It's useful to get acquainted with the service known as "kyoku dome" (局留め, which literally means "stopped at the post office"). Japan Post allows you to use any Japan Post Office address as a delivery address for your parcels.
You can use this service when you are moving from one location to another or when you are not sure if you can be at home at the time of delivery. During you holiday in Japan, you can use the address of the post office near your accomodation as a delivery address and have packages or luggage sent there, and can pick them up following delivery.
Unlike picking up a package at a convenience store, you don't need to navigate any machine to print the barcode or sign up as a member to use this service. You simply have to bring ID, such as a passport, to collect the package. The recipient's name should be exactly the same as on your ID, so do not use a nickname.
The package will be returned to the sender if it is not collected within 10 days, so be mindful of the delivery date.
Most of the CDJapan Rental customers choose to receive their package at a post office in an airport. However, since the airport post offices are not open 24h, and some are not open on weekends and holidays, this will not suit everyone.
If you are staying at a hotel, delivery to the hotel is a good option. Big hotels will handle this as part of their service but some smaller accommodations will not. Note that many capsule hotels will not receive mail for their guests. You may want to ask your accommodation in advance.
Receiving at your friend's house or Airbnb is also an option but requires additional preparation. Please see the following post for details: How to Receive Mail at an Airbnb Apartment Address.
If you are unsure of the delivery address, we always recommend receiving the package at a post office, as delivery is guaranteed.
There are post offices that are open 24/7. Collecting at those post offices will be convenient as you don't have to worry about opening hours. You can check the list of the 24h post offices in the following post: A List of 24hr Post Offices in Japan.
