Luggage Delivery in Japan (2026): Send Bags Hotel to Hotel or to the Airport
Dragging a big suitcase through Tokyo Station at rush hour is the worst part of many Japan trips. Hand it to your hotel's front desk instead: a delivery company takes it to your next hotel or the airport, as early as the next day.
It costs a few thousand yen per bag and needs one day's planning: you travel with a small bag for a night. We checked Yamato Transport's official visitor pages and Narita Airport's service pages on 7 November 2026.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. Sending from your hotel front desk works without any booking, and we say so below.
Is luggage delivery worth it?
Shinkansen with a large suitcase
Bags of 161–250 cm on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen need a seat with an oversized baggage area, or you pay ¥1,000. Sending the bag avoids the whole question.
Day trip on the way
Tokyo to Kyoto with a stop in Hakone or at Mt Fuji. Send the suitcase straight to Kyoto and travel with a day bag.
Last night near the airport
Send the big bag to the airport at least two days before the flight and spend the last day shopping without it.
Same-day hotel change
Delivery is next day at the earliest. If you need the bag tonight, take it with you or use a coin locker on the way: coin lockers and luggage storage.
How to send a bag from your hotel
- Ask the front desk the evening before Say where it's going and when you need it. Ask whether the hotel sends bags for guests and get the delivery form (伝票).
- Fill in the next hotel's address and your name Write the name exactly as on the next hotel's booking, plus your check-in date. Confirm with the next hotel that it accepts and holds deliveries that arrive before you.
- Pay the fee Ask at the desk how and when to pay, and which payment methods they take. A card charge depends on the exchange rate.
- Keep the receipt The tracking number is on it. You can follow the bag on Yamato's English tracking page.Pack one night's clothes, chargers and medicine in a day bag.Japan eSIM on Klook ↗
- Collect it at the next hotel Show your ID or the receipt if asked.
From the airport to your hotel, and back
Airport-to-hotel luggage delivery
Reserve in English before you fly and drop the bag at the counter on arrival. Check the price against the airport counter's fare.
Affiliate link. The airport counter takes bags without booking.Sizes and prices
The size is the larger of the length-plus-width-plus-height or the weight band. Yamato gives a discount when you drop the bag at a sales office yourself, and its cashless rates apply to card and e-money payments at an office.
What if…?
…I need the bag the same night?
Delivery is next day at the earliest. Carry it, or leave it in a locker for the day.
…my next stay is an Airbnb with no reception?
Yamato says vacation rentals should use the nearest sales office: you collect the bag there with ID.
…I'm going to Kyoto by Shinkansen with a huge suitcase?
Send it, or reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area. Shinkansen luggage rules →
…the bag is damaged?
Report it to Yamato with the receipt. TA-Q-BIN terms cover market value or repair cost up to ¥300,000 per piece.
Questions
Can I send a bag to the airport on my departure day?
Not for that day's flight. Delivery takes at least a day, and Yamato's Airport TA-Q-BIN deadline is 2 days before departure (3 days from some areas). Otherwise take the bag with you on the limousine bus.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
No. Have the next hotel's name, address and phone number written down to show the desk, and write your name exactly as on that booking.
Can I send things I bought while sightseeing?
Yes. Yamato offices can also hold extra items temporarily.
Yamato Transport's hands-free travel page for visitors: drop-off points, no reservation needed, next-day delivery, the ¥3,160 example, Size 200 limit and ¥300,000 compensation.
Yamato's English rates page: size bands 60–200 with weight limits (Size 180: 180 cm, 30 kg), drop-off and cashless discounts. The actual rate table did not load.
Narita Airport's baggage delivery page: Yamato, JAL ABC and Sagawa counters in T1 and T2, one Yamato counter in T3.
JR Central's oversized baggage page (via our rail fact check): 161–250 cm needs a reservation, ¥1,000 if not reserved.
Yamato's Japanese Airport TA-Q-BIN page: send by 2 days before departure (3 days from some areas), by each counter's cut-off time.
Travelling light between cities
Send the big bag the evening before a travel day, take the Shinkansen with a backpack, and collect the suitcase at your next hotel.
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