How & Where to Store Your Luggage in Japan: Everything You Need to Know

[@KenshoQuest]

Watch our playlist on traveling with luggage in Japan: kzbin.info/aero/PLaTfVBw5xI8KsUQgT1LtvdRBqfe_55NNO Do you plan to store your luggage, ship it with a forwarding service, or keep it with you on transportation?

[@tan3964]

for luggage delivery services, do they transport luggage from Tokyo to Osaka or to any other prefecture? thank you.

[@cypress2020]

Literally found your video 1 hour before (and 7 hours after you published) checking out the hotel and wondering what’s the best way to store our luggage for 4 days. Serendipity and lifesaver! Arigatou gozaimasu !

[@KenshoQuest]

Perfect timing. Dōitashimashite!

[@RedZ1900]

I usually like to travel to Japan with one bag. If i do have souvenirs, i just buy a cheap hard suitcase at the location.

[@formarkv]

Godsend video. Planning on going to China for 10 days after Japan and was putting off looking up medium-term storage. Lo and behold your comprehensive video appears!

[@KenshoQuest]

Glad to have helped!

[@tvp2003]

Terrific video. I was looking at different options for multi-day storage (4+ days) but I was struggling to find information online. You covered all of them, including which storage counter at Tokyo Station could accommodate, and the "Yamato Hack". Thank you!

[@KenshoQuest]

Glad to have helped! We learned a lot ourselves researching for this video.

[@hermes8258]

Very important: 19:00 deadline two days in advance (regardless of flight time) when shipping from any Yamato office to Narita Airport.

[@bravosierra2447]

This luggage series is invaluable. Make sure to have plenty of ¥100 coins.

[@KenshoQuest]

Thanks! Sometimes I’ve purchased a drink at the train station to get 100 Yen coins as change.

[@sheepwolf2326]

Thank you very helpful going to be in Japan for a 9 hour lay over coin lockers are the way to go for me! =]

[@maggiethai1856]

Thank you for the great tips, this will be very helpful for my next Japan trip in the summer

[@KenshoQuest]

You’re welcome!

[@b86pg]

Great video! I am planning my trip to Japan and thanks to you I am finding a lot of useful "tricks"!

[@erezfbmomy]

I love you guys, imma miss your videos after I'm done with Japan xD

[@aliciafu9078]

Thanks so much for this informative video!😇

[@KenshoQuest]

You’re welcome! We have tons of videos here on Kensho Quest about Japan travel.

[@sandradezwart4413]

We have travelled to Japan twice before but we have never used any of these services but we are going in 3 weeks and after watching your videos we are going to use the Yamato service for ski bag. Thanks for the detailed information.

[@KenshoQuest]

Awesome, it is a game changer :)

[@bonwatcher]

Great informative video with lots of options. We will be visiting Tokyo, Osaka/Kyoto and Yamagata before going back to Tokyo for one night to fly home. This video has helped a lot in our luggage planning! 👍

[@KenshoQuest]

So glad it is helpful :)

[@DongYiLy]

Thank God for You both! Outstanding presentation!

[@KenshoQuest]

Thank you! We have lots of videos about Japan travel here on Kensho Quest.

[@christopheryoung6047]

Another great useful video guys! Thank you!

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, thanks for watching and for the nice comment :)

[@Meowski_2]

❤❤❤ wonderful video series!

[@KenshoQuest]

Thanks!

[@she4597]

You guys have the best videos!

[@KenshoQuest]

Thanks! Are you visiting Japan soon?

[@she4597]

@KenshoQuest we are! We are going on July 18th and I'm trying to figure out how to get to Tokyo/Shinjuku from Haneda Airport 😄😄😄

[@KenshoQuest]

@@she4597 Here is a video with details about that. One method is to take the Keikyu Airport Line from Haneda to Shinagawa Station, then change to the Yamanote Line to Shinjuku Station. But if you have a lot of luggage you might consider taking a bus. Again, the video will help point you in the right direction :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3rQiWSogquFqM0

[@she4597]

@@KenshoQuest thank you so much!! Your videos are always so helpful to me!!!

