10 Best Moving Companies in Japan 2024 | Cheap, Full-Service Movers

Are you looking for moving companies in Japan?

In this article, we will introduce you to 10 movers that we recommend for international residents in Japan.

Sakura Mobile’s editing team has called each of these companies, one by one, to check the following points.

• Cost
• English support
• Service area
• Provided services
• Insurance

After reading this article, you should have a mover that suits your needs.

We will also introduce “How to make moving cheaper in Japan” later in this article.

We think it’ll be useful, so please check it out.

Let’s get started!

This article was updated on March 6, 2024.

In this article, we’ll cover

1. Things to consider when choosing a moving company
2. Comparing the top 10 moving companies in Japan
3. Introducing our top 5 movers
4. How to make moving cheaper in Japan
5. How to move in Japan
6. Timing your move
7. Conclusion

1. Things to consider when choosing a moving company

Make a mental note of the following 5 things when deciding on a moving company.

• The cost
• If English support is available or not
• Provided services
• Compensation for broken or lost items
• Reviews

Below is a quick explanation of each of our 5 main points.

The cost

The cost varies widely depending on the company. It’s not uncommon for companies, moving the same amount of things, with the same number of boxes, the same distance to vary by over 30,000 JPY.

When deciding on a company, it’s best to get as many quotes as possible. We recommend getting at least five quotes from different companies.

This will help you understand the average amount that companies charge for the size of your move.

You may even get a discount by telling companies about other, cheaper quotes.

For your reference, use this website to get a better idea of how much each moving company costs (Japanese Only).

• Hikkoshi Zamurai: https://hikkoshizamurai.jp/

The prices listed on Hikkoshi Zamurai may be different from your actual price. However, because your quote will be based on past data from people who have recently moved, we think it’s a good estimate.

English support

There are companies that offer English support, but the level of support provided depends on the company.

• English website
• English customer support/responses to emails and calls
• English-speaking staff members who help move

Usually, the more English support you get, the higher the price. It’s best to decide beforehand how much English support you’ll want.

Provided services

When using a moving company, make sure that you know what services you are paying for upfront. Some add-on options that may cost extra include:

• Washing machine installation
• Furniture dismantling and set-up
• Providing cardboard boxes
• Disposal of cardboard boxes after moving
• Protecting the walls and floor of your previous and new residences

Things like setting up your washing machine and bed are difficult, especially by yourself.

When you get a quote, double-check what services are included and what services will cost extra.

Compensation for broken or lost items

All the moving companies in Japan use a standard set of rules and regulations set by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT) called the “Standard Conditions of Carriage Moving” (標準引越運送約款).

The policy states that if any items are lost or damaged during the move, you must be reimbursed as long as you contact the company within 3 months of the day you receive them.

However, some companies may have their own compensation rules and fees.

Make sure to double-check the insurance policy for lost or damaged items.

Reviews

When picking a moving company, don’t forget to read the reviews.

Why? The reviews can give you an idea of their workers’ attitudes and how satisfied each person was with their service.

In this article, there will be reviews of the companies we introduce. Be sure to check them out.

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2. Comparing the top 10 moving companies in Japan

We have compiled 10 of the best moving companies for international residents of Japan below.

The following table includes a comparison of five different points for each company (cost, English support, service area, provided services, and damage compensation).

Scroll right for more →→

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3. Introducing our top 5 movers

In the previous section, we compared 10 moving companies. Did you find what you were looking for?

Here is a more in-depth and detailed look at the services and reviews of the 5 companies at the top of our list.

Below is a quick overview of why we think that these companies are great.

1. Best Moving Service

Best Moving Service is one of the cheapest companies listed above. Its specialty is exceptionally low rates.

Their English support is another attractive feature. Not only can you request a move by email, but the staff understand simple English, so you can call and ask questions about your move over the phone.

It depends on the area, but English-speaking movers are also available. You should call in advance to confirm.

You might see the price and think, “You get what you pay for”, but we can assure you that’s not the case with Best Moving Service.

