Kumano Kodo Luggage Transfer Service (Key Info And Pricing)

Japan has everything on tap – from vending machines for cooked wagyu beef, to roaming robots that serve you sake.

Of course, they’ve figured out a way to make hiking easier too!

The Kumano Kodo is a World Heritage Site and one of Japan’s most popular pilgrimage trails, attracting thousands of visitors every year. And while absolutely stunning, you’ll still have over 70km of ground to cover, and 4000m+ of elevation to gain – It’s also not for the faint-hearted.

One way to lighten the load, and make the experience a whole lot more enjoyable is by using a luggage transfer service. Or, like we did, you can get your ‘rest of Japan’ luggage sent to the very end so you only carry what you need for the 4-6 days of hiking.

In this blog post, I’ll explain what Japan’s baggage transfer services are, how they work, and how to best use them to help you complete the Kumano Kodo.

Read More: You can read my complete guide to the Kumano Kodo here or check out some of my other detailed guides below.

Understanding How The Kumano Kodo Trail Works

The Kumano Kodo is a network of ancient pilgrimage trails that spans across the Kii Peninsula in Japan. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004 and attracts thousands of visitors every year.

The trail is divided into several routes, each with its own unique characteristics and attractions. The most popular routes are the Nakahechi, Kohechi, and Iseji.

• The Nakahechi route is the most well-known and takes hikers through beautiful forests, past waterfalls, and over mountain passes.
• The Kohechi route is more challenging and takes hikers through remote mountain villages and over rugged terrain.
• The Iseji route is less traveled and takes hikers along the coast and through small fishing villages.

Each route will take you through small towns along the way where you’ll find lodgings for the night. These are known as Ryokan (Japanese Ins) or Minshuka (Japanese guest house).

Even though you’ve been traversing mountains by foot, these towns are accessible by road and the luggage transfer service will drive in and drop off your belongings.

Do You Need A Luggage Transfer Service For The Kumano Kodo?

If you don’t want to cary your gear each day and would be more comfortable with a day pack you can opt for a luggage transfer service to take your bags to each destination ahead of time.

The Kumano Kodo is pretty hilly.

On the Nakahechi Route you’ll be doing over 4000m of elevation gain.

Thus, its a good idea to keep your backpack light.

That’s where using on of Japans famous luggage transfer services on the Kumano Kodo trail comes in.

With this service, you can have your luggage transported from one accommodation to the next, allowing you to fully enjoy your hike without the added burden of carrying heavy bags. \

Not only does the luggage transfer service lighten your load, but it also adds a level of convenience to your journey. You won’t have to worry about carrying extra clothes, toiletries, or any other bulky items. Instead, you can focus on the beautiful scenery and spiritual experience of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage.

What I Did:
I hiked the Kumano Kodo in July 2023 and definitely underestimated the physicality of the trail. It was peak summer – circa 35 degrees – and the thought of carrying a full 70L hiking pack was not sounding like much fun.

We opted to have our ‘rest of Japan’ luggage taken from Tanabe (the start of the track) to Kii Katsura (The End). That way we only had to carry exactly what we needed for 5 days hiking and nothing more..

We then packed super light, only a couple of changes of clothes and the essential toiletries, camera, and phones, etc. We also left room for LOTS of water, and food and you’ll need to cary your lunch with you each day.

3 Kumano Kodo Luggage Transfer Options:

Option 1: Luggage Transfer Each Day

Let’s call this the luxury option. (though it’s actually pretty affordable).

You’ll get a bag sent from one accommodation to the next – so while you’re walking the bag will get dropped off in time for your arrival

This bag can have a fresh change of clothes, toiletries, computer, games, food – anything you may need in your downtime between arriving that day and setting off the next morning.

You’ll still need to carry a small back, but that only needs to contain water, your lunch, and maybe a rain jacket.

Super light!

Note: it is important to note that the luggage transfer service is not available at all accommodations on the trail. However, many of the major accommodations do offer this service, so be sure to check ahead of time and book in advance. Additionally, there may be weight and size restrictions for your luggage, so be sure to check with your accommodation or the luggage transfer service provider.

Option 2: Luggage Transfer To The End Of The Trail

This is what we ended up deciding on. We realized there was a bunch of stuff we needed for the rest of the trip (like nice clothes, a second pair of shoes, and souvenirs) that we definitely didn’t need to carry over a mountain range.

The obvious answer was to fill a bag with all these things and then get them sent to our final accommodation in Kii Katsura for when we finish the trail. We then packed two smaller hiking packs with our essentials like food, water, and hiking clothes, and evening clothes so you can have something clean to wear each night in the ryokan.

This ends up being a bigger bag than if you went with option 1.. but still a whole lot better than carrying your souvenir bottle of sake with you.

I’m a pretty stubborn ‘I’ll do it myself’ hiker but i was glad to have used the service – it’s too easy not to!

Read More: Checkout my recommended kumano kodo packing list in this article

Option 3: Leave your luggage in a Coin Locker at a central location

One option we were also considering was to leave the bag at one central location, like Osaka airport or Kii Tanabe station, and collect it on the way back.

FYI: Japan love their ‘coin lockers’. Almost every station has a bank of these, where you pay a small fee (from 300 – 700 yen typically) to have your belongings locked away for up to 3 days. (Note: you can extend this time period if you need).

