The JR East Group, which has been developing the “JRE Hands-Free Travel” service to eliminate the stress of carrying luggage while traveling,has launched a new same-day delivery service starting August 1, 2026.In addition to delivering luggage stored in the multifunctional “Multi Ecube” lockers to nearby hotels, the service now utilizes the “Hakobyuun” train luggage delivery service to deliver your bags directly to your hotel at your travel destination on the same day. The service has started with the Tokyo–Sendai route and will be gradually expanded in the future.
1. The Vision of “JRE Hands-Free Travel”
| Issue | Solution Aimed by “JRE Hands-Free Travel” | Added Value Created for Your Trip |
| Large luggage makes it difficult to move inside the train: Crowding when boarding and exiting trains | ✅ From station/airport to your destination/hotel | Reduced travel stress: Move smoothly and comfortably |
| Heavy luggage makes it hard to get around: Burden of moving while sightseeing | ✅ From your destination/hotel to station/airport | Travel light and make the most of your time: Enjoy sightseeing at your own pace, hands-free |
| Worried about luggage falling from overhead racks: Injury or accidents caused by falling bags | ✅ From station to airport | Safe and comfortable travel: Relax in the train cabin |
2. Expansion and Pilot Testing of “JRE Hands-Free Travel” Services
Hotel Delivery Service Areas
With “JRE Hands-Free Travel,” services are offered to deliver luggage on the same day between Tokyo Station and Shinkansen stops, as well as from stations such as Tokyo and Sendai to hotels in the Greater Tokyo Area. Going forward, the service will expand to include deliveries from Tokyo Station lockers to hotels near Sendai Station and in the Akiu Onsen area. The number of stations, airports, lockers, and hotels where you can drop off or pick up your luggage will also be increased, making the service even more convenient.
| Until Now | From 2026/8/1 | From Fall 2026 Onward | |
| Hakobyuun Quick | From → To
| — | Gradually expanding drop-off and pick-up station counters |
| Same-day Hotel Delivery Service: Station Counter | From → To
| — | Gradually expanding drop-off station counters, pick-up station counters, drop-off lockers, and destination hotel areas |
| Same-day Hotel Delivery Service: Locker | From → To
| From → To
| Same as above |
| Airport Service | From → To
| — | From → To
|
(1) Expansion of Same-Day Luggage Delivery Service
Starting August 1, 2026 (Saturday), we will launch a new service that allows you to store your luggage in the multifunctional lockers “Multi Ecube” located at Tokyo Station and Sendai Station, and have it delivered to a distant hotel on the same day using “Hakobiyun Quick.” With this service, same-day delivery to hotels is possible even outside of counter business hours. We are also considering expanding the number of “Multi Ecube” lockers and counters (such as Hakobiyun Quick Counters) where this service is available in the future.
How to Use
*Reservation via the Multi Ecube website is required (by 9:30 a.m. on the day), and you must deposit your luggage in the locker by 10:30 a.m.
*If you bring your luggage to the station counter, you can use the service without an advance reservation.
＜Service Fees＞ *All prices include tax
| Departure Point | Delivery Area | Fee |
| Tokyo Station Locker | Hotels around Sendai Station / Akiu Onsen Area | S size 3,500 yen M size 3,600 yen L size 3,700 yen |
| Sendai Station Locker | Hotels in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area | S size 3,500 yen |
(2) Expansion of Delivery Services Based at Airports
1. Seamless Luggage Delivery from Airport Lockers to Hotels
We plan to install “Multi Ecube” lockers at Narita International Airport around autumn 2026. We propose a “hands-free travel” experience by delivering your luggage from Narita International Airport to hotels in the Tokyo metropolitan area, eliminating the stress of carrying your bags during transit.
2. Demonstration Test for Seamless Luggage Delivery from Stations to Airports
We will conduct a demonstration test around autumn 2026 for a service that allows you to deposit your luggage in a station locker and pick it up at the airport, separating luggage and passengers. In the future, we aim to expand the service in cooperation with related businesses, with a view to implementing off-airport check-in, to realize even more convenient hands-free travel.
(3) Demonstration Test of Services for Inbound Travelers
As part of services based on the digitalization of passports promoted by NTT DATA Corporation, we will conduct a demonstration test in fiscal 2026 for a same-day luggage delivery service that inbound travelers can reserve even before their trip.
Reservation & ID verification → Deposit luggage → Same-day delivery by Shinkansen → Hands-free travel & sightseeing → Receive at destination
NTT DATA: Foundational technologies such as passport digitalization
We provide digital technologies for inbound users, such as identity verification, reservations, and payments using passports, to support a safe stay in Japan.
JR East Group: Same-Day Baggage Delivery Service (Hakobiyun Quick)
By utilizing the Shinkansen and JR East Group’s logistics network, we safely and securely deliver your checked baggage to your desired location, such as station counters or hotels.
3. New Travel Proposals
JR East Group is promoting the “JRE Hands-Free Travel” initiative. In cooperation with airlines and logistics companies, we are expanding delivery services that transport your baggage to destinations such as your home, station lockers, airports, or hotels before or after your transfer at Shinkansen stations or airports. This allows customers to enjoy a more comfortable and flexible hands-free journey without having to carry large luggage.
By expanding these services, we aim to alleviate future congestion at tourist destinations, improve circulation, and promote sustainable tourism. Additionally, by making it easier to travel light, we hope to increase the number of tourist areas that visitors can casually stop by, thereby enhancing the value of staying in local regions.
[Image: Baggage Delivery Service for Wide-Area Sightseeing]
*All images and illustrations in this article are for illustrative purposes only. Some images were created using generative AI tools.
