I’ve written about this briefly in my “What kind of luggage do I need for Japan?” but I highly recommend an extra bag inside your suitcase for additional shopping purchases but, basically, when I travel with my kids I like to have an ikea style zip up bag with me for when we are on trains and go into restaurants- everyone peels off their jackets and gives them to me and I return them to the fam once we are outside again. This style of bag can also be used for additional items (particularly if it has a zipper) you have accumulated along your travels.
But what to do with extra luggage while you’re in Japan?
Of course you can keep forwarding your luggage on as you move, but what about when it’s time to go home?
Of course, first thing I recommend doing is looking at your airline’s website. Double check your luggage allowance and rules on extra bags as well as the cost for additional weight.
Can I send my luggage to my home country from Japan?
You definitely can.
You will need to compare costs vs the additional weight charges (as dictated by your airline). You will also need to think about how quickly you need those extra items. Can you wait a week or so? Or is it worth paying extra at the airport to have it with you right away?
Where can I post my luggage to my home country from Japan?
Best thing to do – google “post office near me.” If you needed to ask someone, the Japanese word for post office is yubinkyoku (郵便局)
How will I know how much it will cost to send a parcel from Japan to my home country?
Japan Post has made it really easy to calculate the costs AND the time the parcel will take to reach your home address on the Japan Post website here.
Can I choose express postage from Japan to my home country?
Yes, if you’d like. As you can see on the Japan Post website here , you can select:
1) EMS (priority service with tracking – only an option for parcels less than 30kgs)
2) International postage ( with tracking- only an option for parcels less than 30kgs)
3) Small packet postage (this is for parcels under 2kgs and meeting certain measurement requirements)
How long will a parcel take from Japan to my home country?
Fill in the online for here for the exact cost and how long it will take. The site will also lead you to an option to print out a form to take to the post office and will give you a checklist of items not allowed to be posted to your own country.
Do I need a printer for my postage label to send a parcel internationally from Japan?
No. The label is sent to your email address as a QR code to be shown at the post office.
If you’d prefer, you can select a printable option and ask the front desk at your hotel in Japan to print it out on your behalf.
How do I set up all the customs information for sending a parcel overseas from Japan?
This is the other step you need to compete online (on your phone or on a pc.)
You will need to fill out and register for an “International My Mail Page” service – all instructions in English are here. You will need to answer questions about the box contents, whether or not your parcel contains dangerous goods and you will also need to list the cost of items packed.
If I am a tourist in Japan, what is my sending address while sending a parcel overseas?
You can use your hotel’s address as your sender address + your phone number or email address.
When are Japanese post offices open?
Most post offices are open 9am-5pm and are closed on weekends. Certain post offices stay open a few hours later and some even have weekend hours -but that may mean you have to travel further. Google “post office near me” in Japan for a list of options and you can then also cross-check the operational hours.
How can I measure and weigh my parcel before sending if I’m travelling?
Another reason to stay at a hotel over an airbnb – hotels in Japan need to have scales and tape measures available at all times in order to forward luggage within Japan for guests. I doubt you’ll have trouble asking, but, just in case, メジャーis a tape measure and 荷物はかり・郵便はかりis for bags or parcel/mail scales.
Where can I buy a box to ship items overseas from Japan?
It’s best to buy a fresh box as used fruit and vegetable boxes may not be allowed due to different customs laws in different countries. So it is best to buy a sturdy cardboard box from a home centre (google “home centre near me”) or a 100 yen store.
The post offices in Japan usually only sell the boxes for domestic shipping so I recommend not bothering asking there first – unless you happen to be walking by already and want to try your luck.
Is there a service in Japan where I can organize for someone to collect a parcel from my hotel and mail it to my home country?
Japan does have approx 15 FedEx offices. is known for being one of the most expensive options. See the FedEx Japan website here if you would like to arrange for pick up from your hotel. Sending a 10kg parcel from Tokyo to Australia will cost at least 46,000 yen. Please be sure to ask about whether you will need to pay for taxes when posting or once the parcel arrives in your home country – and ask for an estimated price. This service is mostly used by companies who are sending documents around the world quickly.
Japan does have approx 20 DHL offices. DHL is known for being one of the most expensive options.
Please note that you will have to set up a DHL account before starting the postage process from Japan. Please be sure to ask about whether you will need to pay for taxes when posting or once the parcel arrives in your home country – and ask for an estimated price. This service is mostly used by companies who are sending documents around the world quickly.
Japan does have 5 UPS offices. UPS is known for being one of the most expensive options. You can choose Worldwide Express Saver or Worldwide Expedited or Worldwide Economy. See the UPS website for details on commercial invoices etc that you may require ahead of time.
The Yamato Takyubin service in Japan can collect some parcels from your home for international shipping (see below.)
Can the Japanese Yamato Takyubin service not assist me with sending my luggage overseas?
For some countries they can (it’s best to use the Japan Post website to compare prices and timings though.). Please note that, apart from documents, Yamato cannot send parcels to the following countries: China, The Philippines, Canada, Mexica, Portugal, Russia, Argentina, Paraguay, Brail, Venezuela, Qatar, Saudi Arabia. See how to send a parcel overseas using this service here – it also lists the additional documents you will require such as a Waybill with invoice.
The Yamato offices at the airports can also assist with last minute shipping decisions.
