The first time I used a coin locker in Japan, I stood in front of the machine for a good few minutes trying to figure out how to lock it. Nobody warned me that some lockers don’t take anything larger than a ¥100 coin, or that “per day” actually means “until midnight” — not 24 hours from when you stored your bag. Once you know the quirks, it’s easy. But there are a few things worth knowing before you go.

This guide covers everything after you’ve found a locker: how to use it, how payment works, what “per day” billing actually means, and how to avoid the common mistakes that catch travelers off guard. If you’re still trying to find a locker at your station, check out our coin locker finder guide first.

Two Types of Coin Lockers

Before you start, it helps to know what kind of locker you’re dealing with. Most stations have one or both of the following:

At larger stations like Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Kyoto, you’ll mostly encounter newer keyless lockers. At smaller or older stations, the classic key-type is more common. The process below covers both, with notes where they differ.

How to Store Your Luggage: Step by Step

1. 1

   Choose the right size locker. Open the door of a locker that looks the right size and check that your bag actually fits before paying. Large suitcases need a large (大) or extra-large (特大) locker — it’s worth checking a few doors if your luggage is bulky.
   Extra-large lockers are not available at every station. If you’re carrying oversized luggage, check the locker map in advance using CoinLocker Navi or the Tokyo Metro locker finder.
2. 2

   Load your bag and close the door. Make sure the door clicks shut fully. On key-type lockers, the door won’t lock unless it’s properly closed.
3. 3

   Pay at the locker panel or central machine. Some lockers have a coin slot on the door itself. Others — especially newer keyless ones — have a central payment terminal for several lockers. Insert coins or tap your IC card.
   Key-type lockers: insert coins first, then turn the key to lock. Keyless lockers: select your locker number on the panel, pay, and receive a receipt with your PIN or use your IC card as your key.
4. 4

   Take your key or note your PIN. For key-type lockers, keep the key somewhere safe — losing it means paying a fee to have the locker opened. For keyless lockers, keep your receipt. Some also let you use the same IC card you paid with as the key.
   Take a photo of your receipt as backup, and note the locker number — stations can have dozens of identical-looking lockers and it’s easy to forget which one is yours.

How to Retrieve Your Luggage

1. 1

   Return to your locker before it resets. If you’re retrieving within the same billing period, no extra payment is needed. If you’re returning after midnight (for day-rate lockers) or after the hourly block has reset, you’ll need to pay again before the door will open. See the billing section below.
2. 2

   Unlock with your key, PIN, or IC card. For key-type lockers: insert the key and turn. For keyless lockers: enter your PIN at the terminal or tap the IC card you used to pay. The door will release automatically.
3. 3

   Pay any additional charges if prompted. The terminal will display the total before unlocking. Insert the required coins or tap your IC card to complete payment, then retrieve your bag.
4. 4

   Don’t forget your bag — or anything inside the locker. Give the locker a quick check before closing the door. Once you walk away, it’s easy to assume someone else has already cleaned it out.

Payment: Coins, IC Cards, and What to Expect

Locker Sizes and Prices

Coin lockers come in four standard sizes. The prices below are typical — actual prices can vary by station, operator, and location, so always check the figure posted on the locker itself.

Prices at busy tourist stations may be higher (e.g. large ¥700, extra-large ¥1,300). Extra-large lockers are not available everywhere.

Understanding How Billing Works

This is where many travelers get caught out. Japanese coin lockers use one of two billing methods, and it’s important to know which one applies to your locker.

Per Calendar Day (Most Common)

The majority of coin lockers charge per calendar day — meaning the billing period resets at midnight, not 24 hours from when you stored your bag. If you store at 11pm and retrieve at 1am, you’ve crossed into a new day and will be charged for a second day.

Per Time Block (Hourly Billing)

Some lockers — particularly at airports and busy transit hubs — charge by time block rather than calendar day. Common intervals are every 3 or 6 hours. In this case, the price shown is for the first block, and additional charges accumulate as each block expires. The locker display will usually show the current total.

Rules and Time Limits

• 📅
  Maximum storage: 3 days. Coin lockers in Japan have a maximum storage period — usually 3 days (72 hours). If your luggage is left beyond this, station staff will unlock the locker and remove your bags. They’ll be held at a station office, and you’ll need to go in person to retrieve them. Additional fees may apply.
• 🕒
  Not all lockers are open 24 hours. Especially at smaller stations, coin lockers may close at 11pm or earlier. If you need late-night access, confirm the operating hours — CoinLocker Navi lists them for each location.
• 🚫
  Don’t store valuables or anything irreplaceable. Coin lockers are very safe by Japanese standards, but it’s still good practice not to leave passports, large sums of cash, or irreplaceable items in a locker for an extended period.
• 🔒
  Lost key? Contact station staff immediately. If you lose a key-type locker key, go to the station office. There will be a fee to have the locker opened by staff, but it’s straightforward. Don’t try to force the locker open.