How many suitcases do you usually bring on your trip?
My husband and I pack too much stuff every time we go back to Japan from the US, we carry 4 large suitcases and 2 carry-on bags and 2 backpacks.
If you are a minimalist traveler, you don’t have to fight with hauling luggage during the trip.
But it will be better going to the hotel with hand-free?
What we do is that we use the delivery service to send suitcases to the hotel from the airport.
Today, I’m going to tell you how to use send the luggage to your hotel from the airport.
KURONEKO YAMATO Delivery Service
“Yamato Transport” aka “Kuroneko Yamato” is one of the popular delivery service companies in Japan, and you can find the service counter at major international airports.
My husband calls it “Black cat” because “Kuro Neko” means “black cat” and the logo mark is Mommy black cat is carrying her kitten as you see in the picture.
Since Kuroneko Yamato is a major delivery service company in Japan, the delivery network and system is much more accurate, quick and reliable. They deliver most of the packages on the next day to most of the places.
We usually arrive at Narita airport, our suitcases will be delivered to the hotel in Nagoya the next day always all the time.
Go to the delivery service counter
After you get out of the custom, go to the delivery service counter at your arrival airport. Some counters in airports are not only for Kuronrko Yamato, so you might have to say you want to use Kuroneko Yamato.
| Narita Airport | Terminal 1 (North Wing) | 1F GreenPortAgency (GPA) counter |
| Terminal 1 (South Wing) | 1F GreenPortAgency (GPA) counter | |
| Terminal 2, 3 | 1F GreenPortAgency (GPA) counter | |
| Haneda Int Airport | 2F ABC counter | |
| Nagoya Chubu Centrair | 2F Tourist Information & Service Counter | |
| Kansai Int Airport | 1F JAL ABC counter | |
| Fukuoka Int Airport | 1F Delivery Service Counter | |
| Shin Chitose Airport | 2F Delivery Service Counter |
Fill out the waybill
When you get to the counter, the staff ask you to write a waybill.
If you are not sure how to write it, ask the staff.
To make things smooth, prepare the accommodation information, such as zip code, address and phone number.
Write down YOUR NAME as Receiver’s name.
Contact the accommodation about sending your luggage before leaving your country.
You can also book online.
It is a new service for foreign tourists, so it might be easier for you.
Once you book the delivery service online, you will get a QR code.
When you go to the counter at the airport, just show them.
Price
| From Narita Airport | Main Island Shikoku island | Hokkaido Kyusyu island | Okinawa |
| Small ~120cm /15kg (length+width+height) | ¥ 2000 ~ ( puls TAX and airport fee) | +¥500 (added to the base fee) | +¥2,000 (added to the base fee) |
Large ~160cm / 25kg (length+width+height) | ¥ 2500 ~ ( puls TAX and airport fee) | +¥500 (added to the base fee) | +¥2,000 (added to the base fee) |
*Consume tax will change 8% to 10% in October 2019.
We spend around ¥7000 to send Two suitcases from Narita Airport to Nagoya, Aichi prefecture. (Our last time is in Feb in 2020)
From your Hotel to the Airport
If you want to send luggage to the airport back when for leaving Japan,
you MUST complete ordering ( hand luggage to the delivery service) TWO days (or could be Three days) before your departure date.
The due day depends on the distance to the airport from your place and the time you can complete the order.
It is better to ask the hotel or Kuroneko Yamato when it should be the last day to send your luggage to the airport in advance.
How to
• Full-service hotel
You can ask the front desk to send your luggage to the airport if you stay in a full-service hotel.
A concierge desk or front desk manages the whole process for you.
• Non-full-service hotel or other accommodation
If you stay at a non-full-service hotel, you still can order by yourself.
Go to the Kuroneko Yamato service counter. (Check out the official homepage.)
The tourist information center also can help you to send the baggage.
• Convenience store…but you need to challenge it.
If you can not find the service center near your stay, you can order the delivery service at convenience stores, Seven-eleven and Family mart.
(Lawson is not a business partner with Kuronako Yamato)
However, you have to deal with everything by yourself and also there is no guarantee the staff can speak English.
( In popular cities, there are lots of non-Japanese staff in convenience stores so might be they can help you to fill out the waybill.)
• Order online
However, if you use the new service “Luggage Free Travel”, you can order online to send back the baggage to the airport.
What you need
You need flight information such as airline company, flight number, departure time, terminal number.
(You don’t need the airport’s address.)
Pick up luggage at the air port
Go to the delivery service counter below at the airport, show them the waybill.
| Narita Airport | Terminal 1 (North Wing) | 4F GPA Counter |
| Terminal 1 (South Wing) | 4F GPA Counter | |
| Terminal 2,3 | 3F GPA Counter | |
| Haneda Int Airport | 3F ABC delivery Counter | |
| Nagoya Chubu Centrair | 3F Delivery Service Counter | |
| Kansai Int Airport | 4F JAL ABC Counter | |
| Fukuoka Int Airport | 1F Delivery Service Counter | |
| Shin Chitose Airport | 2F Delivery Service Counter |
Additional tips
I have some additional tips for you.
However, if you order the delivery by 11 a.m. and the destination is in certain areas, you can get the suitcase in the same day. You have to ask the staff at the counter.
Important information
If you plan to use Shinkansen, you may have to be careful of the new rule that begins in May 2020.
