The Basic System: Sending Bags Between Locations

Luggage forwarding in Japan means paying a delivery company to pick up your bags from one location—usually your hotel, airport, or train station—and deliver them to another address days later. You do not carry the bags yourself. Instead, a courier collects them, stores them briefly, and sends them by truck to your destination. This is especially useful if you arrive in Tokyo with three suitcases but want to spend a week hiking in the mountains before heading to Kyoto.

The service operates through a handful of major companies that dominate the market. Yamato Transport (the company behind Kuroneko), Sagawa Express, and Japan Post all offer luggage forwarding. Each has slightly different pricing, pickup times, and delivery windows. You book through the company directly, either online or by phone, and they handle the rest. The bags travel separately from you on regular delivery trucks, not on passenger transport.

Delivery typically takes one to three days depending on distance and which company you use. A bag sent from Tokyo to Kyoto usually arrives the next day. A bag sent from Tokyo to Hokkaido might take two to three days. You pay per bag, not by weight, so a light daypack costs the same as a stuffed 28-inch roller.

Key Takeaways

  • Luggage forwarding companies in Japan pick up bags from hotels, airports, or train stations and deliver them to another address one to three days later.
  • Yamato Transport, Sagawa Express, and Japan Post are the three main providers, each with different pricing and service areas.
  • You pay per bag, typically between ¥2,000 and ¥3,500 per standard suitcase depending on size and distance.
  • Booking is done directly with the company by phone or online, and you need the pickup address, delivery address, and your contact number.
  • Bags are insured for damage during transit, but you should photograph contents and use a luggage lock to protect valuables.

How to Book and What Information You Need

Booking luggage forwarding requires you to contact the company directly. Most hotels in Japan have a luggage forwarding desk or can call a company on your behalf—this is the easiest route if you do not speak Japanese. If you book yourself, you will need the pickup address (your hotel name and room number, or the airport terminal), the delivery address (your next hotel or accommodation with a full street address), and your phone number. You also need to specify the bag size: small (under 60 cm), medium (60–80 cm), or large (over 80 cm).

Yamato Transport operates the most extensive network and has English-language phone support at some locations. Sagawa Express is often slightly cheaper but has fewer English speakers. Japan Post is reliable but slower in rural areas. Prices vary by distance and bag size, but expect to pay between ¥2,000 and ¥3,500 per standard suitcase for a same-prefecture delivery, and ¥3,000 to ¥4,500 for cross-country shipments.

You can book the day before pickup or up to a week in advance. Most companies offer morning or afternoon pickup windows. Payment is usually cash on pickup, though some accept credit cards if you book online. Get a receipt with a tracking number—you will need it to confirm delivery or file a claim if something goes wrong.

Pickup and Delivery: What Actually Happens

On the day of pickup, a courier arrives at your hotel or station at the time window you selected. They weigh and measure each bag, confirm the delivery address with you, and attach a label with a barcode. You sign a form listing the number of bags and their condition. The courier then takes the bags and loads them onto a truck. From that point, you have no physical contact with your luggage until it arrives at the destination.

Delivery works the same way in reverse. The bags arrive at your destination hotel or address during a window you specified when booking. The hotel front desk or the person at the address signs for the bags. If nobody is home, the courier leaves a notice and attempts redelivery the next day. Some companies allow you to specify a preferred delivery time (morning or afternoon), which reduces the chance of missing the delivery.

Tracking is available through the company's website or app using your tracking number. You can see when the bags left the origin, when they arrived at a sorting facility, and when they are out for delivery. This transparency helps you coordinate your own travel so you arrive before or shortly after the bags do.

Cost Breakdown and Size Categories

Luggage forwarding pricing in Japan is straightforward: you pay per bag based on its size and the distance traveled. Most companies use three size categories. A small bag (under 60 cm, roughly a carry-on) costs ¥1,500 to ¥2,500. A medium bag (60–80 cm, a standard checked suitcase) costs ¥2,000 to ¥3,500. A large bag (over 80 cm or oddly shaped) costs ¥2,500 to ¥4,500. These prices explore to same-prefecture deliveries; longer distances add ¥500 to ¥1,500 per bag.

