Coin lockers are a popular and convenient way to temporarily store luggage while exploring Japan, found widely in train and bus stations, airports, shopping centers, and major tourist attractions.
Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:
- Ubiquitous: Found in almost all stations, including smaller provincial ones.
- Major Stations: Largest concentrations are in major railway hubs like Tokyo, Shinjuku, [Ueno], [Ikebukuro] , and Shibuya.
- Signage: Look for signs directing you to “Coin Locker” or “Luggage Room,” often available in English.
- Hours: Generally accessible from the first to the last train, typically 6 a.m. to midnight.
- Peak Times: During busy periods like Golden Week, finding an available locker, especially a large one, may require patience.
- [
Ueno Station 4.1 (3.8K)Transit station 7 Chome Ueno]
- [
Ikebukuro Station 3.8 (3.1K)Transit station 1 Chome Minamiikebukuro]
Coin lockers come in various sizes, most commonly small (S), medium (M), and large (L), with extra-large (LL) options available at major stations.
- Small: Fits backpacks or small bags and costs 300-400 yen per day.
- Medium: Suitable for carry-on bags or small suitcases and costs 500-600 yen per day.
- Large: Designed for standard suitcases and costs 700-800 yen per day.
- Extra Large: Can accommodate larger items or multiple bags, costing around 900 yen or over 700 yen per day.
Pricing is based on a calendar day (midnight to midnight), so keeping items past midnight incurs an additional day’s charge.
Coin lockers in Japan are either key-operated or keyless with touch panels.
- Key-operated: Find an empty locker with a key, put your items inside, insert coins, and turn the key to lock and remove it.
- Keyless (touch panel): Use the touch screen to select “Deposit,” choose a locker, put your bags inside, close the door, and select your payment method (cash or IC card). After payment, you’ll receive a receipt with a PIN for cash payments or just a receipt for IC card payments. Keep your receipt and PIN secure as they are needed for retrieval.
- Key-operated: Use the key to unlock the locker. If you’ve gone over the time limit, you’ll need to insert additional coins.
- Keyless: Select “Remove” on the touch panel, choose your original payment method, and enter your PIN or tap your IC card to open the locker.
Coin lockers typically have a maximum storage limit of 3 calendar days. Items left longer will be removed by staff and can usually be retrieved from the management company for about a month, but this will involve extra fees.
If coin lockers aren’t suitable, consider these options:
- Luggage Storage Counters: Available at airports and some major train stations, costing around 500-1000 yen per piece per day.
- ecbo cloak: An app connecting users with businesses that offer luggage storage. It provides online booking, cashless payment, and fixed rates (500 yen for regular bags, 800 yen for suitcases per day).
- Luggage Delivery Services: Companies like Yamato Transport forward luggage between locations. Hotels can often assist with arrangements. Costs vary, averaging 1,500-2,000 yen per bag.
- Bounce Luggage Storage: A global network with locations in Japan, offering online booking, a QR code system, insurance, and various payment options.
Always keep your key or PIN safe to avoid extra fees. Be aware that some stations may have different rules, and certain items are prohibited from being stored in lockers.
Are coin lockers in Japan safe?
From my experience, Coin Lockers are secure and safe to use as train stations in Japan are all under video surveillance.
How long can you leave something in a coin locker in Japan?
Japan, being the efficient country it is, has plenty of coin lockers in major and minor stations to store your suitcase or backpack in for up to 3 calendar days (at busier stations times may vary so be sure to check the signs).
What is a coin locker in Japan?
Please select the action you wish to perform. Put it in an empty locker pull down the locking. Lever. Then pay.