They provide the services below free of charge

• Washing machine installation
• Bed dismantling
• Cardboard boxes
• Clean up and disposal of packing materials
• Futon cover
• Hanger cases
• Walls and floor protection

There are very few companies that offer low prices, a wide range of services, and English support. If you’re looking for a moving company, we recommend getting a quote.

User review

引越しの見積もり、なんと
か予算内に収まった。 Best Moving Service ってあうところに頼んだんやけど電話案内の人も
見積もりに来た人もすごい丁寧で感じが良かったからここにして良かったと思う。他の所から
よーさん電話かかってきたけど、ここが一番感じが良かった。

— ぽちこ@1 型糖
尿病 (@pochico0831) November 10, 2017

“I managed to get the moving estimate within my budget. I ordered from a place called Best Moving Service, and I’m glad I did because the person who called me and the person who came to give me an estimate were both very polite and nice. I got a lot of calls from other companies, but this one was the most pleasant”

Details

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2. Yamato Home Convenience

Do you recognize the name Yamato? Yamato Home Convenience is a moving company within the Yamato Transport Group, a major Japanese courier company.

They offer English support, which is very rare for large moving companies in Japan.

If you need peace of mind, go with Yamato Home Convenience.

Please note that English support is only provided over the phone and by email. The staff members on the day of your move will not likely speak English.

Sadly, the number of services that Yamato Home Convenience provides is low compared to other companies on our list.

For example, washing machine installation and free packing materials are not provided. You have to find another company or do it yourself.

User review

心配だった引っ越し荷物の搬出、何のトラブルもなく終わった。ありがとうヤマトホームコンビニエンスの人達。ミニオンファンとしてはアート引越しセンターに気持ちが揺らぐんだけどやはり信頼のヤマトだね。首都圏のヤマトなら絶対心配ないと思う。

— 下田賢佑 (@kensukeShimoda) May 6, 2021

“I was worried about moving my stuff out, but it was done without any trouble. Thank you Yamato Home Convenience. As a Minion fan, I almost chose Art Moving Center, but Yamato is a reliable company. I don’t think there is anything to worry about with Yamato in the Tokyo metropolitan area”

Details

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3. PROROW Transport

PROROW Transport is a moving company with excellent English support.

Not just email and phone calls, but the staff members who help you move can also speak English.

This company is one of the best to get a quote from if you need English support.

We listed their prices as “average” but compared to most full English support moving companies, their prices are fairly low.

Basic services like washing machine installation and free packing materials are included in the cost.

User review

あ、今更かもしれんですが引越しのプロロって会社安くておすすめです　1K一人暮らし都内→都内で2.5〜3万円くらいでした

— スノボ行きたいアキコ (@as101077) September 6, 2021

“It may be a little late to mention this, but I recommend a cheap moving company called PROROW. A single person living in Tokyo, and moving into a 1K within the city was about 25,000 to 30,000 yen”

Details

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4. Tokyo Move

Tokyo Move is a moving company that only offers services in English.

Therefore, every step of the process, from application to delivery, is done in English.

Basic services like washing machine installation, and free packing materials are included in the moving price at no additional cost.

The reviews on Facebook have high praise for the staff’s politeness and quick work.

Something important to note is that Tokyo Move is based in and limited to the Kanto region (Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama).

They can handle moves outside the Kanto area but use a partner company. The prices may be higher than that of Tokyo Move.

User review

Details

Scroll right for more →→

5. Allied Pickfords

Allied Pickfords is a specialty international moving company that also offers domestic services in Japan.

The English support is excellent. You can communicate in English to request a move or have your things delivered.

They offer a truly comprehensive service. They do everything from packing your things at your old place and unpacking them at your new place.

The main disadvantage is that they are expensive compared to other companies that provide the same services.

Details

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4. How to make moving cheaper in Japan

When choosing a company, make sure to get as many quotes as possible.

Different movers may give you a discount if you tell them about other companies.

We recommend getting at least 5 quotes from different companies. Negotiating the price of your move with the company you want is a good idea.

If all goes well, you might be able to save anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 JPY for your move.

How to get quotes from multiple companies

Use the following methods to get quotes from multiple companies.

1. Contact moving companies one by one
2. Use a bulk quote website to compare moving companies

Here’s a quick explanation of how to do each method.

