Welcome to Tokyo: Starting Your Adventure Right
Welcome to Tokyo! Stepping into Haneda Airport (HND) for the first time is an exciting moment, but navigating a major international hub can feel overwhelming. As your friendly guide, I want to help you start your Japanese adventure smoothly with everything you need to know about two critical services: baggage storage and money exchange.
Haneda Airport operates three main terminals. While Terminals 1 and 2 primarily handle domestic flights, you'll most likely arrive at Terminal 3, the airport's main hub for international travel. This terminal offers 24-hour baggage storage and currency exchange, making it the most convenient for international arrivals regardless of landing time.
Storing Your Luggage: Travel Light and Free
The single best way to start your Tokyo exploration is without heavy bags weighing you down. Haneda offers convenient baggage storage services that allow you to explore the city freely—especially valuable if you have a long layover or can't check into your hotel for several hours.
Pro tip: If you're heading directly to your hotel and want truly hands-free travel across Japan, consider luggage forwarding instead of storage. Our comprehensive Haneda Airport luggage forwarding guide shows you how to use takuhaibin service for same-day delivery to your Tokyo hotel, complete with costs, waybill instructions, and late-night arrival strategies.
Why Store Your Bags? The Benefit of "Hands-Free Sightseeing"
Imagine arriving at 8 AM, but your hotel check-in isn't until 3 PM. Instead of waiting around or lugging suitcases through crowded trains, you can securely store your bags and immediately head out for your first taste of Tokyo. This service—what insiders call "Hands-Free Sightseeing"—is especially useful for travelers heading to attractions like Tokyo Disney Resort or teamLab exhibitions, which are easily accessible from Haneda but a hassle with luggage.
How Baggage Storage Works: Rules and Fees
The rules for temporary baggage storage at Haneda are straightforward:
- Duration: Maximum storage period of 2 weeks
- Size Limits: Combined dimensions (length + width + height) must be under 300cm
- Weight Limits: Maximum 30kg per item
Baggage Storage Locations by Terminal
Here's exactly where to find baggage storage and forwarding services in each terminal:
Terminal 1 (Domestic)
💡 Pro-Tip for Disney Travelers: Heading straight to Tokyo Disney Resort? The JAL Baggage Service counter offers same-day delivery to the Maihama area for ¥1,500. Drop your bags and head straight for the magic! (Service for items up to 15kg received by 13:00)
Terminal 2 (Domestic & International)
Terminal 3 (International) - 24-Hour Service
✅ Best for International Travelers: Whether you're on a red-eye arrival or have a long layover, Terminal 3 has you covered with 24-hour baggage storage on both Arrivals and Departures floors. You never have to worry about being stuck with luggage, regardless of landing time.
Getting Local Currency: Money Exchange Made Easy
Don't leave the airport without Japanese Yen (¥) on hand. While credit cards work in many places, Japan still operates as a cash-heavy society, especially for transportation, convenience stores, vending machines, and smaller restaurants. Haneda makes it easy to exchange major currencies like US dollars, euros, and Chinese yuan right at the airport.
💴 Quick Currency Tip: Japan uses coins (¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, ¥500) and bills (¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥5,000, ¥10,000). You'll find coins especially useful for vending machines, train ticket machines, and temple donations. Keep a coin purse handy!
Currency Exchange Counter Locations
Terminal 2 (Domestic & International)
Terminal 3 (International) - Best Coverage
✅ Maximum Convenience: Terminal 3 offers 24-hour currency exchange in the public Arrival and Departure Lobbies, meaning you can get Japanese Yen immediately after clearing customs, no matter when you land—even on red-eye flights arriving at 3 AM!
Insider Tips & Smart Travel Hacks
The Pocket Change Solution: Don't Waste Leftover Coins
At the end of your trip, you'll inevitably accumulate a pocketful of Japanese coins. Instead of leaving money on the table or carrying dead weight home, use the Pocket Change kiosks—a brilliant modern solution for converting leftover foreign currency (especially coins) into electronic money or points for various services.
Pocket Change Kiosk Locations:
- Terminal 1: 1F Arrival Lobby
- Terminal 2: 1F Domestic Arrival Lobby
- Terminal 3: 2F Arrival Lobby
💡 Smart Money Move: Use Pocket Change before departure to convert those heavy ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, and ¥50 yen coins into Amazon gift cards, airline miles, or mobile payment credits. No currency exchange fees, no hassle!
Direct Rail Access to Central Tokyo
Once you've stored your bags and exchanged currency, Haneda offers direct rail connections to central Tokyo via two excellent options:
- Tokyo Monorail: Reaches Tokyo Station area in about 30 minutes (¥500)
- Keikyu Line: Direct to Shinagawa and beyond in 20-25 minutes (¥400-500)
Both lines operate from early morning until midnight, making public transport accessible for most flight schedules. For comprehensive details on all your Haneda airport transfer options, check our complete transfer comparison guide.
When to Book a Private Transfer Instead
While public transport and baggage services work brilliantly for most travelers, sometimes a private Haneda airport transfer makes more sense:
- Late-night arrivals (after 11 PM when trains stop running)
- Traveling with young children or elderly family members
- Business travelers with tight schedules
- Groups of 3-4 people (per-person cost becomes competitive)
- Heavy luggage or sports equipment
🚗 Private Transfer Benefits: Your driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign, assists with all luggage, handles navigation, and delivers you directly to your hotel entrance. Fixed pricing means no meter anxiety, and 24/7 availability covers any flight time.
You're Ready for Japan: Final Checklist
You've made it! By understanding Haneda Airport's baggage storage and currency exchange services, you're already ahead of most travelers. Here's your final pre-arrival checklist:
- ✅ Know your terminal (most international = Terminal 3)
- ✅ Plan baggage storage if needed (24-hour service in Terminal 3)
- ✅ Exchange currency immediately after customs (avoid airport delays)
- ✅ Keep small bills and coins handy for trains and vending machines
- ✅ Consider luggage forwarding for multi-city trips
- ✅ Use Pocket Change kiosks before departure
- ✅ Book private transfer for late arrivals or convenience
Haneda Airport is designed to provide a smooth, stress-free start to your travels, and now you have the insider knowledge to take full advantage of it.
Need help planning your inter-airport connection? Check our complete Haneda-Narita transfer guide for detailed timing and luggage forwarding strategies.
Have a wonderful and unforgettable trip in Japan! 🇯🇵