[Reference]
1. About “JRE Hands-Free Travel”
JR East Group is working to make train travel more accessible by offering “JRE Hands-Free Travel,” which includes baggage delivery services using the “Hakobiyun” train baggage transport service and the multifunctional locker “Multi Ecube.” Services include “Baggage Delivery Service,” “Same-Day Hotel Delivery Service,” and “Locker-to-Hotel Express Delivery Service.”
2. About the Multifunctional Locker “Multi Ecube”
With Multi Ecube, you can use four functions—“reservation,” “deposit,” “pickup,” and “shipping”—all in one unit. There is no need to use different lockers for different purposes, allowing seamless use at your nearest station with just one Multi Ecube.
Additionally, except when customers are operating the locker, the doors remain locked at all times, so you can use the lockers with peace of mind and security.
*For details on the specific services and usage of “Multi Ecube,” please refer to the JR East Smart Logistics Co., Ltd. website or the Multi Ecube website.
- JR East Smart Logistics Co., Ltd. website https://www.jre-sl.co.jp/
- Multi Ecube website https://multiecube.com
3. About the Same-Day Baggage Delivery Service Provided by JR East Group
(1) Hakobiyun Quick (Operated by JR East Logistics Co., Ltd.)
This service is available when you need to urgently transport your baggage according to your circumstances. If you bring your baggage to the dedicated station counter at least 30 minutes before the Shinkansen departure (60 minutes before departure at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station and Kanazawa Station), we will deliver your baggage using the speed of the Shinkansen. Online advance reservations are also available.
＜Available Service Areas＞
Tokyo Station ⇔ Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, Shin-Aomori Station, Morioka Station, Sendai Station, Niigata Station, Nagano Station, Kanazawa Station
- Hakobyun Quick Official Website
https://www.jrbutsuryu.jregroup.ne.jp/business/hakobyun_quick.html - Hakobyun Quick Reservation Site
https://hakobyun-baggage.jreast.co.jp/hakobyun/search
(2) Same-Day Hotel Delivery Service (Operated by JR East Logistics Co., Ltd.)
Your luggage will be accepted at the departure station’s counter and delivered to your hotel within the 23 wards of Tokyo or Urayasu City on the same day.
Tokyo Station, Ueno Station, Sendai Station, Morioka Station, Niigata Station, Haneda Airport ⇒ Hotels within the 23 wards of Tokyo and Urayasu City
*For Sendai Station, in addition to hotels within the 23 wards of Tokyo and Urayasu City, delivery is also available to partner hotels around Sendai Station and the Akiu Onsen area.
*When using this service, please be sure to bring documentation showing your hotel reservation details, such as the hotel name, address, check-in date, and guest name.
*If using the service from Sendai Station, Morioka Station, or Niigata Station, please also bring proof of Shinkansen or other train use (such as your ticket).
For more details, please refer to the JR East Logistics Co., Ltd. website.
https://www.jrbutsuryu.jregroup.ne.jp/business/delivery.html
(3) Luggage Delivery Service (Operated by JR East Logistics Co., Ltd.)
This service is available to hotel guests and JR station rental car users. You can leave your luggage at the counter when checking out or picking up your rental car, enjoy sightseeing at your leisure, and then pick up your luggage at the designated counter at Tokyo Station on the same day.
＜Available Service Areas＞
| Departure Location | Arrival Location |
| JR-East Hotel Mets Niigata Hotel Metropolitan Morioka (Main Building & New Wing) Hotel Metropolitan Sendai (Main Building & East) JR East Rent-a-Car Shin-Aomori Office JR East Rent-a-Car Nagano Office | Tokyo Station Counter |
For more details, please refer to the JR East Logistics Co., Ltd. website.
https://www.jrbutsuryu.jregroup.ne.jp/business/delivery.html
(4) Locker-to-Hotel Express Delivery Service (Operated by JR East Smart Logistics Co., Ltd.)
This is an express delivery service from the multifunctional locker “Multi Ecube” to your hotel.
1. How to Use
- Make a reservation and payment on the Multi Ecube website (https://multiecube.com) by 9:30 a.m. on the day of use.
- Enter your reservation number or scan the QR code at the operation panel of your reserved Multi Ecube locker.
- Place your luggage in the automatically opened Multi Ecube locker by 11:00 a.m. on the day of use.
- Pick up your luggage at your designated hotel.
*QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED.
2. Available Service Areas
| Departure Location | Delivery Area |
| Lockers in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area | Hotels within the 23 wards of Tokyo and Urayasu City |
| Sendai Station Lockers | Hotels around Sendai Station and the Akiu Onsen area |
(Reference Press Release)
- Dated May 9, 2023: Making stations logistics hubs through multifunctional lockers
https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2023/20230509_ho01.pdf - Dated May 29, 2023: Proposing a hands-free travel experience with “Same-Day Hotel Delivery Service” × “Hakobiyun”
https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2023/20230529_ho01.pdf - Dated September 10, 2024: Further enhancing station life by expanding locker functions
https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2024/20240910_ho01.pdf - Dated October 22, 2025: Proposing hands-free travel in the Aomori and Nagano areas using “Hakobiyun”
https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2025/20251022_ho03.pdf - Dated November 20, 2025: New service menu added at Sendai Station’s “BAGGAGE STORAGE＋” and “Multi Ecube”!
https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2025/sendai/20251120_s02.pdf - Dated March 2, 2026: The “Hakobiyun” train luggage delivery service is becoming even more convenient
https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2025/20260302_ho01.pdf - Dated June 3, 2026: Multifunctional locker “Multi Ecube” network reaches 1,000 units!
https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2026/20260603_ho01.pdf
Source: PRTIMES
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