available in English) or via the Kuroneko Member app.
What if my next hotel hasn't received my bag when I check in?
Confirm the tracking status and show hotel staff your slip. Yamato's customer service line (0120-01-9625, available in English during business hours) can provide the current location. Late deliveries are rare but typically arrive by evening of the same day.
Can I send bags internationally?
Domestic takkyubin covers only within Japan. For international shipping, Yamato offers a separate service (Yamato International) but rates and processes differ significantly from domestic forwarding.
Is there a weight limit?
Standard TA-Q-BIN accepts bags up to 25 kg per item. Items over 25 kg or with total dimensions over 200 cm require special handling and may not be accepted at all counters. For normal tourist luggage, this limit is essentially never an issue.
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