First Move
Before you walk away, take a photo of the locker number, nearby signs, and the closest exit or landmark.
Quick steps
- Find an empty locker that fits your bag.
- Put your luggage inside before paying.
- Check whether it uses a key, coins, IC card, or touch screen.
- Pay, lock the door, and keep the key, receipt, QR code, or IC card safe.
- If you use an IC card, remember that the same card may be needed to reopen the locker.
- Take photos of the locker number, locker area, and nearby signs.
Don’t Do This
Don’t walk away without checking how to reopen the locker.
Some lockers use a physical key. Some use a receipt or QR code. Some use the same IC card you paid with.
Don’t trust your memory in a large station or big facility.
Large stations and shopping complexes can have many locker areas that look similar.
Say or show this
Use these phrases to speak or point when you need help.
Use when you want to ask if lockers are available.
Aiteiru rokkaa wa arimasu ka?
空いているロッカーはありますか？
Are there any available lockers?
Use when you can’t find the locker area again.
Rokkaa no basho ga wakarimasen.
ロッカーの場所がわかりません。
I can’t find the locker area.
Use when you can show a photo or receipt.
Kono rokkaa wa doko ni arimasu ka?
このロッカーはどこにありますか？
Where is this locker?
If You See or Hear This
Aki
空き
It means: Available.
Your move
You can choose this locker if it fits your bag.
Shiyouchuu
使用中
It means: In use.
Your move
Look for another locker.
IC kaado senyou
ICカード専用
It means: IC card only.
Your move
Use an IC card to pay. Keep the same card because it may be needed to reopen the locker.
If You’re Stuck
Search your photos first. Look for the locker number, nearby signs, exit name, shop sign, or floor map in the background. If you still cannot find it, show your locker key, receipt, or photo to staff nearby.
Tiny Culture Note
The hard part is not always locking your bag. It is finding the same locker area again later.