Sending Luggage and Parcels in Japan: Takkyubin Made Easy
Japan has excellent door-to-door delivery, called 宅配便 (takuhaibin, often called takkyubin), so you can send a suitcase from the airport to your hotel, or from one hotel to the next, and travel light. You can send parcels from delivery company counters, many convenience stores and post offices, and delivery within Japan often takes a day or two. You fill in a short form (送り状 or 伝票) with the address, phone number and delivery date, and you can choose a delivery time slot. This guide covers how it works and the Japanese you need.
Sending luggage while travelling
- From the airport: major airports have delivery counters in the arrivals area. Send your suitcase to your hotel and take the train with just a day bag.
- Between hotels: many hotels and ryokan will arrange it at the front desk. Ask in advance, and check the next hotel can receive it: 荷物を先に送ってもいいですか.
- Ski and golf bags are commonly sent ahead to resorts. See Japanese for a ski trip.
- Allow enough time. Delivery to distant areas can take longer, so don’t send what you need the same evening.
Filling in the form
- お届け先: the recipient’s name, address and phone number.
- ご依頼主: your name, address and phone number. A hotel address is fine.
- 品名: what’s inside, such as 衣類 (clothes) or 書類 (documents).
- お届け予定日・時間帯: the delivery date and time slot.
Price depends on size, usually the total of length, width and height, and on distance. 元払い means you pay now; 着払い means the recipient pays on delivery.
Receiving parcels and redelivery
If you are out, the driver leaves a missed-delivery slip (不在連絡票). You can request redelivery (再配達) online, by phone or through the company’s app, using the number on the slip. Many companies let you pick a time slot or collect from a store.
Useful phrases
- これを送りたいんですが。I’d like to send this.
- このホテルまでお願いします。To this hotel, please.
- いつ届きますか。When will it arrive?
- 時間指定はできますか。Can I choose a delivery time?
- 再配達をお願いしたいんですが。I’d like to request redelivery.
For letters and international mail, see Japanese at the post office. For moving, see moving house within Japan, and for shopping, convenience store Japanese.
How Hanabuddies can help
Our native Japanese tutors teach one-to-one online, in English, and can practise everyday tasks like sending parcels, calling for redelivery and talking to hotel staff. Your first 15 minutes are a free trial.