Hiring a Moving Company in Japan: What Foreigners Don't Expect

Japanese movers remove shoes, wrap everything, and arrive to the minute. How to get estimates, compare companies, and typical costs by apartment size and season.

Bottom line: Japanese moving companies deliver a level of service that shocks most foreigners — crews remove their shoes, wrap every item in padded blankets, and arrive on time to the minute. But the booking process (in-home estimates, seasonal pricing swings, Japanese-only phone lines) can be baffling. Here's how to navigate it.

Information current as of March 2026. For a complete relocation timeline, see our Moving to Japan Timeline & Checklist.

Japanese moving companies: what foreigners don't expect

If your experience with movers is a couple of guys tossing boxes into a truck, Japan will reset your expectations. Here's what a typical domestic move (引越し / hikkoshi) looks like:

Shoe removal. Crews take off their shoes or put on fresh slippers before entering your apartment. Every time.
Full wrapping. Furniture gets wrapped in padded blankets. Appliances go into custom-fitted cardboard shells. Floors and door frames are covered with protective pads so nothing gets scratched — yours or the building's.
Punctuality. "Morning slot" means they ring your bell at 8:00 AM, not 8:15. Some companies guarantee a 30-minute arrival window.
Speed. A 1K apartment move often takes under two hours from door to door.
Post-move box collection. Most major companies will come back and collect all used cardboard boxes for free within one to three months — just call and schedule.

How to get an estimate (見積もり / mitsumori)

Online-only quote forms exist, but they are unreliable for anything beyond a single-box move. The standard process in Japan is an in-home visit estimate (訪問見積もり / houmon mitsumori):

Request visits from 2–3 companies. Use comparison sites like Hikkoshi Zamurai or call companies directly.
A sales rep visits your apartment (free of charge), checks every room, counts boxes, and notes access conditions — stairs, elevator, parking distance.
You receive a written estimate (見積書 / mitsumorisho). Review it line by line. Watch for surcharges: weekend fees, stair-carry fees, long-carry distance fees.
Negotiate. Japan has no standard moving rates. Three quotes for the same move can vary by ¥30,000 or more. Reps often offer a discount if you accept on the spot — it's fine to say you need time to compare.

Tip: The rep may give you a small gift (rice, detergent, tissues) just for letting them visit. This is normal marketing — it does not obligate you to choose them.

Major companies vs. smaller options

Company	English support	Notes
Sakai (サカイ引越センター)	Website & contact form	Largest in Japan. Free box delivery, post-move box pickup. Reliable nationwide.
Art (アート引越センター)	Phone line available	Premium service tiers. Free cardboard collection within 3 months.
Nittsu / Nippon Express (日通)	Full English site	Best for long-distance and corporate relocations. Self-pack options available.
0123 (ゼロイチニイサン)	Limited	Budget-friendly. Popular for single-person moves.
Curama / くらしのマーケット	App (Japanese)	Marketplace for smaller operators. Cheapest rates, minimal service.

English-friendly options: For full English support, companies like Japan Mobility, Crown Relocations, and Kokusai Express cater to expats — but expect to pay a premium. The major domestic companies (Sakai, Art, Nittsu) can handle basic English communication through their contact forms and some phone lines, but the in-home estimate visit is almost always conducted in Japanese. (English support availability as of March 2026 — check each company's current site before booking.)

Typical costs by apartment size and season

Prices below are for local moves (same city / under 50 km). Long-distance moves add ¥30,000–¥100,000+.

Apartment size	Off-peak (May–Jan)	Peak (Feb–Apr)
1K / 1R (single person, few items)	¥25,000–¥40,000	¥50,000–¥80,000
1LDK–2DK (single / couple)	¥40,000–¥70,000	¥80,000–¥130,000
2LDK (small family)	¥70,000–¥120,000	¥130,000–¥200,000
3LDK+ (family, full household)	¥100,000–¥180,000	¥180,000–¥350,000

Peak season warning: March is the single most expensive month. School terms end, new hires relocate, and universities start — everyone moves at once. A move costing ¥50,000 in October can exceed ¥100,000 in March. Book 2–3 months in advance during peak season, or consider mid-month / weekday slots for lower rates.

Tipping: not expected

Do not tip your movers. Tipping is not part of Japanese service culture and can cause confusion or embarrassment. If you want to show appreciation, offering cold drinks (canned tea or sports drinks) is the natural, appreciated gesture. That's it.

Japanese phrases for booking

引越しの見積もりをお願いしたいです。
(Hikkoshi no mitsumori wo onegai shitai desu.)
— I'd like to request a moving estimate.

訪問見積もりは無料ですか？
(Houmon mitsumori wa muryou desu ka?)
— Is the in-home estimate free?

ダンボールの回収はいつまでですか？
(Danbōru no kaishuu wa itsu made desu ka?)
— Until when can you collect the cardboard boxes?

もう少し安くなりますか？
(Mou sukoshi yasuku narimasu ka?)
— Can you make it a little cheaper?

英語対応できるスタッフはいますか？
(Eigo taiou dekiru sutaffu wa imasu ka?)
— Do you have English-speaking staff?

Quick checklist before you book

Get at least 2–3 in-home estimates — don't accept the first quote
Ask what's included: boxes, tape, padding, assembly/disassembly
Confirm the post-move cardboard collection date and deadline
Check if your building requires a moving reservation (引越し届 / hikkoshi todoke) with management — many condos do
Dispose of oversized items (粗大ゴミ / sodai gomi) separately — movers typically won't haul trash
If moving in peak season, book by January

Need help calling in Japanese?

The biggest hurdle for most foreigners isn't the cost — it's the phone call. Booking an estimate, negotiating, and confirming details all happen in Japanese. LO-PAL can help you call and book a moving company in Japanese, compare quotes, and handle scheduling so nothing gets lost in translation.

Read the full Moving to Japan Timeline & Checklist →