Hakata Station luggage storage

About Hakata Station 

The largest city on the island of Kyushu in Southern Japan, Fukuoka is one of the more underrated travel destinations in the country. It’s situated further away from the center of gravity that is Tokyo (and to a lesser extent, Osaka), but this bustling port city is well-connected to the overlooked parts of the country, and beyond. Hakata-ku, which is the dominant ward in Fukuoka City, boasts one of the busiest ports (and train stations) in the country, with both cargo and passenger ships bringing a bustle to the city. 

Hakata is a foodie destination in the truest sense, with a rich tradition of street food that is the model for food stalls and pubs around the country. The yatai food stalls that proliferate Hakata and Fukuoka make for a no-frills but delightful dining experience where you can pick your way through the lively Nakasu district. It’s also a historic city with temples and shrines that date back thousands of years. Kushida Shrine is one of the oldest and most renowned Shinto shrines in the south, and the Tochoji Temple is famous for its massive wooden Buddha statue. 

One of the busiest railway stations in the entire country, Hakata Station is the primary transportation hub serving Fukuoka and is the main landing point in Kyushu for both domestic travelers along with international tourists. It’s well-connected to the rest of Japan, with the famous Shinkansen bullet trains running directly to cities like Osaka and Hiroshima. There are also indirect routes from Tokyo and Kyoto that business travelers and domestic tourists will use. 

While Hakata Station is the starting point for most travelers arriving on the island of Kyushu, it’s not just for long-distance trains. The regional JR services all run through Hakata Station, and it’s the centerpiece of the Fukuoka City Subway network, with additional bus services for local commuters. It’s situated in the heart of Hakata-ku Ward, which is a bustling district primed for sightseeing and exploration. 

Are there luggage lockers in Hakata Station?

There are numerous locations where you'll be able to find coin-operated lockers. You can find the luggage lockers near the Chikushi Entrance (east side) on the main floor. Each locker rental can generally fit a common carry-on bag, but specialty items and bulky bags will be too large to store at Hakata Station. Luckily, the station is well situated in Hakata-ku and Fukuoka, so you’ll be able to find alternatives (like a luggage storage service) quickly and easily. 

What is the name of the main train station in Fukuoka?

The primary transportation hub serving Fukuoka is Hakata Station. While this is named after the Hakata-ku Ward, this is an integrated part of the larger Fukuoka Metropolitan Area, and Hakata Station is the busiest train hub in Kyushu. It’s also the name of the prominent Hakata Port, which connects the city to other Japanese islands as well as South Korea. 

Do Hakata hotels have luggage storage? 

Hakata and Fukuoka hotels will almost always offer some form of baggage storage, and the concierge will have flexible operating hours when compared to the coin lockers at a bus terminal. For example, the Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk will have a bellhop at all hours. That doesn’t necessarily make it the most efficient way to store luggage, especially if your hotel is out of the way from your sightseeing adventures or work objectives. 

Where can you store luggage in Hakata?

A service like Bounce will offer multiple locations within a city like Hakata, making it one of the most convenient ways to store your bags. With the mobile app, you can use the search function to find the luggage storage location that’s closest to where you’re heading. You can even book ahead of time or on the go. Once you receive a confirmation, all you’ll have to do is show it to the attendant, drop the bags off, and you’ll be on your way. Bounce also offers 24/7 customer support and BounceShield Protection that ensures security and quality. 

Things to do near Hakata Station

JR Hakata City

If you find yourself with time to kill before your train, simply head to the JR Hakata City shopping center attached to the train station. While this may not sound all that special, the shops and restaurants on offer are elevated options when compared to what you’d expect at a train station. It’s an awesome place to sample local favorites like fiery Hakata-style ramen or equally spicy mentaiko (cured seafood dusted with red chili pepper flakes). There are quirky souvenir and toy stores to shop through if you need a keepsake to remember Hakata by. The main attraction is the Tsubame no Mori Hiroba rooftop garden providing panoramic views of the city and harbor. 

Sumiyoshi Shrine

This specific type of Shinto shrine is exceedingly rare, with just a few thousand across the entirety of Japan. Hakata’s Sumiyoshi Shrine dates back 1,800 years and is widely regarded, along with UNESCO sites Sumiyoshi Taisha in Osaka and the shrine in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi. It’s situated at the mouth of the Nakagawa River and is surrounded by water on most sides, which is fitting for the beloved shrine of a port city.  

