🧳 Tips for Travelling with Luggage in Japan 🚅🚃 (on the Train in Tokyo & Shinkansen / Bullet Train)

I live in Japan and I’ll also mention that on crowded local trains, people turn their backpacks around so the load is in the front and not bothering people behind. I rarely see tourists notice this and their backpacks are very disruptive.

Previous to my last trip to japan, I’ve always taken my luggage with me…but this time round we used a luggage forwarding service and I don’t know why i didnt do it before! Going through tokyo, osaka and Kyoto stations without a suitcase was absolute bliss. Highly highly recommend it. Our hotels arranged it for us and they were there either same day of the next day.

We used luggage forwarding several times with our last trip, and I would highly recommend the service. Our hotel was usually able to arrange it for us as long as we had the address of the next hotel, and matched the name with the name on the reservation so they could easily connect the two. For our itinerary, we would leap frog certain cities (like going from Tokyo to Hiroshima, we brought just a smaller carry on and forwarded bigger bags to our next hotel in Kyoto). We also were able to forward on our large bag directly to the airport once we had it filled with souvenirs and goodies :) It does require making sure you pack what you need for that portion of the trip (for us, usually only a few days), but definitely worth it (especially since we had our then 3 year old in tow). The price was about $15-30 per bag, depending on the distance, size, and weight. We did not need the faster/same day service so I'm not sure if there's an upcharge for that. We had no problems overall with the bags not arriving in time (most times the bags were actually already in our room when we checked in!). One last note, at least at the hotels, it was cash only for payment. Not sure if you can pay by card at a convenience store or the Yamato stores.

As an American who travels in Japan fairly often, I was pokey about deciding to use luggage forwarding--we just don't have much of anything like this in the US.. But now I wouldn't think of traveling around with big bags when I'm in Japan. These services are super easy, highly reliable, and reasonably priced. Makes the journey so much easier.

As a disabled solo traveller afraid of travelling with big luggage this video is more helpful than you can imagine, thank you!

I'm in Japan right now and come here at least twice a year. I never take the public transport in this country with my suitcase(s), as I always ship the luggage point-to-point via Yamato aka Kuroneko Yamato ("Black Cat Yamato" per their logo). To book pickups, I use their app which is unfortunately in Japanese only at this time (I hope they will change that soon). Virtually any hotel would be happy to help set up the luggage pickup, and the cost is very reasonable. And Yamato's forwarding service is exceptionally reliable.

I went to japan for the first time in September this year and I used the luggage forwarding service between hotels once and also taking them back on the shinkansen and its very easy and i forked out for taxis as i couldnt face the train with 4 big suitcases. I get quite emotional watching videos of japan and its quite sad im still not there and my holiday went by quick. I hope one day i can go back! Xx

Been to Japan numerous times-my tip is to travel with the smallest suitcases you can there are always an elevator at Shinkansen tracks but many metro stations do not have elevator and you may have to use stairs. The reservation system has changed for bringing larger suitcases on Shinkansen. You need to make a reservation on an end of row seat so you can store the suitcase in the space behind your seat. You used to be able to place your suitcase there if it was available but now you need a reservation to use the space. I once saw a tourist get on the Shinkansen and park his very large like 28 inch suitcase next to the aisle seat which blocked part of the aisle. Couldn’t believe how ignorant he was. Smaller one’s can go up on the overhead along with backpacks etc. I highly recommend using the black cat transport delivery system if you are going a longer distance it’s worth the $20- or so to have it delivered to your next hotel destination instead of hauling your bags through the train stations.

Planning my second trip to Japan next year. I plan to use the luggage forwarding service when travelling between cities. We didn't last time, and i always felt we were getting in everyone's way, no matter how much we tried not to! It's an experience, travelling during rush hour, that's for sure! 😂

With family in Tokyo, I visit as frequently as I can. This video is full of helpful details. I especially like your tips about being polite and paying attention to Japanese etiquette. I have seen so many foreigners that appear to be oblivious to where they are and how to act. Good job providing advice!

Very useful. Thank you. I always love logistic videos.

Best tip Amey gave me was to get a jotel very central and travel out to other places. Saved a ton of time checking in and out thank you Amey ❤

I just wanted to say your videos are so informative thank you for making them 🎉

Thanks for this. Very insightful on the luggage experience and how to navigate the train system. I’m heading to Japan in two days!

Had to come back to this video 🥹 I miss the trains so much 🚅

I went to Japan for the ninth time in October 2023 and finally used the takyubin. It was a transformative experience because it made the whole experience of travelling to the next destination so much less stressful so I would HIGHLY recommend it to those who buy many items along the way. Very informative video

Very useful video Amy, so helpful. Another good tip is to use the coin lockers, I had 2 suitcases to come home with, so I stored my big one overnight at the station so it was an easier walk early in the morning. Limousine buses are great too, very convenient and cheap. I always use them on the way back. Got back from my month long trip yesterday, 26 hours door to door...still recovering...and feeling sad it's all over😢😢

Really useful advice. We used the luggage forwarding service and though it was fantastic, Due to the new rules about luggage size, you cannot always get a seat resevation, and so it saves a lot of worry.

Thank you Amy for a very informative & well presented video. Especially on getting around the stations.

your videos are SO unbelieveably helpful!! i've been struggling to find vdeos that are this informative i love how you film it so i have a clear visual step-by-step guide but it's also great that you don't overexplain anything, it's very straightforward and simple. thank you!! <3