Luggage Storage in Japan with Coin Lockers

Travelling while carrying luggage around is incredibly troublesome, which is why coin lockers make for convenient luggage storage in Japan. 

In this article, we introduce coin lockers as an option for luggage storage in Japan. In recent years, there are coin lockers that can be locked, unlocked and paid for using smartphones which makes them even more convenient. Learn how to find and use coin lockers in Japan. 

Table of Contents

1. Convenient Luggage Storage in Japan with Coin Lockers
2. Where Can You Find Coin Lockers in Japan
   1. Websites to Find Coin Lockers
3. Coin Locker Sizes and Usage Fees
4. How to Use Coin Lockers in Japan
5. FAQ About Using Coin Lockers in Japan

Convenient Luggage Storage in Japan with Coin Lockers

When traveling or on a business trip, sometimes it is inevitable that you’d have no place to store your luggage and have to carry it with you, making for an unpleasant and troublesome experience. Which is why luggage storage in Japan with coin luckers is so convenient. 

You can leave bulky luggage and heavy backpacks in a coin locker so that you can move around easily and freely. Coin lockers are written as コインロッカー (Koin Rokka-) in Japanese. 

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Where Can You Find Coin Lockers in Japan

In Japan, coin lockers are commonly installed at train stations, especially stations that are commonly used for sightseeing. In addition, theme parks and entertainment facilities will also have coin lockers as luggage storage for guests. 

Websites to Find Coin Lockers

Official websites for train stations, theme parks, and entertainment facilities will usually have facilities like coin lockers listed, including number of units and sizes. 

However, there are also convenient tools like websites and apps that can help you check coin locker locations and current availability. Try these websites. 

Coin Locker Sizes and Usage Fees

Prices for coin lockers vary depending on location and locker size. Coin locker sizes are standard, and daily charge for use is within the following range:

The words「1日〇〇円」, translated to “1-Day 〇〇 Yen” indicates the daily usage fee for each coin locker. Note that prices displayed are not for 24 hour use but up till the time of day determined for each locker. Make sure to check when the day ends for the coin locker you use, or you may end up being charged for 2-days use. 

Many coin lockers start a new day at 1am or 2am. For example, if you store your luggage in a coin locker at 7pm and pick it up the next morning at 7am, you will need to pay for two days. 

How to Use Coin Lockers in Japan

There are mainly three types of coin lockers in Japan - key, touch panel, and smartphone operated. 

Key Coin Lockers

Put coins in and turn the key to lock the coin lockers. The location and number of the coin locker are written on the key so you don’t need to remember. Most coin lockers accept 100 Yen coins, but there are also some that accept 10 Yen, 50 Yen, and 500 Yen coins. 

When Storing Your Luggage / Locking the Coin Locker

1. Look for an empty coin locker indicated by a key in the keyhole. 
2. Open the door and place your luggage inside.
3. Close the door and insert coins for the displayed price.
4. With the door closed, turn to lock, then remove the key.

When Removing Your Luggage / Unlocking the Coin Locker

1. Insert the key to the coin locker. 
2. Turn the key and open the door. 
3. Remove your luggage. 

If you leave your luggage for longer than the specified time for each coin locker, an extension fee will be charged. In that case, insert the coin for the extension fee displayed above the keyhole, then turn the key to open the door. 

Japan IC cards like Suica and PASMO cannot be used with key coin lockers. 

Touch Panel Coin Lockers

Touch panel, or keyless, coin lockers allow you to pay with transportation IC cards such as Suica and PASMO, as well as with cash. Available coin lockers are easily identifiable by the light indicators on each coin locker - red are already in-use and green are available. Or, you can also check by operating the touch panel. 

Many touch panels have multilingual support in English, Chinese and Korean, so even if you are unfamiliar with coin lockers or Japanese it’ll still be easy to use.

When Storing Your Luggage / Locking the Coin Locker

1. Select “Deposit (預け入れ, Azukeire)” on the touch panel display.
2. Depending on the machine, either input the number of the coin locker you want to use, or select one of the offered available coin lockers. 
3. Put your luggage in the coin locker with the displayed number.
4. Close the door until the green light changes to red indicating it is now locked.
5. Select a payment method, and pay accordingly. 
6. Take and keep the receipt, you will need it to unlock the coin locker.

The location of the coin locker is printed on the receipt. If you paid by cash, the receipt will also have a PIN code that is required to unlock the coin locker. 