[@KenshoQuest]

@@she4597 Here's the video link about arriving at Haneda kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3rQiWSogquFqM0

[@KenVan216]

Can you please tell me what brand/model of bag you are using? It's the black one strapped/sitting on top of the pink suitcase you are pulling in 0:03 to 0:10 on this video. Thanks and great videos!

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. That's the backpack for our WayB Pico foldable car seat. 🌸 Heidi

[@sachinmehta3017]

Super comprehensive video as usual, great content, thank you. Can you point me to a website to find where all the various luggage storages are located at Shinjuku station?

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, we don't know of any comprehensive list but Shinjuku station does have a lot of options, probably because it is very large as well. If you do a quick google search it will give you many options.

[@joeyl6911]

Luv your helpful vids and sub'd. When arriving at Haneda looks like we will miss the hours arrive 9:15PM to check in bags and will need lockers. 2 questions where are the lockers located near the train depot and then when we depart from Haneda how do we get them? Most airports you cant go inside arrivals.

[@killerangel-qy9ug]

Do you guys have any recommendations or know of places around either tokyo or kyoto that have coed osens without actually gwtting a ryoken? Also absolutely love your videos, they've helped me so much more with ironing the last pieces for our honeymoon. Thank you guys!!!

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, thanks for watching and for the kind words :) We're sorry, we don't know of any. However, many of the ryokans do have private onsens that can be rented out even if you are not a guest. So this might work for you. It will take a bit of work but I'm sure you will find one. Good luck and congratulations to you! Let us know if you have any further questions. You'll have an amazing time in Japan.

[@ap2445]

Hello. Do you have tips on covering luggage during rain season? Thank you.

[@KenshoQuest]

We've never had an issue from our hard-sided suitcases getting a little rain on them. There are various types of luggage covers. The clear plastic type might help with rain. And trying to keep the suitcase under an umbrella as much as possible.

[@ap2445]

@@KenshoQuest thank you again , KenshoQuest

[@carloscanizares101]

Hey George and Heidi! Me again. I noticed some of your non-checked bags in the b-roll. Question: do you know the personal item size of JAL, by chance? Wife and I are flying carry-on only and we know we're allowed a personal item. Their site says a shopping bag or purse, but not a specific size unllike the carry-on (55x40x25cm). Reaching out to JAL support wasn't helpful either as they simply copy/pasted what the website says. Any help would be great.

[@KenshoQuest]

It’s strange that JAL doesn’t specify a size for the personal item. My guess is if your personal item is smaller than a carry-on and the two add up to 10kg or less, you should be fine. We had 4 carry on bags: two 21” suitcases, a weekender bag that’s similar size, and my big backpack that was carry-on size. I suppose our kids backpacks counted as “personal items”. It really comes down to the weight being the limiting factor. 🌸 Heidi

[@anneinauckland2318]

A lot of airlines seem to be vague about the size of personal item you can bring, which could be very awkward if you bring a bag that doesn’t fit or allow room for your feet. Your booking information should specify the type of plane (e.g. Airbus A320), then you can google how much under seat space it has. I think when I did that it took me to the seat guru website. But like Heidi mentioned, the key thing to be wary of is the weight allowance. Kitchen scales can be so useful in helping to decide which clothing items etc to bring.

[@KenshoQuest]

Good point! I thought of that after replying. The personal item is probably supposed to fit under the seat in front of you. Maybe it's a generous amount of space on JAL, so they don't care as much. We'll be flying with them soon! @@anneinauckland2318

[@carloscanizares101]

Sigh, my 2 replies got deleted because I linked JAL’s carry on webpage. But thank to you both for your insight. I found a video from Nov 2022 where a gent took a similar flight to ours: JAL B767, YVR to NRT and h shot footage of the boarding. So we paused a bunch to look at the personal items they all carried 😬

[@kevinyong4415]

I couldn't find any details regarding Sagawa's pricing online so can I check if 5:01 to 5:28 is accurate? But nonetheless, this is an amazing video! All the details and the clear explanations have given me a peace of mind with storing luggage in Japan. Thank you so much!!

