Japan has one of the world's finest domestic parcel delivery systems, and for golf travellers it is nothing short of transformative. The takkyubin (宅急便) system — operated primarily by Yamato Transport (the black cat logo), Sagawa Express, and Japan Post — allows you to send your golf bag from your current hotel to your next hotel, or directly to the golf course, for ¥1,500–¥2,500 per shipment. It arrives the next day, often same-day within a region, in perfect condition.
Understanding this system is one of the most liberating pieces of practical knowledge for a golfer making a multi-city Japan trip. Once you've arrived at a hotel to find your bag waiting at the front desk, you'll wonder how you managed international golf travel without it.
How It Works
The concept is elegantly simple. You hand your golf bag to a designated pickup point — your hotel's reception desk — along with a completed delivery slip showing the destination address. The bag is collected, transported through Yamato's network, and delivered to the destination within the agreed time window.
For hotel-to-hotel delivery within the same region (e.g., Tokyo to Hakone, or Osaka to Kyoto), same-day delivery is often possible if collected before 12:00. Cross-island delivery (e.g., Tokyo to Sapporo) requires next-day delivery, booked the evening before.
Step-by-Step Process
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1Ask your hotel reception for help Major hotels — especially those accustomed to foreign guests — have Yamato or Sagawa delivery slips at the front desk and staff trained to assist. Simply say "golf bag delivery to [next destination]" and they'll walk you through the slip.
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2Provide the destination address in Japanese The delivery slip requires the destination address in Japanese. Your next hotel or golf course can provide this when you make your booking. A concierge service can prepare all your address labels in advance.
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3Specify the delivery date and time window Request delivery for a specific date and time window (e.g., "tomorrow morning between 08:00 and 12:00"). For deliveries to a golf course, specify "morning of [date]" so the bag arrives before your tee time.
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4Pay the fee Typically ¥1,500–¥2,500 per golf bag depending on distance and size. Payment is by cash or IC card (Suica, Pasmo) at most pickup points.
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5Receive your tracking number A slip with your tracking number is provided immediately. You can track the delivery online — Yamato's tracking page has an English interface at kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en.
Shipping from Airports
Both Narita International Airport and Haneda Airport have Yamato Transport counters in the arrivals hall. This is one of the most useful services available to arriving international golfers:
- Collect your golf bag from the baggage carousel
- Proceed to the Yamato counter (clearly signposted at both airports)
- Complete the delivery slip — staff will assist in English
- Send the bag directly to your first hotel or golf course
- Travel into Tokyo by Narita Express or Limousine Bus unencumbered
The bag will typically arrive at your hotel the same afternoon or the following morning. New Chitose Airport (Sapporo / Hokkaido) has the same service available in the arrivals hall.
Sending Directly to a Golf Course
Many Japanese golf courses accept bag deliveries and will hold your clubs in their bag storage until you arrive for your round. This is particularly useful when you're not staying overnight near the course.
To send directly to a course:
- Confirm with the course (via your concierge) that they accept pre-arrival bag deliveries
- Obtain the course's Japanese address and the specific recipient name to write on the delivery slip — usually the reception or pro shop department
- Note the course's office hours — most courses open from 07:00 on playing days
- Include your name, contact number, and tee time on a note attached to the bag
Packing Requirements
Standard bags without a travel cover are accepted but at higher risk of damage. A lightweight travel cover is strongly recommended — available at golf shops in Japan if you don't have one.
Tees, ball markers, and small accessories must be secured in zipped pockets. The carrier may refuse bags with unsecured items that create noise or damage risk.
Use club socks or a towel around the heads to prevent impact damage during transit. The clubs should not rattle freely inside the bag.
Items in open pockets can be damaged or lost during handling. Check every pocket is fully zipped before handing over the bag.
Cost Summary
| Route | Approximate Cost |
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| Within the same prefecture (e.g., Tokyo to Chiba) | ¥1,500 |
| Between adjacent prefectures (e.g., Tokyo to Kanagawa / Shizuoka) | ¥1,700 – ¥2,000 |
| Between distant regions (e.g., Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka to Hokkaido) | ¥2,000 – ¥2,800 |
| Optional insurance (for declared value over ¥30,000) | + ¥100 – ¥300 |
All fees are per bag, per shipment. A standard golf bag (including travel cover) typically falls in the medium-to-large oversized category. Payment is made at the time of handover — cash or IC card.
Multi-City Trip Strategy
For a two-week Japan trip visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hokkaido with golf at each stop, the optimal shipping strategy looks like this:
Timing Guide
Planning your send dates correctly is the most important part of the process:
- Same-region delivery (e.g., Tokyo to Hakone, Osaka to Kyoto): Send the evening before travel — bag arrives the following morning
- Cross-region delivery (e.g., Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Sapporo): Send at least two days before you need it
- Sending to a golf course for same-day play: Send two days in advance minimum. Confirm the course's receiving hours — some clubs only accept deliveries during set hours and cannot hold bags received outside that window
- Sending from the airport on arrival: Arrange before you leave home — have your first hotel's Japanese address ready so you can complete the delivery slip at the Yamato counter without delay