I am considering a 2-3 week trip to Japan covering the major tourist stops a first time visitor would do (Tokyo, Kyoto, etc). The use of the trains seems very daunting to me, especially figuring out the schedules and what to do with the luggage,, as I've read there are no porters in train stations. We do not speak Japanes and have never been to Japan before.. Any advice as to whether to DIY or book a tour that covers the places I want to see and let them take care of the luggage logistics? I've read many Japan TRs, but most of them have not been from first time travellers, although I know that every one of the posters was a first time traveller at some point.

Train travel in Japan is a delight - they're fast, clean and punctual. No reason whatsoever for taking a tour. (And no, I don't speak or read Japanese and traveled to Japan for my first and alas so far only trip on my own - click on my name for my TR.)

For schedules see http://www.hyperdia.com/en/

For luggage - how much were you thinking of taking? I won't take more than I can carry, and since I'm a 60+ not-especially-fit female that's not much. I travel for months with one carry-on size bag and a small day pack. Rooms in Japan tend to be small, another reason to pack light.

We would be travelling with a 21 inch rollie and a small carry on which sits on the rollie. If we were to stop for sightseeing, while in transit between 2 overnight stops, are there lockers in the train stations to leave our luggage while sightseeing?

Is there some sort of guide for first time travellers about how to best utilize the train system and whether to buy a JR pass or pay as you go.. Maybe I am dense, but it seems rather confusing.

Thursdaysd-I will be checking your TR, as soon as I find some time this PM. Thanks for the link.

Try http://www.seat61.com/Japan.htm

There are a few pages in my Lonely Planet "Japan" too. It says only main stations have left luggage "facilities" but most have lockers.

You should have no trouble on the train with the luggage you describe, there will be somewhere to put it.

Luggage - at most, take one carry-on and one rollaboard that you can lift over your head. Trains have a rack above the seats. Some have compartments near the door. You can also stash luggage behind the last row of seats at either end of the car.

There is English signage in the stations, so you will be able to find your way. Departure boards at JR stations alternate between Japanese and English so you be able find your track number based on you destination and departure time.

You can start learning about trains here: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2016.html

If your itinerary makes it economical to use a JR Pass then it would be easy to use the trains. If you are riding a shinkansen or limited express train then first you follow the green sign to get your reserved seat if you want one:
http://japanrailpass.net/eng/en007.html

After you find your track number (on the sign or on your reserved seat ticket) you go to the gate and just show your pass to a JR employee. Go to the platform and follow the signs that show you where to stand to board your car (car number printed on your reserved seat ticket). Signs by the doors on the train cars indicate whether a car is reserved or unreserved.

Japan has a baggage delivery service called takkyubin that you can use to ship a bag. You can probably arrange a pickup at your Tokyo hotel and have it delivered to your Kyoto hotel, for example. Take stuff in your carry-on that you need for the day or two that you bag is in transit. I've used takkyubin but generally just travel with one rollaboard and nothing else.

Just saw your most recent post: ok, goood, a 21-inch roller and a carry-on.

JR employees speak railway-English, if not more. "Track number?" sounds like "turack numbah?". A JR station is an "eki", ecky. You can also expect them to read some English.

Japanese has a syllabary, not an alphabet, and most syllables end in a vowel: ah, eh, ee, oh, ue (as in clue). So if you want a ticket or reserved seat for Kanazawa, just go to the window and say ka-na-za-wa.

Tokyo and Kyoto are two syllables. Toe and kyo, where kyo is spoken like Q, Que, but with an oh instead of ue. They would probably understand kee yoe toe.

Departure boards also show the train names. So you can go to Tokyo eki without knowing your departure time. Look for departures to Kyoto, look for the shinkansen train name "Hikari" (the train type that you would use with the JR Pass) and then you will see the departure time and track number, then just board an unreserved car. The JR Pass-applicable shinkansens are frequent enough that you can do this (tho better to go and get a reserved seat and know the timetable beforehand). The frequency of other trains varies, so coming to grips with the timetable (via hyperdia) is something you want to do. We can help with that, after you get your itinerary planned.

I use the takuhaibin luggage delivery service religiously while traveling throughout Japan and love it. With your two small bags you should have no problems on the trains.

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

There are lockers at every JR station though you may find them full if you arrive late and in a popular time of year.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2274.html

You can figure your train fares here at www.hyperdia.com to see if you need a pass or not which are explained in detail here:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html

I have done a few trip reports on our travels throughout Japan. If you are interested click on my screen name to read the reports.

Aloha!

And if they don't understand what you say then write it down. When you get a reserved seat ticket, check it to see that it is printed in English, track, car, seat numbers. If it is printed in Japanese, just ask the person to show you which numbers are which.

shellyk, the Japanese rail system sounds bewilering, but that's only because it is so extensive and offers so much for a visitor. In actuality, Japan (including its transportation system) is simple to use, and, importantly, the system works seamlessly.

With the luggage that you plan to take, you will have no problem, as they can go into the overhead racks on trains. For tours, explore the website http://www.jtb-sunrisetours.jp/ for ideas.

I only want to sympathize with Shelleyk on how confusing things can seem when you first start reading about them. It's like doing a 1000 piece puzzle in the dark. But sooner or later you see how easy it is.

Thanks for all the information, links and encouragement. I will spend the weekend going over some past Japan TRs, the links you supplied and my Fodors guidebook and hopefully things will become a little clearer to me.

Yes please go over ours:

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...e-olympics.cfm

Well, except for the Tokyo Station part.

I remember how daunting Japan seemed before I went there, but I think you will find it MUCH simpler than you can possibly imagine! The japan-guide and hyperdia web-sites should prove especially useful to you. If there is a country in which rail is any easier to manage, I don't know it!

BTW, in Tokyo, there were certain subway stations I avoided just because they had TOO many exits. I found alternative subway stops near each of them and didn't get lost once!

Enjoy !

You can also go through japan-guide.com for info on everything Japan - referenced above for trains by mrwunrfl and ht. This morning when reading eigasuki's trip report, she mentioned the Shimanami Kaido with which I was not familiar - I went to japan-guide and got a great of idea of her itinerary for that part of her trip.....as well as links to more info...

Here is a link that describes how to use the shinkansen and includes photos of the departure board, train cars with reserved/unreserved signs, step by step instructions to get to your seat, and luggage tips:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018.html

If you are able to find your way through the airport and board your flight to Japan then you will be able to use the the intercity trains.

Using the Tokyo subway and intra-city trains is a different matter.