Write down this name: Takkyubin. Packing is one of the worst things in a trip. Have you ever thought on travelling with a small carry-on luggage only? But what about clothing and all the space needed to pack your things? Well, I have the solution for you! I used a nationwide courier service that will sure make your time in Japan a lot better.

I spent most of my time in Japan with a backpack and a carry-on baggage as my daily supply. I used to refill my carry-on baggage and dispatch the bigger luggage to a destination I would be within a short amount of time. Thus, I always had enough clothing for five days. Once I got to the hotel I sent the luggage to, there it was wrapped in plastic just waiting for me.

In Japan there is an amazing door-to-door courier service called Takkyubin. The network is wide and you can send whatever you need to wherever you want to. You either go to pick up centres or convenience stores (konbini), fill up the form and leave it to Takkyubin to do the hard work.

If you don’t speak Japanese, fear not. Just say Takkyubin!

How to find it?

Two black cats within a yellow circle followed by a teal rectangle with Japanese text are easy to spot. Indeed, that is the sign you should look for. You may glance at  one of their vans while commuting or traveling; bicycles and totens by konbini doors are also easy to spot.

To speed up, you can check online to the closest pick up location on their website, although it is in Japanaese only

Hereunder you may learn how to use the Japanese website without even speaking Japanese! How cool is that?Before we start, just remember: in Japan the address is given backwards and there are also different administrative unities.

I am sure you start by giving the specific point, i.e., the number, street name, city, state, zip code and country. Am I correct?

In Japan is the opposite. They start by the country and go until the house number. To make it easier to understand I am using one of the pick up centres close to where I stayed at – note if the place you booked has no reception you might send it straight to the closest Takkyubin centre.

Japanese address

This is how a Japanese address is written: 〒104-0045 東京都中央区築地６丁目１番４号マノア築地ビル

• 〒104-0045: zip code;
• 東京都: Tokyo-to (To is a specific administrative unite attached to Tokyo);
• 中央区: Chuo (区 is an administrative unit like a ward);
• 築地: Tsukiji (町 is an administrative unit);
• ６丁目: the 6th block
• １番: building number 1
• ４号: appartment 4
• マノア築地ビル MANOA Tsukuji building

This way we know that on MANAO Tsukiji building, appartment 4, number 1, block 6, Tsukiji, Chuo ward in Tokyo there is a Takkyubin pick up centre.

Get the Japanese address from your Airbnb and follow these steps:

1) Go to their website;
2) Select the prefecture. For example, Tokyo: 東京都;
3) Big cities like Tokyo, three subunits may show up: 市, 区 e 村 Pick the one written on your host’s email: 町
4) Select the block:丁目;
Voilà!

To be able to dispatch your luggage you must fill up a form.

1) Destination’s zipcode: 104-0045;
2) Destination’s phone number (available on every pick up centre once you find on the website): 0570 200 738;
3) Destination’s address: 東京都中央区築地６丁目１番４号マノア築地ビル;
4) Destination’s name: where you will pick up your luggage;
5) Zip code from the hotel where you are/were staying at;
6) Telephone from the hotel where you are/were staying at;
7) Address from the hotel where you are/were staying at;
8) Someone in charge of the hotel where you are/were staying at;
9) Content: Exemple 荷物 (luggage);
10) Date of deliver: you can schedule it;
11) Time of deliver: before noon, from noon to 2pm, form 2pm to 4pm, from 4pm to 6pm, from 6pm to 8pm, from 8pm to 9pm;

Once you fill up the form you will receive a voucher. Keep it, you will need to present it when picking up the luggage. Or, send your hotel an email with the tracking number and let them know when your luggage will get there.

How much does it cost? Is it worth it?

It depends on the size, weight and distance your luggage will be taken to. I used  it three time and it costed between 1000 and 1600 yens.

Was it worth it? Every cent! I had a lot of transit in Japan. I also trekked twice. If you will commute a lot and want to avoid luggage hassle do take Takkyubin in consideration.

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