Traveling with Large Luggage in Japan
Japanese trains get crowded. Here is how to manage big bags without stress.
📦 Luggage Delivery Services (手荷物配送)
The best solution for large suitcases: send them ahead to your next hotel. Pickup is at your hotel or convenience store, delivery the next day.
🐱 Yamato Transport (クロネコヤマト)
- • Most reliable and widespread
- • Available at convenience stores, hotels
- • Price: ¥1,500–3,000 per bag
- • Next-day delivery to most hotels
🚀 Sagawa Express
- • Good coverage in regional areas
- • Airport-to-hotel service available
- • Price: ¥1,200–2,800 per bag
- • Airport counters at Narita & Haneda
💡 Airport Delivery: At Narita and Haneda airports, look for delivery service counters in the arrivals hall. Send your bags directly to your Tokyo hotel and travel light on the train.
📦
🧳 Send Luggage Ahead — Travel Light in Japan
Use Yamato Transport's takkyubin service to send suitcases from hotel to hotel. Book via Klook for tourist-friendly English booking.
Book Luggage Delivery →*Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
🔒 Coin Lockers (コインロッカー)
Coin lockers are available at most train stations. Use them to store bags while sightseeing during the day.
| Size | Fits | Price/Day |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Backpack, small bag | ¥300–400 |
| Medium | Carry-on suitcase (21") | ¥500–700 |
| Large | Full-size suitcase (28") | ¥800–1,000 |
⚠️ Lockers fill up quickly at tourist spots (Kyoto, Shibuya, etc.). Arrive early or use an app like ecbo cloak to reserve storage at shops and cafes.
🚅 Shinkansen Luggage Rules
As of 2020, large luggage requires a reserved seat with "Oversized Luggage Space" on Shinkansen.
- ✅ Bags over 160cm total (W+H+D) need reserved space
- ✅ Reserve "特大荷物スペース付き座席" when buying your ticket
- ✅ No extra charge if reserved in advance
- ⚠️ ¥1,000 surcharge if not reserved in advance
- ⚠️ This applies to Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama on Tokaido Shinkansen