Japan Luggage Forwarding (Takuhaibin) 2027 Complete Guide

The best Japan travel hack most tourists skip: Yamato Transport takuhaibin forwards your suitcase from Narita to your Kyoto hotel for ¥1,970. Travel Shinkansen hands-free. The whole process takes 10 minutes at an airport counter. Here is the 2027 playbook.

Quick facts: takuhaibin 2027

Size and price table

Yamato charges by combined dimensions (length + width + height) OR weight, whichever is higher.

Which to use for YOUR trip

• ●Narita arrival + [Kyoto](https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?ss=Kyoto&aid=8095781&label=auto-kyoto-autolink&nflt=review_score%3D80&order=popularity) first hotel — Send at Narita Yamato counter on arrival; bag arrives Kyoto next day.
• ●[Tokyo](https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?ss=Tokyo&aid=8095781&label=auto-tokyo-autolink&nflt=review_score%3D80&order=popularity) hotel checkout + Kyoto hotel check-in — Front desk at most mid-range hotels sends your bag for ¥1,970 + small handling fee.
• ●Shinkansen trip without oversize bag reservation — Send bag ahead, carry only a daypack on the train.
• ●[Osaka](https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?ss=Osaka&aid=8095781&label=auto-osaka-autolink&nflt=review_score%3D80&order=popularity) → Hiroshima → Fukuoka route — Send Osaka → Fukuoka direct, skip the Hiroshima drop/pickup.
• ●Return luggage to departure airport — Send 2 days before flight from your last hotel. Arrives at Narita luggage counter the day before departure.
• ●Family of 4 with 4 suitcases — ¥8,000 to forward all four. Beats dragging on Shinkansen.

Step-by-step: send a bag at Narita Yamato counter

• ●Find the Yamato counter — Narita T1: B1F South Wing. T2: 1F arrivals. Open 06:30–22:30.
• ●Fill the slip — Yamato gives you a 'denpyo' slip. Write: your name, your hotel name, hotel address, hotel phone, bag description, your passport number.
• ●Pay cash — ¥1,970 for 120-size + ¥660 airport pickup = ~¥2,630. Credit card at some counters.
• ●Keep the receipt — Has a tracking number for Yamato website.
• ●Hotel delivery — Hotel receives bag next day; stores at reception until you arrive.

Hotel-to-hotel sending (common Tokyo → Kyoto)

The real convenience is between hotels. Here is the workflow from a Tokyo hotel to a Kyoto hotel.

• ●Ask front desk — 'Takuhaibin onegaishimasu' (please forward luggage). Most mid-range hotels handle it.
• ●Fill the slip at reception — The destination hotel's name, address, phone. Date of arrival.
• ●Pay — ¥1,970 for Tokyo → Kyoto (size 120). Some hotels add ¥200 handling.
• ●Destination hotel confirms receipt — Usually by late afternoon the following day.
• ●Travel light on Shinkansen — Carry daypack with laptop, chargers, change of clothes.

FAQ

• ●Can I forward valuables? No — Yamato excludes cash, jewelry, electronics over ¥50,000 by policy; use insurance for coverage up to ¥300,000.
• ●What about my camera / laptop? Carry on. Takuhaibin insurance caps mean a ¥2,000 bag with a ¥400,000 camera is a bad trade.
• ●Can I send from Narita to a ryokan? Yes — small ryokan may want you to call first; airport Yamato staff speak basic English.
• ●Can I send Haneda → [Kyoto](https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?ss=Kyoto&aid=8095781&label=auto-kyoto-autolink&nflt=review_score%3D80&order=popularity) next-day? Yes — Haneda Yamato counter T3 1F arrivals.
• ●What if the hotel refuses to accept? Yamato redelivers automatically; call Yamato English support +81-120-01-9625.
• ●Does Sagawa work the same way? Yes — slightly cheaper on some routes; fewer airport counters.
• ●Can I track my bag? Yes — yamato.co.jp with tracking number; English site.
• ●What if it's late? Yamato refunds the full fee automatically if next-day fails.
• ●Can I forward from [Tokyo](https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?ss=Tokyo&aid=8095781&label=auto-tokyo-autolink&nflt=review_score%3D80&order=popularity) to Osaka airport before flying out? Yes — airport counter at KIX accepts next-day delivery. Pay at pickup counter.
• ●Lost receipt? Yamato can trace with your name and destination hotel info.