Leaving for Japan in a few days. Last time was nine years ago, and on that trip I had luggage shipped from Tokyo to Okayama and vice versa. This time my schedule is tighter and I'll need to have my bags with me the entire time. I know space for suitcases is extremely limited on the Shinkansen, but what about regular JR expresses? I'll be taking a duffel for carry-on and a weekend in Kyushu, but as far as a suitcase - should I take the 22 or 24 inch?<BR>I'm mainly concerned about 2 legs of the trip - from Kobe to Okayama on the express, and then from Okayama to Tokyo on the bullet. Thanks.

I would worry much more about carrying luggage up and down stairs inside the stations than storing it in the trains. In my experience (kendo gear including swords case in addition to regular luggage), there is ample storage space in bullet trains (at the front of the compartment and in the middle between seats), a bit less in regular express. The hassle is when you have to change platform and go through a crowded staircase while carrying 3 bags ... Best experience has been Ueno station on the day about 100 young sumo wrestlers were coming back from a tournament.

I agree with Flo. Only bring what you personally can carry up or down several flights of stairs. Only rarely are escalators available.

yeah, i had that promblem... it's easy to solve....<BR>just pack non valuable clothes<BR><BR><BR>(p.s. i've never been tp japan... i'm in middle school)

Middle-schoolers HAVE to carry several cases while travelling. They need to build muscle at their age ...