Luggage Transport Services in Japan: do we need them?
 

Trying to figure out the whole concept of luggage transport services in Japan and trying to figure out how (and if) we should utilize them.

Based on our itinerary (4 days Tokyo, 1 day Hakone, 4 days Kyoto, 1 day Hiroshima, 1 day Miyajima, 1 day Osaka) it would seem to be that the only real candidates for usage would be:

*send luggage from Tokyo to Kyoto
*send luggage from Hiroshima to Osaka)

How do you all normally do this? Who's the best company to use? What is the process for actually doing this...and what's the average cost?

We plan to bring two full suitcases for our trip, but sounds like it may make sense to also bring a large duffel and pack "mini trip" clothes in there.

I don't want to lug a lot of large suitcases around train stations, but we also do want to bring a variety of clothes on this trip since we're going in November and will need warm/cool clothes as well as fancy/casual clothes.

Curious to get the experts' thoughts...

Your hotel will arrange this for you. Last time I did it it was $20 per bag, but I heard it's gone up.

Your breaks look okay, but I'd probably send them to Osaka from Kyoto, as both Hiroshima and Miyajima are very casual.

I'm not a big fan of doing this, as I always end up needing something in the "away" bag, plus we tend to pack pretty lightly anyway.

I would recommend using it for Tokyo - Kyoto and Hiroshima - Osaka as you are thinking. The hotel will help you; just be sure you have the name and address of the hotel you are sending it to, and write your arrival date on the tag for the hotel's reference. The usual company is Kuroneko Yamato, and they are contracted by most hotels, but any company your hotel uses is just fine. ¥1.500 - ¥2,500 per bag depending on size and takes an overnight (except for airport delivery which requires sending two days or more in advance).

2 bags go Tokyo-> Kyoto
at the end of Kyoto, combine stuff into 1 bag
1 bag goes Kyoto-> Osaka
1 bag goes with you to Hiroshima
stash that bag in a coin locker at Hiroshima station on the way to Miyajima

With a JR Pass you can go to the shinkansen side of Hiroshima station to stow the bag in the lockers below the shinkansen platforms. Pick it up there on the way from Miyajima to Osaka.

I would use a small backpack for Hakone and Miyajima.

>>at the end of Kyoto, combine stuff into 1 bag<<
if not obvious I mean combine good clothes into one bag, used closed in the other and send the latter to Osaka.

We've used the Ta-q-bin services and it can lighten the load between short stop overnight trips. Usually the hotel staff will help out as long as you have the information needed as to your next stop. We usually use two backpacks and a carry on bag when we don't have our suitcases.
One tip is that Shikansen cars usually have space behind the last seats of a car for larger suitcases on a first come first serve basis.
Ta-Q -Bin label guide....
http://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/send/invoice/

I agree with Kimjapans version. Mrwunrfl travels like a bachelor lol jk jk. On our trip now we using twice and love traveling mostly hands free on trains. Utilize while u can. Just today I (Linda haha) packed an overnighter bag and we sent other three bags to Tokyo. Just called bell desk and they came to our room, picked up bags and sent. Will pay when I check out in the morning. Stress free travel is what I love. Enjoy guys, the yen has fallen, prices here are cheap and people as u know are super friendly. Enjoy guys.

Aloha!