Takuhaibin Delivery Services

Takuhaibin (‘î”z•Ö) is a convenient, moderately priced service for sending parcels, luggage and other types of goods from door to door nationwide. Delivery is usually on the next day.

Yamato Transport started the service in the 1970s and remains the market leader with their Takkyubin service. Although it is a registered trademark, Takkyubin is commonly used to refer to takuhaibin services in general. Yamato Transport's main competitors are Sagawa Express and Japan Post.

Types of goods

The range of goods that can be sent by delivery services has been increasing over the years. Today it includes regular parcels, oversized boxes, cooled or frozen foods, computers, ski and golf equipment, not-to-be-wrinkled clothes, furniture, travel bags and suitcases.

Drop-off and pick-up locations

Goods can be sent from your home by scheduling a pick-up time with the nearest service center or from your hotel by inquiring at the hotel reception.

Alternatively, goods can be dropped off at most of the countless convenience stores found across Japan, luggage counters at airports and major railway stations, a variety of other stores that display a takuhaibin sign and takuhaibin service centers. Some stores, such as souvenir shops, can arrange purchased goods to be directly sent to a designated recipient.

Similarly, goods can be delivered to basically any address in Japan, including private homes, offices, most hotels, airports and takuhaibin service centers.

Tourists with a lot of luggage can consider takuhaibin as a means to send their luggage from the airport to a hotel or between hotels, in order to avoid hauling heavy luggage onto crowded trains and up and down stairways.

You can find the counters of several takuhaibin delivery companies in the arrival lobbies of airports. If you intend to send luggage to a hotel, consult with the hotel before doing so. Some smaller hotels may not be able to accept deliveries due to lack of storage space.

Delivery time and cost

Delivery is usually on the next day, although for short distances same-day deliveries may be possible. On the other hand, sending parcels to distant locations, such as Hokkaido or Okinawa, can take two days. Desired drop-off dates and times can be specified. Many companies allow deliveries to be delayed for a few days (typically by up to one week). Express options at a higher cost are also offered by some of the companies.

The cost of using takuhaibin depends on the type, size and weight of the package and the destination. Below are some typical prices just to give a rough idea:

Regular parcel (less than 10 kg):

• Within Greater Tokyo area: 1500 yen
• From Tokyo to Osaka/Kyoto: 1700 yen
• From Tokyo to Kyushu: 2100 yen
• From Tokyo to Hokkaido: 2100 yen
• From Tokyo to Okinawa: 2700 yen

Suitcase (less than 25 kg):

• Within Greater Tokyo area: 2500 yen
• From Tokyo to Osaka/Kyoto: 2600 yen
• From Tokyo to Kyushu: 3000 yen
• From Tokyo to Hokkaido: 3000 yen
• From Tokyo to Okinawa: 4700 yen
• Tokyo to Narita Airport: 3200 yen
• Osaka/Kyoto to Kansai Airport: 3200 yen