Hi there!
You will find these “coin lockers” at train stations all over Japan.
These lockers are highly convenient if you want to explore a few hours before you head to your next destination by train…
Or if you want to explore for a few hours before you check into your hotel when you arrive to a new city by train!
At coin lockers, you can store your luggage like suitcase or backpack. These are basically storage lockers where you can keep your luggage while you go out and explore.
And, you can find coin lockers to store your luggage in Arashiyama!
So if you want to check out of your hostel or hotel in the morning, then head straight to Arashiyama, and then depart Kyoto for your next destination in the evening, you can simply take your luggage to Arashiyama with you.
There are also many hostels and hotels that will keep your luggage for you, but it requires returning back to the hotel to retrieve your luggage! So it could be more convenient to simply take your luggage with you to Arashiyama! I recently left my luggage at Saga Arashiyama Station and it worked out perfectly.
There are also coin lockers at Kyoto Station if you know for sure you will be returning to Kyoto Station in the evening.
But know that it can also be an option to keep your luggage in Arashiyama.
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.
There will be pretty clear instructions.
They started as “coin-operated” lockers, so that’s why they are called coin lockers.
Nowadays though, there are also coin lockers that you can pay for without coins using an icoca card, suica card, pasmo card, or another type of recharge cash card aka IC card.
That said, when I used the coin lockers at Saga Arashiyama Station, they were coin-operated (and coin only) lockers.
Train stations in Arashiyama
There are many ways to get to Arashiyama, and there are a few different train stations in Arashiyama.
Most notably, when coming from Kyoto Station, you can take a JR train to Arashiyama. This means that you can get to Arashiyama with a JR pass. Taking the JR train, you’ll be getting off at the station called “Saga Arashiyama station,” which is the train station that’s talked about here for the coin lockers.
Separately, there’s another train line that goes to Arashiyama, and that’s the Randen train line. This train goes to a train station called “Arashiyama station.”
And there is also an “Arashiyama torokko station.” This is an Arashiyama-only train station that runs on the Sagano Scenic Railway line.
So how to keep track?! Well, just follow along on google maps. 😉 It’s just a good thing to know that there’s more than one train station in Arashiyama, I think! The other main thing is if you’re traveling with a JR pass, then you’ll want to take the JR train, which means NOT going to the train station called “Arashiyama Station.”
The JR train station (aka the train to take with a JR pass) is Saga Arashiyama Station.
Now, a few more things.
Taking the JR train to Arashiyama from Kyoto Station
Tip #1:Â Once you’re at Kyoto Station, look for the sign for the “Sagano line.”
Tip #2:Â Once you’re at the correct platform, walk far down before you get on the train! (If there are still a few minute before departure time!) With tons of people getting on the first train car they see, it means that the closest cars can be really crowded, and even standing only. But just walk a little bit, and chances are you’ll find that the cars to the front of the train are more empty, and you’ll probably even get a seat! And, you can get straight-on views during the train ride!
Tip #3:Â If the train door is closed at the boarding point, look for the OPEN button to open the door. (Most trains in Japan have automatic doors, but the JR Arashiyama train might keep them closed.)
Tip #4:Â Similarly, after you’ve gotten on the train and it’s time to get off, the door might not open automatically. In that case, again look for the OPEN button to open the door.
🗾🚊
Okay…
So you’ve arrived at Saga Arashiyama Station!!
As you exit the ticket gate, you’ll head to the right.
It’s really not a big area so it won’t be too hard to figure out. The easy “landmark” to look for is the 7-eleven convenience store! The coin lockers are located right next to here.
The coin lockers are limited, but I was in Arashiyama during super busy season…
Serious crowds walking near the famous Arashiyama Bridge during fall foliage season!
And there were still a number of lockers left. Hopefully this means your chances are good too. 😉
3 easy steps to use a coin locker at Saga Arashiyama Station!
1. Insert luggage into locker
2. Insert 100-yen coins into slot as required
3. Close the door, turn the key to lock, and remove the key!
You need exact change!
You pay for these coin lockers with 100-yen coins. And, you need to have the number of coins that you need. These lockers only accept 100-yen coins.
Around many coin lockers in Japan, you’ll find a little coin exchange thing where you can insert a bill to get coins. I did NOT see this at the Saga Arashiyama Station, so you’ll want to make sure to save enough for using the lockers.
Your back-up plan can be to buy something small at the convenience store located right next to the coin lockers so you can get change.
Separately, there’s also an ATM right next to the coin lockers if you’re short on cash.
Locker sizes and cost
The coin lockers here had 3 basic sizes:
- small (300 yen – US$3)
- medium (400 yen – US$4)
- large (600 yen – US$6)
For size comparison, the backpack in the pictures below is a 30L backpack.
Small locker
Medium locker
Large locker
And that’s a bit about using coin lockers in Arashiyama!
Be sure to see the Arashiyama travel planning map and one day itinerary for Arashiyama!
HAPPY USING COIN LOCKERS FOR LUGGAGE STORAGE AT SAGA ARASHIYAMA STATION!
