useful information for cycling in japan

if you need to ever send your bicycle somewhere in the mail (japanese train companies are not so happy about people taking their bike with them when they travel), takyubin or "door to door deliver serice" is the answer.

Although there are many takyubin companies in japan, but only one deals with bicycles to give them a special price. i was quoted over $100 from one company and thought they must be joking.

the company to go with is "Kuro-neko Yamato". but before you can use their bike service you must apply for a special tag to hang on the bag you pack it in.
You can do this from the Japan Cycling Association.

Just send 1000 yen in a special cash envelope (you get it from the post office for 20 yen) to:
Cycling Tag Application
Japan Cycling Association
Japan Bicycle Building No3
1-9-3 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
107-0052

〒107-0052
東京都港区赤坂1-9-3
日本自転車会館３号館
(財)日本サイクリング協会
「サイクリングタッグ申込係」

When you get the tag, pack your bike up in a "Rinko bag" and hang the tag on it. You can not use this service with a bike box. it must be in a bag.

You might want to print out the following page so that the Takyubin people know what you want. Most drivers have never delt with this service before so you may need to remind them
http://www.j-cycling.org/yamatobin/index.html

I am going to try it out this golden week. so i will report back if it is successful or not.

It shouldnt cost more than 2000 yen to send when you do it this way, a saving of nearly $80!