How to Ship Your Luggage Between Hotels in Japan
If you’re anything like most visitors to Japan, your itinerary is probably overflowing with activities to do, sights to see, and hearty ramen to eat. From exploring the neon-clad streets of central Tokyo to climbing Mt Fuji and hiking the Kumano Kodo, you’ve planned to do it all.
But with so much to do, the logistics of hauling your luggage with you could become an issue. Hundreds of stairs, thousands of steps, and tightly packed commuter trains truly aren't a traveller's best friend with a 30kg suitcase in tow.
Japan’s luggage forwarding services will save you the trouble of navigating through the shoulder-to-shoulder chaos of rush hour with your bags. Let’s discuss how you can do it, and decide whether it’s worth it for the average traveller.
What is TA-Q-BIN?
‘TA-Q-BIN’ is a luggage forwarding service provided by Yamato Transport - Japan’s largest door-to-door delivery service. While you can use this service to ship your melon pan-filled suitcase internationally, it’s the domestic delivery we’re interested in.
With the ‘handsfree’ service Yamoto offers, you’ll be free to move at your own speed from hotel to hotel without being encumbered with 3 weeks' worth of clothing to drag behind you.
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How do I ship my luggage to another hotel with TA-Q-BIN?
If you’re staying at a hotel, there’s a high chance they’ll have a dedicated area.
Simply walk down to the front desk and ask for ‘Takkyubin’. They’ll hand you over a Yamato Transport waybill which you’ll need to fill out accordingly based on what you’re sending, how long you want it to take, and where you’re sending it to.
Staying in an Airbnb?
You won't be able to ship to an Airbnb in Japan, but if you pick up a waybill at 7/11, fill it out, and hand over your luggage then as long as it’s smaller than 180cm you’ll be able to send it on to your next hotel.
Pro tip: You can also request a pickup online via this form (and a little Google Translate)
Related post: Is the Japan Rail Pass Worth It?
How long does TA-Q-BIN take and how much does it cost?
For the most part, shipping luggage from one hotel to another in Japan will take around 24 hours. Hop over to their website and you’ll find the words “Parcels accepted by the evening are delivered by 10:00 am the following morning”, an impressive claim that’s often proved correct.
This does depend on when and where you’re sending, but on the whole, this is the timeframe you can expect. Exceptions apply for things like shipping snowsports equipment to and from Hokkaido in the high season, shipping to the very north and south of Japan, and to the airport which usually all take longer than 24 hours.
Check the Yamato Transport Page for up-to-date delivery information.
Who is this service best for?
If you hate being impeded by heavy luggage and would prefer to explore Japan without your bags, you’ll find it’s worth your while. Families or travellers with more than one bag each will benefit greatly from paying the relatively small price for a luggage forwarding service like Yamato’s TA-Q-BIN.
While they’re often considered among the most organised travel hubs in the world, train stations in Japan are big and often incredibly busy. Travelling hands-free, even for a day, around these train stations is the type of stress-free travel experience we all yearn for.
If your itinerary has you staying in several hotels (2-4) in Japan, you’ll have a much more pleasant experience shipping your luggage to and from them, rather than lugging it on and off Shinkansen and commuter trains. If you’re a solo backpacker, and you’re on the move every single day, it may not be worth it. You’ll constantly be without your bag, and the costs will start to add up.
If you’re skiing in Hokkaido, consider adding in an exploration day to Sapporo straight after you land. That way you can ship your skis and snowboard with TA-Q-BIN directly to your hotel from Narita/Haneda airport and they’ll be waiting for you when you arrive in resort.
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Is it worth shipping your luggage from hotel to hotel in Japan?
Depending on the size of your luggage, you can expect to pay between ¥1,056 - ¥4,389 per item. Usually, it falls around ¥2,500 for most suitcases, and it’s a small price to pay for the freedom it grants in return. You won't have to worry about reserving oversized seats on certain Shinkansen routes, dragging your bags through a train station at rush hour, or heaving them up Japan’s seemingly endless stairs.
You’ll likely be walking around Japan a lot during your trip, and anything that makes that experience less stressful is a winner in my book. If you can afford it, your back (and mind) will thank you later.
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