For example. We were leaving for the Nakahetchi route from Kii Tanabe station. And coming home would involve taking the train back through Tanabe. We could jump off the train, grab our gear, and get on the next train back to Osaka.  

You could also leave your bags in Osaka central if you’re heading back through there as theres hundreds of lockers availbile.

What’s The Best Kumano Kodo Luggage Transfer Service?

Here are some of the best Kumano Kodo luggage transfer services available:

What I used: I used the Yamoto service from the Kii Tanabe 7-Eleven. We rocked up on the morning we were leaving for the hike, paid about $15USD equivalent, and magically our bag turned up again 4 days later.

1. Kumano Kodo Luggage Shuttle Service

Recommendation: Best if you want daily luggage transfers to your next accommodation

The Kumano Kodo Luggage Shuttle Service is a convenient and reliable option for transporting your luggage along the Kumano Kodo trail. They offer daily luggage transportation between accommodations along the trail, so you can walk without the burden of heavy bags. You can book their service online or through your accommodation.

The Booking Process:
To use Kumano Travel’s transfer service, you need to book it at least 10 days in advance. You can book online through the website, or you can contact their customer service team for assistance. When booking, you will need to provide information such as the number of bags you want to transfer, your pickup and drop-off points, and your contact information.

Advantages:
The nice thing with Kumano Travel is everything can be done in English, unlike the other options where you’ll probably need to find someone to help you scribe out the forms in Japanese.

2. Yamato

Recommendation: Best if you want luggage transferred to the end of the trail, or you have made bookings outside of Kumano Travel

Yamato is also called “kuroneko” or “black cat” and can be spotted by the black cat on their vans. They are also available at convenience stores (Like Family Mart and 7-Eleven). .

Booking:
Simply turn up with your bag at a convenience store and staff will help you. No need to book – nice! The one catch is you’ll probably need help filling out the form as it’s in japanese (we got the owner of our hostel to assit!)

Note: They don’t offer a SAME DAY delivery service which means you’ll need to set your pack the night before – a bit of a pain if you want to send your sleepwear and toiletries too.

Link to their website

3. Oku Japan Luggage Transfer

Oku Japan offers a luggage transfer service for their Kumano Kodo tours. They will pick up your luggage from your accommodation each morning and transport it to your next destination. This service is available on their guided and self-guided tours, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

4. Takyubin Courier Service

Takyubin is a popular courier service in Japan that offers luggage transportation services. They have a convenient delivery system that allows you to send your luggage from your current accommodation to your next destination. You can book their service online or through your accommodation.

Overall, there are several reliable and convenient luggage transfer services available for the Kumano Kodo trail. By using one of these services, you can lighten your load and enjoy your hike to the fullest.

How Kumano Kodo Luggage Transfer Service Works

Right, so everything in Japan is kinda confusing – but also just seems to work.

Let me do my best to explain how exactly the luggage transfer services work

(BTW, we chucked an AirTag in our bag and followed its journey too.. but more on that later)

Benefits of Using Luggage Transfer Service

When embarking on a hiking trip along the Kumano Kodo trail, one of the most important things to consider is how to manage your luggage. That’s where the luggage transfer service comes in. Here are some benefits of using the luggage transfer service during your Kumano Kodo hike.

• Travel Light:
  One of the main benefits of using the luggage transfer service is that it allows you to travel light. You can simply pack an overnight bag with your essentials and leave the rest of your luggage behind. This means you can enjoy your hike without being weighed down by heavy bags. With the luggage transfer service, you can have your bags transported directly to your accommodation, so you don’t have to worry about carrying them with you.

• Security:
  Another benefit of using the luggage transfer service is that it provides added security for your belongings. When you entrust your luggage to a reputable transfer service, you can rest assured that your bags will be safely transported to your destination. This is especially important if you are carrying valuable items or important documents with you.

• Convenience:
  Using the luggage transfer service also adds a level of convenience to your hiking trip. You don’t have to worry about lugging your bags around with you, which can be especially helpful if you are hiking for multiple days. With the luggage transfer service, you can have your bags transported directly to your accommodation, so you can focus on enjoying your hike and exploring the beautiful surroundings.

Cons Of Using The Luggage Transfer Service:

• Its A Lot Of Hassle and Admin:
  I love the simplicity of living out of a day pack. You can choose between outfit A or B and you can always find what you’re looking for. IMO taking a full suitcase from stop to stop is not the way to do the Kumano Kodo. Plus, you’ll be spending valuable time packing and unpacking every day – time you could be out enjoying the walk.
  
• The Costs Add Up:
  IF we say on average the service costs $15 USD per bag per day you might be looking at ~$150 for 2 people doing a 5 day hike. Sure, that’s not the end of the world but it all ads up. We chose to fill one back with the stuff we didn’t need and get it sent to the end. That way it only cost us $15 for the whole trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Overall, using a luggage transfer service is a smart option for most poeple doing the Kumano Kodo trail. It allows you to fully immerse yourself in the pilgrimage experience without the added physical strain of carrying heavy bags.

If you’re tossing up whether to use the service or not, I’d say from my experience it was well worth while.

(even for a stoic like me, i conceeded this was a good idea!)

I’d recommend either going to a convenience store like 7-eleven and using the Yamato service on the day if you have time, or pre-booking your transfers with Kumano Travel (provided you’ve booked your accommodation through them).

Let me know in the comments below if you’ve used any of these services and what your experience was like.