Quick Answer: Where to Store Your Luggage in Hiroshima
If you are visiting Hiroshima for a day trip or arriving before your hotel check-in, dealing with a large suitcase can quickly ruin your itinerary. You cannot comfortably take large luggage to the Atomic Bomb Dome, and bringing it to Miyajima Island is highly discouraged due to crowded ferries, unpaved paths, and roaming deer.
The short answer: Store your luggage at Hiroshima Station before you start exploring.
The Best Place: Hiroshima Station
Hiroshima Station is the central hub for both the Shinkansen (bullet train) and local lines. It offers hundreds of coin lockers and a manned baggage room. Dropping your bags here ensures you can travel light on the local trams to the Peace Memorial Park and take the train comfortably to the Miyajimaguchi ferry terminal.
The Ultimate “No-Locker” Solution: A Guided Tour
Finding an empty extra-large locker in the morning rush can be stressful, and it will cost you around ¥800 to ¥1,000. If you want to skip the locker hunt entirely, save that money, and avoid navigating complicated train transfers, there is a much easier way.
A guided day tour departing directly from Hiroshima Station allows you to bring your luggage and store it safely in the bus trunk while you explore the UNESCO sites stress-free. This is the perfect solution if you are doing Hiroshima and Miyajima as a day trip between Kyoto and Fukuoka/Osaka.
Perfect for: Travelers with large suitcases who want to see both the Atomic Bomb Dome and Miyajima in one day without worrying about lockers or train transfers.
Not for: Travelers staying multiple nights in Hiroshima (just leave bags at your hotel).
Check Availability: Hiroshima and Miyajima UNESCO Sites 1-Day Tour (Luggage Storage Included)
Hiroshima Station Coin Lockers: Locations, Sizes & Prices
If you prefer to explore on your own, Hiroshima Station has extensive coin locker facilities. However, large and extra-large lockers tend to fill up fast, especially on weekends and holidays. Here is what you need to know.
Where to Find Lockers in Hiroshima Station
Lockers are scattered throughout the station, but the largest clusters are located:
- Outside the Shinkansen Gates (North Exit): Convenient if you just got off the bullet train.
- Near the South Exit: Closer to the tram stops heading toward the Peace Memorial Park.
- Inside the ticket gates: There are a few, but it is better to use the ones outside so you don’t have to swipe back into the station just to retrieve your bags.
Locker Sizes and Prices
Lockers are generally priced per calendar day (resetting at midnight). If you leave your bag overnight, you will need to pay an additional day’s fee when you pick it up. You can store items for up to 3 days.
- Small (approx. ¥400): Good for backpacks, shopping bags, or small personal items.
- Medium (approx. ¥500): Fits a standard carry-on suitcase or a large backpack.
- Large (approx. ¥700 – ¥800): Fits a standard checked suitcase (around 24-26 inches).
- Extra-Large (approx. ¥1,000): Fits oversized luggage (28+ inches). Note: These are limited in number.
How to Pay (Cash vs. IC Cards)
Most modern lockers in Hiroshima Station accept Transportation IC Cards (like Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA). This is highly recommended as you don’t need a physical key—your IC card acts as the key to open the locker later.
If you use a key-operated locker, you must pay with 100-yen coins. There are usually automated change machines nearby that break ¥1,000 bills, but they do not accept ¥5,000 or ¥10,000 bills, or credit cards.
What If All Lockers Are Full? (Plan B)
Arriving after 10:00 AM? You might find that all the large lockers are already taken. Don’t panic. You have reliable backup options right around the station.
| Storage Type | Approx. Cost (Large Bag) | Advance Booking | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coin Lockers | ¥700 – ¥1,000 | No | Early arrivals, maximum flexibility |
| Crosta Hiroshima | ¥1,000 | No | Locker overflow, forwarding bags to hotels |
| Storage Apps | From ¥500 | Yes (Required) | Guaranteed space, cheaper rates |
Crosta Hiroshima (Manned Baggage Room)
Located near the North Exit (Shinkansen side) of Hiroshima Station, Crosta is an official manned baggage storage counter. They will hold your luggage for ¥800 (small) to ¥1,000 (large) per day. They are typically open from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. They also offer a same-day luggage delivery service to participating hotels in Hiroshima city, which is incredibly convenient.
Luggage Storage Apps (ecbo cloak & Bounce)
If you want guaranteed peace of mind before you even arrive in Hiroshima, use an app like ecbo cloak or Bounce. These services partner with local hotels, cafes, and shops around the station to store your bags securely.
