What to Carry While Your Luggage Is Stored in Japan
Reviewed by Max
Take what makes the next few days easy.
You do not need the whole suitcase for every stop in Japan. Keep a smaller bag with daily essentials, send the rest to Silk Crane and arrange delivery when the larger bag becomes useful again.
A few minutes of thoughtful packing leaves more room for station stairs, neighborhood walks and an unplanned detour.
Send the spare suitcase from your hotel front desk or a convenience store using your Silk Crane instructions. Monthly and annual storage plans are available; shipping is charged separately.
Three Kyoto days with one small bag
Imagine leaving winter gear and shopping in storage for three days in Kyoto. You pack comfortable clothes, a light rain layer and the essentials you use every day.
The suitcase is out of the way while you explore. A little extra clothing in the small bag means the plan still works if delivery takes longer than expected.
Once the Kyoto bag is packed, sign up and follow the supplied sending instructions for the suitcase. Send it from your hotel front desk or a convenience store, keeping those everyday essentials during shipping and arranging delivery for your later hotel stay.
Pack the small bag once
Keep documents and medication close
Carry your passport, wallet, tickets, travel documents and medication with you. Jewelry, irreplaceable items and other valuables should stay under your personal control.
Take the devices you will use
Keep your phone, camera or computer and their chargers in the everyday bag. A forgotten cable is an easy way to make traveling light less convenient.
Pack for the gap, with a little extra
Bring clothing and toiletries for the time apart from your suitcase, plus a sensible delay buffer. Add the layers your next destination needs.
Use the delivery timing guide when choosing the day to receive the larger bag.
Check battery items before sending
Tell Silk Crane about a power bank, spare lithium-ion battery or device with a built-in battery left in a bag. Tag it so it can be removed for separate storage. The battery and storage guide explains this more fully.
Domestic shipping is separate from storage; see the shipping estimates.
Small-bag packing questions
What should stay in my daily bag?
Keep your passport, wallet, medication, travel documents, valuables, daily devices and chargers, plus clothing and toiletries for the gap and a delay buffer.
Should I leave valuables in the suitcase?
No. Keep valuables and irreplaceable items with you.
What about batteries in stored luggage?
Disclose loose and built-in lithium-ion batteries before sending and tag the items for separate storage.
Keep the essentials. Enjoy the freedom.
Send the bulky bag and carry what suits the next part of your trip. Choose a storage plan
Find more ideas in our Japan luggage and sports gear guides.