Michael Turner
Many small inns accept same-day bag drop before standard check-in (usually after 15:00) and will hold items after check-out (commonly by 10:00). Short-term holding for a few hours is frequently complimentary; large trunks or long-term storage may incur a fee (typically around 500–1,000 JPY) or be declined because of limited space.
If you plan to ship belongings ahead: use a door-to-door courier (for example Yamato TA-Q-BIN or Japan Post). Send parcels to arrive the day before or the morning of your stay and label clearly: Inn Name / Guest Full Name / Arrival Date. Avoid sending perishables or valuables. Call or email the property to confirm they will accept a delivery and to verify the exact receiving address and any handling instructions.
On arrival, state your reservation name and expected check-in time; staff will usually note parcels by guest name. For oversized cases or multi-day storage, ask for written confirmation of any fee and a contact number. If an inn cannot accommodate your baggage, major stations have coin lockers and luggage forwarding points, and local courier counters can redirect items to your next destination.
Practical checklist before travel: 1) Phone or message the inn to confirm acceptance; 2) Label shipments with reservation details and arrival date; 3) Pack valuables and travel documents separately and keep them with you; 4) Prepare for a small handling charge for bulky or extended storage. Following these steps reduces surprises on arrival and speeds check-in.
Can traditional Japanese inns store baggage before check-in or after check-out?
Yes – most traditional Japanese inns will hold baggage for same-day early arrivals and for a few hours after checkout; always confirm acceptance, drop-off window and pickup deadline with the property before arrival.
Typical times: standard check-in is usually 15:00–17:00 and checkout 10:00–11:00. Many properties accept items from the morning (roughly 09:00–12:00) and will keep them until check-in; after checkout they commonly store until late afternoon or early evening (about 17:00–19:00).
How to arrange: call or email the inn at least one day prior, give the reservation name, arrival time, number of pieces and approximate sizes, and request confirmation of where and when to drop off or collect.
Size, number and restrictions: small to medium suitcases and boxes are usually fine; oversized items (bicycles, skis, large crates) may be refused or require special handling. Hazardous goods and perishable food are typically not accepted.
Fees and duration: many establishments store items for same-day free of charge; some charge a nominal fee (commonly ¥300–¥1,000 per piece) or set limits on storage duration. Long-term holding beyond 24–72 hours often incurs extra charges or is unavailable.
Security and valuables: reception will generally lock stored items, but keep passports, cash, cameras and other valuables with you or use a forwarding service instead.
Recommended alternative: use national forwarding services (Kuroneko Yamato TA-Q-BIN, Sagawa, Japan Post Yu-Pack) for guaranteed timed delivery. Typical domestic rates vary by size and distance – roughly ¥1,000–¥2,500 for compact to medium parcels, ¥2,500+ for large items. Label shipments with guest name, arrival date and the inn’s full address; schedule delivery for the day before or the morning of check-in.
Arrivals outside reception hours: if front desk closes late, confirm whether there is an after-hours holding procedure; otherwise arrange forwarding or use nearby coin lockers (prices ~¥300–¥800 depending on size and location).
Final tips: get written confirmation of acceptance and pickup deadline, photograph and list contents for claims, and notify the property of any special items at least 24 hours in advance.
Takkyubin acceptance and precise labeling for deliveries to traditional Japanese inns
Yes – most traditional Japanese inns accept takkyubin (courier) parcels; confirm acceptance and any size/date limits with the property at booking.
Label exactly as follows: Guest name (match reservation) in Latin letters + katakana; Arrival date (YYYY/MM/DD) with the note “Arrival” or 到着日; Inn name exactly as on your booking + “Front” or “Reception” (フロント宛); Reservation/booking number; Local contact phone number (+81…). If sending multiple boxes add “1/3, 2/3” etc.
Write key Japanese terms on the label to avoid confusion: 宿泊者名 (guest name), 到着日 (arrival date), 宿名フロント宛 (inn name – front desk), 予約番号 (reservation number), 配達日指定:YYYY/MM/DD (do not deliver before/specified delivery date).
Recommended send window: 1–3 days before arrival. Some properties accept earlier shipments but may charge storage fees; ask for maximum holding period. Standard takkyubin limits: weight ≤25 kg, combined dimensions (L+W+H) ≤160 cm; oversized items require a special courier.
Typical domestic courier costs: roughly ¥800–¥2,500 depending on distance and box size (small/medium/large tariffs). Use Yamato Kuroneko, Sagawa, or Japan Post Yu-Pack for best compatibility.
Items often refused or requiring prior approval: fresh perishables, high-value objects (cash, passports, jewelry), hazardous goods, and devices with unshipped lithium batteries. Mark fragile goods with “Fragile / 割れ物” and use protective packing; add “This side up / こちらを上に” when needed.
Example label (two-line format recommended): “Guest: John Smith / 宿泊者名: ジョン・スミス” – “Arrival: 2025/09/12 / 到着日: 2025年9月12日” – “Inn: [Full inn name] – Front / 宿名フロント宛” – “Reservation #: ABC12345 / 予約番号: ABC12345” – “Phone: +81-90-xxxx-xxxx / 電話”.
Will staff carry suitcases to the room or do guests handle them?
Most Japanese inns will carry suitcases into guest rooms at check-in; very small, family-run guesthouses sometimes expect guests to bring bags inside themselves–confirm assistance when you book.
- Who will help: front-desk attendants or a porter usually handle arrival bags; at busy times the front desk may ask guests to wait while staff retrieve items from reception.
