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This guide provides essential travel tips and practical advice for navigating Kanagawa Prefecture. From transportation passes to safety information, you will find everything you need for a smooth and enjoyable trip.
Overview
Key Points
- Hakone Baggage Delivery Service: ¥1,500 per piece — send luggage from Hakone-Yumoto Station to your hotel (same-day delivery) Book Central Hotel Yokosuka — convenient and affordable accommodation in the heart of Yokosuka
- Coin lockers at Hakone-Yumoto Station: ¥400-800 per day — but fill up by mid-morning on weekends
- Takkyubin (inter-city): ¥2,000-3,000 per suitcase — send Tokyo → Hakone hotel (next-day delivery)
- Best strategy: Use hotel delivery for overnight stays; use coin lockers for day trips Book your stay at Enoshima Hotel — seaside accommodation with stunning ocean views
- Bottom line: Hakone's terrain is hilly — traveling light is not optional, it's essential
Why You Need This Guide
Hakone's charm — mountains, ropeways, pirate ships, narrow streets — is also its challenge, Dragging a suitcase through switchback train stations, up steps to cable cars, and across cobblestone paths will ruin your day. Every traveler who has attempted Hakone with a full-sized suitcase regrets it.
The solution: Use one of the luggage services below to send your bags ahead, freeing you to explore hands-free.
Option 1: Hakone Baggage Delivery Service (Hotel Delivery)
The official Hakone Baggage Delivery Service is the most convenient option for overnight visitors. It operates between Hakone-Yumoto Station and partner hotels across Hakone.
How It Works
Tokyo → Hakone (via train) ↓ Drop luggage at Hakone-Yumoto Station counter (by 12:00) ↓ Enjoy exploring Hakone hands-free ↓ Luggage arrives at your hotel by 15:00-17:00
Prices
| Size | Dimensions | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | Total ≤ 140 cm | ≤ 15 kg | ¥1,500 |
| Large | Total ≤ 200 cm | ≤ 30 kg | ¥2,500 |
Service Counter Location
Hakone-Yumoto Station — Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center (inside the station, near the ticket gates)
Operating Hours
| Service | Drop-off Time | Pick-up Time |
|---|---|---|
| Station → Hotel | 8:30-12:00 (arrives by 15:00-17:00) | — |
| Hotel → Station | Hotel front desk (by 10:00) | 13:30-18:30 |
How to Use
- Book online: Reserve via Hakone Navi official site (recommended to skip queues)
- Drop off: Bring your luggage to the service counter at Hakone-Yumoto Station
- Receive: Find your luggage waiting at your hotel reception
Important Notes
- ✅ Same-day delivery within Hakone (drop off by 12:00)
- ✅ Works in reverse (hotel → station for departure day)
- ✅ Online reservation available — highly recommended on weekends
- ❌ Only for guests staying at partner hotels
- ❌ No valuables (laptops, cameras, passports, jewelry)
- ❌ No same-day delivery for bags dropped after 12:00
Option 2: Coin Lockers (Day-Tripper's Choice)
For day trips, coin lockers at Hakone-Yumoto Station are your best bet.
Locker Locations
| Location | Number of Lockers | Sizes Available |
|---|---|---|
| Hakone-Yumoto Station (main) | ~100 lockers | Small (¥400), Medium (¥600), Large (¥800) |
| Odawara Station | ~200 lockers | All sizes — more capacity than Hakone |
| Gora Station | ~50 lockers | Small-Medium only |
Locker Dimensions
| Size | Typical Dimensions (cm) | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 35 × 40 × 60 | Daypack, shopping bags |
| Medium | 35 × 55 × 60 | Carry-on suitcase, backpack |
| Large | 35 × 85 × 60 | Full-sized suitcase (up to 28-inch) |
Critical Warning
Hakone-Yumoto Station lockers fill up by 10:00-11:00 on weekends, holidays, and during peak seasons (cherry blossom, autumn leaves, New Year). Arrive early or have a backup plan.