When Removing Your Luggage / Unlocking the Coin Locker

1. Select “Retrieval (取り出し, Toridashi)” on the touch panel display.
2. Select your usage method. If you paid by transportation IC card, then touch it to the card reader. If you paid by cash, then input the PIN code printed on the receipt you received previously. 
3. The door of your coin locker will open so you can remove your luggage. 

If you’ve exceeded the specified time, an extension fee will automatically be deducted when you touch your transportation IC card to the reader. If you chose to pay with cash, then insert coins for the extension fee in the amount shown. 

Smartphone Operated Coin Lockers

SPACER is a smartphone operated coin locker service that allows users to lock, unlock and pay with their smartphones. It's incredibly convenient as you can check availability of coin lockers, make advance reservations, and share keys with others. SPACER coin lockers can be found at several key locations including Shinjuku Station, Osaka Station, and Hakata Station. 

How to Use SPACER Coin Lockers

1. Download the SPACER app and register.
2. Put your luggage in available coin lockers indicated by a blue light.
3. Press the “Use Locker in Front of You (目の前のロッカーを使う, Me no mae ni rokka- wo tsukau)” button on the app. 
4. Select the number of the coin locker you used. 
5. When removing your luggage, open the app in front of the locker and press “Pay and Open Locker (決済してロッカーを開ける, Kessaishite rokka- wo akeru)” to pay. 
6. Select the “Open Locker (ロッカーを開ける, Rokka- wo akeru)” button.
7. Slide the bar that appears on-screen to unlock and open the locker.

Payment can be made using the credit card registered in the app. Additionally, if you use SPACER with the available touch panel, you can also pay using transportation IC cards. 

FAQ About Using Coin Lockers in Japan

Here we have compiled some frequently asked questions about coin locker usage in Japan. 

Q1. What items should not be kept in coin lockers?

Avoid keeping the following items in coin lockers:

• Valuables such as precious metals, antiques, computers, cameras, etc.
• Cash and securities
• Hazardous materials that are volatile, toxic or potentially explosive
• Items such as weapons that are prohibited by law from possession
• Items obtained through illegal means 
• Items that may damage coin lockers
• Items that emit an odour or are unclean
• Food that smells strongly or spoils easily
• Animals

Q2. What should I do if I don’t have coins?

Money-changing machines (両替機, Ryougaeki) that break 1000 Yen bills into 500 Yen coins or 100 Yen coins are usually available near coin lockers. 5000 Yen and 10,000 Yen bills cannot be exchanged. If no money-changing machine is available, you can buy food or drink from nearby convenience stores, kiosks, or vending machines to have your bills broken down into coins. 

Another option is to look for coin lockers that accept transportation IC cards or smartphone payments.

Q3. What should I do if I forget the location of the coin locker? 

Check the key or the receipt to find out where it is located. If you don’t know how to get to your coin locker, show the key or receipt to a station staff who will show you the way. 

Before leaving your coin locker area, a good idea is to find and remember a landmark nearby. Another good idea is to take photos of the area around the coin locker. 

Q4. What should I do if I lose my key? 

You will need to contact the management company whose contact information is listed on the coin locker notice board or receipt. To retrieve your stored luggage, you will be required to present identification such as your passport and answer some questions. Additionally, you will need to fill out and submit some documents and pay for the lost key. 

If you lose the transportation IC card you used to store your luggage, you will need to contact the management company as well. 

Business hours of management companies are generally from 9am to 10pm. If your key is lost, contact them as soon as possible. Otherwise, no one will be available to respond and you will need to wait till the next day. 

Q5. How long can I leave my luggage in a coin locker?

Generally, items stored in coin lockers can be kept for up to 3 or 4 days. Once the period has passed, management company staff will open the coin locker and move your belongings to another storage location, so be careful. 

Your luggage will be kept for about a month, so make sure to collect them within that period or they will be disposed of. You will need to pay the fee for the extended number of days kept in the coin locker, the number of days kept with the management company, and for replacement of the key. 

To Close

Coin lockers are convenient options for luggage storage in Japan. Prices vary depending on size and coin lockers. Be careful to check the timing for each coin locker as they are not for 24 hour use. An extension fee will be charged if you exceed the designated time. 

While looking for coin lockers in an unfamiliar area, use coin locker websites or apps to check locations and availability. Leave your luggage in a coin locker and travel lightly and comfortably.