Takkyubin: ship your luggage between destinations in Japan!

Packing for a trip to Japan entails a lot of thought and consideration. Between bringing the appropriate clothes for every event and season and, of course, saving space for all the amazing souvenirs, there’s no doubt that bringing a large suitcase is best for playing it safe. However, while it’s nice to have as much stuff as you need, lugging around a large suitcase through Japan isn’t the most ideal means of getting around. 

While Japan’s transit systems are efficient and used by literally millions of commuters every day, stations tend to have many stairway exits and narrow platforms. During peak commute hours, the space on the platforms and inside the trains becomes scarce. The Shinkansen bullet train will have more space, but for oversized luggage up to 160 cm in total dimensions, a reservation for the luggage compartment may be necessary for some lines. There are a medley of factors that may make traveling around Japan while carrying around large luggage less-than-ideal; however, there is an efficient solution! 

Enter the Takkyubin (stylized as Ta-Q-Bin and written as 宅急便 in Japanese) service by Yamato Kureneko, one of the country’s most prominent courier service providers. Takkyubin literally translates to “fast home delivery” and includes a service in which luggage and suitcases can be picked up and then sent over to a different drop-off point. Through this service, travelers can forego bringing their suitcases with them between destinations, instead conveniently having them dropped off at their next place of accommodation by a professional courier service provider. 

Important things to know about Takkyubin 

Takkyubin delivery schedule

In most cases, Takkyubin services offer next-day delivery to your destination, though farther or more isolated locations,

such as the Island of Okinawa that is south of the Japanese mainland, may take up to two days. For local deliveries, same-day services may also be available! Takkyubin services also allow customers to choose a designated delivery time slot as follows: 

• In the morning
• From noon to 2PM (12:00-14:00)
• 2PM to 4PM (14:00-16:00)
• 4PM to 6PM (16:00-18:00)
• 6PM to 8PM (18:00-20:00)
• 8PM to 9PM (20:00-21:00)

If your accommodation is a hotel or another type of staff-attended location, the front desk or other employees can receive your luggage for you. 

Takkyubin rates and regulations

Yamato Kuroneko allows for luggage up to 160 cm in total dimensions and a weight up to 25 kg (around 55 lbs). This is comparable to the regulations for the maximum luggage size and weight allowed to bring on to Shinkansen bullet trains. However, per the size of luggage, there is a weight limit as presented below: 

• 60 cm up to 2 kg (4.4 lbs)
• 80 cm up to 5 kg (11 lbs)
• 100 cm up to 10 kg (22 lbs)
• 120 cm up to 15 kg (33 lbs)
• 140 cm up to 20 kg (44 lbs)
• 160 cm up to 25 kg (55.1 lbs)

Rates for Takkyubin vary on the weight of the suitcases as well as the distance of transit. For one of the most common itineraries, from Tokyo to Kyoto, a suitcase at 100 cm in total dimensions would cost 1,650 yen. A more in-depth rate table is available at Yamato Kuroneko’s official website here. 

How to request a Takkyubin delivery with Yamato Kuroneko 

Requesting a Takkyubin service is relatively easy, and as it is a common option for visitors to Japan, many facilities catering to this demographic streamline the process. 

In fact, for self-guided tours, group tours, and tailor-made tours managed by us here at Japan Experience, we handle the Takkyubin service ourselves* fully between each of your destinations, optimizing your time traveling through the country without even the need to request services from Yamato Kuroneko at all. But for those who are looking to undergo the process themselves, here’s a brief overview of the steps to request Takkyubin as a traveler. 

*This does not apply to guided city discovery tours

1. Request for Takkyubin services at a pickup location.

• This can be your hotel, a 7-11 or Family Mart convenience store, the airport, or a Yamato Kuroneko location. Talking to staff or customer service counters will get the process started. 

2. Fill out the Takkyubin waybill form.

• This form is fully in Japanese; however, your hotel staff will often provide a pre-filled form that just needs some personal contact information, such as contact information and the drop-off location address. At the other locations, staff will assist in filling out the form. Permissible drop-off locations include personal addresses, airports, and places of accommodation like hotels. Convenience stores can serve as pick-up locations but not drop-off locations. Japan Experience self-guided, group, and tailor-made tours will have all of this sorted for you even without a request. 

3. Choose a designated delivery time slot.

• As previously mentioned, there are a number of allotted time frames that your luggage can be delivered. Choose whichever is most convenient for you, or if it will be received by staff at your next accommodation, any time prior to your arrival should be adequate, likely within the hours of the morning.

• Note that if you are receiving your luggage yourself, you must be present to do so. If you are not there to collect your luggage, the delivery person will likely attempt to contact you by phone number or leave a slip regarding a missed delivery with information on how to schedule a re-delivery. 

4. Set up payment.

• With Takkyubin services, payments can largely be done right at the place of request, i.e., right at the convenience store, at the airport, or at the Yamato Kuroneko sales office. However, there is an option to pay upon delivery, in which payments in cash can be made directly to the delivering agent. Payment methods may differ between locales. Takkyubin services with Japan Experience self-guided, group, and tailor-made tours are included in the tour itinerary. 

5. Leave your luggage and be on your way!

• You are free to leave your luggage with the staff at whichever pickup location you selected, from which it will be taken by Yamato Kuroneko later on, then delivered to the drop-off location. Travel to your next destination without worrying about carrying around your luggage! 

For further information or questions about the Takkyubin service by Yamato Kureneko, check out their official product page here.