Photo= A terminal for searching the availability of coin-operated lockers that can be paid using ICOCA (Kyoto Station Building, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto)

On April 19, West Japan Railway Company started an information service using special terminals to enable easy searches for available coin-operated lockers within and around Kyoto Station Building, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto. The aim is to make it more convenient for the increasing number of foreign tourists visiting Japan by allowing them to travel lightly around Kyoto.

The information service covers 1,746 lockers that accept payment by "ICOCA," a smart travel card. Special touch-screen terminals are installed at three locations in Kyoto Station Building and inside the ticket gates of Kyoto Station. Travelers can search for availability and location of coin-operated lockers at a total of 11 sites, including "Porta," or the underground mall in front of the station, and the Bus Ticket Center near Kyoto Station.

The number of available lockers of each site is indicated with three colors; green represents six or more lockers available, yellow is 5 or fewer, and red shows all lockers are full. Users can also check the real-time availability of large, middle and small-sized lockers.

Following Osaka and Shin-Osaka Stations, Kyoto Station is the third station where locker information terminals have been installed. It is the first station where this information service is offered in four languages, with Chinese and Korean newly added to the other two existing languages, Japanese and English. Availability can also be searched on JR-West's official website.