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Luggage on transportation

Coin lockers come in various sizes and can be found at virtually every train station and at the entrances to sometourist attractions, but are not always available in large formats. Below are the three most common coin locker types (sizes are given as height x width x depth):

Small 
approx. 35cm x 43cm x 57cm 
(13in x 16in x 22in) 
by far the most common size, found in large numbers at virtually all stations

Medium 
approx. 57cm x 43cm x 57cm 
(22in x 16in x 22in) 
available in small numbers at major stations

Large 
approx. 117cm x 43cm x 57cm 
(44in x 16in x 22in) 
available in very small numbers at major stations

The cost of coin lockers is based on calendar days (midnight to midnight) and is typically 300 yen for small lockers, 400 yen for medium lockers and 500 yen for large lockers per calendar day. In other words, if you use a small locker overnight, you will have to pay an additional 300 yen when picking up your luggage the following day. Lockers are emptied by station staff after three days.

To use a coin locker, 1) find an empty one, 2) put in your luggage, 3) insert the coins (100 yen coins only), 4) close the door and turn the key and 5) take the key with you. Always keep some 100 yen coins with you, if you are a frequent user of coin lockers. In recent years, there has been an increase in coin lockers that can be paid with IC cards, such as Suica and Pasmo.


On trains

There is little room for large suitcases on urban and long-distance trains especially during rush hours. One exception are the airport trains such as the Narita Express and Haruka, which have designated storage space for large luggage.

Overhead shelves on shinkansen trains are about 40cm high and 60cm deep and cannot accommodate large items. There is usually space for two to three large suitcases behind the last row of seats in each car on most long distance trains. Furthermore, on many shinkansen trains the leg room is large enough to place a suitcase in front of you, although this may not be the most comfortable solution.

According to JR regulations, each passenger may bring up to two pieces of luggage onto trains, not including smaller bags. Each piece of luggage may not weight more than 30kg and its three dimensions (length, width and depth) may not add up to more than 250cm, while its length may not exceed 200cm.

Most trains do not have storage space as the Haruka has
Space behind last row of train seats
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