Does a 20-litre suitcase fit in Japan?
40 × 28 × 18 cm, 86 cm around: it fits a small (s) coin locker, the Shinkansen takes it with no reservation, takkyubin charges it as size 100 and every Japanese airline accepts it as carry-on.
The four checks
| Coin lockers | Small (S) | Inside 34 × 57 × 32 cm, about ¥400–600 per day. |
|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen | No reservation | 86 cm around, under the 160 cm line, so it is ordinary baggage. |
| Takkyubin (luggage delivery) | Size 100 | Up to 100 cm and 10 kg, from ¥1530 within one region. |
| Japanese airlines | Carry-on OK | ANA, JAL, Skymark Airlines, Peach Aviation, Jetstar Japan, Spring Japan, ZIPAIR Tokyo accept it in the cabin, weight permitting. |
Dimensions
| Name | 20-litre suitcase |
|---|---|
| Height × width × depth | 40 × 28 × 18 cm |
| Three-side total | 86 cm |
| Longest side | 40 cm |
| Empty weight | 2.2 kg |
| Wheels included? | Yes — the figure includes wheels and handles. |
"20 L" is a nominal size, not a standard: makers measure it differently and cases with the same label run from about 36 to 44 cm tall. The figures above are the middle of that range, so check your own case before relying on a tight verdict.
What to do about it
- Sending the case from the airport to your hotel is usually the cheapest way to avoid all three problems: hand it in at the arrivals counter and travel with a day bag.
Frequently asked questions
Does a 20-litre suitcase fit in a Japanese coin locker?
At 40 × 28 × 18 cm it goes into a small (s) locker, which is about 34 × 57 × 32 cm inside and costs roughly ¥400–600 a day. Cabinets differ from station to station, so leave a couple of centimetres of margin and have a staffed baggage room in mind as a backup.
Do I need a Shinkansen oversized baggage reservation for a 20-litre suitcase?
No. At 40 × 28 × 18 cm its three sides add up to 86 cm, under the 160 cm threshold, so it travels as ordinary baggage on every Shinkansen line and needs no reservation.
What does it cost to send a 20-litre suitcase by takkyubin?
At 40 × 28 × 18 cm, 86 cm around, it is a size 100 parcel — up to 100 cm total and 10 kg — which starts at ¥1530 for a parcel that stays inside one region and costs more the further it goes. Airport counters at Narita, Haneda and Kansai take the same sizes for delivery to your hotel.
Other suitcase sizes
Sources
- Dimensions: typical external size for a case labelled 20 L, wheels and handle included. Not a maker's figure — nominal labels are not standardised, so the range above is the honest answer and the middle of it is what is checked here.
- JR East Smart Logistics — Multi Ecube coin locker sizes and fees (Last checked 2026-09-09)
- JR Central — Oversized baggage on the Shinkansen (Last checked 2026-09-09)
- Yamato Transport — Takkyubin size and weight table (Last checked 2026-09-09)
Last checked: 2026-09-09 — Rules and prices change. Coin locker dimensions in particular vary from station to station, so treat the sizes here as a guide and check the official page before you travel.