Japan Station Luggage Storage: Lockers, Fees & Tokyo
Key takeaway: Check the specific locker's size, price, charging period and collection deadline before paying. Lockers and staffed baggage counters have different rules. At a large station, note the floor, gate side and locker number so you can return without missing your train.
This Japan train station luggage storage guide explains how to choose a locker, pay and retrieve your bags, find an alternative when storage is full, and check official Tokyo Station information. Station storage is separate from the luggage arrangement you need aboard a train.
Station locker sizes: measure the bag and the opening
Lockers come in different sizes, but labels such as small, medium and large are not a nationwide size standard. Measure your suitcase's outside dimensions, including wheels and handles, then check the compartment's dimensions and usable opening. A “24-inch” or “28-inch” label alone does not establish that the bag fits.
If the door will not close naturally, choose another compartment or a staffed storage service. Do not force the door or assume every locker bank has a suitable large compartment. At popular stations, allow time to find an available unit.
Locker fees and time limits: read the posted rules
There is no single nationwide locker tariff or charging period. Check the displayed price for the compartment you choose, the period it covers, when another charge starts, the maximum storage duration and the rules for overdue items. Do not assume that a fee buys exactly 24 hours from the moment you put the bag inside.
Ask the operator if the instructions are unclear. In particular, check how an overnight stay is charged and whether you can access the locker when the station or passage is closed. A picture of one machine's “3 days” notice does not set the limit for every locker in Japan.
Staffed counters can have an earlier last collection time than their closing time, or accept same-day storage only. Follow the receipt and the specific service's terms; do not rely on an assumed grace period after the deadline. If you are delayed, use the operator contact information on the locker or receipt.
A named Tokyo Station staffed-storage price reference
GRANSTA's official baggage-storage information (Japanese) publishes the following prices for the B1 GRANSTA cloak service inside the ticket gates. The page identifies its information date as May 23, 2025; its current link was checked on October 10, 2026. Treat this as a dated operator reference and confirm the latest rate and acceptance conditions with the counter before using it.
| Published size category | Reference charge per item |
|---|---|
| S: combined bag dimensions up to 100 cm | ¥500 |
| M: combined bag dimensions up to 200 cm | ¥1,000 |
| L: combined bag dimensions over 200 cm | ¥2,000 |
The same notice restricts accepted items to combined dimensions under 250 cm, length up to 2 m and weight under 30 kg, subject to staff acceptance. It lists this counter's opening hours as 08:30–21:00, with same-day collection by 20:30. The information is specific to this service; other counters, online reservation products and lockers can have different prices, limits and deadlines.
How to use a station coin locker
Follow the instructions on the actual locker. A mechanical key locker and an electronic locker do not have identical payment or unlocking steps. An indicator color also does not mean the same thing on every model.
- Find a suitable compartment. Check availability, bag fit, the posted price and the collection rules. Confirm whether the locker is inside or outside the ticket gates.
- Select a language and follow the deposit instructions. Close the compartment as directed and check the locker number on the screen.
- Check accepted payment methods. Some machines use coins; others support specified transport IC cards or cashless methods. Do not assume credit cards, all IC cards or every phone payment are accepted.
- Keep the retrieval method. Retain the key, receipt, PIN or QR code, or the same IC card used for the deposit, as directed. Keep it separate from the stored bag.
- Save the location. Note the locker bank, number, floor and nearest gate or landmark. A photograph of the surrounding area can help you find it again.
- Return before the deadline. Follow the collection instructions, pay any applicable extra charge and check that you have all your belongings.
If you lose a key or retrieval receipt, ask the listed operator or station information desk for help. Recovery procedures and charges vary; a staff member may need to verify that the bag is yours. Do not assume another payment card can unlock an IC-card deposit.
Finding luggage storage at Tokyo Station
Start with Tokyo Station City's official locker and baggage-storage map. It shows the 1F and B1 areas and distinguishes storage inside and outside ticket gates. See our Tokyo Station map guide for the wider station layout.
- Outside the gates: the official station information lists storage outside Yaesu South Gate and a JR EAST Travel Service Center location at Marunouchi North Gate.
- Inside the gates: it lists B1 GRANSTA cloak storage, BAGGAGE STORAGE+ and a storage point by the Shinkansen South Transfer Gate.
- Availability and reservations: the official page links to locker availability and reservation services. Check the provider's current destination, eligible locations and conditions; a reservation service does not mean every station locker can be booked.
Choose a location you can reach when collecting the bag. Storage inside the gates requires appropriate access to that paid area; do not assume leaving and re-entering is free or permitted by your rail ticket. The counter names on a map also do not guarantee an available space, current opening hours or acceptance of your bag.
What to do if the lockers are full
Use the official map to try another locker bank, ask about a staffed baggage counter, or check a specific luggage-storage provider. Confirm the location, bag limits, opening hours, price and reservation status before walking there. A nearby shop or convenience store should not be treated as a storage service unless that particular location confirms it offers one.
Your hotel may be able to hold bags before check-in or after checkout; ask the hotel about its conditions. For a longer gap between cities, compare luggage forwarding and confirm the delivery date and receiving arrangements. Storage availability is dynamic: do not rely on a promised vacancy at a particular time of day or underground floor.
Station storage and Shinkansen baggage are different
A station locker holds your bag while you are away from it. It does not reserve space on a train. For ordinary suitcases on the applicable Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu and Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen, bags over 160 cm and up to 250 cm in combined dimensions need the appropriate oversized-baggage seat arrangement.
Check the official Shinkansen luggage guidance and our oversized-baggage guide for weight, length, item exceptions and the selected train. A railway carriage limit does not establish that a locker or baggage counter will accept the same item.
Frequently asked questions
How much do station coin lockers cost in Japan?
Prices vary by operator, station, compartment and charging period. Read the specific locker's tariff before paying. This guide's ¥500/¥1,000/¥2,000 example is a dated GRANSTA staffed-counter reference, not a nationwide locker price.
Does a locker fee cover 24 hours from deposit?
Do not assume it does. Check the stated charging period, the point when another charge starts, the maximum storage duration and access hours. Staffed counters may accept only same-day storage and have a separate collection deadline.
Will a large suitcase fit a station locker?
It depends on the compartment and its opening. Measure the bag including wheels and handles, then compare it with the posted dimensions. Suitcase inch labels and locker size names do not guarantee a fit.
Can I pay for a station locker with Suica or a credit card?
Payment methods vary by machine. Some accept coins or specified transport IC cards, while others support additional cashless methods. Check the symbols on the actual unit and keep the stated retrieval method.
Where can I find luggage storage at Tokyo Station?
Use Tokyo Station City's official map for 1F and B1 locker and counter locations. It distinguishes areas inside and outside ticket gates. Confirm access, current hours, collection deadline and bag acceptance before depositing luggage.
What should I do if station lockers are full?
Try another locker bank shown on the official map, ask about a staffed counter, or check a specific storage provider or your hotel. Confirm acceptance, location and collection hours. Availability changes and no time of day guarantees a vacancy.
Can I reserve a station locker in advance?
Some providers support availability checks or reservations for eligible locations, but that does not mean every locker is reservable. Follow the official station links and confirm the provider's current location, price and terms before booking.
Does station luggage storage reserve baggage space on the Shinkansen?
No. Station storage and onboard baggage arrangements are separate. For an applicable train and ordinary suitcase over 160 cm and up to 250 cm in combined dimensions, confirm the required oversized-baggage seat arrangement before travel.