No need to worry about heavy luggage when traveling in Japan. Store your bags before heading out on public transport so you can move around comfortably without carrying anything. Besides your booked accommodation, where else in Japan can you store your things? How does each option work, is it complicated to use, and most importantly, how much does it cost? We've put together a list of luggage storage spots in Japan, so let's take a look at where you can use these services.
Coin Lockers
Coin lockers are the most common and accessible way to store luggage in Japan. They can be found almost everywhere, including at public transport stations. Here is how to use them.
Where to find coin lockers
・Train/subway stations: found most often, especially at major stations such as Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Osaka, Kyoto, and others. They are usually near entrances/exits or along connecting walkways. Look for a "Coin Locker" sign.
・Airports: available in the passenger terminals.
・Department stores/major tourist attractions: available at some locations.
Sizes available for storing luggage
Coin lockers come in several sizes, from small ones for handbags, backpacks, and shopping bags, to medium ones for carry-on suitcases, up to large ones for 28-30 inch suitcases. Large lockers are limited in number and fill up faster than the other sizes.
Coin locker prices
・Small (S): about 300-400 yen/day
・Medium (M): about 400-600 yen/day
・Large (L): about 600-800 yen/day
・Extra-large (XL/LL): 700-1,000 yen/day
How to use them
・Key type: look for an available locker by checking whether a key is left in the lock. If a key is there, the locker is free to use. Once you have a locker, put your items inside, close the door, then insert the required amount of coins (most accept 100 yen coins). Finally, lock it and pull out the key, and keep it somewhere safe so you don't lose it.
・Digital type: place your bag in an available locker, close the door firmly, and follow the instructions on the screen. Digital coin lockers usually let you choose a payment method, such as cash or an IC card like Suica/Pasmo/Icoca. At the end, the system will give you a passcode, or your IC card will work as the key to open the locker later.
Things to watch out for when using coin lockers
・During peak times (mornings, festival periods, major stations), large lockers tend to fill up very quickly, so have a backup plan.
・Have 100 yen coins ready (some stations have coin exchange machines).
・Be careful not to forget your passcode or lose your key.
・Check the storage time limit. Most lockers limit storage to 3 days, after which staff will remove your items. Don't leave your bags longer than the limit, as it will be troublesome to get them back afterward.
Luggage Storage/Cloak Services
The next option for storing luggage in Japan is a staffed service counter. It's a good backup option for large bags if the coin lockers are full. This method is popular for storing large suitcases because there is enough space, so you don't have to compete with other users.
Where to find luggage storage counters
・Like coin lockers, these counters are found at major train stations, often called a "Cloak Room" or "Baggage Storage Service" located inside the station, such as at Tokyo, Shinjuku, Ueno, Kyoto, and Osaka stations.
・Airports: luggage storage counters are available at every major airport (Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, and others).
・Some tourist attractions/large department stores also offer this service.
Service providers
・Yamato Transport (Kuroneko Yamato) offers a "Hands-Free Travel" service for both storing and forwarding luggage.
・Sagawa Express also offers a "Hands-Free Travel" service, with counters at major stations and tourist attractions.
・JAL ABC offers luggage storage service at airports.
・Crosta (part of JR) has luggage storage counters at major JR stations, especially in western Japan (such as Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Osaka, and Hakata).
Prices
Luggage storage counters in Japan generally charge per bag, per day, depending on the terms of each storage company. Prices are naturally higher than coin lockers, averaging around 500-1,500 yen per bag, depending on the size of the luggage and the location of the counter.
How to use them
Using a luggage storage counter is easy, as staff will guide you through the whole process. Simply walk up to the counter, agree on the storage terms, have your bag's size checked, fill out the paperwork, and pay. The advantages of a storage counter are safety and the ability to store very large bags, and some companies even offer to deliver your luggage to your hotel or the airport.
Things to watch out for when using luggage storage counters
・Read the storage terms carefully. They are usually available in English.
・Only use a reliable, trustworthy luggage storage company.
App-based Luggage Storage
Apps are becoming an increasingly popular way to store luggage in Japan. These apps work by connecting users with participating shops, hotels, or cafes.
Popular apps for storing luggage
・ecbo cloak is the largest platform in Japan, with thousands of storage spots nationwide (shops, cafes, hotels without their own storage service, and tourist information centers). You can book and pay directly through the app.
・Nannybag is a global luggage storage service that has started operating in Japan, with locations in major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka.
Prices
Apps for storing luggage in Japan generally charge per bag, per day. For example, ecbo cloak may start at 400-600 yen for a medium bag and 800-1,000 yen for a large bag. You can check the exact prices in the app and compare them before using the service. The advantages of using an app are convenience, a wide range of options, easy-to-find storage spots in some areas, and the ability to accommodate bags of various sizes.
How to use a luggage storage app
1. Download the app (ecbo cloak, Nannybag)
2. Search for a nearby storage location on the app's map
3. Choose the date, time, and bag size for storage/pickup
4. Book and pay through the app
5. Bring your bag to the chosen location
Your Booked Hotel or Accommodation
Another way to store your luggage in Japan is to leave it at your booked hotel or accommodation, before check-in and after check-out. Most hotels in Japan store luggage for free for their guests. However, for those booking through Airbnb, most accommodations do not offer this service, so you should ask your host in advance. If they don't offer it, you'll need to use one of the other storage options instead.
Summary
And there you have it, 4 ways to store your luggage in Japan. Each option has its own pros and cons, so consider which is most convenient for you before deciding. But they all share one basic rule: check the details carefully. If you use a locker, remember your passcode and take good care of the key. If you use a counter, choose a reliable one. If you use an app, remember the location clearly, so that storing your luggage never becomes a burden later.