A flexible alternative to Coin Lockers
Are you looking for secure luggage storage in Japan because hotel check-in isn’t available yet, or perhaps you’re just passing through? Anyone who has ever stood desperately in front of a wall of red-lit (occupied) coin lockers at Tokyo or Kyoto station knows the stress. But now, there is a new solution for storing suitcases directly at the Konbini (convenience store).
7-Eleven has teamed up with the service provider Ecbo Cloak to offer luggage storage in hundreds of branches. Read on to find out why this could be a real game changer for your next trip to Japan.
How Luggage storage at 7-Eleven works
The principle is simple and solves one of the biggest problems of classic lockers: uncertainty. Instead of dragging heavy luggage around hoping to find a free locker, you simply reserve your spot in advance.
Book via app or website
The service runs through the provider Ecbo Cloak. You book your slot conveniently via the app for iPhone, Android or website before you even step into the store. Important: Spontaneous drop-offs without a reservation are not possible. You must book in advance.
Drop-off: Your Luggage Service Directly at the Konbini
Once you have completed your reservation, simply head to the selected 7-Eleven branch. Since the service is already available in 378 stores at launch, you can often find an option in close proximity to your hotel or major sightseeing spots. This saves you the tedious detour to the train station and makes this new luggage service in Japan the perfect alternative when you want to keep travel distances short.
Check-in: Digital and Without Small Change Stress
Forget the hassle of collecting 100-yen coins for coin lockers. On-site, everything is completely digital: You go to the register and simply show the staff your digital receipt or booking confirmation on your smartphone. The staff scans the code, verifies the data, and accepts your luggage—the process is done in a matter of moments.
Storage: Securely Stored Instead of Publicly Accessible
Security is the most important criterion when storing luggage. Unlike some makeshift solutions, your suitcases are not left standing in the sales area. Your luggage goes into a separate, locked storage room or a specially secured area in the Konbini’s staff room. In addition, insurance against loss or damage is already included in the price, so you can start your sightseeing tour completely worry-free.
Prices and Luggage sizes
The price structure is transparent and comparable to the large lockers at train stations—often even slightly cheaper when you consider that you can also drop off bulky items.
- Small (< 45cm, suitable for handbags, backpacks, shopping bags): approx. 500 Yen
- Large (> 45cm, suitable for suitcases, strollers): approx. 800 Yen
Advantages at a glance
- Bulky items like strollers, which do not fit in any locker, are accepted at the rate for large luggage items.
- Availability: 7-Eleven operates over 20,000 branches. Even though the service is starting in selected stores, the network is often denser than that of train stations.
- 24/7 access: Many Konbinis are open around the clock. This means you are not bound by the opening hours of a classic luggage storage facility in a shopping center.
- Security: Insurance against loss or damage is already included in the price.
- Planning: Thanks to the reservation, your spot is guaranteed, and you don’t lose precious travel time.
Conclusion
With the rising number of tourists, local logistics are becoming increasingly important. The cooperation between 7-Eleven and Ecbo Cloak is a smart expansion of Konbini culture. For us travelers, this new option for luggage storage in Japan means less stress during sightseeing and more flexibility—especially in hotspots like Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka.
Simply give it a try on your next trip when the coin lockers at the station are fully occupied again.
Tip: Want to spend a night in an Onsen or go hiking in the Japanese mountains? Or just move from hotel to hotel within Tokyo without losing much time? Then a luggage delivery service is exactly right for you. You can find more about it here: Luggage service in Japan
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