You can send your suitcase from Tokyo to Kyoto on the Shinkansen for same-day delivery… but it’ll cost you

Overlooked luggage-forwarding service will become easier to use this autumn, especially for tourists staying in private rentals like Airbnbs.

A ride on the Shinkansen is one of the most enjoyable ways to get around Japan, but the only downside is having to deal with your luggage during the journe y.

There does appear to be light at the end of the tunnel, though, as companies are now coming up with new services that allow travellers to send their suitcases to their destinations so they can travel hands-free in ways that are easier than ever befor e.

One of the newest services is “ Luggage Express ”, a luggage delivery service from JTB that uses the Tokaido Shinkansen to transport bags between Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka .

First launched in November last year, Luggage Express remains relatively unknown compared to other more widely used road-based luggage forwarding services like Takkyubin , provided by Yamato Transport .

However, unlike Yamato and other truck-based providers, who generally offer next-day delivery between Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, Luggage Express has speed on its side .

By using the Tokaido bullet train service, Luggage Express can get your bags there on the very same day , which remains rare for such a long-distance delivery route.

Same-day delivery makes luggage forwarding even more stress-free, as you don’t have to pack a change of clothes into a day bag while waiting for your luggage to arrive the next day.

Plus, you don’t have to waste time frantically looking for an elevator to make your connection in Tokyo’s labyrinthine stations, only to give up and take the stairs.

Previously, using Luggage Express wasn’t entirely simple, as pickup and dropoff was only available at hotels, airports, and three train stations – Tokyo , Kyoto and Osaka – with a prior online booking.

However, a new partnership announced this week is about to make it easier for foreign tourists to use – from September, Luggage Express will be integrated with Bounce , a global luggage-storage platform that has thousands of convenient locations in Japan.

By teaming up with Bounce, the same-day service opens up luggage-forwarding to a wider range of tourists, including those staying at private accommodation rentals like Airbnbs .

Many luggage-forwarding services require a hotel address with a staffed check-in desk for delivery, so the new tie-up with Bounce lets people in vacation rentals forward their luggage to a nearby Bounce location for pickup and dropoff.

Travellers will be able to arrange delivery in multiple languages through the multilingual Bounce app by selecting their desired Bounce dropoff location, delivery date, destination and number of bags.