Japan Coin Lockers: Sizes, Prices and Where to Find Them

Sizes and Prices

Coin lockers in Japanese train stations come in three standard sizes: small (300 yen, fits a backpack or briefcase), medium (500 yen, fits a small suitcase), and large (600 to 800 yen, fits a full-size suitcase). Most modern lockers accept both coins and IC card payment, with some offering payment by QR code. Lockers at major hubs like Tokyo, Shinjuku, and Kyoto stations fill quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. Maximum storage time is typically three days before contents are removed.

Ecbo Cloak is a service that lets you store luggage at shops, cafes, and other businesses near stations for 400 to 800 yen per day, bookable through an app. This provides an alternative when coin lockers are full. JR East’s Baggage Storage Service at Tokyo Station offers counter storage for larger groups. Temple and attraction visitor centers sometimes offer free luggage holding during your visit.

Strategic Usage

Store luggage during day trips: checking out of your Tokyo hotel, storing bags at the station, visiting Kamakura or Hakone, then retrieving bags for the evening Shinkansen to Kyoto. Arriving in a new city, immediately store bags at the station and explore unencumbered until hotel check-in time at 3 PM. At major stations, coin lockers scatter across multiple areas, and the ones in less obvious locations (basement levels, distant exits) are more likely to have availability.

Finding and Using Lockers

Coin lockers cluster near ticket gates and exits at every JR and Metro station, in three standard sizes: small (300 yen, fits a backpack), medium (500 yen, fits a carry-on), and large (700 yen, fits a full suitcase). Payment is by coins, IC card, or in newer machines by QR code. Lockers near major tourist stations like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, and Kyoto fill by mid-morning during peak season. The Ecbo Cloak app connects travelers with shops and cafes that store luggage for 400 to 700 yen per item per day, expanding storage options beyond station lockers. Tokyo Station’s basement locker area near the Yaesu exit provides hundreds of lockers in a single location. At Kyoto Station, the lockers near the Hachijo exit fill later than those at the main exit. If all lockers are full, station luggage storage counters (tenimotssu ichiji azukarijo) at major stations hold bags for 400 to 600 yen per item.

Alternative Storage Options

When station lockers are full, several alternatives exist. The Ecbo Cloak app connects travelers with cafes, shops, and other businesses that store luggage for 400 to 700 yen per item per day, with locations throughout major cities. Hotel concierges usually store luggage for guests before check-in and after check-out at no charge. JR station luggage storage counters (nimotsu ichiji azukarijo) at Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka stations hold bags for 400 to 600 yen per item. Tourist information centers at some stations offer temporary storage. For Airbnb stays where early check-in is unavailable, confirming luggage drop-off arrangements in advance prevents stranded-with-bags situations.

Tips for Finding Lockers

The largest concentration of lockers at any station is typically near the main exit or in the basement level connecting to underground passages. At Tokyo Station, the basement area near the Yaesu Central exit provides hundreds of lockers. At Kyoto Station, try the Hachijo exit side first as it fills later than the main exit. Shinjuku Station has lockers scattered across multiple levels but the highest concentration is near the West exit underground passage. Apps like Coinlocker Navi show real-time availability at some stations. Arriving before 10 AM on weekdays generally ensures availability even at the busiest stations.

This content is for informational purposes only and reflects independent research. Details may change — verify current information before making travel plans.