[@KenshoQuest]

Here's Sagawa's website with price list: www.sagawa-exp.co.jp/ttk/english/service/price.html#tenimotsu

[@kevinyong4415]

@@KenshoQuest Oh sorry, I meant the duration of temporary storage (5 days as mentioned in the video, is it accurate?). Sorry got confused haha.

[@CowboyRoc]

This is super helpful! Do you know if you can reserve luggage spaces on the storage counters, cloak rooms, or on the ECBO App ahead of time?

[@KenshoQuest]

I don’t think you can reserve for luggage counters or cloak rooms. It’s more first come first serve. ECBO Cloak does allow you to reserve ahead of time.

[@nateshf9303]

Wondering how many couples like us can survive for 20 days with only one backpack (North Face base camp bag) and 2 sets of lightweight clothes.

[@KenshoQuest]

Wow!

[@stevegarvey5607]

That's way too minimal

[@nateshf9303]

@@stevegarvey5607 But we buy bunch of stuff from Uniqlo.

[@soniaperez9269]

Hi do you have any suggestions for where to store valuables such as a laptop overnight? Coin locker ?

[@KenshoQuest]

I wouldn't suggest leaving valuables such as a laptop in a coin locker. Our laptops are something we always try to keep with us, or in our hotel room. You might be able to store a suitcase at your hotel after checking out, and then come back for it the next day. We've often been able to leave a suitcase with our hotel for 1-3 days.

[@soniaperez9269]

@KenshoQuest thankyou. I am going away from tokyo for one night to climb mt fuji and don't want to be lugging laptop up the mountain!

[@Victor_YNWA]

Any Multi-day lokcer storage in Ueno station?

[@KenshoQuest]

I'm pretty certain there is an ECBO Cloak available at Ueno.

[@Victor_YNWA]

@@KenshoQuest yes there are, but most of them operate from 10am or 11am. A lil bit late for me

[@noodlemeows]

Whats the pros/cons between using Bounce vs ECBO apps?

[@KenshoQuest]

Being a Japanese company, and probably the first in Japan, ECBO cloak is much more widely available throughout Japan, and we much prefer supporting a local company vs an international one if we can. But we haven't actually tried Bounce in Japan.

[@noodlemeows]

@@KenshoQuest thank you, this is helpful to know!

[@roldansalalila6544]

Thanks for this video...Now I know that luggage can be stored for a maximum of 30 days...

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, it might be possible to store longer, depending on location, you can ask if it is available.

[@roldansalalila6544]

@@KenshoQuest Thanks...

[@palpy2006]

Hi! Anyone know if it's possible to leave a suitcase for 2 weeks in Tokyo Station ? We'll be travelleng with backpacks but are bringing a suitcase to bring back souvenirs and transport our backpacks in the checked baggages in the airplane.

[@KenshoQuest]

HI, yes you can. Ask the station staff for directions to the GRANSTA luggage storage. It is downstairs and you need an IC card to enter. Again, ask the staff as it is not easy to find.

[@palpy2006]

@@KenshoQuest Thank you very much!

[@bossingnel]

Hi, we’re traveling to Japan for a week then after that to the Philippines. Can you suggest where can we store our big (large check-in luggage) luggages for 7 days? Those are the luggages that we are bringing to the Philippines.Thank you in advance.

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, where in Japan are you traveling or where do you want to store your luggage? If in Tokyo, they you can first try at either airports. Look for JAL ABC. Or at Tokyo station there is a luggage storage that will take large items. The location is in GRANSTA. Ask the station staff for directions.

[@KawaiiChibiAngel]

I've watched your videos on luggage transfers and storage options but I wanted to get your advice! Is it possible to work with a luggage delivery service, like Yamato, to store your luggage in the Tokyo area and then have it shipped to Narita Airport a few days later? I'm going with a group of friends and we will be flying in and out of Narita Airport. On the last two days of our trip, we'll be in the Osaka area, I don't really need that much luggage for that last leg of the trip. Or if you have other suggestions and advice let me know! It'll be my first time in Japan so any tips are welcome!

