lockers for your luggage travel tips in Japan

Travel Tip: Leave your luggage behind before exploraing the city

Every traveler wants to make the most of their limited time.  Here are some basic tips to travel light in Japan.   

You can ask the hotel you stay in if they can hold your luggage.  Then, you can explore the city only with your purse and backpack.  One problem is that you have to go back to the hotel to get your luggage.  

Or, you can leave the heavy luggage in lockers conveniently located near your departure station.  This is very convenient!  You can just hop onto the train after the city exploration. 

All you have to know now is if the lockers accept your cash or not.  Some lockers do, but  others don't.  Just in case, for those no-cash lockers, we highly recommend you beforehand buy a pass/card, such as a ICOCA (issued by JR).  

This pass/card has a serial number, which is necessary for YOU (identified) to leave and retrieve your luggage from the locker.  You can buy one from a ticket vending machine at almost every major station.   It is also used for traveling around Japan.      

We were in a rush, desperately looking for a locker, with only cash in our hands.  We hope that you can plan ahead and take the most of your precious time in Japan!