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If you are going to move around Japan with your luggage, it is essential to pack lightly, because there is little room for large suitcases on trains, many station platforms are not equipped with escalators or elevators, and you will frequently have to rely on coin lockers, which are not always available in large formats.
Airport trains, such as the Narita Express and Haruka, provide special space for large suitcases near the doors. On most other trains, including many shinkansen trains, however, there is little space for large luggage.
Interior of a shinkansen car
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Space behind the last row of seats
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Overhead shelves on shinkansen trains are about 40cm high and 60cm deep and cannot accommodate large suitcases. 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.
Door-to-door delivery services (takuhaibin) can be a comfortable alternative to carrying around luggage. Deliveries can be made nationwide from/to airports, convenience stores, hotels, service centers and private homes. Read more about takuhaibin services.
Coin lockers come in various sizes and can be found at virtually every train station and at the entrances to some tourist attractions. Below are the three most common coin locker types (sizes are given as height x width x depth):
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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
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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 next 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 locker.
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