What to do with your luggage when traveling Japan?

What to do with your luggage when traveling Japan?

Dragging around bulky suitcases while navigating an unfamiliar place or hauling heavy luggage up and down stairs are probably the least fun parts of traveling in Japan. But don’t worry, there is a solution! Luggage storage and 
delivery services are safe and convenient, allowing you to ditch those bags 
and have your best Japan holiday. To help you travel light and breeze through the process of luggage storage and delivery, we have partnered with Sagawa Express, one 
of the major delivery service companies, to show you exactly what to expect at a 
luggage counter. So let’s get right into it! Luggage storage services. The first place you might think of to store your bags is coin lockers. Generally, they cost 400 to 800 yen per day and accept IC cards or cash for payment. If 
it’s a key-operated locker, have your coin purse ready because these only accept 100 yen coins. 
And, if you’re like me, forget something and need to access your locker throughout the day, 
there’ll be an additional charge to relock it. Coin lockers are widespread but have you ever 
tried finding a locker at a busy sightseeing spot or train station, only to realize they’re 
all full or too small for your luggage? In this case, luggage storage counters in or near major train stations are a convenient alternative! They charge around 1000 yen per item, per day and accept cash, IC cards and credit 
cards. They’re especially convenient for storing oversized luggage that don’t fit in 
coin lockers. And, luckily for me, and you, there’s no extra cost to access your bags 
multiple times at the storage counter. If, instead of storing your bags, you’re 
looking to send them between destinations, then the next section is for you! Luggage delivery services. There are multiple companies in 
Japan that offer delivery services, and they provide door to door delivery of parcels, 
bags, suitcases and sports equipment. Pick up and drop off are available at airports, major train 
stations, hotels, homes and service centers. Though same-day delivery is possible 
between some airports, stations and hotels, items are usually delivered the next 
day between major cities. For more distant locations like Hokkaido, 
deliveries usually need more time. Now onto the important stuff, how much 
does it cost to have an item delivered? It varies depending on the size of your item 
and the delivery distance. If, for example, you were sending something from Tokyo 
to Kyoto, it would cost around 1000 to 2000 yen for parcels, depending on the size and around 2000 to 2500 yen for suitcases. Note that airport delivery usually 
costs a few hundred yen more, and delivery to and from farther away places 
like Hokkaido is generally more expensive. Here are three real world examples on how to use these two services so you can go from this to this. First up, storing your luggage 
temporarily at luggage counters. First, go to a luggage storage counter. Then, fill out the ticket for luggage storage and leave your luggage there. Keep the ticket and enjoy travelling around hands-free. Finally, show the ticket at the counter when picking up your luggage. Luggage delivery service counters are available 
at airports and some major stations in Japan. These counters allow for delivery to airports 
or hotels. Same day delivery service may be available depending on location, but note that 
luggage must be dropped off by the cut off time. First, locate a delivery service 
counter at the station or airport Then, either fill out a delivery form by 
hand or ask the staff if there is a QR code to scan and input the details on your phone. If doing it by hand, these are the parts you will have to fill out. This form is the same 
regardless of where you send your luggage from. Don’t forget to keep the copy of the 
delivery form as you’ll need it at the end destination, and say bye to your luggage. Finally, enjoy travelling around hands-free. When sending your luggage from your hotel to 
an airport, another hotel or service counter, simply ask your hotel front desk 
for assistance regarding delivery services. Then pick up your luggage at the 
corresponding location when you arrive. Note that you can both store and deliver 
luggage at most luggage delivery counters. If you plan to stay at different hotels or base 
yourself in different cities during your trip, consider having your large suitcases 
delivered from base to base and use only smaller bags in between. For example, send 
your luggage from your hotel in Tokyo to Kyoto, while you go on a side trip 
to Hakone with a smaller bag. And there you have it! Now you’re 
free to explore Japan without your luggage holding you back. Check the rest of our channel for more Japan travel tips, or head to japan-guide.com 
for in-depth information. Happy travels!

Read more about luggage storage and delivery services: https://www.japan-guide.com/ad/sagawa-hands-free-travel/

Dragging heavy suitcases up and down stairs and through unfamiliar places is probably not what you had in mind for your Japan trip – that’s where luggage storage and delivery come in. A safe and convenient alternative, these services allow you to ditch those bags and have your best Japan holiday.

*Video Credits*
Host: Raina Ong
Videographer: Aimee Gardner
Produced by: Stefan Schauwecker
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*Chapters*
0:00 Intro
0:43 Coin lockers
1:19 Luggage storage counters
1:52 Luggage delivery
3:15 Example 1: Luggage storage counters
3:35 Example 2: Luggage delivery
4:23 Example 3: Sending luggage from hotels
5:01 Outro