luggage for Japan
 

Hello fellow travelers..going to Japan next month and will start out in Tokyo and then two, 2 overnight stays and on to Kyoto and Osaka.
We will be traveling by train to the overnight stays and I need some advice on the bag to take on the trains..I need a roll on , others too hard on the shoulders and back..
Please let me know what you think of using the standard roll carryonof 19 x 14 x 10 ".
Is it too big for the trains, the bullet train at least once and not sure of the others yet.
Thank you for any suggestions...first trip to Japan.
D.

If you have only a 19" rollaboard, I'd just take it on the train. That size bag will fit in the overhead rack.

If instead you took a larger suitcase, then I would suggest you use the luggage forwarding service (Takkyubin) that's very popular and commonly used in Japan. Do a search for details.

I have travelled extensively in Japan with larger suitcases. Always managed them in the bullet trains. Sometimes,I put them behind the last seat in the car,or, near the door.

Obviously, if the train was coming into a station, I would go up and move the case so that people could exit and enter.Never a problem.

My suitcase is about that size or a tiny bit smaller - a rolling backpack. In April I stayed in 8 different places in 12 nights and took trains and buses with my suitcase and a tote bag - no problems whatsoever. Enjoy!

Thanks so much for the replys..it sounds like one doesn't have to be holding onto the luggage...so it's safe to leave it in a place other than where you are sitting or standing..so used to being so careful..have had luggage taken and things taken out before..if you don't mind..please explain.
thanks, M

On the shinkansen I am able to put my suitcase in front of or between my legs and the seat in front of me but I am short so it's not an issue....on other trains I have always had it next to me - haven't had to leave it anywhere else in the train car. On highway buses sometimes it comes on if it's not crowded - other times the driver puts it underneath in the large storage area.....

I'd put the bag in the overhead rack or behind the last seat in the car. Some trains have luggage shelves outside of the passenger compartment by the entrance. I would not be concerned at all with putting my luggage there. The Japanese are not going to steal or pilfer you luggage.

OTOH, I would keep my valuables (wallet, passport, camera) with me.

I used to travel with a 29" Samsonite, and never had a problem in the Shinkansens. Never put it in front of me as I am tall, but, would either put it behind the last row of seats in the car as I mentioned, or, alternately, leave it in the exit.

With a 29" Samsonite, that was definitely not in the overhead racks.

On the Shinkansen, it's not like you are stopping every 5 minutes or so,and if you leave the bag in the exit, just get up 5 minutes before the next station and move the bag so people can use the exit.

Enjoy the trip.

take a look at ebags.com for good buys on luggage...i've had really good luck with them recently

We both had 28" long rolling duffels that crushed down to fit within the overhead racks on the trains. Held lots of stuff.

gearsau, by "leaving the bag in the exit" do you mean leaving it in the space at the end of the cars - outside of the passenger compartment? Or do you mean that the bag is in the passenger compartment blocking one of the doors?