How long can I leave luggage in a Japanese coin locker?

The standard continuous storage limit is 3 calendar days (some stations allow up to 4 days). Rates are charged per calendar day (resetting each night at midnight or 02:00 AM), NOT per 24 hours. After 3 days, station staff remove items to the station lost property office, where daily storage fees continue to accrue.

How do IC card (Suica/Pasmo) coin lockers work?

You place your bags inside, close the door, and select your locker number on the central touch screen. Tap your Suica or Pasmo (physical card or Apple Wallet) on the reader to lock the door. To retrieve your bag, simply tap the exact same IC card/phone on the scanner—the door unlocks automatically with zero paperwork.

What should I do if I lose my paper coin locker PIN receipt?

If you paid in cash and lose your printed QR/PIN receipt slip, you must contact the Station Office (駅事務室) or call the phone number printed on the locker control panel. An attendant will verify your identification, ask you to describe internal contents, and unlock the locker (a replacement fee of ~¥1,500–¥2,000 may apply for lost physical keys).

Will a 28-inch or 30-inch suitcase fit into a Tokyo coin locker?

Yes, in a Large (大, ~¥800–¥900) or Extra Large (特大, ¥1,000) locker. Large lockers measure approximately 84cm (H) × 35cm (W) × 66cm (D), easily accommodating standard 28–30 inch hard-shell suitcases.

Tokyo Station Coin Lockers: Sizes, Prices & Live Availability Hacks (2026)

Exploring Tokyo before hotel check-in or after checking out with heavy suitcases can be exhausting. Fortunately, Tokyo possesses the world’s most extensive network of automated Coin Lockers (コインロッカー) across nearly every train and subway station.

However, during peak travel seasons, large suitcase lockers at major transport hubs like Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, and Shibuya fill up rapidly before 10:00 AM.

This practical 2026 guide breaks down exact locker dimensions, daily pricing tiers, touchscreen IC card operation, and insider hacks to find vacant lockers fast.

1. Coin Locker Size Dimensions & Pricing Matrix

Japanese station lockers are standardized into 4 primary sizes:

Locker Size Class	Dimensions: Height × Width × Depth (cm)	Daily Rental Price	Fits What Kind of Luggage?	Availability
Small (小)	31 × 35 × 66 cm (12 × 14 × 26 in)	¥400 – ¥500	Day backpacks, shopping bags, laptop totes	Plentiful everywhere
Medium (中)	55 × 35 × 66 cm (21 × 14 × 26 in)	¥600 – ¥700	Standard 20–22 inch airline carry-on suitcases	High availability
Large (大)	84 × 35 × 66 cm (33 × 14 × 26 in)	¥800 – ¥900	Standard 26–28 inch checked suitcases	High demand (Fills by 10 AM)
Extra Large (特大)	103 × 35 × 66 cm (40 × 14 × 26 in)	¥1,000 – ¥1,200	30–32 inch oversized bags, baby strollers, golf bags	Limited quantities per bank

flowchart TD
    Bag{What size is your luggage?}
    Bag -->|Backpack / Day Tote| Small[Small Locker: ¥400–¥500]
    Bag -->|Carry-On Suitcase 20-22 in| Med[Medium Locker: ¥600–¥700]
    Bag -->|Check-In Suitcase 26-28 in| Large[Large Locker: ¥800–¥900]
    Bag -->|Giant 30+ in / Stroller| XL[Extra Large Locker: ¥1,000–¥1,200]

2. Keyless IC Card Lockers vs Physical Key Lockers

Modern station lockers are divided into two operational models:

1. Touchscreen IC Card Lockers (Recommended)

Payment Methods: Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA (Physical or Apple Wallet), Contactless Credit Cards, or Cash.
Why It’s Safer: Your transit IC card acts as the electronic key. You do not need to carry a physical key or worry about losing a printed paper receipt.
Cash Payment Option: If paying with cash, the machine prints a PIN Code / QR Barcode receipt. You must scan this receipt to retrieve your luggage. Take a smartphone photo of this receipt immediately!

2. Traditional Key Lockers

Payment Method: 100-yen coins only (¥100 × 4–8 coins). Automated 1,000-yen bill changers (Ryogaiki, 両替機) are located nearby.
Physical Key: Lock the door and take the brass key with you. Keep the key securely zipped in your wallet.

3. Step-by-Step: How to Use a Touchscreen IC Locker

Transit Decision Route

Storing Luggage Using a Digital Suica / Pasmo Locker

Total Time 2 mins

Est. Cost ¥400 – ¥1,000 per day

🚶

Find an Empty Locker with Flashing Blue / Green Light

Station Locker Bank

⏱️ 1 min

Locate a vacant locker (the handle light will flash green or blue). Open the door, place your luggage inside, and push the handle lever firmly down until it clicks.

🚇

Select Locker Number on Central Screen & Choose Payment

Touchscreen Kiosk

⏱️ 1 min • 💰 ¥400–¥1,000

The central touchscreen will display your locker number. Tap 'Deposit' (預け入れ), confirm your box number, and choose 'IC Card' (交通系ICカード).

🚶

Tap IC Card / Apple Wallet to Lock

IC Card Reader

⏱️ 30 secs

Tap your iPhone or physical card on the illuminated IC reader. The machine beeps, the locker deadbolt engages, and a digital receipt is processed.

4. Best Locker Locations in Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station contains over 4,000 coin lockers, but navigating the underground labyrinth can be overwhelming:

Marunouchi Underground Central (B1F): The largest cluster of electronic lockers, located right outside the Marunouchi Central Ticket Gate near the Silver Bell meeting spot.
Yaesu North GranRoof (1F & B1F): Ideal when arriving from or departing via the Shinkansen platforms or Narita Airport buses.
Keiyo Street (B1F): Near the Keiyo Line walkway towards Tokyo Disneyland. Less crowded during standard morning hours.

5. What to Do if All Station Lockers Are Full?

If every locker is occupied on busy weekend mornings or holiday periods (Golden Week, New Year, Obon):

Option A: Manned Baggage Cloakrooms inside Tokyo Station

Sagawa Express Tokyo Station Service Center: Located on 1F Yaesu North Exit (07:00 – 23:00). Stows any suitcase size for a flat fee of ¥1,000 per piece.
JR East Travel Service Center (Marunouchi North Exit): Provides same-day temporary luggage storage services (¥1,000 per bag).

What It Is: A Japanese app that partners with local cafes, souvenir shops, and hotels near stations to store luggage in secure backrooms.
Cost: ¥500 (small bag) / ¥800 (large suitcase) per day. Guaranteed reserved spot via mobile app booking.

Option C: Hotel Front Desk (Always Free)

Japanese hotels and ryokans will almost always hold your luggage free of charge before standard check-in time (usually 15:00) and after check-out on your departure day.