Send and store luggage in Japan: Yamato, Coin Locker and Shinkansen

Suitcases at train stations in Japan — Picture: Israel Sundseth · Unsplash License

Choose a service based on the situation

situation	First option	Backup plan
Skip town and stay several nights.	TA-Q-BIN send hotel	Small bag on the train
Wait for check-in 2–6 hours	Hotel Deposit / Coin Locker	The deposit point has employees.
Airport → Travel before going to the hotel	Same-day delivery if there is a service area	Next day delivery or airport delivery
Shinkansen with large ticket	Reserve Oversized baggage seat	Send your bag in advance

Send TA-Q-BIN luggage between hotels

Ask the destination first.Confirm that the hotel receives your luggage before check-in and that there is a member of staff to receive it.
Prepare your name and address.Use the reservation name, phone number, check-in date. and the guest's name exactly
Drop off at hotel, counter or pickup pointSome hotels help fill out invoices and receive payments.
Keep the receipt and tracking number.Take pictures until you receive the bag.
carry an overnight bagMedicine, documents, a set of clothes and valuables should not be sent

Be careful of unstaffed accommodations.Some apartments and houses cannot accept parcels. If there is no one to sign Choose a counter near the station or carry your bags yourself.

Coin Locker and luggage storage point

IC cabinetTouch the same card when receiving the return.

Code/key cabinetKeep your leaves or keys well.

Please have employeesSuitable when it is large or the cabinet is full.

Take pictures of the booth numbers, floors, and exits because large stations have many zones.
Don't leave things overnight without reading up on fees and maximum periods.
Large tanks near tourist attractions may be full. Leave it at the previous station or hotel.
Do not leave your passport, medicine, cash, and other items on board.

Oversized bag rules on Shinkansen

≤160 cmGenerally there is no need to reserve special space.

Sum of length + width + height, stored overhead, close to the body, or in the area designated by the train.

161–250 cmSpace must be reserved on a designated line.

Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu and Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen select Seats with an oversized baggage area.

>250 cmcannot be brought up according to this criterion

Choose a luggage delivery service or contact the service provider in advance.

If there is no reservation, ¥1,000 may be charged.JR Central states that oversized bags brought without a reservation may be charged a fee. and the staff will set a collection point for you Reserving a space with a seat does not have an additional space fee over a regular reserved seat ticket.

Official JR Central Rules →

Delivery from the airport or delivery to the airport

From the airport to the hotel

Same-day delivery is available only at some counters, some destinations and has different cut-off times. Yamato's official trailer specifies that Haneda goes to 23 Tokyo areas. Bag Size 160 Price ¥5,780 But the price changes according to the size and counter.

From hotel to airport

Inform us of your terminal flight number and desired pickup time. Check the closing date from the actual delivery point. Because there is an airport service charge and must be more than sending between hotels.

Find Yamato counters →Choose the entrance to the city.

Check the list 1 minute before sending.

The destination confirms that the bag can be received.
The booking name and check-in date match.
No passport, cash, medicine, spare batteries. or things that break easily
Have at least one night's worth of essentials with you.
Take a photo of the bag, delivery slip, and tracking number.
Confirm the date and time of arrival. Don't guess from previous experience.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does it take to send luggage from hotel to hotel?

In general, you should allow at least one day. and some routes In remote areas, winter or periods of heavy congestion may be longer. Have the hotel or counter confirm the arrival date before sending. and carry one night's worth of essentials with you

Do all hotels accept Yamato?

Not everywhere, especially unstaffed or private residences. Both origin and destination must be confirmed to receive the package. The name of the person making the reservation and the check-in date are the same.

Bigger luggage. Do Shinkansen require reservations?

On the Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu, and Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen, bags in which the sum of three sides exceeds 160 cm to 250 cm require reserved seats with bag space according to JR Central rules.

Does Coin Locker accept large suitcases?

There are large kiosks in main stations but they are limited in number and can be full during late mornings. You should prepare a staffed drop-off point or send your luggage as a backup plan.

How many days in advance should luggage be sent to the airport?

Delivery deadlines vary according to airport, pickup point, and departure area. Therefore, the counter must be calculated from the actual flight. Some routes must be sent several days in advance. Should not be used on the same day as hotel delivery.