Some companies charge a flat rate regardless of distance, while others use a tiered system based on regions. Yamato Transport tends to be the most consistent in pricing across the country. Sagawa Express sometimes undercuts Yamato by ¥200 to ¥500 per bag. Japan Post is competitive but slower. If you are forwarding multiple bags, ask about group discounts—some companies reduce the per-bag rate if you send three or more at once.

Insurance is included in the base price and covers damage during transit, though it does not cover theft or loss of items left inside bags. The coverage limit is typically ¥30,000 to ¥50,000 per bag. If you are carrying valuables, pack them in your day bag instead of the forwarded luggage, or purchase additional coverage if the company offers it.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most frequent error is providing an incomplete delivery address. Japanese addresses do not always match what appears on Google Maps, and hotels sometimes have multiple entrances. Write the full address in Japanese if possible, or ask your hotel to write it for you. Include the building name, floor, and room number if applicable. Call the delivery company the day before to confirm they have the correct address.

A second mistake is underestimating delivery time. If you book a bag to arrive in a new city, assume it will take the full three days, not one. Arriving before the bags do is frustrating but manageable; arriving after they have been sitting at the hotel for hours is worse. Plan your travel so you reach the destination at least one day after the scheduled delivery window closes.

Do not pack prohibited items in forwarded luggage. Lighters, batteries, and certain electronics cannot be shipped by air, and luggage forwarding companies use air transport for longer distances. Liquids over 100 ml are also restricted. Ask the company what is prohibited before you pack, or pack questionable items in your carry-on instead.

Finally, do not assume your hotel will accept luggage forwarding on your behalf. Some smaller hotels or hostels do not have the staff to coordinate pickups. Call ahead or ask when you check in. If your accommodation cannot help, you can arrange pickup at a nearby convenience store (Yamato operates pickup points at Family Mart and some other chains) or at a train station luggage counter.

Alternatives If Luggage Forwarding Is Not Available

If luggage forwarding is not practical for your route, Japan Post offers a takkyubin service that works similarly but is slower and requires you to drop bags at a post office yourself rather than having them picked up. This is cheaper (sometimes ¥1,500 to ¥2,500 per bag) but requires more planning and works best for short distances.

Another option is to use coin lockers at train stations to store bags temporarily while you travel light for a few days. Most major stations have lockers that hold a standard suitcase for ¥400 to ¥700 per day. This works if you are staying within a region and returning to the same city, but it is not practical for cross-country trips.

Some travelers rent a small car and drive their luggage themselves, which gives you flexibility but costs more and requires an international driving permit. This only makes sense if you are already planning to rent a car for other reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I forward luggage from the airport when I arrive in Japan?

Yes. All three major companies operate desks at Narita and Haneda airports in Tokyo, Kansai International Airport near Osaka, and other major airports. You can book and pay for forwarding when ready after landing. This is one of the most common uses of the service—travelers arrive with multiple bags and send them to their final destination while they explore the first city.

What happens if my bags do not arrive on the scheduled day?

Contact the company when ready using your tracking number. They will investigate and usually redeliver at no extra charge if the delay was their fault. If bags are lost, the company's insurance covers up to ¥30,000 to ¥50,000 per bag, depending on the company. This is why photographing your bags and keeping receipts is important.

Do I need to be present when the bags are picked up or delivered?

For pickup, someone at the location (hotel staff, hostel manager, or you) must be present to hand over the bags and sign the form. For delivery, the recipient must sign, but it does not have to be you personally—hotel staff can sign on your behalf. Confirm this with your hotel when you book.

Can I forward bags to a train station or convenience store instead of a hotel?

Some companies allow delivery to train station luggage counters or convenience store pickup points, but not all locations support this. Yamato has the most extensive network of alternative delivery points. Ask the company when you book whether your destination address is supported.

Is luggage forwarding cheaper than checking bags on a domestic flight?

Usually yes. A checked bag on a domestic flight costs ¥2,000 to ¥3,000, and luggage forwarding costs about the same, but forwarding is often slightly cheaper and does not require you to be at the airport at a specific time. Forwarding also works for any destination, not just cities with airports.