Will your suitcase fit the Shinkansen, station coin lockers, and luggage delivery? Enter your bag's height, width, and depth (including wheels and handles) or pick a preset suitcase size to check the 160 cm / 250 cm Shinkansen baggage rule, station coin locker fit (S / M / L / XL), and Yamato Transport (Takkyubin) forwarding tier and cost. See our Luggage Forwarding (Takkyubin) Guide.
Japan luggage rules every traveler should know
- The 160 cm Shinkansen rule: on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen (Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka–Hiroshima–Fukuoka–Kagoshima), bags with total dimensions (H + W + D) up to 160 cm fit on the overhead rack or at your feet with no special booking. Bags from 161 cm to 250 cm require reserving a "Seat with an Oversized Baggage Area/Compartment" (特大荷物スペースつき座席) at no extra cost when booking your ticket. Bringing an unreserved 161–250 cm bag onboard incurs a ¥1,000 fee and staff move it to a designated spot. Bags over 250 cm cannot be brought onboard.
- Station coin lockers: Small (¥400) fits backpacks and cabin bags; Medium (¥500–¥600) fits 24" suitcases; Large (¥700–¥900) fits 28–29" suitcases; Extra-Large (¥900–¥1,100) is rare and fills up by 9:30 AM at busy stations like Kyoto and Shinjuku.
- Takkyubin (Yamato / Sagawa): hotels can ship bags up to 200 cm total and 30 kg to your next hotel overnight for roughly ¥2,200–¥3,500.
Shinkansen Baggage Rules, Coin Locker Sizes & Takkyubin Shipping Tiers
| Total Size (H + W + D) | Typical Suitcase Type | Shinkansen Rule (Tokaido / Sanyo / Kyushu) | Station Coin Locker Fit | Yamato Takkyubin Tier (Approx. Cost) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 115 cm | Carry-on cabin spinner / 35L backpack (55 × 35 × 23 cm) | No reservation needed — fits overhead rack easily | Small (S) locker (¥400–¥500) | Size 120 (~¥1,850–¥2,100) |
| 116 cm – 160 cm | Medium checked suitcase 24–26" (68 × 46 × 28 cm = 142 cm) | No special baggage booking needed — fits overhead rack or legroom | Medium (M) or Large (L) locker (¥600–¥800) | Size 140–160 (~¥2,100–¥2,600) |
| 161 cm – 200 cm | Large checked suitcase 28–30" (76 × 51 × 31 cm = 158–168 cm) | Mandatory Oversized Baggage Seat Reservation (free when booking; ¥1,000 fee if unbooked) | Large (L) or Extra-Large (XL) locker (¥800–¥1,100) | Size 180–200 (~¥3,000–¥3,700, max 30 kg) |
| 201 cm – 250 cm | Oversized trunk / ski & snowboard bag | Mandatory Oversized Baggage Seat Reservation required | Too large for lockers — use manned station baggage counter (¥800–¥1,200/day) | Check sports-gear rules (Yamato Ski Takkyubin) |
Frequently asked questions
What is the JR Shinkansen 160 cm oversized luggage rule and what happens if I don't reserve?
On Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu, and Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen trains, any bag whose total dimensions (length + width + height) measure between 161 cm and 250 cm requires a free advance registration for a 'Seat with an Oversized Baggage Area' or 'Oversized Baggage Corner.' Bringing a 161–250 cm bag onboard without a reservation incurs a ¥1,000 onboard fee and conductor relocation, while bags under 160 cm fit in standard overhead racks.
What suitcase sizes fit inside Small, Medium, Large, and XL Japanese train station coin lockers?
Standard Japanese station coin lockers measure roughly: Small (¥400–¥500, ~35×43×57 cm, fits carry-on backpacks/duffels), Medium (¥500–¥700, ~57×43×57 cm, fits 20–24 inch cabin spinners), and Large/XL (¥800–¥1,000, ~84–117×35–43×57–64 cm, fits 27–30 inch checked suitcases). Large lockers at Kyoto, Tokyo, and Shinjuku stations often fill up by 9:30 AM.
How does Yamato Takkyubin (luggage forwarding) work between hotels in Japan and how much does it cost?
Ask your hotel front desk before 9:00–10:00 AM to ship your suitcase to your next hotel via Yamato Transport (Kuroneko Takkyubin) or Sagawa. A 140–160 cm checked suitcase typically costs ¥2,200–¥3,200 between Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka and arrives the next afternoon, letting you ride the Shinkansen or stop in Hakone/Kanazawa with just a light daypack.
Can I store luggage at a train station if all coin lockers are full?
Yes—major stations including Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Kanazawa, and Hiroshima have staffed baggage counters (such as JR Crosta, Sagawa Cloak, or Ecbo Cloak partner shops/cafes) that hold any size suitcase for ¥700–¥1,000 per day.