– Contact moving companies one by one

This is probably the first method that comes to mind.

The advantage of this method is getting quotes only from the companies that you think are the best.

The disadvantage of this method is the amount of time it takes to contact each company.

If you’re having trouble finding the right moving company, we suggest requesting quotes from the 5 companies that we highly recommend in this article.

– Use a bulk quote website to compare moving companies

A bulk quote website allows you to request a quote from multiple moving companies at once.

There are several out there, but the website we recommend is Hikkoshi Zamurai.

Hikkoshi Zamurai is the largest bulk quote website and has the most registered movers.

Unfortunately, Hikkoshi Zamurai is only available in Japanese. You will need to use a tool like Google Translate if you are not confident in your Japanese abilities.

After using a bulk quote website like Hikkoshi Zamurai, please note that you are likely to get calls from many moving companies within a short amount of time.

In most cases, the operator calling from a moving company will not be able to speak English.

These phone calls are almost guaranteed to be in Japanese, so we recommend having a friend who speaks Japanese to help you out.

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5. How to move in Japan

When preparing to move in Japan, you should follow these steps.

Below we’ll go into more detail about each time frame.

One month before moving

– Decide on where you want to live

Your contract will start approximately two weeks to a month after you tell your real estate agent what property you’ve decided on.

Your move-in date will also be 2 weeks to 1 month after you notify your agent.

You might have a schedule in which you are expecting to move in 2 to 3 months after finding your new home. However, note that Japanese realtors will not allow you to move the contract date back.

We recommend to start looking for a new place 2 weeks to 1 month before you plan to actually move in.

– Contact moving companies and get quotes

Once you decide what day you want to move in, you should decide on a moving company.

As explained in an earlier section of this article, contact and get quotes from multiple companies.

The price of moving gets higher the closer your move-in date comes. We recommend deciding on a moving company right after you decide on your move-in date.

One week before moving

– Pack your things

Depending on the service you choose, you will receive packing materials for your things 1-2 weeks in advance of your move.

When the materials arrive, start packing.

Rushing to pack everything the night before moving is exhausting, work on packing little by little to save energy.

If the company you chose doesn’t provide cardboard or packing materials, check Amazon and home centers for moving supplies.

Other items you might need like tape and scissors can be found at any convenience store.

The day of the move

The moving company will come on the day that you decided earlier.

Unless otherwise specified, leaving everything to them is perfectly okay.

Once your things are transported to your new place, open your boxes and organize your stuff.

In some cases, your company will collect your cardboard and moving supplies for free. Check to see if this service is included when you first get your quote.

If the company does not collect packing materials, you’ll have to dispose of them on trash collection day.

That concludes the things you should do on your moving day.

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6. Timing your move

Up next, we’re introducing the times of the year when moving is the most expensive. We hope that this helps with planning your move.

The month that you move

The most expensive time of the year to move is from March to April.

In Japan, many major events, such as enrollment in new schools, employment at new companies, and transfers to new branches, occur in March and April. Therefore, these two months are the busiest time of year for moving companies.

When there are more people moving, moving companies will set higher prices. They can increase their rates and still take orders.

It’s normal to be charged twice as much as usual for moving in March and April.

If possible, try to plan and avoid March and April.

If you have no other option but to move during these 2 months, try to aim for the beginning of March or the end of April. Doing that alone will help save money.

The day that you move

Moving on weekends is generally more expensive than on weekdays.

Most people don’t work on weekends, so they’re the busiest days of the week for movers.

If you can, we recommend taking off 1 or 2 weekdays to move.

The time that you move

Usually, you can get a lower price if you choose the “no specific time” option. If you don’t choose a time, the moving company will contact you two or three days in advance. When they call, the moving company will give you a time for your move so you do not have to wait around all day.

If you specify a time, you can be charged 2,000 to 5,000 JPY extra.

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7. Conclusion

What did you think?

Be sure to get more than 1 quote from various moving companies.

It will give you a better idea of the cost of moving, and you may be able to get a discount.

Moving is stressful, but preparing and following the schedule included in this article should help everything go smoothly.

We hope that this article helped you out! Thanks for reading.

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