Hi there!

 

You will find that train stations all over Japan have coin lockers.

Coin lockers are highly convenient if you want to explore a few hours before you head to your next destination!

At coin lockers, you can store your luggage like a suitcase or a backpack.

You can expect them at major train stations in Japan, and you may also find them at train stations in smaller tourist towns.

 

There are coin lockers at train stations, including:

 

While there are different types of coin lockers that operate in slightly different ways, these types of luggage storage lockers are generally pretty easy to use and they are mostly all the same.

There will be pretty clear instructions.

They started as “coin-operated” lockers, so that’s why they are called coin lockers.

Nowadays, there are also coin lockers that you can make payment with bills using a machine too, although you should really only expect that at major train stations, not smaller ones.

So if you are planning to use a coin locker, be prepared with 100 yen coins!

There are coin lockers that operate with 100 yen coins only.

Sometimes there are coin exchange machines nearby coin lockers, but it’s not something you should expect!

The machines will only you to pay with bills, and some machines may also allow you to pay using an IC card (cash card) like a suica card, pasmo card, or icoca card.

In general, if you don’t have 100 yen coins, you can find a convenience store (that are everywhere in Japan – like 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson’s) and buy something so that you can get change.

If you will be taking a local bus in the days leading up to your coin locker use, then it’s also standard for local buses to have a coin exchange machine at the front of the bus. So you can load up on 100 yen coins that way!

Although exchange rates vary, for ease of calculation, you can think of 100 yen as being US$1. (It is actually less than a dollar.)

 

How to use a coin locker in Japan

  • Once at the train station, follow signs for “coin locker”!
  • Arrive at the coin lockers!
  • Find a coin locker that will fit your luggage.
  • Insert 100 yen coins (or pay at the machine, if available)
  • Lock your locker with the key if paying by coins (or if paying at machine, follow those instructions)
  • Leave your luggage behind and off you go to explore Japan!

 

How much is a coin locker in Japan?

The cost of a coin locker in Japan is usually between 400 yen and 700 yen. (That is less than US$4 to less than US$7.)

It will depend on how big of a locker you get.

But I’ve seen coin lockers at a lot of different stations in Japan, most recently at several train stations in fall 2022, and they do seem to all be the same price. (But of course, your train station may vary!)

The smallest coin locker is 400 yen. This can be good to fit a shopping bags or a small backpack.

The medium size coin locker is 500 yen. This can fit a carry-on suitcase or a big backpack.

The largest size coin locker at most train stations in Japan is 700 yen. This can fit a medium-size suitcase (one-up from carry-on size), but it likely won’t fit a mega big suitcase size. (I did try to fit my BIG suitcase into the standard “big” 700 yen locker just to test it out and it did not fit.)

 

How to store your luggage in a coin locker

So once you find an open locker…

Put your luggage that you want to leave behind into the locker!

If you’re using a coin locker that is coin-operated only, then you insert the exactly number of 100 yen coins into the coin slot.

Then once you have inserted the proper amount, you will be able to put the key into the LOCK position to remove it.

Put the key somewhere safe so you don’t lose it!!

If you are at coin lockers that allow you to use the machine to pay for a coin locker, you will simply follow the prompts on the screen. These kinds of machines usually have an English button, so be sure to look for that.

And then…

Luggage locked, and off to explore Japan!

 

How to get your luggage back

Once you return to the train station, use your key to open up the locker with your luggage in it!

You don’t need to do anything else!

 

How long can you use a coin locker in Japan?

There are always exceptions, but the vast majority of coin lockers will allow you to store your luggage for the day only.

In general, most coin lockers in Japan don’t allow overnight storage.

Coin lockers are something to be used while you are out and about during the day.

Some train stations do have a closing time, so if you think you’ll be out into the evening (and even if not just in case!) look around for a posted sign that indicates hours.

 

More luggage storage in Japan

At major tourist areas (like Tokyo Station and airports), in addition to coin lockers, you may find counters where you can check in your luggage with a real person.

Another option that is a thing in Japan generally speaking is luggage forwarding. Again this may be an option at major tourist stations and airports.

 

HAPPY STORING LUGGAGE IN JAPAN COIN LOCKERS!

 

For examples of what coin lockers in Japan are like (with pictures!) see: