One of the small but transformative travel conveniences in Japan is the comprehensive system for handling luggage — from coin lockers at every major train station to a nationwide same-day baggage delivery service that lets you send your suitcase ahead and travel unencumbered. This guide covers everything you need to know about storing and shipping luggage in Japan.
Coin Lockers (Coin Rokkā)
Japan’s train stations are equipped with coin lockers in remarkable abundance. Whether you’re spending a day sightseeing before checking into your hotel, or need a safe place to leave bags while you explore, coin lockers are your first tool.
How Coin Lockers Work
- Find an empty locker — most have a digital availability indicator system at the entrance
- Choose a size based on your bag (small, medium, large, extra-large)
- Insert coins and close the locker — a key or IC card token is issued
- Retrieve your bags by inserting the key/card, paying any overage if you exceed the time limit
Prices (Approximate, 2025)
| Locker Size | Typical Cost (Per Day) |
|---|---|
| Small (carry-on bag) | ¥300–¥500 |
| Medium (standard suitcase) | ¥400–¥600 |
| Large (large suitcase) | ¥500–¥800 |
| Extra-large (very large bags) | ¥700–¥1,000 |
Most lockers allow bags to be stored for up to 3 days before they are removed and stored separately (with additional retrieval fees).
Payment Methods
Many coin lockers now accept:
- Coins (100-yen and 10-yen coins)
- IC cards (Suica, Pasmo) — swipe to pay, much more convenient
- Some accept credit cards
Finding Coin Lockers
Coin lockers are found:
- At all major JR stations and private railway stations
- At airports
- Near popular tourist attractions
- At large shopping centers
The Coin Locker Search website (ekikosha.com) and the Coin Locker Finder app allow you to search for available lockers near your location in Japan.
Baggage Delivery Services (Takuhaibin)
Japan’s most distinctive luggage solution is takuhaibin (宅配便) — the nationwide door-to-door delivery service. You can send your suitcase ahead to your next hotel, from the airport to your accommodation, or from your accommodation to the airport for departure day.
Why This Is a Game-Changer
Japan’s trains are fast but suitcases on crowded trains are awkward. Japan’s baggage delivery culture grew out of this — it’s completely normal and widely used by Japanese travelers and foreign visitors alike.
How to Use Takuhaibin
Hotel to Hotel: Ask your hotel’s front desk to arrange delivery. They typically handle the paperwork and labeling. Cost: ¥1,500–¥2,500 per bag, depending on size and distance.
Hotel to Airport: Drop your bag at the front desk the night before your flight. It arrives at the airport by the next morning, ready for check-in. Ideal for early flights when dragging bags on the subway is painful.
Airport to Hotel: At the airport arrival hall, look for takuhaibin counters (Yamato Transport / Kuroneko, Sagawa Express). Fill out a delivery slip with your hotel address. Your bag arrives at your hotel within 1–2 days (next-day delivery is available).
Major Takuhaibin Companies
- Yamato Transport (Kuroneko ヤマト): The largest network, most convenient for tourists
- Sagawa Express (佐川急便): Also nationwide with reliable service
- Japan Post (ゆうパック): Available at post offices and convenience stores
All major convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) accept takuhaibin packages for drop-off.
Airport Baggage Delivery: Forward and Reverse
Many foreign travelers use baggage delivery specifically for airport transit:
Leaving Japan: Send your suitcase from your final hotel directly to the airport check-in counter or baggage drop the day before departure. Travel light to the airport on the day of your flight.
Arriving in Japan: Send your checked bag from the arrival airport to your first hotel, and travel to the city with only a day bag. Particularly useful if you’re arriving at Narita and want to travel into Tokyo without a large suitcase.
Major airports have dedicated counters and full English-language support for baggage delivery.
Planning Your Travel Around Japan
If you’re traveling to multiple cities across Japan — say, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima — combining takuhaibin with well-chosen flights makes the trip significantly lighter and more flexible.
For getting between cities affordably, 日本全国の路線を網羅！格安航空券なら【ソラハピ】 covers domestic routes across Japan and is worth comparing against bullet train (shinkansen) prices for longer distances like Tokyo to Sapporo or Tokyo to Fukuoka — flights can be significantly cheaper.
Left-Luggage Services at Tourist Sites
Many popular tourist areas — Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, Nara near Todaiji, Nikko — have private left-luggage services run by shops or tourism associations. These typically charge ¥500–¥800 per bag and operate during standard business hours. Look for signs saying “Handgepäck” or “Baggage Storage” in tourist areas.