- Where items are placed: staff avoid placing cases directly on tatami mats and will use a wooden-floor entry, a luggage rack, a closet shelf, or a low tray inside the room.
- Oversize and heavy pieces: items around or above 20–30 kg, wooden trunks, or unusually shaped parcels may be refused for room delivery; notify the property in advance if you have large trunks or antiques.
- Late arrival and deliveries: if you arrive after usual check-in hours, request help ahead of time; for pre-shipped gifts or bottles see a red flower or a pink wine.
- Etiquette and practicalities: remove shoes at the entrance; tipping is not expected; point out fragile contents and ask staff to place cases on a hard surface if needed.
- Useful Japanese phrases to request help:
- バッグをお部屋までお願いします。 (Baggu o o-heya made onegaishimasu.) – Please bring my bag to the room.
- 重いものを運んでいただけますか？ (Omoi mono o hakonde itadakemasu ka?) – Could you carry this heavy item?
Are there size, weight or quantity limits for bags accepted by traditional Japanese inns?
Yes. Most small, family-run inns limit items to about two medium suitcases per room; larger ryokan-style properties may accept three or more but still set per-item size and weight caps.
Typical size and weight limits
Common maximums you should assume unless the property states otherwise: total linear dimensions (length + width + height) up to 160 cm and weight up to 25 kg per piece. Many places apply the same thresholds used by domestic courier services.
What to do if you expect oversized, heavy or numerous pieces
Contact the inn before booking and provide exact measurements and count. If items exceed 160 cm/25 kg or you have more than two–three pieces, ask whether they will accept extra items, charge a handling fee, or require advance delivery to a storage facility. For sports equipment, boxed furniture or commercial shipments, request written confirmation of acceptance.
Typical fees, tipping customs and payment methods for baggage handling at Japanese inns
Tipping etiquette
Most traditional inns include porter service with the stay; tipping is not expected. If you want to give a monetary thank-you for exceptional, personalized help with heavy trunks or off-hour service, place ¥1,000–¥2,000 in a small envelope (pochibukuro) labeled 御礼 and hand it directly with both hands. Do not leave cash on the bed or hand it to the front desk for distribution.
Fees and payment methods
Standard handling is usually covered by the room charge; explicit surcharges appear only for extra tasks (multiple stops, oversized items or very remote properties). Typical supplementary fees range ¥500–¥2,000 per item when charged. Ask reception for a written estimate before staff handles multiple pieces.
Pay with Japanese cash for small handling fees. Larger properties accept major credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, JCB, AMEX) and often allow the fee to be posted to the room folio. Urban inns increasingly accept IC cards (Suica/PASMO) and QR/mobile wallets (PayPay, Apple Pay) but rural or family-run establishments may be cash-only. Always request a receipt and confirm whether the charge will appear on the final bill.
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How to arrange early drop-off, long-term storage or late pick-up at a traditional Japanese inn
Contact the inn directly 48–72 hours before your planned drop-off; for peak-season or extended storage request contact 7–14 days prior.
When emailing or calling, give these details in one short message: reservation name (with furigana/katakana), reservation number, check-in and check-out dates, estimated arrival time, number and approximate size of items, desired storage start and end dates, and a mobile phone number. Ask for a written confirmation (email or SMS) of acceptance and any storage deadline.
For courier delivery, ask the sender to schedule arrival for the day before check-in. On the delivery label include: guest name (katakana), check-in date, reservation number, the inn’s full postal address and “For front desk – DO NOT OPEN” in Japanese: フロント預かり・開封厳禁. Confirm with the inn which courier companies they prefer and the latest acceptable arrival date.
If you need long-term holding (more than 7–14 days), request explicit written permission and ask whether extra fees, insurance or a storage agreement apply. Photograph high-value items before handing them over and keep receipts for each piece; retain personal documents and valuables with you unless the inn agrees in writing to hold them.
For late pick-up after checkout, state the exact collection time and confirm a latest-possible pickup hour. If the inn cannot accommodate late collection, arrange same-day forwarding via courier from the inn to your next destination and provide a pre-paid waybill or payment method.
Use this concise email template (English + Japanese) and paste it into your message to the inn:
English:
Reservation name (with phonetic): [Your name / YURUI NA]
Reservation number: [#/Booking ref]
Check-in date: YYYY/MM/DD; Check-out date: YYYY/MM/DD
Estimated arrival at inn: HH:MM on YYYY/MM/DD
Items to drop off/store: [number of bags/boxes, approximate sizes]
Desired storage period: YYYY/MM/DD to YYYY/MM/DD
Mobile phone: +81-XX-XXXX-XXXX
Please confirm acceptance and any fees or limits. Thank you.
日本語：
予約者氏名（フリガナ）：[氏名 / フリガナ]
予約番号：[予約番号]
チェックイン日：YYYY年MM月DD日 チェックアウト日：YYYY年MM月DD日
到着予定時間：YYYY年MM月DD日 HH:MM
お預け希望の荷物：〇個（大きさの目安）
保管希望期間：YYYY年MM月DD日〜YYYY年MM月DD日
携帯番号：+81-XX-XXXX-XXXX
お受け取り可否と追加料金の有無をご連絡ください。よろしくお願いいたします。
If the inn confirms acceptance, forward that confirmation to your courier and write the confirmed arrival date on the package. If acceptance is refused or unclear, arrange delivery to a nearby station delivery locker, a hotel that accepts packages, or a courier service drop-off center instead.
Ahead of travel, save screenshots of the inn’s confirmation and the courier tracking number; present both at check-in to speed handover or pick-up.
