Traveling to Japan can be both exhilarating and, sometimes, logistics-heavy. One of the most important logistical questions that bother travelers is “Do hotels in Japan hold luggage?”. This is an essential question because travelers usually start sightseeing right after landing in Japan, and the hotels’ check-in time is usually in the afternoon, around 3 p.m. The last thing you want, and Japanese too, is walking around crowded sightseeing areas with heavy luggage, so let’s see how hotels handle luggage storage.
Most hotels in Japan hold your luggage before check-in and after check-out for one day only. Some can even keep your luggage between two bookings at the same hotel, like the Monte Hermana Hotel in Tokyo. Generally, the more expensive the hotel, the more flexible they are with luggage storage.
As you can see, you shouldn’t have issues holding your luggage, but in the following paragraphs, I’ll show you some examples of hotels where I stayed. I will also give you other options to handle your luggage while in Japan to ensure you have a stress-free trip.
How Do Hotels Manage Luggage Before Check-in And After Check-out?
When traveling throughout Japan, I’ve never come across a hotel that didn’t hold my luggage, at least on the check-in and check-out days, but I’ve only stayed at 3 and 4-star hotels, so I can’t speak for less-rated hotels.
Before check-in
Being able to leave your luggage at the hotel before the check-in time is really useful when visiting Japan. I love making the most out of my time in Japan, so the first thing I do when I get to Japan during the day is get rid of my luggage and start sightseeing right away. For those who need a solution for their luggage, leaving it at your hotel’s front desk is usually the best option and an inexpensive one. Indeed, most hotels offer this kind of service for their guest for free.
And how do you know if the hotel you choose has this service? Well, it is usually mentioned in the FAQ on the hotel’s website. Or you can simply contact the hotel in advance and ask if they offer this kind of service. I usually find the information I need regarding each hotel in their FAQ, and sometimes I even find interesting information about things I didn’t think about.
Other options for your luggage might suit you better and that we’ll talk about later, but for now, just keep in mind that you shouldn’t have any issues keeping your luggage at the hotel before check-in.
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Of course, if you have a late flight, you won’t be worried about luggage before check-in because you are most likely to go to the hotel right away.
After check-out
It might be useful to ask the hotel to keep your luggage after check-out, especially when you travel late to another city or back home. As most check-outs must be done by 10 a.m., it is not comfortable to carry your luggage all that time while trying to enjoy Japan.
Like before check-in, most hotels in Japan hold your luggage the day you check out for free. Again, you can confirm that on the hotel’s website FAQ or by contacting the hotel.
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By the way, some hotels have luggage storage services not only for their guests but for everyone. When the luggage storage service is used by other than guests, the hotel applies a fee for luggage storage.
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If you’re worried about finding a hotel that can keep your luggage, don’t worry. These were the hotels I stayed at, and they all can keep the luggage for at least one day. When I chose these hotels, I was only looking for the closest hotel to the main train station, so I could save time on transportation.
Monte Hermana Tokyo
This is a 4-star hotel right next to the Tokyo Station. It can hold your luggage before check-in and after check-out at the front desk, as well as organize delivery to the airport.
You can check Monte Hermana Tokyo’s available rooms on Klook.
Nine Hours Nagoya
This is a capsule hotel near Nagoya Station. If you don’t know what capsule hotels are, you can check my articles:
Capsule hotels aren’t like regular hotels. They are meant for an overnight stay only, or naps, but you should probably try them at least once in your life. Capsule hotels aren’t known for handling large luggage, but even the Nine Hours hotels can keep your luggage at the front desk (only on the day you check in).
You can check Nine Hours Nagoya’s available capsules on Klook.
Daiwa Roynet Kyoto Terrace Hachijo Premier
Daiwa Roynet Kyoto Terrace Hachijo Premier is a 4-star hotel right next to Kyoto Station. It can keep your luggage before check-in and after check-out, but it can also store your luggage between two bookings if you’re coming to the hotel a few days later.
You can check Daiwa Roynet Kyoto Terrace Hachijo Premier’s available rooms on Klook.
APA Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae Ohashi
APA Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae Ohashi is a 3-star hotel right next to Hiroshima station. It provides some nice services like public onsen, and it can also hold your luggage before check-in and after check-out (only for the day).
You can check APA Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae Ohashi’s available rooms on Klook.
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Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda
Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda is a 4-star hotel located at Haneda’s airport in Tokyo. It offers several services, including luggage storage for everyone (even if you’re not a hotel guest). Luggage storage before check-in and after check-out is free for hotel guests. This hotel can also keep your luggage between two bookings.
You can check Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda’s available rooms on Klook.
What To Do With Luggage While Traveling In Japan?
If keeping your luggage at the hotel isn’t the best option for you, there are other options to handle your luggage while visiting Japan. For my trip, I used a mix of several options according to my itinerary, which ended up being the best to travel hassle-free.
Coin lockers
Coin lockers are one of the best things about Japan. You can find them in train stations, but also in sightseeing areas. They can easily replace luggage storage at the hotel when your hotel is in the opposite direction of where you’re going. In this case, it is better to leave your luggage in a coin locker at the train station, for example.
I used coin lockers a lot when sightseeing because I usually have a backpack for day trips. Having the possibility to store your things in a coin locker and explore Japan hands-free is priceless.
For detailed information about coin lockers, you can read my article about the subject.
Luggage delivery service
Another option to travel without luggage is to send your luggage to your next hotel or the airport. This very simple and effective service allows you to travel hands-free. There is nothing better than arriving at the hotel and having your luggage there waiting for you.
Luggage delivery can be organized by your hotel, or you can arrange it yourself with the local companies. It’s not very hard to do it, but if your hotel can handle that for you, just accept the help.
Also, if you need more information about luggage delivery services in Japan, you can read my other article that gives you a few tips on how to use it correctly.