[@KenshoQuest]

Aloha, Yamato will not store then ship your luggage later. However, you can just ship directly to Narita and pick it up when you arrive. When you fill out the forms, just indicate the day you will pick up your luggage. They will hold it up to 7-days. Or, you can store your luggage in Tokyo, such as at Tokyo Station which has several places that will store your luggage from 1 - 30 days. Sagawa is on the first floor. Or if you go down to Gransta (underground), they have a couple of storage locations. Just ask an attendant where to find them as the Station can be very confusing to navigate.

[@susanchitra9888]

Can I make reservations for JAL ABC luggage storage? If do please provide ph# and are they speaking English. Thank you

[@KenshoQuest]

HI, I believe it is first come first serve basis since it is a very popular service. The staff does speak a little english.

[@yuuki1696]

Hi, can anyone tell me if they've tried to ship luggage and to store them for like 3-4. Days in advanced? I was thinking to go from Tokyo to Sapporo for 4 days and ship my luggage to Osaka and fly from Sapporo to Osaka. But I'm not sure if they will keep the luggage for 4 days?

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, yes you can do this Yamato transport. When you fill out you waybill form there is a section where you can indicate the day of delivery. It can be up to 7 days. So You will have no problem. They will ship your luggage immediately but then store it at there facility near your shipment destination. Until delivery date

[@starrylulu]

Hello, thank you for all the information! Question about luggage forwarding service. Based on your experience, is it likely that if I ship my luggage from Tokyo (in the morning) it will be in Kyoto the next day evening/nighttime? Or would you recommend shipping it earlier? I would prefer to do it from hotel to hotel. Thank you for all the great videos :)

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, yes, usually next day, especially if you send in the morning but no guarantees. In fact, they will most likely tell you 2 days. Hotel to hotel is the way to go as they can help you :)

[@martinandreanus7]

Can you make a content regarding stroller rent for those who want to travel to Japan bring their Babies! appreciate a lot Sir!

[@KenshoQuest]

Thanks for the suggestion! We usually wear our youngest child in a soft structured carrier, which is easier for getting on and off the trains.

[@martinandreanus7]

@@KenshoQuest thanks for replying, yeah, I will go to Sapporo next November and bring my 1 year old daughter, I wonder whether there are some Stroller Rent in Japan rather than I bring my own stroller and pack of luggage :P

[@Stinger301]

Hello, thank you for sharing your video on Japan travel. I am seeking some guidance for my upcoming trip to Japan and have found your channel to be a valuable resource. My wife, two young children (ages 12 and 8), and I will be traveling to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima for a 15-day trip. We plan to stay in Tokyo for 7 days, Kyoto for 4 days, and Osaka for 4 days before returning home. Additionally, we plan to take day trips to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo and Hiroshima from Osaka. Given the recent price increase on the JR passes, I am wondering if it would be advisable to purchase a 15-day JR pass for our trip. I am also curious if we need to purchase IC cards along with the JR pass. Finally, as it is Cherry Blossom season, I would appreciate any suggestions on must-visit places. There is a lot of information available online, and I find it overwhelming. I appreciate the information you provide on your channel and would be grateful for any suggestions you can offer. Thank you.

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. Will you be flying home from Osaka? I definitely wouldn't recommend a 14-day JR Pass. During your time in Tokyo you can use an IC card for transportation. If you have an iPhone you can get a digital SUICA or PASMO card on your phone. Here's our video on getting a Child Suica card: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJPZgqiof8mCpMU I added up the Shinkansen train tickets, and it doesn't look like a 7-day JR Pass would be a financial savings. To check, I go on Klook and look up each segment of the trip. Here's our video on buying individual Shinkansen train tickets: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKiwfHhppdJ1hpY Please double check my math. For ordinary reserved seats on bullet trains, I'm seeing the cost as around: Tokyo to Kyoto 14,170 Yen Kyoto to Shin-Osaka 2,880 Yen Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima 10,950 Yen Hiroshima to Shin-Osaka 10,750 Yen For a total of 38,750 Yen, which is still less than 50,000 Yen for an ordinary 7-day JR Pass. It would make a difference if you are going from Osaka back to Tokyo to fly home. Here's our video on how to get to Mt Fuji from Tokyo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ammVaX1vhNmBn7s Expect crowds and competition for reserving train seats during Cherry Blossom season! In addition to Klook, you could also use SmartEX to buy Shinkansen train tickets: smart-ex.jp/en/entraining/ticket/place/ In Tokyo we plan to view cherry blossoms at Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyo-en, and Meguro River. There are also beautiful views from Mt Fuji 5 Lakes area. We'll be sharing more about that once we are in Japan. 🌸 Heidi

