Japan, being the efficient country it is, has plenty of coin lockers in major and minor stations to store your suitcase or backpack in for up to 3 calendar days (at busier stations times may vary so be sure to check the signs).
Cash + Coin PurseIt's also good to note that 500 Yen and smaller are all given in coins. To avoid weighing down your wallet, we recommend bringing along an extra coin purse to put all of the loose change you may obtain. These coins are also very handy for vending machines and also arcades, as well as gacha machines!
Cash, credit and debit cards are all accepted, with credit cards and cash the most relevant. Since a credit card is your best choice for a significant amount of your spending, a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card provides lots of value.
As for other (non-shinkansen) trains in Japan: while some do have some space overhead for small bags, many have none at all. For all of these reasons, we recommend traveling either with a small rolling suitcase or backpack, if at all possible.
Luggage pieces less than 160 cm (sum of height x length x width) can be brought aboard without prior reservation. For luggage pieces between 160 cm – 250 centimetres, a prior reservation is required, which can be made for free.
Check if the airport or local train station has luggage storage facilities for larger suitcases. You'll be charged a fee for this type of storage. Major cities may also have luggage storage services, usually located near transportation hubs or tourist attractions, where you can pay to leave your bags.
JAL ABC will store any luggage that you won't be needing during your stay in Japan at one of our counters until you return to head home. You can only store your luggage in a coin locker for a maximum of two to three days, but our Storage Service allows you to store luggage for weeks.
There are three general sizes as follows: Small 35cm x 34cm x 57cm, Medium 57cm x 34cm x 57cm, and Large 117cm x 34cm x 57cm. Side note if you need a larger locker, you need to get to it early as these can be all occupied by 11am.