Living out of Locker 2053

It's a case of the best laid plans gone awry, the plan being:

A) Leave my luggage in the locker at train station.

B) Hang out with friends.

C) Go clubbing.

D) Grab luggage, sleep over at a manga kissa.

For it to work, first you must have the foresight to carry or wear whatever's essential, on you. Alas, I didn't see past my footwear.

I had on slippers. I know, slippers? But anyway, that night was going to be my one and only opportunity to club in Tokyo and I wasn't going to find out at the door that slippers were a dress code violation.

So, I dragged my poor friend and clubbing buddy Wilson to the lockers with me. Locker 2053 at Shibuya Station. Took out one suitcase, set it on the floor and opened it up in full view of the public.

Dug out my heels and a pair of socks. Sat down on my suitcase and put them on.

I was determined to ignore curious stares. But strangely, I felt none.

Not one passer-by batted an eyelid.

Wilson who's lived in Tokyo for two years, says it's not uncommon to see people living out of the lockers. There's an actress who famously does it and it was documented on TV.

Since then, I've not changed out of the locker or done anything as drastic as that. But I've found it extremely useful for storing my shopping while I walk from retail heaven to retail paradise, holding my luggage when I stay over at a manga kissa and keeping my dirty laundry as I move from one part of the city to another.

Lockers are commonly found at train stations, less commonly around the city. Those at the train stations are typically locked in when the station closes. So check on the station's opening and closing hours before you leave your stuff in.

A mid-sized locker can contain one mini suitcase, one good-sized duffel bad and a big bag of shopping. It costs ¥300 (S$5) per day — with the day ending at midnight.

Some lockers at the train stations accept payment via stored value card: Suica or Pasmo. These lockers operate by touchscreen and there's an option for English instructions. Most lockers however, are coin-operated and they only accept ¥100 coins. So keep those coins handy!