Kawabatadori Street 

If you want a good idea of what life is like for a Fukuoka local, head to this bustling retail hotspot to check out the various boutiques, cafés, and restaurants. Window shopping is certainly an option if you don't want to spend a ton of money, as the atmosphere and interesting specialty stores make it a slice-of-life attraction in its own right. The architecture is fascinating, as there is a mix of modern buildings alongside traditional Hakata townhouses dating back to the Meiji era (where you’ll find handcrafted folk items and gifts).

Airport travel from Hakata Station

If you’re taking a connecting flight from Tokyo or Kyoto, or even a rare international flight into Fukuoka Airport, you’ll have an easy time getting directly to Hakata Station. The Fukuoka City Subway is highly efficient and very inexpensive given how fast it is. The ride from Terminal 2 is the easiest. If you’re arriving at the International Terminal or Domestic Terminal 1, you’ll need to hop on a free shuttle bus to the transit station at Terminal 2, which takes less than 10 minutes. From Terminal 2, you can board a subway train heading directly to Hakata Station. The subway ride takes five minutes and costs less than $5. Tickets can be purchased at the efficient kiosks that take both cards and cash.

If you are heading somewhere specific or simply want to travel more comfortably, you can take a cab from any terminal. The ride to Hakata Station (or the surrounding area if you’re staying at a hotel) will take between 10 and 20 minutes. If you’re worried about having to deal with transactions in Japanese, you can head to the taxi concierge at Domestic Terminal 2 and have your ride arranged in English. A taxi will cost between $20 and $40 depending on traffic. 

Getting around the city from Hakata Station

How to get to Hakata Port from Hakata Station 

One of the main reasons travelers flock to Fukuoka City is to board passenger ferries at Hakata Port (also known as Hakata Harbor). This is an important hub not only for commercial shipping but there are dozens of ferry and passenger boat companies that connect Fukuoka to various islands in Southern Japan. Iki, Tsushima, and Okinawa are the most common destinations, but even Busan in South Korea is a common itinerary. At the very least, it’s fun to head here to enjoy views of the skyline and waterfront. 

The #99 and #46 bus routes depart Hakata Station every 10-20 minutes and head directly to Hakata Port. There will be English signage, so just make sure to keep an eye out for buses heading toward "Hakata Port or "Hakata Wharf.” It’s simple enough, and there will be plenty of other passengers heading to the port. The bus ride costs less than $5 and takes about 20 minutes door-to-door. This makes for a better value than the $25 taxi ride that barely saves you any time at all. If you’re in a serious rush, you’ll be able to find taxis right outside the station terminal. 

How to get to Fukuoka City Museum from Hakata Station 

One of the city’s major attractions, The Fukuoka City Museum offers travelers a deep dive into the fascinating history and culture of the region. The museum explores the (often overlooked) maritime histories of Fukuoka and neighboring cities along with the prehistoric Jomon period. It’s kid-friendly as well, with interactive displays (in Japanese, English, and Korean) exploring the medieval periods in Japan.

The #312 bus route heads directly from Hakata Station to the main entrance of the Fukuoka City Museum. The whole trip takes about 30 minutes and only costs a few dollars for a one-way ride. You can get here a little faster via taxi or rideshare (20 minutes) but the amount of traffic makes it much less efficient, and likely not worth the added expense. 

Luggage storage near Hakata Station

Whether you’re heading here for a piping hot bowl of ramen or taking the ferry to explore the intriguing Southern Japanese islands or even Korea, Hakata offers a fascinating peek into Japanese life outside of Kyoto and Tokyo.

If you’re dedicating an entire trip to Hakata and Fukuoka or even just taking a few days to escape the obligatory stay in the larger cities, you’ll want to plan your trip well ahead of time to make sure you’re being as efficient as possible with your time. Don’t waste any of your precious vacation looking for luggage storage (or worse, dealing with sub-par service), log onto the Bounce mobile app to find the most convenient location in Hakata for storing your bags! Heading back to Tokyo? There are hundreds of storage spots throughout Japan, so you can rely on Bounce just about anywhere.