I talk a lot about how I highly recommend taking a 4 wheeled, roll-along/pull-along suitcase in my Preparing For Your Trip to Japan post. This is the style of suitcase used by the locals when travelling around the country.
But how do you go about moving between cities with your luggage?
WHY IS EVERYONE SO OBSESSED WITH FORWARDING LUGGAGE IN JAPAN?
Well, for starters. Because you can! The service is so convenient, cost effective and reliable (next day service.)
Do you have to use the service? NO.
But Japanese people travel light because of this luggage forwarding service. So much so that Japanese people often consider luggage forwarding as a part of general “travel etiquette” – because people who travel light also aren’t cluttering up trains or tripping up others on train platforms, for e.g.
SHOULD I TAKE MY LUGGAGE WITH ME ON THE BULLET TRAIN? IS THERE SPACE?
There are options for shipping your luggage between destinations but if everyone in your group has a small/medium sized suitcase you’ll be just fine.
But it is SOOOOO much easier to forward luggage on to your next destination ( and, from next year, the rules are going to change at it will cost money to bring large pieces of luggage on the trains. ). The courier / forwarding system is so reliable that Japanese people even use it to forward their golf clubs to their golf course the day before they play.
It is also the reason that Japanese people appear to always travel light. Its because their luggage is already waiting for them at their destination.
If you do travel with a large suitcase on the bullet train, you need to book a suitcase spot at the end of your carriage (this can be done at the station.) If there are no spots left, don’t worry – you can always just put it in front of your legs instead (there is much more room than on a plane or bus – you’ll be fine.)
We then keep a hand luggage style smaller bag with us above our seat.
We often take a taxi to the bullet train station to make everything easier.
I have written more about Shinkansen travel with kids here.
I HEARD IT IS POSSIBLE TO SEND YOUR LUGGAGE BETWEEN CITIES ? IS THAT TRUE?
It sure is and it isn’t that expensive.
Your luggage will arrive on the same day or the following day ( following day is the most common) – depending on the service used. Easiest way to do this ? Get your hotel to sort it all for you . (This is why is it so important to choose family friendly hotels that also accept and will help you send luggage. )
Cost to courier a standard suitcase from Kyoto to Tokyo ? Around 2000 yen .
Sending luggage from and to the airport
Options at the airports are: JAL ABC or Takkyubin (or Ta-Q-Bin) luggage delivery services. Prior reservation not required.
When sending luggage to the airport in order collect and then check in for your flight? You must send your luggage at least 2 days prior to your date of departure.
At Narita Airport, the place you collect your luggage is right next to the check in counters. It is soooo convenient.
Sending luggage between hotels
The easiest way to do this is to have a hotel arrange a courier service ( takkyubin) collection and delivery for you. This option will not be available if you stay in an airbnb.
Cost is between 1300 yen – 2400 yen for a suitcase under 25kg.
Sending luggage to the airport on the same day in Japan?
Same day luggage forwarding to an airport in Japan.
In that case (although it is not as well known and is more expensive than the Japanese courier service) there is an option called Airporter.
How much will it cost to courier my luggage around Japan?
The Yamato Transport website specifies costs depending on luggage size and weight.
What if I’m not in a hotel to arrange it all for me?
You can organize to send from a counter of a delivery provider. For example, see the Global Yamato Group’s English website and instructions here.
Or, it is possible, although a little more complicated, to send it from a convenience store. Japan Travel Navitime spells out how to do this here.
It is way trickier if you are not a hotel that can help you with forwarding your luggage – so much so that it is one of the things I look for when choosing Which Hotel to Stay at with Kids?
HOW DO I USE LUGGAGE FORWARDING IN JAPAN?
When I’m travelling around, I like staying at a hotel near the airport and I like to send luggage as I go to the last hotel. Rule of thumb is you can send luggage ahead up to 1 week before checking in. Then it’s just waiting in the room for you. Sometimes I also just “send myself” all the dirty laundry! Then I can do it at the last hotel and I’m sorted for when we go home – without having to lug it all around !
Please be aware that some hotels (the Mimaru brand for example) charge 500 yen per day to store luggage leading up to the day you check in (ie. if your luggage arrives the day you check in there will be no additional charge.)
STORE LUGGAGE IN COIN LOCKERS OR AT YOUR PREVIOUS OR NEXT HOTEL
With the exception of high seasons, coin lockers are readily available at major train stations.
Almost all hotels in Japan are happy to store luggage or have it forwarded to them for a few days ( and for luggage forwarding the standard is as long as 5 days prior to arrival if needed) if you are going to be or have been a staying guest. It’s always good to send an email and let the hotel know when your luggage will be arriving.
EXTRA TIP : Download the Ecbo Cloak app
This app shows you were the empty coin lockers are and what other tourist offices etc will store your luggage ( while you shop or while you wait to check into your accommodation.)
The link to the Echo Cloak app
