Shinagawa Station luggage storage

About the station 

Tokyo is massive, both in terms of population and geographically. The greater metropolitan region sprawls out on both sides of the bay and deep into the island’s interior. The city can be dissected geographically into various neighborhoods and areas that are incredibly different from each other. Exploring Tokyo’s outer districts, known as “wards” is one of the most underrated parts of visiting the city. You could spend a month taking the subway to various points and still have more to see, so you’ll want to prioritize which to see before you fly out to Tokyo. 

One of the most dynamic and interesting of Tokyo’s wards is Shinagawa, which is situated just south of downtown Tokyo about halfway to the Haneda Airport. While it’s a few miles away from the heart of Toyo, Shinagawa is still a cosmopolitan locale, with a small skyline of its own, a boardwalk lined with dozens of popular restaurants, and plenty of attractions worth checking out. The Edo-Yokyo Museum, and the Shinagawa Aquarium alone are worth the short trek to the ward, but Shinagawa also provides a slower pace and good location for families and older tourists looking for a more relaxed setting for a trip to Tokyo. 

Japan’s transportation networks, though highly efficient and easy to use, can be slightly confusing to international travelers. Different carriers are operating out of the same train stations. At Shinagawa Station, you can board long-distance and regional trains operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East), Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), and the private company Keikyu. 

One of the primary uses for Shinagawa Station is access to the Miura Peninsula, Izu, and the greater Tōkai, which are all serviced by the Tokaido Shinkansen (the long-distance bullet train). Naturally, there are many connections to Tokyo. Although the primary metropolitan subway network doesn’t extend out to Shinagawa Station, you can use the Toei Asakusa Line (operated by Keikyu). 

If this all sounds confusing, you’re in good company. However, if you’ve done a bit of research and can plan your route ahead of time, navigating Shinagawa Station can be a breeze. There are plenty of amenities and facilities for commuters and tourists, and you’ll be able to see both the metropolis of Tokyo, its fascinating outer districts, and the wider region. 

Here’s everything you need to know about Shinagawa Station: 

Are there luggage storage services at Shinagawa Station?

There are coin lockers for rent situated at the Central Gate near the entrance to the Ecute Mall along with a smaller one at the North Gate. You’ll have to pay with a coin, and it’s recommended international travelers should be traveling with small bills and coins regardless. There are no attendants or information desks, as these lockers are entirely self-operated. The sizes of the lockers are also limited, so larger bags and specialty items unfortunately can’t be stored at Shinagawa Station. 

Do Japanese train stations have luggage lockers?

Larger transportation hubs like Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, and Gotanda Station will all offer luggage storage services, but these can vary. At the biggest train stations, you’ll find large-size lockers for full pieces of luggage, but the smaller facilities will consist just of coin lockers. You can store your large belongings (minus large luggage) for a few hours at an affordable price, but this isn’t the best option. That’s not to say you can’t expect great service from these options, but you won’t have the features that other luggage storage services can offer. Bounce, for example, offers great service from a dedicated support team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Where can you store luggage in Shinagawa?

A few of the ward’s top attractions all have lockers for rent, and nearly all Japanese hotels will take luggage prior to check-in, but the most reliable option for storing the bags for a few hours will be a Shinagawa luggage storage service. These companies operate numerous luggage storage facilities, sometimes specific to a city or region, and sometimes even an international network. 

How does Bounce work?

The Bounce luggage storage network operates hundreds of locations throughout the greater Tokyo area, including quite a few in Shinagawa. These partner locations are generally situated in local businesses like restaurants and stores, and Bounce vets each to ensure quality and security. You can use the Bounce website or mobile app to find the nearest location and book ahead of time or even on the go. All you’ll need to do is show your confirmation to the attendant at the luggage storage facility, and they’ll have a bag seal for you to use, and you’ll be on your way! Bounce also offers 24/7 customer support to give you the peace of mind you’ll need to enjoy your trip. 

Things to do near Shinagawa Station

Shinagawa Aquarium 

If you’re traveling to Tokyo with the family, a trip out to Shinagawa City is worth it for the aquarium even if you weren’t planning to be in the area. One of Japan's most popular aquariums (it’s regularly featured in TV shows), Shinagawa Aquarium is located in the bustling Kukin Park district near the waterfront. It’s easily the area’s most notable attraction, and it makes sense given the extensive array of marine mammals and fish. Massive tanks feature one of the world's best selections of jellyfish, and there's a sprawling shark hall where visitors can watch these predators up close. The Seal House has regularly scheduled shows where you can watch these playful creatures feed and perform tricks. 

Sengakuji Temple

This temple is famous for its monument honoring the legendary “47 Ronin.” As the story goes, 18th-century ruler Lord Asano Takuminokami was ousted from power and forced to end his life. His leaderless followers, composed of 47 faithful Ronin (masterless samurai that have gone rogue) waged a deadly campaign of revenge on the dastardly Lord Kita. The vengeful samurai prevailed, taking the head of Lord Kita to Sengakuji in Shinagawa.

Japanese Kabuki theater has made this tale legendary through its countless performances since the Edo period. The graves of each ronin were placed near their master’s at the temple. While these figures aren't necessarily religious in nature, their association with perseverance and loyalty has earned reverence from thousands of Japanese travelers who make a pilgrimage to the Sengakuji Temple every year. There’s even an annual festival on December 14th with a procession and ceremony honoring the ronin with participants dressed in samurai armor. It happens during the low travel season, but if you’re traveling to Japan in winter, it’s a can't-miss festival. 

Airport travel from Shinagawa Station

Haneda Airport (or Tokyo International Airport) is the largest and most commonly used airport serving Tokyo. It’s situated near Shinagawa Station and is highly accessible from the ward. As is the case with most travel in Japan, the quickest way to get between the two would be by train. The Keikyu Airport Line is the quickest and most convenient way, with the trip only taking 15 minutes. The trains run a few times an hour, and a one-way ticket only costs $5. 

Getting around the city from Shinagawa Station

How to get to Tokyo Station from Shinagawa Station 

If you need to get to downtown Tokyo, you can take the train from Shinagawa Station to Tokyo Station (situated centrally near the Imperial Palace) for access to the central business district along with immediate access to dozens of landmarks and attractions. There are multiple direct routes, but the two options are both through the JR. The Yamanote Line and the Keihin-Tohoku Line both take about 10 minutes and cost $2 for a one-way ride. It's as simple as it gets.

How to get to Shinjuku Station from Shinagawa Station 

Similar to Shinagawa, Shinjuku is one of the most appealing outer wards in Tokyo, and well worth exploring either directly from the city center or taking a swift train from Shinagawa Station. The cheapest and quickest options would be through the JR Yamanote Line or Shonan-Shinjuku Line. Either of these will take at most 25 minutes and will cost $4. To decide on which line to take, simply go off which one will arrive at Shinagawa Station first,

Luggage storage near Shinagawa Station

If you’re taking a trip to Tokyo, you’ll need to have your logistics in place for an efficient trip. With so many outer wards like Shinagawa and landmarks to hit, you’ll be using the marvelous transit system that makes Tokyo such a breeze to visit. You’ll still need to do some planning, including a place to store the luggage if you get caught with the bags for a few hours. Luckily, you have Bounce and our dozens of luggage storage locations near Shinagawa Station to rely on. And with incredible customer support and useful features, your Bounce experience couldn’t be easier!