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how to send luggage?
One of the most convenient things in Japan is, that you can send your luggage cheap and super easy to your next location...
If you travel with public transport, bringing your luggage can be really inconvenient in Japan as busses and trains are often really crowded. Furthermore main bus or train stations might as well be a bit far from your hostel. Carrying the luggage can be really annoying. Especially if you come to Japan for winter sports and do have a ski or boardbag with you.
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What transport services exist to send luggage?
There are several transport companies in Japan, but the most common for sending luggage is “Takkyubin” (sometimes also called “Yamanoto Transport“). They deliver and pick up regularly to and from accommodations, which makes it the easiest option for luggage shipping. They cooperate with Familiy Mart, 7-11 and Daily Yamazaki convenience stores.
Sagawa Express is the second biggest transport company. They are often cheaper for parcels, but with luggage the same price or especially with sport luggage they are more expensive.
Japan Post also offers to send luggage but is normally more expensive (especially for sport luggage) and more inconvenient, as there are less drop-off points. They cooperate with Lawsons.
How much is it to send my luggage?
The price varies a bit depending on the distance it is send and the size of the luggage. For sending to or from an airport its slightly more expensive. Below are some example prices from Takkyubin.
Smaller suitcases (as by March 2023)
- Within greater Tokyo area: ~1800¥ (~13€/$)
- From Tokyo to Hokkaido: ~2200¥ (~16€/$)
- From Tokyo to Okinawa: ~3600¥ (~25€/$)
- From Tokyo to Kyoto: ~1900¥ (~13€/$)
Bigger suitcases (as by March 2023)
- Within greater Tokyo area: ~2000¥ (~14€/$)
- From Tokyo to Hokkaido: ~2500¥ (~18€/$)
- From Tokyo to Okinawa: ~4100¥ (~29€/$)
- From Tokyo to Kyoto: ~2100¥ (~15€/$)
Ski equipment (full bag of skis & wear):
- From Tokyo to Hokkaido: ~2500¥ (~18€/$)
- From Tokyo to Shinetsu (Nagano, Nozawa, Hakuba, Myoko…): ~2100¥ (~15€/$)
- From Tokyo to Tohoku (Zao Onsen, Appi Kogen, Geto Kogen,…): ~2200¥ (~16€/$)
Tipp: If you send e.g. winter sport or golf equipment declare it as such. It is cheaper as the rates for normal big suit cases.
Japan Post offers ski luggage & luggage services as well.
>> Click here to check their prices for ski luggage or >> Click here for prices to send luggage to/from the airport.
>> Click here to check their prices for ski luggage or >> Click here for prices to send luggage to/from the airport.
How to send luggage with Takkyubin?
- Decide for a pick-up or drop-off location
- Get a “waybill” form
- Fill the “waybill” form
- Pay & wait for the delivery
1. Decide for a pick-up or drop-off location
With Takkyubin being the number one transport company for luggage, they do know most accommodations and shipping from or to any accommodation therefore is super easy. Most accommodations offer the pick-up service so you do not even need to schedule the pick-up. You only need to fill the form and leave the luggage with the reception.
If your do not stay in a hotel you can drop your luggage off at a convenience store (7-11, Family Mart or Daily Yamazaki) and even send it to one. Not all convenience stores offer to send (sport) luggage, so be aware and check before you carry your luggage to the store.
Use this link to search for drop-off locations and even stores that can receive luggage. It is in Japanese only, but if you use Chrome the translation works fine.
You can as well schedule a pick-up from most locations. Click here to arrange a pick-up online (including the form) or call the English customer service hotline 0120-17-9625.
2. Get a "waybill" form
For sending you need to fill the Takkyubin form. If you send from a convenience store or hotel kindly ask for the form (“Takkyūbin de onegai dekimasu ka?”). If you send from another location you can pick up the form beforehand at a convenience store or have it delivered to you at the time of the pick-up.
For non Japanese speakers it is the easiest to arrange the pick-up online as the hotline hat not always an English speaker available.
Click here to arrange a pick-up online (including the form) or call the English customer service hotline 0120-17-9625.
3. Fill the "waybill" form
First things first: you can fill the form in English and the form has as well English labels. 🙂
- Fill in the information about the receiver
- Postcode
- Phone number
- Address (Building & Street, Ward & City, Prefecture)
- Receivers name
- Fill in the information about the sender
- Postcode
- Phone number
- Address (Building & Street, Ward & City, Prefecture)
- Receivers name
- Fill in the information about the content
- This is important in case something happens to your parcel/luggage.
- At the top you can circle “fragile” or “perishable” if needed.
- Request delivery date and time window
- If you just want it “as fast as possible” the convenience store workers or the pick-up guy can tell you earliest possible delivery date.
- You can as well request a date further in the future (most time up to 10 days later) – so if you do not need your luggage for the next few days you can delay the delivery.
This is as much as you need to fill. Hand the form over and they will fill size, price and weight for you.
4. Pay & wait for delivery
After your luggage has been measured and weighted you just need to pay and wait for your luggage to arrive 🙂
Enjoy the handsfree traveling through Japan !
Thanks for reading! See you soon, Toni! |
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