Japan Rail - Big Suitcase OK?
 

If I will be traveling on the JR Shinjuku or JR Tokaido lines - and I've got a large suitcase (I'll be riding from Oiso into the Tokyo area) - will that present problems? On the website it states that there are "generally" spaces for large suitcases in the back - but that doesn't sound very definite. Can I reserve an extra seat for my suitcase? I would imagine rush hour would be tough. Thank you!

I normally have my hotel forward the my big suitcases ahead and in Japan they have a very good and safe service for this(inexpensive too).

You might be able to find space for a large suitcase but hauling it on escalators and crowded walkways will be difficult or near impossible.

There have been a few post on this subject(at least I've answered a few in more detail) so try searching for it.

There are no reserved seats on those trains. They are JR locals.

Expect the seating to be like on a subway: long bench seats on the sides of the train facing each other. Poles and straps for standers.

Yes, it probably would be tough at rush hour and I think you would be a hazard. Best to take Hanuman's advice and ship it.

You want the Tokaido line trains as that is your only thru train option.

If you do plan to take it on the train then you need to be able to carry it up and down 20 or 30 steps.

You might not encounter this but at some smaller JR station you have to go up steps, take a bridge across the tracks, and descend steps to the platform on the other side of the tracks from the station building.

1. I'd try to send it by courrier (takkyubin) the night before, if possible.

2. Failing that, you can bring in a suitcase to Tokaido Line--SO LONG AS you avoid morning rush hour. You just need to keep it either in front of you or on the end of "bench" so that it's not (or less) in the way of other passengers.

3. There is no escalators at Oiso station. Take a taxi to Ninomiya station next, which has an escalator as I recall. Anyway Prince Hotel is closer to Ninomiya.

I've taken large upright suitcases on the JR lines- my tip is to get on either the first or the last car, on the driver's end of the car. With luck you can park your suitcase against the wall of the driver's cab and it won't be in the way. Also, if you have a bit of luggage, the flags man will see this and give you time to get on.

Also, wait until the crowd clears before trying to wheel yourself to the exit.

I think by now pretty much all the stations on the JR Yamamote line have escalator access? (This is not addressing the topic, per se.)

I am absolutely the type that is horrified when I'm inconveniencing someone, so I'm very glad I asked...how does the courier service work? Is that by van or train? Good idea to do it the night before - and I guess my second hotel will just hold on to it for me. Boy would that be easier (although I'm sure it is a reliable method, I'll admit I'd be real nervous about my luggage). And I would imagine a taxi from Oiso to Shinjuku would be crazy expensive huh? And thank you for the escalator advice mrwunrfl - and for the info on the closer train station W9 - I will make sure if I take the train with the bag that I go at a very off time...I know there is a post about Tokyo rush hour and I will read it through. Thank you thank you. At least now my trip report can be about the locations themselves - not how I lost a full day trying to get my luggage to Tokyo! TG for your kind help.

This explains it better than I can

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html

Aloha!

Cab from Oiso to Shinjuku would be around JPY30,000-35,000. This is before toll road (probably another JPY5000 or so). Definitely NOT worth it. Don't even think of it!

I believe takkyubin is basically by van/trucks. Prince hotel reception should be able to sort it out. You pay in advance, make sure they write down that you'll be staying at the next hotel. (eg staying as a guest XX-YYth December.)