Does a 55 cm tall suitcase fit in Japan?
55 × 38 × 24 cm, 117 cm around: it fits a medium (m) coin locker, the Shinkansen takes it with no reservation, takkyubin charges it as size 120 and 1 of 7 Japanese airlines accept it as carry-on.
The four checks
| Coin lockers | Medium (M) | Inside 34 × 57 × 50 cm, about ¥500–800 per day. |
|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen | No reservation | 117 cm around, under the 160 cm line, so it is ordinary baggage. |
| Takkyubin (luggage delivery) | Size 120 | Up to 120 cm and 15 kg, from ¥2040 within one region. |
| Japanese airlines | Carry-on OK | ZIPAIR Tokyo accept it in the cabin, weight permitting. |
Dimensions
| Name | 55 cm tall suitcase |
|---|---|
| Height × width × depth | 55 × 38 × 24 cm |
| Three-side total | 117 cm |
| Longest side | 55 cm |
| Empty weight | 3.3 kg |
| Wheels included? | Yes — the figure includes wheels and handles. |
A height is a measurement rather than a label, so the 55 cm figure is exact. The width and depth above are the ones a case of that height is usually built to; if you know your own, put them into the checker instead.
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 55 cm tall suitcase fit in a Japanese coin locker?
At 55 × 38 × 24 cm it goes into a medium (m) locker, which is about 34 × 57 × 50 cm inside and costs roughly ¥500–800 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 55 cm tall suitcase?
No. At 55 × 38 × 24 cm its three sides add up to 117 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 55 cm tall suitcase by takkyubin?
At 55 × 38 × 24 cm, 117 cm around, it is a size 120 parcel — up to 120 cm total and 15 kg — which starts at ¥2040 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: an exact height of 55 cm with the width and depth typical of a case that tall.
- 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.