Can I send my luggage from the airport to my hotel in Japan?

Learn how airport luggage delivery works in Japan, what details you need, how long it takes and what it typically costs, so you can arrive hands-free.

Published October 20, 2026 at 6:23 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Yes. Narita, Haneda and Kansai International Airport all have delivery counters where staff can send suitcases to your hotel. Bags often arrive the next day, though same-day delivery is sometimes possible if you drop them off early. Fees depend on bag size and distance, and many providers charge roughly 2,000 to 3,000 yen per large suitcase, so check the current rate at the counter.

What airport luggage delivery is

Japan has a long-established courier habit called takkyubin (also written takuhaibin), a door-to-door parcel delivery service used for everything from small packages to suitcases. At major airports, the same service is offered at counters aimed at visitors, so a traveler can hand over a suitcase on arrival and have it delivered to a hotel, inn or other address.

The Japan National Tourism Organization lists delivery counters at Narita and Kansai International Airport, and the Tokyo tourism organization says Haneda has them too. This is helpful for travelers with many large bags, small children, or a wish to start sightseeing right away. Look for counters marked with the Hands-Free Travel logo, a mark used for approved luggage counters.

How the process works step by step

After you collect your bags from the baggage claim and clear customs, look for a delivery counter in the arrivals area. Staff will help you fill in a delivery form, which usually asks for the delivery address, the hotel's phone number, the name on the booking and your own contact details. Have the hotel confirmation open on your phone or printed so that the details are exact.

The staff will attach a tag, take payment and give you a receipt with a tracking number if one is offered. Keep this slip, as it is your record of the shipment. The Japan National Tourism Organization notes that the service runs only on specific routes and that compensation for lost or damaged bags is available under certain conditions, so ask the staff to explain the terms before you pay.

Timing: next day or the same day

The Tokyo tourism organization says bags sent from the airport generally arrive a day later, so you should keep a change of clothes and any daily medicines in your carry-on. Same-day delivery is available in some cases. The Japan National Tourism Organization gives one example from a city station: bags sent by 11 a.m. can reach a hotel in Tokyo's 23 wards after 4 p.m. the same day.

Because cutoff times and delivery areas vary by counter, ask staff what the deadline is for your hotel. Delivery to a hotel outside the central city can take longer, and remote areas may take a day or more beyond the usual schedule. If your first night is at a hotel that may not accept parcels before your arrival date, ask staff whether the hotel will hold the bag at the front desk and confirm this with the hotel in advance.

Costs and limits

Prices vary by airport, destination and bag size, so the figures below are only a guide. A Japan National Tourism Organization guide (published in 2018) says most companies charge about 2,000 to 3,000 yen to deliver one check-in size bag of up to 30 kg and 160 cm in total dimensions (height, width and length added together). It advises checking providers for exact quotes. A separate figure of 1,680 yen, excluding tax, for same-day delivery to hotels in Tokyo's 23 wards comes from a 2019 article and will probably have changed.

Size and weight limits apply. The tourism organization's guide gives 160 cm in total dimensions and 30 kg for one check-in size bag, and says some services cover lost items up to 300,000 yen. Couriers often restrict valuables, fragile items, fresh food, liquids and hazardous materials, so ask what is accepted. Check the current limits at the counter, since they may differ between providers.

Who benefits most

Delivery suits families with strollers and car seats, older travelers, and anyone who must take a crowded train from the airport. It is also useful for visitors who arrive in the morning, well before hotel check-in, and want to explore without luggage. Sports gear such as snowboards or bicycles can usually be sent as well, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization, though rules for special items vary by provider.

Travelers who need medication, a laptop, a passport, or valuables should always keep them with them. The Japan National Tourism Organization specifically warns against packing passports, return tickets, credit cards and money in luggage that is sent. If you are traveling with a group, ask the staff whether bags can be combined or whether each suitcase is charged separately.

Hotels can help too. Many major hotels can arrange delivery to your next hotel, and the front desk is usually the easiest place to ask. This is handy on multi-city trips, where a large suitcase can travel ahead by courier while you take a train with a small overnight bag.

Slip-ups to avoid with airport delivery

The most common mistake is expecting same-day delivery without checking the cutoff. If you arrive in the afternoon, the bag will likely arrive the next day. Another is leaving essentials in the suitcase, such as a phone charger or a change of clothes, which can make the first evening harder than necessary.

People also sometimes enter an incomplete address. Hotel names can be similar, and some hotels have more than one branch, so copy the address and phone number from your booking. A final mistake is assuming the hotel knows the bag is coming. Tell the hotel your arrival date and the delivery plan ahead of time, and ask whether it can receive packages for guests.

Before you fly: next steps

Before you fly, confirm the delivery address, your hotel's package policy, and whether the airport has a counter near your arrival hall. For the return trip, the Japan National Tourism Organization suggests booking hotel-to-airport delivery at least a day ahead, and bags are normally collected before you check in for your flight.

Rates, deadlines and counter locations can change, so check the airport's official page and the provider's current price list. If you are unsure, staff at the airport information desk can point you to the right counter. For a longer trip with several hotels, ask each hotel front desk whether it can send bags on to the next one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can visitors send luggage to a hotel from a convenience store?

Often, yes. The Japan National Tourism Organization says travelers who are not staying at a hotel can drop bags at a designated convenience store for delivery. Space is limited, and in busy sightseeing areas some stores restrict bag size or number, so ask staff before you queue.

Do travelers need to show their passport to send a bag?

Providers can ask for identification, and some require contact details that match your booking. Requirements differ, so check the counter's instructions. The more important point is to keep your own passport in your carry-on rather than in the shipped bag.

Can travelers send a bag back to the airport at the end of a trip?

Yes. Hotels often arrange delivery back to the airport, and counters also accept bags for the return trip. The Japan National Tourism Organization suggests booking at least a day ahead. Ask your hotel front desk, and check the current cutoff time for your flight.

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