Japanese Phrases for Coin Lockers and Sending Luggage Ahead

Japan has two ways to get rid of a suitcase for a few hours: a coin locker at a station, or a delivery counter that ships the bag to your next hotel. The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) runs a program called Hands-Free Travel that covers both. The phrases below let you ask for either one, and the numbers come from JNTO's own pages.

1. Coin lockers: what to expect

JNTO says most major stations and traveler facilities have coin lockers in several sizes. Prices vary by size but usually run 300 to 600 yen, and many newer ones accept IC transit cards. JNTO also warns that in very busy areas the lockers can fill up, so it is worth looking early in the day.

Its 2018 guide adds two details. A typical station locker is sized for a small backpack, although larger stations may have ones that take a suitcase. Station lockers charge by the day, while lockers at airports such as Narita and Centrair can hold bags for longer, up to 8 days. That guide is eight years old, so treat its prices as a rough guide and read the price on the locker itself.

If a locker is too small or none are free, JNTO's guide describes staffed left-luggage services that take odd-sized bags. Most set a size limit of about 200 cm (height plus width plus depth) and charge around 500 yen per day, according to the same 2018 guide.

1.1. Phrases for lockers

• コインロッカーはどこですか。 [koin rokkaa wa doko desu ka] "Where are the coin lockers?"
• 大きい荷物が入るロッカーはありますか。 [ookii nimotsu ga hairu rokkaa wa arimasu ka] "Is there a locker that fits a large bag?"
• 空いているロッカーはありますか。 [aite iru rokkaa wa arimasu ka] "Are there any empty lockers?"
• ICカードで払えますか。 [ai shii kaado de haraemasu ka] "Can I pay with an IC card?"
• 両替機はどこですか。 [ryougaeki wa doko desu ka] "Where is the change machine?" Useful if a locker wants 100-yen coins.

If you see staff at a luggage counter instead of a machine, the Tourist's Language Handbook gives a hotel request that works almost anywhere: 荷物を預かってください。 [nimotsu o azukatte kudasai] "Please keep my baggage." Add すぐに出かけたいので [sugu ni dekaketai node] "because I'd like to go out right away" in front of it if you are at a hotel desk.

2. Sending luggage ahead

JNTO describes delivery as a counter service. Look for the Hands-Free Travel logo, hand over the bag, fill in a delivery form, and go. JNTO lists luggage delivery at Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu Centrair, New Chitose, Fukuoka and Naha airports. It is also available through many hotel front desks, and through designated convenience-store services if you are not staying at a large hotel.

Delivery companies named by JNTO include Yamato Transport and JAL ABC. JNTO's page also says the services come with multilingual support, same-day or scheduled delivery, tracking, and compensation for damage or loss, with the compensation amount depending on the company.

2.1. The limits

JNTO states these limits for delivery and storage:

JNTO's 2018 guide gives the typical price for one check-in-size bag (up to 30 kg and 160 cm) as roughly 2,000 to 3,000 yen, with some same-day service if you hand it over before 11 a.m. It also says that sending a bag from a hotel to an airport needs booking at least a day ahead. Those are 2018 figures, so confirm the current price at the counter.

A practical consequence of the "fragile items" and "liquids" rows: if your suitcase holds sake bottles or glass souvenirs, ask the counter before you hand it over rather than assuming it will go through.

2.2. Phrases for delivery

• この荷物をホテルまで送りたいです。 [kono nimotsu o hoteru made okuritai desu] "I want to send this bag to my hotel."
• 私の荷物を空港に送ってもらえますか。 [watashi no nimotsu o kuukou ni okutte moraemasu ka] "Could you send my baggage to the airport?" The handbook also offers 次の宿泊先 [tsugi no shukuhakusaki] "my next accommodation" in place of 空港.
• 今日中に届きますか。 [kyoujuu ni todokimasu ka] "Will it arrive today?"
• 明日の午前中に届けてください。 [ashita no gozenchuu ni todokete kudasai] "Please deliver it tomorrow morning."
• 料金はいくらですか。 [ryoukin wa ikura desu ka] "How much is it?"
• 何時までに預ければいいですか。 [nanji made ni azukereba ii desu ka] "By what time should I drop it off?"
• 受け取りはどこでできますか。 [uketori wa doko de dekimasu ka] "Where can I pick it up?"
• 配送状況を確認できますか。 [haisou joukyou o kakunin dekimasu ka] "Can I check the delivery status?" Use it if you were given a tracking number.

Counter staff may answer with a time. 十一時までです [juuichiji made desu] means "until 11:00," which matches the same-day cutoff JNTO mentions for some companies.

3. Choosing between the two

• One day out, bags are small: a locker is cheapest, with the price set by size.
• Moving between cities by train: delivery lets you ride without a suitcase, which JNTO suggests when train storage space is limited.
• Airport on the last day: book the hotel-to-airport delivery the day before, as JNTO's guide advises.

4. Key takeaways

• JNTO puts locker prices at 300 to 600 yen by size, and many accept IC cards.
• Delivery limits per JNTO: under 160 cm, 25 to 35 kg, declared value up to 300,000 yen.
• Fragile items, liquids and fresh products are not accepted for delivery.
• Look for the Hands-Free Travel logo at counters in airports, stations and hotels.
• Delivery prices in JNTO's 2018 guide (about 2,000 to 3,000 yen per bag) may have changed; ask at the counter.