Coin Lockers at Japanese Train Stations: Sizes and Finding One
Quick answer
Most stations have coin lockers in small, medium, and large sizes, roughly 300 to 1,000 yen per calendar day as of July 2026. Pay with coins or an IC card like Suica. If the lockers are full, use a station baggage counter or a luggage-forwarding (takkyubin) service instead.
Where do I find a locker for my suitcase at the station?
Almost every train station in Japan has coin lockers, usually clustered near the ticket gates, station exits, or underground passages. They come in a few standard sizes, and larger ones can hold a full suitcase. The catch is that big lockers are limited and fill up fast, so it helps to know your options before you arrive. Here is the quick picture.
| Question | Answer (as of July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Where are they? | Near ticket gates, exits, and underground passages |
| What sizes? | Small, medium, large (and sometimes extra-large) |
| How much? | Roughly 300 to 1,000 yen per calendar day |
| How do I pay? | Coins (100 yen) or IC card like Suica at newer lockers |
| What if they are full? | Baggage counter, storage app, or luggage forwarding |
| How long can I leave a bag? | Usually up to three days |
As of July 2026, the smart move is to store your bag early in the day, keep some 100-yen coins for coin-only lockers, and have a backup plan for busy stations where large lockers may already be taken.
When the large lockers are full, use the broader luggage-storage comparison to find staffed counters and advance-booking options. If you will not need the bag until the next hotel, send it ahead by luggage forwarding instead of searching several stations.
What sizes and prices should I expect?
Lockers are grouped by size, and the price rises with the size. These are typical ranges as of July 2026 — the exact fee is always posted on the locker, and big-city stations tend to sit at the higher end.
| Size | Rough dimensions (W x D x H) | What fits | Typical price / calendar day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | ~35 x 57 x 34 cm | Handbag, daypack, small backpack | ~300 to 500 yen |
| Medium | ~35 x 57 x 57 cm | Carry-on bag, large backpack | ~500 to 700 yen |
| Large | ~35 x 57 x 117 cm | One full-size suitcase | ~600 to 1,000 yen |
| Extra-large | Varies by station | Oversized or two bags | ~800 yen and up |
A few things to remember. Fees are charged per calendar day, meaning the clock resets at midnight rather than after a full 24 hours, so a bag left overnight is normally charged for two days. Small lockers are everywhere; large and extra-large ones are far fewer and disappear first on weekends and holidays. As of July 2026, most lockers allow storage for up to three days, after which staff may remove and hold your belongings.
Coin lockers or IC-card lockers: how do I pay?
There are two main types, and many stations now have both side by side. Knowing the difference saves you fumbling for change at the wrong machine.
| Type | How you pay | How you open it | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coin locker | Insert 100-yen coins | Physical key you keep | Simplest; keep coins handy |
| IC-card locker | Tap Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA, etc. | Tap the same card again | No key to lose; touchscreen in English |
As of July 2026, IC-card lockers are common at major stations and are the easiest for tourists: the touchscreen usually offers English, and your IC card doubles as the key, so there is nothing to carry or drop. Just remember which card you tapped, because you need that same card to open the locker. Coin-only lockers still exist, especially older or smaller banks of lockers, so carrying a few 100-yen coins is a good backup. Some newer lockers also take cash notes or QR payments, shown by icons on the payment screen.
How do I find an empty locker quickly?
At a big station, walking every corridor looking for a green “vacant” light wastes time. There are faster ways.
| Method | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Locker search machines | Touchscreens at major Tokyo stations show a color-coded map of free lockers |
| Locker-finding apps and websites | Search available lockers by station on your phone before you arrive |
| Station signage and floor maps | Yellow signs point to locker areas; maps mark locker zones |
| Ask at the ticket office | Staff can point you to the nearest bank of lockers |
As of July 2026, several major Tokyo stations (such as Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Shinagawa) have IC-card locker search machines that display a live map: green means plenty of space, orange means limited. There are also luggage-storage apps and websites that let you check or reserve lockers and storage spots by station. These change often, so search for a current, well-reviewed locker-finding service rather than relying on one specific app name. Photographing your locker number and the row sign makes finding it again far easier in a sprawling station.
