Kumano Kodo Luggage Shuttle Services
Let us take a load off your shoulders, with the convenient Kumano Kodo luggage shuttle services. Have your bags delivered to your next accommodation as you enjoy your walk on the World Heritage Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. Even if you are not walking, some options may also be useful to you.
There are many luggage shuttle service providers including;
- Yama Shuttle Service
- Hikyaku Maruo
- Kodo-no-Mori
- Nonaka Shuttle Service
- Kumano Kodo Shuttle Service
- Yamato Transport
- Luggage Shuttle Service Torii
- Ryujin Bus
Luggage shuttle service is only available from accommodation to accommodation, except for Kii-Tanabe station, Takijiri, Hosshinmon-oji, and Torii-no-Mise (in Hongu at the Zuihoden building).
NOTE: Online booking for luggage shuttle service is only available if accommodations are booked via Kumano Travel.
IMPORTANT: Daily luggage shuttle service needs to be booked at least 10 days in advance.
Map for Luggage Shuttle Online Booking
List of Luggage Shuttle Online Booking
- 1 | Kii-Tanabe Station to/from Takahara
- 2 | Kii-Tanabe Station to/from Chikatsuyu/Nonaka Area
- 3 | Kii-Tanabe Station to/from Hongu Area
- 4 | Takijiri to Takahara
- 5 | Takijiri to Chikatsuyu/Nonaka Area
- 6 | Takijiri to Hongu Area
- 7 | Takahara to/from Chikatsuyu/Nonaka Area
- 8 | Takahara to/from Hongu Area
- 9 | Chikatsuyu/Nonaka Area to/from Hongu Area
- 10 | Within Hongu Area
- 11 | Hongu Area to Koguchi
- 12 | Koguchi to Nachi-Katsuura Area
- 13 | Hongu Area to Nachi-Katsuura Area
- 14 | Hongu Area to Shingu
- 15 | Koguchi to Shingu
- 16 | Hosshinmon-oji to Hongu Area
- 17 | Hongu Area to/from Totsukawa Onsen
- 18 | Shirahama to/from Takahara
- 19 | Shirahama to/from Chikatsuyu/Nonaka Area
- 20 | Shirahama to/from Hongu Area
How to Book
Other Luggage-forwarding Companies
Luggage Storage
Map for Luggage Shuttle Online Booking
Luggage Shuttle Overview Video
List of Luggage Shuttle Online Booking
1 | Kii-Tanabe Station to/from Takahara
This service is for luggage shuttle from the Kii-Tanabe station (in front of the tourist information center) to accommodations in Takahara.
This service is also available from accommodations in Takahara to accommodations in Tanabe.
Delivery: Same-day
Service Providers (Online Booking)
2 | Kii-Tanabe Station to/from Chikatsuyu/Nonaka Area
This service is for luggage shuttle from the Kii-Tanabe station (in front of the tourist information center) to accommodations in Chikatsuyu/Nonaka Area.
This service is also available from accommodations in Chikatsuyu/Nonaka area to accommodations in Tanabe.
Delivery: Same-day
Service Providers (Online Booking)
3 | Kii-Tanabe Station to/from Hongu Area
This service is for luggage shuttle from the Kii-Tanabe station (in front of the tourist information center) to accommodations in Hongu Area.
This service is also available from accommodations in the Hongu area to accommodations in Tanabe.
Delivery: Same-day
Service Providers (Online Booking)
10 | Within Hongu Area
This service is for luggage shuttle within the Hongu area, such as between Yunomine Onsen, Kawayu Onsen, Watarase Onsen, and Hongu town site. Torii-no-Mise in the Zuihoden building next to the stairs of the Kumano Hongu Taisha is also available for the Torii luggage shuttle service.
Delivery: Same-day
Service Providers (Online Booking)
17 | Hongu Area to/from Totsukawa Onsen
This service is for luggage shuttle from Hongu area accommodations and Torii-no-Mise (in the Zuihoden building next to the stairs to the Kumano Hongu Taisha) to/from Totsukawa Onsen. This is the luggage shuttle option for those walking the Hatenashi-toge section of the Kumano Kodo Kohechi route.
Delivery: Same-day
Service Providers (Online Booking)
How to Book
Luggage shuttles need to be booked at least 10 days in advance. This can be done via the Kumano Travel Community Reservation System.
Please visit our how to book page for details on how to use this reservation system.
Luggage Shuttle (Yama Shuttle Service) >>
Luggage Shuttle (Yamato Transport) >>
NOTE: Online booking for luggage shuttle service is only available if accommodations are booked via Kumano Travel.
Thank you in advance for traveling responsibly by booking locally!
Any questions? Contact us >>
Other Luggage-forwarding Companies
There are other companies that can ship luggage all over the country, two of which are outlined below.
They offer an efficient, secure world-class services, and very reasonably priced. Next day service is available for regional deliveries.
These services do not need to be booked in advance.
Possible ways to use these services if you do not need same day deliver:
1. Ship your luggage from the beginning of your walk to the end. You can then travel light with a day pack during your walk.
2. Ship your luggage to the half way point of your walk, then again to the end. This way you can have access to your main luggage to regroup.
3. Ship your luggage from Kii-Katsuura to the Hongu area if you are walking two days from south to north along the Ogumotori-goe and Kogumotori-goe sections of the Kumano Kodo.
Yamato Transport (Kuroneko)
One of the shipping companies that can send luggage across Japan is Yamato Transport (Kuroneko). The logo mark for Yamato is a yellow oval with a black cat carrying a kitten in its mouth.
This luggage-forwarding service can be used at many major hotels, convenience stores, and other designated establishments.
The Yamato Transport service is often referred to as TA-Q-BIN?
On this "What is TA-Q-BIN?" page there is the method describing the size and weight measures, and how to fill out a shipping label. Shipping labels are available at places that offer this service.
Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) website >>
Size and Price
The size of package is calculated by adding the length, width, and height.
Maximum size is when the combined total of the length, width, and height (A+B+C) is 160 cm. The maximum weight is 25 kg.
This chart is an estimate for within the Kansai area. Please note, prices may change slightly depending on taxes.
Payment
There are two methods of payment; pay when shipping and pay on delivery.
Pay when shipping means paying on the spot when sending the luggage.
NOTE: Cash only is accepted for this service at most places.
Pay on delivery is when the person receiving the package pays. This is more complicated to set up as the person on the other end has to be willing to accept the package. Major hotels can receive pay on deliver, but often charge a handling fee to the guests when they hand over the package.
When shipping your luggage it is always easier to pay when shipping.
It is also a nice courtesy to inform the accommodation when you are sending your luggage that they will be arriving by mail.
Japan Post Office
The Japan Post Office offers a very similar service regarding price, size and delivery times to Yamato Transport. You can send your luggage from Post Offices across the country. This service is also available at some convenience stores.
The Japan Post shipping service is called Yu-Pack.
Japan Post Office website >>
Luggage Storage
For those that do not need luggage shuttle each day, there is luggage storage available near the Kii-Tanabe train station at the Kumano Travel: Travel Support Center.