The short answer
- Send large suitcases ahead by courier and travel with a small bag.
- Station coin lockers come in several sizes, and many accept IC cards.
- Big stations can run out of lockers at midday, so go early or try another hall.
- Large bags on the shinkansen have their own rule, described in the shinkansen guide.
Sending luggage ahead (takkyūbin)
Courier companies such as Yamato (Kuroneko) and Sagawa run a luggage forwarding service that is reliable and quick. Hand your suitcase to the hotel desk or an airport counter, fill in a form with the destination, and pay. It usually arrives at the next hotel or the airport the following day, and you can book a time.
The cost depends on size and distance, and is usually a few thousand yen per suitcase. Hotels will often arrange it for you, and airports have counters for it. Allow a day in advance, and keep a change of clothes in your day bag.
Coin lockers and storage
Coin lockers sit in most stations in a range of sizes, and cost a few hundred to over a thousand yen per day depending on the size. Many take IC cards. Some newer lockers work with a QR code or an app, and some places hold bags for a fee at a desk.
Lockers fill up at busy stations, especially on weekends, so go early or look at the smaller exit halls. Keep the receipt or code safe, since you need it to open the locker.
On the train
Keep your bag by your feet or on the rack, and do not block the aisle or the door. During rush hour, take off a backpack and hold it in front of you. Avoid the morning peak with a large suitcase if you can.
Large bags on the shinkansen follow their own rule, with a reserved special seat for sizes over 160 cm in total. A suitcase that fits in the rack or between the seats needs nothing extra.
Good to know
- Take valuables, medicine and your passport in your day bag, not in a forwarded suitcase.
- Bring a spare bag for the shopping you buy on the way.
- Ask your hotel at check-in about forwarding to the next stop.
Words you will see
- 宅急便 takkyūbin
- courier delivery service
- コインロッカー koin rokkā
- coin locker
- 手荷物 tenimotsu
- hand luggage
- 一時預かり ichiji azukari
- temporary storage
See also
General information from courier companies and stations. Prices and sizes vary. Fares and rules checked in November 2026. They change, so confirm current prices with the operator before you buy. Prices are rounded and given in yen. Rules differ between railway companies and regions.