Coin Locker Basics
Coin lockers (koinkurokkaa) are at every major train station, shopping area, and tourist destination in Japan. They are perfect for storing bags while you explore for the day. Modern lockers accept both coins and IC cards (Suica/Pasmo). Typical hours: accessible from first train (~5 AM) to last train (~midnight). Most lockers charge per calendar day — if you store at 10 PM and retrieve at 10 AM, that counts as 2 days. Items can be stored for a maximum of 3-4 days before the station removes them. Lockers are numbered and you keep the key or receive a PIN code.
Tip: IC card-operated lockers are easier to use than coin-operated ones. Touch your card to lock, touch again to unlock. No coins needed and no key to lose.
Sizes and Prices
Small (35x34x57cm): ¥400/day — fits a daypack, shopping bags, or briefcase. Medium (55x34x57cm): ¥500-600/day — fits a carry-on suitcase or large backpack. Large (84x34x57cm): ¥700-800/day — fits a standard checked suitcase up to about 70L. Extra Large (113x34x57cm): ¥800-1,000/day — fits oversized luggage. Prices vary by station and city — Tokyo stations are at the higher end. Shinkansen stations always have large and extra-large lockers. Department stores and shopping malls often have free small lockers for shoppers.
Where to Find Lockers and What to Do When Full
Lockers cluster near ticket gates, platform stairs, and station exits. In Tokyo, Shinjuku Station has 2,000+ lockers but fills by 10 AM on weekends. Tokyo Station has lockers on every floor of the Yaesu and Marunouchi sides. Use the Coin Locker Navi app or website to check real-time availability at major stations. When full (common during holidays), alternatives include: Ecbo Cloak (app-based luggage storage at nearby cafes/shops, ¥400-800/day), station baggage rooms (tehimotsu azukarisho), or tourist information centers which sometimes store bags.
Tips for Using Lockers Efficiently
Store luggage early in the morning before crowds fill lockers (before 9 AM is safest). Take a photo of your locker number and location — stations are massive and all corridors look similar. Do not store valuables exceeding ¥300,000 (not insured). Perishable food and dangerous goods are prohibited. If using a key-type locker, keep the key safe — replacement fees are ¥1,000-3,000. For trips longer than one day, luggage forwarding (takkyubin) is cheaper than multi-day locker fees. At airports, lockers near arrivals are slightly cheaper than those near departure gates.
