The first practical problem with owning a yumi is moving it. A standard namisun (並寸) bow is about 221 cm long, and a ni-sun nobi (二寸伸) about 227 cm. It is longer than most people are tall, and it has to travel on trains, in cars and sometimes on aircraft.
For archers outside Japan the problem is bigger. Dojo are far apart, seminars and gradings often mean a long journey, and a bow that is damaged on the way may be the only one you have for months.
This page covers what actually damages a bow in transit, how to choose a bow bag, and how to carry a yumi by train, by car and by air.
The short version
- Three things damage a bow on the move: sideways force, heat, and sudden changes between wet and dry. Everything below is a way of avoiding those three.
- Measure your own bow before choosing a bag. Length, how many bows it holds, and whether arrows go in with it.
- On trains: always in its bag, held upright, close to your body, by the end of the carriage.
- In a car: lying down, nothing on top of it, never left inside on a hot day.
- On a plane: the bow goes in the hold, not the cabin. Rules differ by airline and change, so ask the airline before you book.
What actually damages a bow in transit
If you understand the causes, you can make good decisions in situations no guide covers.
| Cause | How it happens |
|---|---|
| Sideways force (bending and twisting) | The bow falls over, gets wedged between luggage, or catches in a closing door. Bamboo and synthetic bows are both vulnerable to it |
| Heat | A car in summer, especially on the dashboard or in a closed boot. Bows built with bonded layers can change shape when they get hot |
| Sudden wet and dry | A bow left wet after rain, or packed in a bag with wet things |
Avoid these three, and you have covered almost everything. How bow length is expressed is explained in Kyudo Bow Length: Nami-sun vs Nobi-sun.
Choosing a bow bag: three measurements
A bow bag (yumi-bukuro, 弓袋) labelled “for kyudo” does not automatically fit your bow. Check three things.
| Measurement | Why it matters | How to think about it |
|---|---|---|
| Length of the bag | Does the whole bow fit inside? | Your bow’s length plus some room. Namisun and nobi bows need different lengths |
| Number of bows | How many bows will travel together? | Bags come for one bow or two. If you expect to own two bows, consider a two-bow bag |
| Arrows | Can you carry everything together? | Some bags have a quiver (yazutsu) built in |
Measure your bow before you choose. People do discover that the bow they thought was namisun is actually a nobi size.
Then look for a shoulder strap. Having both hands free makes a real difference to safety; going down stairs with a two-metre bow in one hand is riskier than it sounds. A bag with a protective cap at the tip also reduces damage when the top of the bow touches a door frame or ceiling.
By train
Yes, you can carry a bow on trains in Japan. Students and dojo members do it every day. It takes some care.
- Always in its bag. Never carry it bare. If it hits someone, the bag protects both the person and the bow.
- Hold it upright. Held horizontally, it will hit someone in a carriage. Keep it close to your body and low.
- Stand at the end of the carriage or beside the doors. Between the seats, the top of the bow catches hand straps and luggage racks.
- Avoid rush hour if you possibly can. Even one train earlier or later helps.
- Watch the top of the bow at ticket gates and on stairs. Most knocks happen at the end you cannot see.
Shinkansen. On the Tokaido Shinkansen, carry-on baggage is normally limited to a maximum length of 200 cm, but JR Central states that sports equipment and musical instruments can be brought on even if they exceed the length limit, as long as they are in a bag or case and can be stood in the car (JR Central, “Carry-on baggage”, checked 6 October 2026, https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/info/oversized-baggage/). Rules differ between operators and lines, so check the current rules of the line you will use before you travel with a bow.
By car
Cars are convenient, and they are also where bows get broken most easily.
- Fold the rear seats down and lay the bow diagonally. Do not stand it up against anything.
- Put nothing on top of it. A bow crushed under luggage can break.
- In summer, do not leave the bow in the car. When you arrive, take the bow out first. “I’ll come back for it” is the dangerous moment.
- Keep it away from air-conditioning and heater vents, which heat or dry one spot.
In a small car you may need to push the front passenger seat forward and load the bow at an angle. Try loading it once before you plan a long trip, so you know the angle that works.
On foot and by bicycle
- On foot: sling the bag over your shoulder so that the bow sits diagonally behind you. Carried in front, the tip you cannot see will hit walls at corners.
- By bicycle: not recommended. With a bow on your back, wind catches it and pulls you off balance. If you must, keep the distance short and the speed low.
By air, and on longer trips
- Flights. A yumi is far too long for the cabin; it can only travel as checked baggage, if the airline accepts it. Size limits, handling and fees are set by each airline and change over time, so contact the airline before you book. You may be asked to use a hard case. This page does not cover airline rules or fees; the airline’s own pages are the source to trust.
- At your accommodation. A bow leaned against a wall will fall. Lay it down where nobody will step on it, and away from wet rain gear.
- For a seminar or grading abroad, allow time on arrival to take the bow out, check it, and let it adjust to the room before you string it.
The string during transport
Whether to carry the bow strung or unstrung depends on your dojo and your teacher. Follow their practice first. In general:
- Do not leave a strung bow in heat for long periods.
- If you unstring it for travel, wind the string onto a string reel (tsurumaki) so it does not tangle inside the bag.
- Carry a spare string. It is a small thing that saves a seminar day. How long a string lasts is covered in Kyudo Bowstrings.
What to keep in the bag
Kept permanently in the bow bag, or in the kit bag that travels with it, these save you from most forgotten-item problems:
- A spare string
- Giriko (see Giriko (Rosin) for Kyudo)
- Materials for repairing the nakajikake (the serving where the arrow nocks): hemp, and whatever your instructor uses to fix it (the Federation’s guide uses kusune)
- A small towel for wiping off rain
- Plasters
FAQ
I do not have a bow bag yet. What can I do for now? Wrap the bow in a long cloth or blanket and protect the tips. That is a stopgap only. If you will carry the bow regularly, a proper bag protects it better; ask your instructor or a kyudo equipment retailer which length you need.
What about rain? Cover the bag with rain gear as well, or postpone the trip. If the bow gets wet, take it out of the bag as soon as you get home and dry it in the shade with air moving around it. Do not leave it in the bag.
Can my arrows go in the bow bag? Put arrows in a quiver (yazutsu). Loose in the bow bag, the feathers get crushed. See Choosing Kyudo Arrows.
Will people think I am carrying something dangerous on the train? In its bag, held upright and kept clear of other passengers, a bow is not a problem. Keeping it covered and avoiding crowded trains removes almost all of the worry.
Related pages
- Kyudo Bow Length: Nami-sun vs Nobi-sun
- Kyudo Bowstrings: When to Replace Them
- Choosing Kyudo Arrows
- The Equipment You Need to Start Kyudo
This page sets out general practice for carrying a Japanese bow (checked October 2026). Airline and railway rules change and differ between operators; confirm with them before you travel. Whether to carry a bow strung or unstrung follows your dojo and teacher. This site is an independent guide to kyudo equipment, and we can also order equipment from makers and shops in Japan for you and ship it abroad — see Ordering from overseas.