How to Ship Your Luggage with Yamato (Kuroneko)
Everything you need to know about shipping luggage across Japan with Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) — hotel-to-hotel, airport-to-hotel, tracking, prices, and pro tips. Full guide at OlaChill Japan Guide.
Mar 5, 2026·✍️ olablog·⏱ 4 min read
Everything you need to know about shipping luggage across Japan with Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) — hotel-to-hotel, airport-to-hotel, tracking, prices, and pro tips. Full guide at OlaChill Japan Guide.
Tired of hauling a monster suitcase through Tokyo's packed subway stations? Meet your new best friend: Yamato Transport (ヤマト運輸), better known as Kuroneko Yamato (黒猫ヤマト) — "black cat" — Japan's number-one courier service. It lets you ship your luggage directly from the airport to your hotel, or between cities, for surprisingly little money.
1. What Is Takkyubin?
Takkyubin (宅急便) is Yamato's door-to-door delivery service. It's especially popular for three use cases:
- Airport-to-Hotel: Drop your bags at Narita or Haneda on arrival and have them waiting at your Tokyo hotel — no dragging luggage onto the Narita Express.
- Hotel-to-Hotel: Ship your bags before check-out so you can travel hands-free to your next city.
- Forward Baggage (te-oimawashi): Send your suitcase ahead to a train station or hotel so you can explore unencumbered.
2. 2026 Price Guide (Yamato Takkyubin)
| Size | Dimensions | Domestic (e.g. Tokyo → Osaka) |
|---|---|---|
| 60 size | Sum of 3 sides ≤ 60 cm | ~$7–$10 |
| 80 size | Sum of 3 sides ≤ 80 cm | ~$8–$11 |
| 100 size (small suitcase) | Sum of 3 sides ≤ 100 cm | ~$9–$13 |
| 120 size (large suitcase) | Sum of 3 sides ≤ 120 cm | ~$11–$16 |
🏷️ Airport-to-Hotel delivery (booked at the airport counter) typically runs about $2–$3 more than standard rates.
3. How to Ship — 3 Simple Steps
Step 1: Pack up and fill out the form
- Write the recipient address in English or Japanese (hotel front desks are used to both).
- Include the hotel name, your room number (if you have it), or the name on your reservation.
- Add a phone number so the driver can reach you — use the hotel's number rather than your foreign SIM (see pro tips below).
Step 2: Drop off your luggage
Three easy options:
- 📦 At a convenience store (7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart all work with Yamato) — quickest option.
- 🏪 At a Yamato Service Center or authorized partner location.
- 📞 Schedule a home pick-up (集荷 / Shuha): Book via the Yamato app or call 0120-01-9625.
Step 3: Choose your delivery window
Yamato lets you pick from six time slots:
- Morning–12:00 | 14:00–16:00 | 16:00–18:00 | 18:00–20:00 | 19:00–21:00
4. Airport-to-Hotel Delivery
This is the service that converts first-time visitors into lifelong fans. At both Narita and Haneda:
- Head to the "Yamato Transport" or "ABC Travel Service" counter in the Arrivals hall.
- Hand over your bag and fill in your hotel's address.
- Get a receipt with a tracking number.
- Your luggage arrives at the hotel within 1–2 days — usually the very next morning.
⚠️ Heads up: Drop off before noon at Narita/Haneda and your bag typically arrives at Tokyo-area hotels the same day. Drop off after noon and expect next-day delivery.
5. Tracking Your Shipment
- 🌐 Yamato website: kuronekoyamato.co.jp — enter your tracking number (English interface available).
- 📱 Yamato app: Manage deliveries and reschedule your time slot on the fly.
🚗 Planning a city-hop and want to ditch your bags entirely? Book an OlaChill highway bus and ship your luggage with Yamato — the smartest combo for stress-free travel between cities.
6. Pro Tips from Seasoned Japan Travelers
- 🎯 Ship your bags from your Tokyo hotel on check-out morning and they'll be waiting in Kyoto by that evening or the following day.
- 🎯 Snap a photo of your completed form — it's the easiest way to keep your tracking details handy.
- 🎯 Write "Please leave at front desk" in the notes field so delivery goes smoothly even if you're out sightseeing.
- 🎯 Use your hotel's phone number instead of your overseas number — drivers will call to confirm delivery.
- 🎯 When you check in, always ask the front desk whether they can accept a bag shipped ahead — almost all tourist hotels say yes, but it's worth confirming.
