Bicycle Shipping in Japan: Measure the 200 cm Limit
Published Last updatedReviewed by Max
A bicycle case that flies to Japan may still be too large to ship from your hotel. For Silk Crane’s domestic shipping service, start with one simple check: the packed case’s length + width + height must be no more than 200 cm.
Arrange the bicycle case’s handover for its packed size and weight. Ordinary suitcases can go from your hotel front desk or a convenience store. Monthly and annual storage plans are available; shipping is charged separately.
Measure the packed case, not just the bike
Close the case with the bike, padding and accessories inside. Measure its three outer dimensions, including protruding handles and wheels, then add them together. Check the packed weight too.
Example: within the size limit
95 cm + 65 cm + 30 cm = 190 cm. The dimensions fit within 200 cm; weight, packing and the sending arrangement still need to fit the service.
Example: too large
110 cm + 80 cm + 30 cm = 220 cm. This case cannot use the shipping service, even if the airline accepts it as checked baggage.
A ten-minute check before the cycling holiday
Imagine packing for a Hokkaido cycling trip with a few Tokyo days afterward. Measuring the closed case before leaving home gives you time to choose suitable packing. Once in Japan, store the empty case while you ride, arrange its return to your final cycling hotel, then send the packed bike to Silk Crane while you enjoy Tokyo with a smaller bag.
Before the cycling holiday, sign up and follow the supplied instructions after checking the case dimensions and weight. Keep travel essentials during shipping and request the case before the hotel where you repack.
Size and weight both matter
Yamato’s standard TA-Q-BIN limit is 200 cm combined dimensions and 30 kg. Its published maximum for any one side is 170 cm; parcels that must remain in a fixed orientation have a shorter one-side limit. Charges use the larger category determined by size or weight. See Yamato’s current size and weight table for the full rules.
A soft case can bulge when packed. A hard case can have wheels or handles outside its advertised box dimensions. Measure the actual packed item, rather than relying only on a product name or catalogue size.
Choose packing around the journey
Protect the bike according to the case maker’s instructions and keep loose parts secure. Splitting a bike across bags is not an automatic solution: each parcel needs suitable protection, its own measurements and its own shipping arrangement.
If your current case exceeds 200 cm, resolve that before booking this service. Do not count on a hotel or airport counter making an exception. For an electric bike, check the separate battery transport guidance as part of the plan.
Where to send a large bicycle case
A hotel handoff or arranged carrier collection is more practical than carrying a large case through town. Yamato notes that some convenience stores cannot accept the largest parcel sizes; plan the sending method for your packed case in advance.
Once the size and shipping arrangement are settled, choose monthly or annual bicycle storage. Shipping is charged separately. The bicycle case storage guide explains storing an empty case during a tour or a packed bike between visits.
Questions before you go
Does 200 cm mean the longest side?
No. It is the total of the three outer dimensions: length, width and height.
Can an empty oversized case be sent because it is light?
Low weight does not remove the size limit. Measure the empty case in the form in which you will ship it.
Can I have the case returned to my hotel?
Yes, within the shipping limits. Arrange delivery ahead of the day you need to pack or use the bicycle.
Keep planning your trip
For the trip itself, see how bicycle storage fits a longer Japan cycling holiday. Browse the Japan storage guide collection for more ideas.