What if every locker is full?
On busy days, large lockers at popular stations can all be taken by mid-morning. Do not panic — Japan has several reliable alternatives.
| Alternative | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Staffed baggage counter | Manned cloakroom at big stations and airports | Oversized bags, when lockers are full |
| Luggage-storage service | Shops and info centers offering paid same-day storage | Reserving space in advance by app |
| Luggage forwarding (takkyubin) | Courier sends bags to your next hotel or the airport | Skipping the bag entirely for a day or trip |
| Hotel bag hold | Front desk holds bags before check-in or after check-out | Storing near where you are staying |
As of July 2026, many large stations have a staffed baggage-storage counter or cloakroom that takes bags too big for a locker, and paid storage services near stations let you book a spot in advance through their app or website. If you want to travel light for a day or move between cities, a luggage-forwarding (takkyubin) service can send your suitcase ahead to your next hotel or the airport, usually arriving the next day. Your current or next hotel will also often hold luggage for free around check-in and check-out times.
Quick reference: station lockers in Japan
| Topic | Detail (as of July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Sizes | Small, medium, large, sometimes extra-large |
| Price | Roughly 300 to 1,000 yen per calendar day |
| Payment | 100-yen coins or IC card (Suica, Pasmo, etc.) |
| Billing | Per calendar day, resets at midnight |
| Time limit | Usually up to three days |
| Finding one | Locker search machines, apps, station signs |
| When full | Baggage counter, storage app, luggage forwarding, hotel hold |
Coin lockers make it easy to explore a city without dragging your suitcase around. Store your bag early, keep some coins for coin-only lockers, use an IC card or a search machine where you can, and note exactly where you left it. If the lockers are full, a staffed baggage counter or a luggage-forwarding service will get your bag handled. Prices and services vary by station and change over time, so check the posted rates and confirm details on site.
FAQ
How much do coin lockers cost in Japan?
As of July 2026, prices are typically around 300 to 500 yen per day for small lockers, 500 to 700 yen for medium, and 600 to 1,000 yen for large lockers big enough for a suitcase. Fees are charged per calendar day (each locker resets at midnight, not every 24 hours), so a bag left overnight is usually charged for two days. Prices vary by station and operator, so check the posted rate on the locker.
Can I pay for a coin locker with a Suica or Pasmo card?
Often yes. As of July 2026, many lockers at major stations accept transport IC cards like Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA, and Welcome Suica. On these lockers your IC card also acts as the key: tap to lock, and tap the same card to open it later. Older or smaller lockers are coin-only and take 100-yen coins, so it helps to keep some coins on hand just in case.
Will my large suitcase fit in a coin locker?
A large locker (roughly 117 cm tall) usually fits one full-size suitcase or a large backpack. As of July 2026, large lockers are the least common and fill up fastest, especially at big stations on weekends and holidays. If you cannot find one, look for a staffed baggage storage counter in the station or send the bag ahead by luggage forwarding.
What do I do if all the lockers are full?
You have several backup options. Many large stations have a staffed baggage-storage counter or cloakroom, and some shops and tourist information centers offer paid same-day storage. You can also use a luggage-forwarding (takkyubin) service to send bags to your next hotel or the airport. Booking storage through a luggage-storage app or website in advance avoids the hunt entirely.
How long can I leave my bag in a coin locker?
As of July 2026, most coin lockers allow storage for up to three days. After that, staff may remove your belongings and hold them, and extra fees apply to get them back. Always note your locker number and location, and take a photo of the locker and the row sign so you can find it again in a large station.
Are there lockers at the airport too?
Yes. Major airports such as Narita, Haneda, and Kansai have coin lockers and staffed baggage-storage counters, though they can fill during peak travel times. As of July 2026, airports and large stations also have luggage-forwarding counters where you can send bags to a hotel or receive them from one, which is useful on arrival and departure days.