[@Stinger301]

@@KenshoQuest Helloi Heidi, Thank you for your quick response. Yes we will be returning home from Osaka. I was a bit confused regarding the JR pass but your explaination has clarified it. I belive that getting a Suica card for my family and I will be my preferred option even while the JR pass does allow using other trains and busses locally. Please correct me if I am wrong. One more thing, as I am a vegan, will food be an issue during our visit and do most establishments cater for vegan friendly diets? Would love to get some recommendations for "must try places for food". Once again I do appreciate your detailed explaination on my previous question. Thank you.

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi again. Just to clarify, your 8 year-old can use a child SUICA card. The rest of you will each need your own separate adult SUICA / IC card. There is a chip shortage for making the cards right now, so that's why I recommend getting a digital one. Otherwise, you might be able to get a tourist one when you arrive at the airport. Sorry, I don't know much about finding vegan restaurants. Our family often searches for gluten-free restaurants, and sometimes those are also vegan. I will try to look for restaurants on our next trip, as many people have asked about vegetarian/ vegan options. You might be able to pick up simple lunch items at a convenience store. @@Stinger301

[@Stinger301]

@@KenshoQuest Hi Heidi, thank you for your response. Much appreciated.

[@racquelcruz4453]

hi, sorry to disturb you. is there a locker where we can store our luggage for 5 days? we are flying on 20th sept to Tokyo, but we will spend our first night at osaka. stay in osaka for 4 nights then travel back to tokyo and spend 6 nights in tokyo. we would like to leave our big luggage in tokyo and just get it after coming back from osaka. thank you so much. we have watched almost all of your japan vlogs. love them all. thanks racquel

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, thanks for watching and glad you like them :) You might want to ask your hotel if they will store it for you. Some will. If not, we have two recommendations: 1) use a luggage storage option as mentioned in this video. We just left our luggage at Tokyo station at Gransta. Or 2) ship it to your next destination in Tokyo using Yamato transport. When you fill out the waybill form, you can mark the delivery date as 5 days later. So you can have it arrive the day you will be back in Tokyo.

[@racquelcruz4453]

Thanks for replying, much appreciated. We might just go with the 2nd option then😊. We were supposed to buy the JR pass. But then we watched ur video comparing buying the Pass vs buying separate tickets. We decided not to waste money on the JR Pass. Thanks for saving us money🤩. Luv ur work❤

[@Sonic-trav3l]

@@KenshoQuest Does it cost more to mark the delivery date a few days later?

[@KenshoQuest]

@@Sonic-trav3l Nope. You can choose a delivery date anytime within 7 days.

[@KenshoQuest]

@@Sonic-trav3l It does not, which makes this a great hack ;)

[@TC-cd5sm]

One thing I will note about the "FULL" signage: When I was at Narita, they had this sign at the JAL counter at Terminal 1 arrivals North Gate for luggage storage. The agent there even bluntly told me to use the "COIN LOCKER:. HOWEVER, when I tried the JAL counter at the SOUTH gate, the agent asked me what I wanted to store and I showed him(two large size 27 inch pieces of luggage). More importantly, the agent asked me how long I wanted to store the two pieces. I told him I will be picking them up the very next day. He then accepted them and gave me my pick up ticket. I think if I had told him to store for 2-3+ days, he probably would have said no.

[@KenshoQuest]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@chirayatabasu]

Can you keep your luggage at seven-eleven for sometime ?

[@KenshoQuest]

Some 7-Elevens offer Yamato Transport services for shipping, but I don't think it's meant for storing luggage. You could check the ECBO Cloak app to see if there's a 7-Eleven that offers storage.

[@MDJeez888]

This is saving my ass right now

[@simsinacafe]

I cant stand the vocal fry, have to mute and activate the cc