How Much Does It Cost to Ship Luggage in Japan? Size, Weight, and Distance Explained

Traveling with a large suitcase can make it harder to get through stations and airports, change trains, and look after children at the same time. Sending your luggage to your hotel ahead of time is one option, but how do you know what it will cost? Is the fee based on the suitcase’s size, its weight, or how far it has to travel?

For parcel delivery in Japan, the main factors are size, weight, and the destination area. Each carrier handles weight differently. A parcel that exceeds a service’s weight limit may move to a higher size category or require an additional fee.

This guide explains how those factors affect the price. Using Tokyo as the example departure point, it compares basic rates to Tokyo, Osaka, and Okinawa. It also covers flying with checked baggage and what to ask a hotel before sending a suitcase there. Rates and policies below were checked against official sources on October 6, 2026. They can change, so confirm the current terms before shipping.

What Determines the Cost of Shipping Luggage in Japan?

Check these three things before sending a suitcase:

1. Size: the total of its length, width, and height
2. Weight: the maximum weight allowed for its size category
3. Destination: the delivery fee depends on the origin and destination areas

For example, a suitcase measuring 75 cm × 50 cm × 35 cm has a combined measurement of 160 cm. Measure the outside of the packed suitcase and check the carrier’s rules before sending it.

How Much Does a 160-Size Parcel Cost from Tokyo?

Here is a comparison for a 160-size parcel sent from Tokyo to Tokyo, Osaka, or Okinawa. These are standard basic rates before discounts and optional services.

The figures come from Japan Post’s Yu-Pack rate table for parcels sent from Tokyo and Yamato Transport’s domestic TA-Q-BIN rate table. For Yu-Pack, the size is based on the total of the three sides and the standard weight limit is 25 kg; see Japan Post’s size and weight rules. Yamato’s size and weight categories are listed in its TA-Q-BIN size guide.

The destination makes a noticeable difference even when the parcel is the same size. The two carriers also apply different weight rules, so check both the dimensions and the packed weight when comparing prices.

Example: A 27 kg Suitcase from Tokyo to Okinawa

Consider a suitcase with a combined measurement of 160 cm that weighs 27 kg and is sent from Tokyo to Okinawa:

• Japan Post Yu-Pack: A parcel over 25 kg uses Weight Yu-Pack. The basic 160-size rate is ¥3,820, plus a ¥620 weight surcharge, for a total of ¥4,440. See Japan Post’s Weight Yu-Pack information.
• Yamato Transport TA-Q-BIN: A 160-size parcel is limited to 25 kg. At 27 kg, the parcel is handled in the 180-size category; the Tokyo-to-Okinawa basic rate is ¥7,210.

This example shows why “the suitcase looks like a 160-size parcel” does not always settle the price. A heavy suitcase can be charged differently even if its outside dimensions stay the same. Weigh it after packing, then check the rate for the actual route.

Should You Check the Suitcase on a Flight or Send It to Your Hotel?

If you are flying, first check the checked-baggage allowance for your ticket. On ANA domestic flights, Economy Class passengers can check up to two pieces, with each piece weighing up to 23 kg and measuring no more than 158 cm in total dimensions. The number of free pieces depends on the fare purchased. See ANA’s domestic checked-baggage allowance.

If your suitcase fits within your ticket’s free allowance, checking it may cost nothing extra. You still need to carry it to the airport and from the arrival airport to your hotel. Sending it ahead can reduce that burden, especially when you are traveling with children or making several transfers. Compare the delivery fee with the effort of carrying the bag throughout the trip.

If your Japan domestic flight connects to an international itinerary, check which baggage rules apply to your full ticket. The domestic-only allowance may not apply. Rules can also vary by airline and fare.

Tips for Shipping Luggage When Traveling with Children

Check Your Free Checked-Baggage Allowance First

Review the number of bags, weight, and dimensions included with your tickets. If you are traveling as a family, check whether your airline lets you combine allowances. Ask the airline about strollers and child car seats as well.

Keep Essentials with You

Even if you ship a suitcase, keep medication, a change of clothes, valuables, chargers, and anything you will need before the suitcase arrives in your carry-on bag.

See Whether You Can Use a Smaller Size

Delivery fees rise with size, so removing nonessential items may let you use a smaller category. But splitting luggage into several parcels can cost more overall. Compare the total price for each number of parcels before deciding.

Compare Airport and Same-Day Services Separately

Airport counters and same-day delivery may be convenient, but their service terms and prices can differ from standard parcel delivery. Decide when you need the suitcase and check whether it will arrive before you do.

Check with Your Hotel Before Sending a Suitcase

Ask the hotel whether it can accept luggage before you send it. Yamato advises customers to confirm that both the sending and receiving hotels can handle the delivery, and to arrange for the parcel to arrive at least one day before the stay. See Yamato’s guidance on hotel-to-hotel luggage delivery.

Include the guest name, reservation date, and expected delivery date in your inquiry. You can write:

Could you accept a suitcase delivery for me before check-in? My reservation is under {reservation name}, and I will check in on {check-in date}.

If the hotel will arrange a shipment for you, check its available service, counter hours, and payment options in advance.

Luggage-Shipping Checklist

• Measure the suitcase’s length, width, and height, then add the three measurements.
• Weigh it after packing.
• Check the rate for your specific origin, destination, size, and weight.
• If flying, confirm the free checked-baggage allowance for your ticket.
• Ask the hotel whether it can accept the suitcase and when it should arrive.
• Keep medication, valuables, and items needed before delivery with you.

Compare the Price with the Effort of Carrying Your Luggage

Luggage-shipping fees in Japan depend on parcel size, weight, and the regions it travels between. For a 160-size parcel sent from Tokyo, the basic price changes between Tokyo, Osaka, and Okinawa. A 27 kg suitcase may also be charged differently depending on the carrier’s weight rules.

If your suitcase fits within your airline’s free checked-baggage allowance and you can manage it during the trip, checking it may be the simpler option. If you want to reduce the strain of carrying bags through stations and airports with children, sending them ahead may be worth the fee. Compare both the cost and the travel-day effort, and confirm the latest rates and hotel arrangements before you ship.