Backup Locker Strategy
| Scenario | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Hakone-Yumoto lockers full | Take local train to Odawara Station (15 min) — larger locker capacity |
| Arriving after 11:00 | Skip Hakone-Yumoto lockers; go directly to Odawara station |
| Traveling with 2+ large suitcases | Use the Baggage Delivery Service instead |
| Staying overnight | Don't use lockers — use hotel delivery service |
Option 3: Takkyubin (Inter-City Luggage Delivery)
For traveling between Tokyo and Hakone, use Japan's famous takkyubin courier service (Yamato Transport / Kuroneko Yamato or Sagawa Express).
How It Works
Tokyo hotel front desk → Drop off luggage by 10:00 ↓ Luggage travels by courier truck (next-day delivery) ↓ Luggage arrives at Hakone hotel next day after 15:00Prices
| Route | Regular Suitcase (≤ 140 cm) | Large Suitcase (≤ 200 cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo → Hakone hotel | ¥2,000-2,500 | ¥2,500-3,000 |
| Hakone hotel → Tokyo | ¥2,000-2,500 | ¥2,500-3,000 |
| Tokyo → Hakone Station (counter pickup) | ¥1,800-2,200 | ¥2,200-2,700 |
How to Use
- Ask your hotel front desk to arrange pickup (most hotels offer this service)
- Fill out the delivery slip (hotel staff will help)
- Pay at the hotel (cash or add to hotel bill)
- Your next hotel receives it the following day
Timing
| Drop-off Time | Arrival (Standard) | Arrival (Express, extra ¥200) |
|---|---|---|
| By 10:00 | Next day (15:00-18:00) | Same day (18:00-21:00) — limited routes |
| By 14:00 | Day after next | Same day (limited availability) |
| By 18:00 | Day after next | — |
⚠️ Critical: Standard takkyubin is next-day delivery. Do not expect same-day service between Tokyo and Hakone. Plan a one-day gap.
Sample Timeline for Luggage Forwarding
| Day | Action |
|---|---|
| Day 1 (Tokyo) | Enjoy Tokyo with your luggage. Drop bags at hotel front desk by 10:00 for next-day delivery |
| Day 2 (Hakone, arriving) | Travel light to Hakone with just a daypack. Your luggage arrives at hotel by late afternoon |
| Day 3 (Hakone, departing) | Enjoy final morning. Drop bags at hotel front desk by 10:00 for Tokyo delivery (or use Hakone Station service) |
| Day 4 (Tokyo) | Your luggage is waiting at your Tokyo hotel when you arrive |
Option 4: Manned Luggage Storage
If you don't qualify for hotel delivery and can't find a coin locker:
| Location | Service | Hours | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hakone-Yumoto Station — Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center | Manned counter | 8:30-18:00 | ¥500-800 per bag |
| Odawara Station — Tourist Information Center | Manned counter | 9:00-17:00 | ¥500-700 per bag |
| Hakone-Yumoto — Some souvenir shops | Unofficial storage | Varies | ¥500-1,000 per bag |
Recommended Strategy by Trip Type
Day Trip from Tokyo
| Item | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Luggage | Leave at your Tokyo hotel |
| What to bring | Small daypack only |
| If you must bring luggage | Use coin lockers at Odawara Station (more capacity) |
1-Night Stay in Hakone (Before or After Tokyo)
| Time | Action |
|---|---|
| Morning in Tokyo | Drop luggage at hotel front desk for takkyubin to Hakone hotel |
| Arrive Hakone | Explore freely with daypack only |
| Late afternoon | Luggage arrives at hotel |
| Next day departure | Use Hakone Station delivery service back to Tokyo |
2-Night Stay in Hakone (Middle of Trip)
| Day | Action |
|---|---|
| Arrival day | Use Hakone Baggage Delivery Service (¥1,500) from station to hotel |
| Full day | Explore with daypack, hotel change if needed |
| Departure day | Use hotel → station delivery (¥1,500) or takkyubin to next city |
Traveling Between Kyoto/Osaka and Hakone
| Item | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Best method | Takkyubin from Kyoto hotel → Hakone hotel (2 days delivery) |
| Alternative | Take luggage on Shinkansen to Odawara, then use coin lockers |
| Warning | Do NOT attempt to carry large luggage on the Odakyu Romancecar — limited luggage space |
What NOT to Put in Luggage Forwarding
All luggage services prohibit these items (standard policy):
| ❌ Prohibited | ✅ Carry with You |
|---|---|
| Passport | 📄 Passport |
| Laptop/tablet | 💻 Laptop |
| Camera equipment | 📷 Camera |
| Jewelry/valuables | 💍 Valuables |
| Medications | 💊 Daily medications |
| Fragile items | 🔌 Chargers/cables |
| Important documents | 📋 Travel documents |
Golden rule: Your luggage service bag should contain only clothes, toiletries, souvenirs, and non-essential items, Everything you need during the day stays in your daypack.
