Using Coin Lockers in Japan

Coin lockers are a fantastic way to store suitcases and other belongings while touring or day-tripping in Japan. 

Since many hotels and ryokan have early check-out times (some, as early as 9am, though 10 or 11am is more common) and travelers may have several hours to kill before checking into the next night’s lodgings, public coin lockers are often a great way to free yourself for sightseeing during the day.

(Note: most hotels and ryokan will store baggage, free of charge, during the day before or after checkout – but sometimes it’s more convenient to store luggage at the train station, so you don’t have to return to the hotel to pick up your bags before catching a train.)

Most major (and many smaller) train and subway stations have coin lockers. Look for the sign reading “Coin Locker” – or, more commonly: コインロッカー.

The lockers themselves are normally near the center of the station, along the walls:

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This is the size I use when traveling in Japan (I travel light).

They function pretty much the same as coin lockers in the United States: load the locker, put coins in the slot (be sure you have exact change), lock the locker, and take your key. The fee is a one-lock/one-open deal: if you re-open the locker, you’ll have to pay again before you can re-lock it.

Have you used coin lockers when traveling in Japan, or elsewhere? What tips do you have for making the process smooth?