Lugging suitcases around Japan can slow down your adventures. Luckily, train stations offer convenient coin lockers for bag storage, letting you explore cities freely. This guide equips you with everything you need to know about using station lockers: types, sizes, usage tips, and new services for a smooth journey.
Types of Coin Lockers
Key-operated: Simple and common. Insert coins, lock the door, and keep the key safe. These typically accept 100 yen coins and come in various sizes with fees ranging from 200 yen for small lockers to 800 yen for large ones.
Keyless: Operated via a touch panel. Check availability, lock/unlock, and pay with cash or IC cards like Suica or PASMO. Cash payments require a PIN code, while IC cards just tap to unlock. Many stations accept IC cards from other regions like ICOCA and TOICA.
SPACER (limited availability): Newer, smartphone-enabled lockers in major stations. Use an app for remote availability checks, advance reservations, cashless payments, and even key sharing. Currently Japanese-only, but multi-language support is planned.
Locker Sizes (approximate dimensions):
- Small (300-400 yen): Perfect for backpacks, bags, or small shopping hauls. (257-317mm H x 355mm W x 575mm D)
- Medium (500-600 yen): Fits carry-on luggage and small suitcases. (550mm H x 355mm W x 575mm D)
- Large (700-800 yen): Ideal for standard suitcases. (880mm H x 355mm W x 575mm D)
- Extra-Large (900 yen): Holds two carry-ons or a suitcase with a bag, but availability is limited. (1,153mm H x 355mm W x 575mm D)
This revised version keeps the core information but simplifies the language and shortens it for easier reading.
Using Japanese Coin Lockers: A Step-by-Step Guide
Key-Operated Lockers:
Depositing Luggage: Find an empty locker, put your bags inside, and close the door. Insert exact change (100 yen coins) and turn the key left to lock it. Keep the key safe!
Retrieving Items: Locate your locker, insert the key, and turn right to unlock.
Exceeding Time Limit: If your stay is longer, insert the key fully, add extra fees in 100 yen coins, and turn right to unlock.
Keyless Lockers with Touch Panels (often in English, Chinese, Korean):
Depositing Luggage: Select “Deposit,” choose an available locker, place your bags inside, and firmly close the door until it locks (light flashes). Choose cash or IC card payment (Suica, PASMO, etc.).
Cash: Insert coins/bills and get a receipt with a PIN code.
IC Card: Tap your card and take the receipt.
Retrieving Items: Select “Remove,” choose your payment method (matching deposit method), enter the PIN (cash) or tap your IC card to unlock. Open the door and grab your belongings.
Exceeding Time Limit: Additional fees are charged by re-entering your PIN and inserting cash (if using cash initially) or automatically deducted from your tapped IC card.
Coin Locker Fees, Time Limits, and Must-Knows
Fees: Coin lockers charge per calendar day, not 24 hours. So, leaving your luggage past midnight means an extra day’s fee, even if you arrived late the night before. Prices typically range from:
- Small lockers: 300-400 yen/day
- Medium lockers: 400-500 yen/day
- Large lockers: 500-800 yen/day
Time Limits: Storage is usually limited to 3-4 days. After that, the locker company will open your locker and confiscate your belongings. They’ll hold them for a month, but you’ll need to pay locker fees and a storage charge to get them back.
Prohibited Items: Don’t store these in lockers:
- Cash, valuables (jewelry, electronics), or securities
- Animals
- Hazardous materials (explosives, chemicals)
- Illegal items (weapons, drugs)
- Stolen property
- Strongly scented, dirty, or easily damaged items
Food Caution: While not explicitly banned, avoid storing perishable or smelly food items.
Troubleshooting Common Coin Locker Issues
If you find yourself without the necessary 100-yen coins to use the lockers, you have a few options. Look for a nearby change machine that can convert your larger 500-yen coins or 1,000-yen bills into the required smaller denominations. If change machines are not available, you can try buying a drink from a vending machine to break a larger bill.
Exceeding your paid storage time will result in additional fees to retrieve your luggage. For key lockers, insert the proper amount of coins to match the balance shown before unlocking. With keyless cash lockers, enter your PIN and pay the extra amount due. If using an IC card, the remaining balance will be deducted when you tap to unlock.
If you lose your locker key or forget your PIN, contact the management company immediately. Their contact information is typically posted near the lockers. You’ll need to fill out a loss report, provide identification, and potentially cover a 1,000-2,000 yen key replacement fee on top of any unpaid locker charges.
For lost IC card locker keys, first check with the station’s lost and found to see if it was turned in. If your card had an auto-charge feature, visit the station office, fill out a form, and show identification to suspend the card and prevent unauthorized use.
Even if you forget your exact locker location, having the key or receipt can help. Key tags usually display the locker number and location, while receipts list the number, location, start time, payment amount, and management contact details. Provide these to a station staff member for assistance.
When all lockers are full or you can’t find one that fits your luggage, consider using Coin Locker Navi to search for availability at nearby stations and tourist sites. Suica locker search machines at major Tokyo stations like Shinjuku and Ikebukuro can also help locate open lockers in real-time.
As a last resort, try a baggage storage counter, luggage delivery service, or the increasingly popular ecbo cloak app to temporarily store your bags at shops and facilities across Japan.
Finding and Reserving Coin Lockers Made Easy
Free Options:
Coin Locker Navi (Japanese website): Search for lockers by location across Japan. Get details on size, price, and even real-time availability for major stations near popular tourist spots.
Suica Locker Search Machines (Tokyo Stations): Found in Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Shinagawa, and Tokyo Station. These use color-coded maps to show locker availability (green: many, orange: few). Touch an icon for details and directions.
Paid Option:
ecbo cloak app (English and Chinese): This app connects you with shops and facilities offering secure storage space. Register, find a location, choose drop-off/pick-up times, and pay by credit card. Fixed rates: 500 yen/day for bags, 800 yen/day for suitcases.
You can find even more useful smartphone apps for your Japan travel at my dedicated guide here!
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