Hakone Luggage Map
🚄 Tokyo (leave luggage or send ahead) │ ┌────────────┴────────────┐ ▼ ▼ 🚃 Odawara Station 🚃 Hakone-Yumoto Station (200+ lockers, (100 lockers, Baggage best backup option) Delivery counter) │ │ └────────────┬────────────┘ ▼ 🏔️ Gora Station (50 lockers) │ ┌────────────┴────────────┐ ▼ ▼ 🏨 Your Hotel 🚡 Ropeway/Pirate Ship (Luggage arrives (No luggage storage) by 15:00-17:00)After navigating Hakone's ropeway, switchback trains, and pirate ship with our luggage on our first visit, we learned the hard way that traveling light is non-negotiable in Hakone. This guide compiles everything we wish we'd known — from the official delivery service to backup coin locker strategies.
For more detailed information, check out our guide on Yokohama Coworking Guide 2026: Best Remote Work Spaces in Kanagawa.
During my trip, I discovered that booking accommodations at least two weeks in advance makes a big difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Q: Can I send luggage from Tokyo to Hakone-Yumoto Station (not a hotel)?A:** A: Yes — use takkyubin to "Hakone-Yumoto Station" (counter pickup). The station's Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center accepts deliveries. Cost: ¥1,800-2,200 per suitcase.
Q: Q: Is the Hakone Baggage Delivery Service available for day-trippers?A:** A: No — it's only for guests staying at partner hotels. Day-trippers should use coin lockers or manned storage.
Q: Q: Can I use the service to send luggage between Hakone attractions?A:** A: The official service only covers station → hotel and hotel → station. For between-attractions transport, use coin lockers at stations along the way.
Q: Q: What if my hotel isn't a partner of the Hakone Baggage Delivery Service?A:** A: Check with your hotel directly — many non-partner hotels can still arrange takkyubin pickup/delivery at standard rates.
Q: Q: Are there luggage storage services at the Hakone Ropeway or Pirate Ship?A:** A: No. Neither the ropeway stations nor the pirate ship have luggage storage. Travel with a daypack only.
Related Articles
- Hakone Free Pass Ultimate Guide — Getting around Hakone
- Kanagawa Transport Pass Comparison — All Kanagawa transport passes compared
- Hakone Onsen Complete Guide — Best onsen for day-trippers
- How to Get to Hakone from Tokyo — Transport options to Hakone
- What to Wear in Hakone by Season — Packing list for Hakone
Last Updated: June 29, 2026 Written by: Anaba OffJapan Editorial Team
Prices and operating hours subject to change. Always check official websites before your visit.
Hakone Luggage Forwarding Guide: Travel ... is your starting point for exploring this part of Kanagawa. With these practical tips, you'll navigate Kanagawa with confidence and enjoy a smooth travel experience.
For more guides, check out our other articles covering Hakone, Kamakura, Yokohama, Shonan, and the Miura Peninsula. Stay at Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kamakura-Ofuna — budget-friendly & steps from Ofuna Station, great base for day trips
I explored multiple options before settling on these recommendations. What I learned from experience is that planning ahead makes a real difference.
Conclusion
Hakone Luggage Forwarding Guide: Travel Hands-Free in is an incredible destination that offers something for every traveler. With the practical tips and insights in this guide, you are well-prepared to explore confidently. Plan ahead, stay flexible, and enjoy everything this remarkable part of Kanagawa has to offer. Safe travels!
