Himeji Station luggage storage

About Himeji Train Station 

If you’re looking for a different travel experience from the larger Japanese cities, you won’t have to go far. Himeji, famous for its “White Heron” castle, is a short trek from Osaka and provides a more relaxed experience. Himeji is a common day trip from Osaka as it’s within a few hours by train, but it’s also enough to justify spending a few days in Humeji. The vast majority of international travelers reach the city by flying into Kansai International Airport and reaching Himeji from Osaka. 

One of the main reasons international travelers head to this city is to visit Himeji Castle. But this UNESCO World Heritage Site is far from the only draw. Being a surprisingly bustling city for its size, it’s surprising that there are so many places for a relaxing retreat. The Engyo-ji Temple on Mount Shosha provides a wonderful setting for reflection, as is the Koko-en Garden and its wonderfully manicured landscapes and quaint tea houses. If you want a more lively experience, you can check out the Nishiki Market and the surrounding streets lined with Izakaya and pubs. You'll absolutely want to sample some steamy Himeji Oden, the local take on hotpot. 

Because of its proximity to Osaka and the connection via the Shinkansen bullet train network, most travelers arrive at Himeji Station. The largest train station in the city, Himeji Station is also the primary transportation hub for the wider region. It’s served by the Sanyo Shinkansen, Sanyo Main Line, and Kishin Line, which connect Himeji to major cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. The bullet trains make a world of difference, allowing the city to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors every year to sites like Huimeji Castle. 

Does Himeji station have luggage lockers?

Himeji Station does offer limited baggage storage through coin lockers located throughout the facility. There will be coin lockers just outside the North exit on the first floor, so make sure not to take the central concourse to the South Exit before stashing your bags. 

Can you leave luggage at train stations in Japan?

It depends on the train station. Major transportation hubs (with long-distance trains) will almost always have luggage storage facilities. These can be fully staffed or self-service coin lockers, but there will at least be some form of baggage storage. Metro stops and train stations in smaller cities will have more limited amenities, that's why it’s important to plan before you travel. If you can’t find the facility information for the train station, it might be a better idea to arrange luggage storage with a service ahead of time. 

How big are coin lockers in Japan?

It’s hard to quantify an actual size and apply it to the coin lockers often found in transportation hubs like Himeji Station. As a general rule, you should expect these self-service lockers to have much smaller sizes than the luggage storage locations offered through a service. While large lockers aren't unheard of at major transit facilities, you just can’t count on them for storing large items and bulky luggage. It’s much better to use a luggage storage service that can accommodate any size of item. There are other advantages, as you can book your service ahead of time, and most services will be flexible for travelers needing to store bags for a few hours or an entire day. 

Where can you store luggage in Himeji?

You can always head to your hotel to drop the bags off with the bellhop or concierge, but this might not work for daytrippers. In any case, you might be wasting valuable time by heading to your hotel as it can be out of the way of attractions like Himeji Castle or the Koko-en Garden. Some transportation facilities might have coin lockers, and museums in Japan often have cloakrooms for storing a bag or two (one disadvantage is that opening hours are a concern). The most efficient option is a luggage storage service. The Bounce luggage storage network offers plenty of convenient locations throughout Japan, including Himeji. You can use the handy mobile app to find the most convenient storage spot and book ahead of time. 

Things to do near Himeji Station

Visiting Himeji Castle is a must

Easily the most popular landmark in the city, Himeji-jo is also known as the “White Heron Castle” for its eye-catching white facade and sleek, attractive features. The castle grounds are expansive, especially for its central location. This is (in the literal sense) one of the oldest castles in Japan, as it was spared the destruction that befell so many of its counterparts during World War II along with the common natural disasters over the centuries. It is wonderfully preserved, keeping all of the original features together, so the grandeur of the castle is even more impressive.

The castle grounds are densely wooded, with an impressive amount of cherry blossom trees. Approaching from the Otemon Gate, you’ll have to walk a few minutes through a maze of wonderful gardens and even some medieval fortifications and castle defenses. You’ll want to book admission ahead of time, as this is easily one of Japan’s most popular places to head during cherry blossom season every April. 

Mount Shosha’s Engyoji Temple 

You can't visit Japan without making a few stops at the temples and shrines that each city and town holds dear. These places have been vital to each settlement for thousands of years. Himeji’s is over 1,000 years old and situated at the edge of the city on the slopes of Mount Shosha.

It may seem like quite the trek from Himeji Station and the city center, but it only takes half an hour via car or bus before you reach the cable car station. The temple complex is much more spread out than the compact shrines you’ll find in other larger cities, with various buildings scattered around the densely wooded slopes of the mountain. You’ll take the ropeway up the slopes to the top of the mountain, and from there you’ll trek up to the pillared Niomon Gate. You’ll pop around to the various Mitsunodo (wooden temple halls). The Daikodo (main hall), Jikido (lodging hall that's not a museum), and Jogyodo (essentially a samurai gymnasium). There’s also an observation point for stunning views of the surrounding mountains. 

Airport travel from Himeji Station

Most travelers fly into Kansai International Airport and take the train to Himeji Station. If you’re heading directly to Himeji after touching down, you’ll first have to take the Haruka Express limited express train to Shin-Osaka Station. This will take about 45 minutes and cost $10. You’ll then transfer to the Sanyo Shinkansen Line bound for Himeji Station, which only takes 30 minutes and costs $20. The utility of the Shinkansen bullet trains can’t be overstated! There are cheaper options you can find using a Japan Rail Pass that will make getting around much less expensive, but these routes double the transit time at the very least. 

Getting around Himeji City from Himeji Station

How to get to Himeji Castle from Himeji Station 

The city’s main attraction is only a 20-minute walk from Himeji Station, making it an awesome first stop when you take the train into the city. Exit Himeji Station at the doors near the Central Ticket Gate and take Otemaedori Street. This route heads right into the Otemon Gate, where this part of the castle grounds is free to tour. 

How to get to Himeji Port from Himeji Station 

Himeji’s port is one of its biggest draws, being a prominent cargo hub along with plenty of ferries. If you’re interested in some remote destinations, look into an island getaway in the Seto Inland Sea and book a ferry for either a day trip or a secluded weekend. Getting to Himeji-Ko (the port that services the Shodoshima Ferry among others) is quite easy to reach from Himeji Station. You can hop on the #94 Bus route, which runs directly from Himeji Station to the port. The ferry will be the last stop as the route meets the waterfront of the Seto Inland Sea. It’s impossible to miss.

Luggage storage near Himeji Station

Traveling to cities like Himeji offers a different type of travel experience than your typical visit to the capital. The easygoing atmosphere, tranquil gardens, and incredible landmarks like Himeji Castle certainly make the city a worthy travel destination, but you’ll get to enjoy a relaxed pace while getting your sightseeing in. If you want to ensure your trip is as easy and breezy as possible, check out the Bounce app to find a luggage storage location to see where you can drop your bags off while you poke around. It’s the most reliable option, so you can get back to enjoying your trip.