AnimeTrailPractical trip plans for anime pilgrimages in Japan

Guide · Luggage · Shinjuku

Leaving your suitcase in Shinjuku

On the Yamanashi trips you change between limited express, local trains, buses and taxis all day, and the stations at the far end have stairs, level crossings and no lockers. Leaving the large case in Shinjuku is what makes those days pleasant rather than exhausting. This guide covers where to leave it and how to get it back.

Who this is for
Trips that start and finish at Shinjuku
When to drop off
Before the morning limited express
How long
2 days for one night, 3 days for two
What you carry
A daypack of about 4–6 kg
On this page

The short version

  • If you start and finish at Shinjuku and are travelling by public transport, leave the large case there and carry one night in a small bag.
  • Lockers charge by calendar day and the day turns over at 02:00, so one night usually costs two days and two nights usually costs three.
  • The late return is what catches people. The staffed counter at Busta Shinjuku closes at 21:00; if your train gets in after that, use a station locker or a 24-hour shop instead.
  • If you are not coming back to Shinjuku, do not leave anything there. Send the case on to your next hotel instead.

Which one to use

The answer follows from your departure time, your return time and the size of the case.

Your situationUse
You get back to Shinjuku after 21:00A station locker inside the JR gates or on the free passage, or a 24-hour ecbo cloak shop
The case is oversized, or there are several bagsThe staffed Sagawa counter at Busta Shinjuku — but you must collect before 21:00
You leave on an early train, around 06:30–07:00The Sagawa counter opens at 06:30, earlier than most options
You travel on a weekend or a long holidayBook ahead — a Multi Ecube box, or ecbo cloak / Bounce
You are not returning to ShinjukuNone of these. Forward the case to your next hotel

The three ways to leave a case in Shinjuku

OptionWhereHoursPrice guideBest when
Station lockers and Multi EcubeInside and outside the JR gates at ShinjukuFirst to last train; up to three days, day turnover at 02:00Around ¥900 a day for a large box, varying by location; booking a box adds ¥500Closest to the platform, and the only option that works for a late return
Sagawa counter, Busta ShinjukuThird floor of Busta Shinjuku, inside the tourist information centre06:30–21:00. Nothing can be collected after 21:00¥800 a day up to 100 cm, ¥1,000 up to 160 cm, ¥1,500 up to 200 cm and 30 kgOversized cases, several bags at once, a pushchair, or an early start
Shop storage: ecbo cloak and BounceCafes, shops and hotels around Shinjuku, booked on your phoneSet by each shop; some are open 24 hoursecbo cloak ¥800 a day for a suitcase (¥500 for a bag); Bounce from about ¥500 a dayWeekends and holidays when the station lockers fill up, and late collections

Station lockers: what to get right

White Multi Ecube smart lockers at Shinjuku Station with a touch panel
Multi Ecube at Shinjuku. Availability can be checked and a box reserved before you arrive.
  • Inside or outside the gates. Inside the JR gates is quickest if you go straight from the locker to the limited express and straight back out at the end. Choose outside if you will change to a private railway or the subway, or head into the streets, when you get back.
  • Shutters close at night. Lockers inside the underground malls and the station buildings become unreachable in the late evening. If your train gets into Shinjuku between 21:00 and midnight, use a locker inside the JR gates or on the free passage, which run to the last train.
  • Multi Ecube can be booked. You can check availability and reserve a box on its site, which is worth doing on a weekend morning — the large boxes go first between 07:00 and 09:00.
  • Opening the door normally ends the rental, so you cannot take one thing out and put the case back. Some boxes offer an open-and-close option for the day; check on the booking screen if you need it.
  • Older lockers take an IC card or a key and cannot be booked. They are fine if you are early.

What goes in the daypack

Aim for about 4–6 kg. That is the difference between walking down from the hot spring to the park and regretting it.

BagWhat
Carry with youOne or two nights of clothes, a warm layer (Lake Motosu and Minobu are colder than Tokyo morning and evening), rain gear, phone, camera, power bank and cables, passport or residence card, cash, cards, an IC card, and any medication.
Leave in the caseClothes for the rest of the trip, souvenirs already bought in Tokyo, spare shoes, and full-size toiletries.
Never leave behindPassport, tickets and wallet; medication you need during the trip; laptops and tablets, which some storage services will not accept; and anything you need to check in at your accommodation.

What you will find at the Yamanashi end

If you do take the case with you, this is what is available once you are there.

StationLockersStep-free accessWhat to do
KofuPlenty outside the gates, including large sizesLifts throughoutYou can leave the case here and do the Minobu Line as a round trip, if you come back through Kofu.
YamanashishiMulti Ecube on the concourse outside the gates, in three sizesLift availableThere are only a few large boxes. Check availability on the day.
MinobuOnly a few, around the stationFootbridge or rampThe tourist information office sometimes holds bags, but hours and capacity are limited.
Shimobe-Onsen and Kai-TokiwaNone. Both are unstaffedStairs and a level crossingThere is nowhere to leave anything. If you are staying at Shimobe-Onsen, go straight to the ryokan and leave it there.

If you are not coming back to Shinjuku

Prices, opening hours and booking conditions were checked against each operator’s own pages. They change, and the fee shown at the time of booking is the one that applies.

Related · Continue planning

Sources and check dates

Sources used to verify the facts on this page. Times, fares and opening hours change; confirm them again for your travel date.

Checked: Train and bus times 6 Sep 2026; facilities and fares 6 Sep 2026; lodging 6 Sep 2026