Japan has the best luggage-forwarding and storage system in the world — picture wandering all day without dragging a suitcase up station stairs or squeezing it onto a packed train. This page covers every option: takkyubin hotel-to-hotel forwarding · station coin lockers · app-based storage · and the oversized-baggage rule on the shinkansen.
You know the feeling — hauling a 20-kilo suitcase up a flight of station stairs with no lift in sight, squeezing onto a rush-hour train, then standing there hugging your bag for the whole ride because there's nowhere to put it. Honestly, the Japanese don't do this to themselves, because the country has the best luggage-forwarding and storage system in the world — you send your bags from one hotel to the next, or straight from the airport to your accommodation, and travel the rest of the way completely hands-free.
This page pulls together every way to travel light — takkyubin luggage forwarding (Yamato, instantly recognisable by its black-cat logo), station coin lockers you pay for with an IC card, a storage app called ecbo cloak for the days when every locker is full, and the one important rule about bringing a large suitcase on the shinkansen that can earn you a fine if you don't know it.
Before we dig into each method, here's a quick overview of what each one costs, how long it takes, and the situation it's best for — so you can pick the right one (approximate 2026 prices, subject to change).
| Method | When to use it | Approx. price | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takkyubin ForwardingYamato · Kuroneko | Changing cities/hotels · don't want to drag a bag all day | ~¥1,600–3,700/bag | Mostly 1 day (far: 2–3 days) | Multi-city trips · families with lots of luggage |
| Coin LockerCoin Locker | Short-term storage 2–3 hrs while sightseeing/before check-in | ~¥300–800/day | By the hour, resets at midnight | A quick stop at one spot, near a station |
| Storage Appecbo cloak | Lockers full · bag bigger than a locker · want to book ahead | ~¥400–700/bag/day | Within the shop's opening hours | High season when lockers are full |
| Carry It on the TrainShinkansen | Travelling on immediately · bag isn't too big | Free (reserve a special seat) | Immediate | Off-peak travel · bags <160 cm |
Now that you've got the overview, here are the details of each service — where to drop off and collect, how to pay, and what to watch out for, so you can use them smoothly from your very first day in Japan.
The heart of travelling light — forward your bags from one hotel to the next, or straight from the airport to your accommodation. The biggest name is Yamato (its logo, a black cat carrying a kitten, is why locals just call it "the black-cat service"). You can send from hotel counters, some convenience stores, or counters at the airport.
Japan Travel Prep →The fast, cheap option for stashing a bag for 2–3 hours — say, while you wait for check-in or sightsee at a single spot. Newer lockers are touchscreen units you pay with an IC card (Suica/PASMO/ICOCA); tap and the system gives you a locker number. Older ones still use a key and coins.
Tokyo Travel Guide →Ever found every locker in a station taken? The ecbo cloak app solves exactly that — book a storage spot ahead at partner shops, including cafés, barbers, post offices, and station counters. It takes bags bigger than a locker, and it's available in the main cities across all 47 prefectures.
Internet in Japan (you need data for the app) →If you'd rather carry your suitcase on the shinkansen yourself, there's a rule to know — on the Tokaido / Sanyo / Kyushu (and Nishi-Kyushu) lines, if your bag exceeds 160 cm across its three sides, you have to reserve an "oversized baggage area seat" in the back row of the carriage, which costs no extra over a normal reserved seat. Bring one on without reserving and it's a ¥1,000 penalty.
Calculate if a JR Pass Is Worth It →The actual process is easy — even if the staff don't speak much English, most places have a form and point-to-help system. Follow these three steps and your luggage will be waiting for you at your next hotel.
Hand your bag in at a hotel counter, some convenience stores, or a Yamato counter at the airport, then fill in the form with your destination hotel's address (have the name, phone number, and address of the next hotel ready on your phone). If you're sending from a hotel, the front desk can help write it.
Pay by bag size (~¥1,600–3,700/bag) with cash or cashless, and you'll get a receipt with a tracking number to check the status online. Tell the staff which day you'd like it to arrive, since most deliveries land the next day.
Travel hands-free, and when you reach the next hotel your bag is usually already waiting at reception (just give your name to collect it). Tip: If you're sending on a long-distance travel day, keep one night's clothes in a small bag in case the luggage arrives after check-in.
Small lessons from someone who's dragged a suitcase around lost in a station before — know these in advance and you'll save both time and unnecessary money.
Travellers commonly forward bags between these hubs — for example Tokyo → Kyoto/Osaka, or landing at the airport and sending straight to their accommodation. Short distances usually arrive the next day; crossing islands to Sapporo/Fukuoka, allow 2–3 days.
Visa · eSIM · IC card · JR Pass · yen · power plugs · etiquette — everything before you fly, on one page.
Travel Prep →Compare eSIM, Pocket WiFi, and SIM to see which is best value — you need data to book storage apps and navigate.
Internet in Japan →Travelling several cities — is a JR Pass worth it? Enter your route and the calculator tells you straight away.
Calculate JR Pass →Take off your shoes, no tipping, quiet on trains, sort your rubbish — how to fit in without feeling awkward from day one.
Japanese Etiquette →The main districts, where to stay, how to get around, and the coin lockers at Tokyo's big stations.
Tokyo Guide →Every region and city, with links into city guides, hotels, and attractions across Japan.
Japan Guide →Now that you know how to handle your luggage, all that's left is picking a well-placed hotel near a station (with a lift / free luggage storage) and your trip flows from day one. Open the full travel-prep guide, or start finding a place to stay.