You can send your large bags from one hotel to the next. Japan has courier services that move bags between cities, and many hotels accept luggage before you arrive. This lets you walk, use local trains and visit small shops with only a day bag. Plan it before you travel, because the rules and deadlines matter.
Why send bags ahead
Stations in Japan are big, and many have long walks between platforms and exits. A large suitcase makes the trip harder, especially on crowded trains. Sending bags ahead can make your route much easier. It also helps when you buy things and need room to carry them.
Your options
| Option | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Courier service (takkyubin) | Moving bags from hotel to hotel | Size limits, cut-off times, and items the courier does not accept |
| Hotel luggage service | Sending bags to the hotel before you arrive | Whether the hotel accepts luggage before check-in |
| Station luggage lockers | Short storage on one day | Locker size and availability |
Couriers often pick up at your hotel or a convenience store. Some hotels arrange the pickup for you. Ask the hotel which option works best for your route.
Check first: Read the courier's official site for size limits, weight limits, cut-off times and prohibited items. Check each hotel's luggage policy before you send anything.
How to send bags
- Check that the hotel at your next stop accepts luggage before your arrival. Get the answer in writing, by email or message.
- Book the courier, or ask the hotel to do it.
- Label each bag with the hotel name, your name and the stay date.
- Keep the receipt and the tracking number on your phone.
- Pack a day bag with what you need for the next day.
What to keep with you
Keep these items in your day bag:
- Passport and visa papers
- Phone, charger and power bank
- Medicine and a copy of any prescription
- Valuables, such as cash, cards and jewellery
- Clothes for one or two days, in case your bag is late
Do not send these items by courier. Most couriers restrict batteries, liquids, valuables and some medicines.
Common mistakes
- You do not check the hotel's rules before you send a bag. Some hotels hold bags only for guests who have booked a room that day.
- You label the bag with only the courier's name. Put the hotel name and your name on the label.
- You send a bag too late. Check the cut-off time for the same-day or next-day service.
- You pack items the courier does not accept.
A simple plan for Tokyo and Kyoto
Use one courier for each long journey, and keep your day bag with you on the train. Send your big bag from your Tokyo hotel to your Kyoto hotel. Check that the Kyoto hotel will receive it before you leave Tokyo. Keep the tracking number until you see the bag in Kyoto.
If your bag is late
Sometimes a bag takes longer than planned. Do not panic. Use the tracking number to see where it is, and ask the hotel to hold it until you arrive. Check whether the hotel will sign for the bag, and whether it will call you when it comes in. If the bag does not arrive by the time you need it, buy the items you must have, and keep the receipts for any claim.
Ask the courier how it handles a missed pickup. Some services try again the next day. Others return the bag to a shop or a counter, and you collect it there.
Plan the timing
Send your bag on the morning you leave, if the courier offers a same-day service. If not, send it the day before, and ask the hotel to confirm it has arrived. Do not plan to send a bag and then leave the city the same hour. Give the courier time to collect and deliver, and give yourself time to check in at the next hotel.
What to do next
Plan your luggage route when you choose your hotels. Read the Tokyo and Kyoto guides to see the areas you will stay in.
