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
AloJapan.com