- Pros: You can reserve space in advance, often cheaper than station lockers, and handles odd-shaped items.
- Cons: You are tied to the specific operating hours of the partner shop (e.g., a cafe might close at 6:00 PM).
Miyajima Luggage Storage: Should You Bring Your Suitcase?
A common question among travelers is whether they should bring their luggage all the way to Miyajima Island, especially if they are heading to a ryokan (traditional inn) on the island later. Unless your hotel offers a shuttle service that handles your bags directly from the station, bringing a large suitcase to Miyajima is highly discouraged.
Why You Shouldn’t Take Large Luggage to Miyajima
While there are several ways to get to Miyajima from Hiroshima, the most common route involves taking the JR San-yo Line for about 30 minutes, followed by a 10-minute ferry ride. Here is why dragging a suitcase along this route is a bad idea:
- Crowded Commuter Trains: The train to Miyajimaguchi is a standard commuter train, not a bullet train. There is no dedicated luggage space, and it gets packed during peak hours.
- Unpaved Roads & Crowds: Once you arrive on the island, the path to Itsukushima Shrine is often crowded with tourists. Many side streets are unpaved or made of stone, making rolling a heavy suitcase exhausting.
- Wild Deer: Miyajima is famous for its free-roaming deer. While cute, they are curious and will often approach, sniff, and even nibble on bags, loose straps, or anything hanging from your luggage.
Lockers at Miyajimaguchi Station & Ferry Terminal
If you absolutely must bring your luggage closer to the island, there are coin lockers at JR Miyajimaguchi Station, the Hiroden Miyajimaguchi tram stop, and the Miyajimaguchi Ferry Terminal. There is also a Yamato Transport baggage room near the ferry terminal that offers temporary storage.
However, you still have to deal with the hassle of getting your heavy bags onto the train from Hiroshima Station. For day-trippers, leaving everything at Hiroshima Station is always the smarter move.
The Stress-Free Way to See Hiroshima & Miyajima in One Day
Trying to fit the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Peace Memorial Museum, and Miyajima Island into a single day trip is incredibly popular, but it requires tight time management. Searching for empty coin lockers at 9:00 AM or navigating the train-to-ferry transfers can easily eat up a precious hour of your day.
Skip the Locker Hunt: Take a Guided Tour with Luggage Space
If you are traveling between Kyoto/Osaka and Fukuoka (Hakata) and just want to hop off the bullet train, see the sights, and hop back on, a bus tour is arguably the most efficient option.
By booking a guided day tour that departs from the Shinkansen side of Hiroshima Station, you eliminate the luggage problem entirely. You can simply bring your suitcases and stow them in the trunk of the tour bus. Not only do you save the ¥800 to ¥1,000 you would have spent on a locker, but you also get a dedicated guide, guaranteed transportation, and zero stress about train schedules or ferry tickets.
Who this is for: First-time visitors on a tight schedule who want a seamless, luggage-free experience covering both major UNESCO sites.
What it solves: The anxiety of finding locker space, the cost of storage, and the physical exhaustion of train transfers.
Check Availability: Hiroshima and Miyajima UNESCO Sites 1-Day Tour (Luggage Storage Included)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do coin lockers in Hiroshima Station take credit cards?
No, the coin lockers do not accept credit cards. You must pay using either a Transportation IC Card (like Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA) or 100-yen coins. If you only have large bills, look for the automated change machines located near the major locker banks.
Can I bring my suitcase to Miyajima Island?
While technically possible, it is highly discouraged. The local trains and ferries get very crowded, and the island’s terrain features unpaved dirt paths and stone walkways. Furthermore, the island’s wild deer may try to chew on your bags. It is best to leave your luggage in Hiroshima.
How long can I store my luggage at Hiroshima Station?
Standard coin lockers allow you to store your bags for up to 3 consecutive days. The daily fee resets at midnight. If you need to store your luggage for a longer period, you should use the manned Crosta Hiroshima baggage room or a luggage forwarding service (Takuhaibin) to send your bags directly to your next hotel.
Hi, I’m Kai. I’m a Tokyo-based travel writer, tourism industry insider, and the author of a published guidebook for international visitors to Japan. With over 10 years of professional experience at a leading Japanese tourism company, my mission is to help you skip the tourist traps and navigate Japan’s best destinations like a local. I believe the perfect day trip is like a traditional kaiseki meal: a beautiful balance of precise planning and unforgettable seasonal discovery. When I’m not out conducting field research, you’ll usually find me drafting new itineraries with one of my favorite fountain pens!