Travelling on JR rail trains with cases

Can anyone give me an idea of how difficult it is to travel with a case say 66cm x 43cm x 24cm on the JR trains.

I have read that there is not much space to store cases on the trains but as we will need to take warm clothes, coats etc just don%26#39;t know how I would survive with a smaller case.

I imagine that the Japanese have pretty small cases because they are small and their clothes will be small not like us Aussies that are taller and more rounded.

Travelling on JR rail trains with cases

There are spaces in between cars you can stow your bags. No worries.

Travelling on JR rail trains with cases

Here%26#39;s a link with some info about carrying luggage onto the Shinkansen. One of the photos shows the place to store bigger bags behind the last row of seats.

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

This has come up many times. When travelling overseas the Japanese often have large bags but almost never within Japan. This is because they have a totally reliable system for sending luggage around the country.

On my first visit to Japan, part of a month long business trip to Asia, I struggled around with two heavy suitcases and soon discovered that these were almost impossible to handle in vast crowds, up and down long staircases and even on some very narrow escalators. For the last twenty years I have always sent my large bag from Narita and then from hotel to hotel around the country, carrying a small overnight bag for essentials. The sense of freedom and not feeling like an idiot on crowded trains is more than worth the cost!

I found the best was just to pack light...on a 2 week trip for my son and I we each had a very small suitcase (a little bigger than carry on) with wheels and a laptop like bag for papers and misc. I found it a lot easier to do laundry a couple of times that bring everything with you.

As for warm clothes, just bring your warm coat on the plane. I realize it looks a little ridiculous probably to leave somewhere warm like Australia with a winter coat, but what the heck. Just carry it under your arm if need be.

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

Pam

There is usually plenty of space on the overhead shelf. Your bag will fit fine there (sideways).

Route246-

A huge suitcase is not going to fit up there. If the darn thing is 20 kgs, a person probably own%26#39;t be able ot hoist it up there anhow...:-)

I see Japanese people carrying huge suitcases all the time on the trains. It costs $20 or so to send it by courier, and most people%26#39;s suitcases are empty en route to their destination. When they return and it%26#39;s full of souvenirs %26amp; unwieldly is when they send it by takkyubin (delivery service).

I didn%26#39;t think 66x43x24 is that huge. It%26#39;s medium in terms of suitcases. It%26#39;s not carry-on size but it%26#39;s not 200 linear cm (most airline limits around 200-205cm). 133 linear cm seems managable to me. Length aside, the 43cm width will easily fit up there with about 4-5cm overhang. The 24cm thickness is definitely not a problem.

I took a Hartmann 22'; mobile traveler (expands with a zipper) which is 104 linear cm on many different trains without issues. I could have easily taken a 24'; mobile traveler (slightly larger than Pamies asked about) without much trouble.

You are very correct that you need to be able to lift it up there but those racks are pretty strong and can hold a lot of weight.

There is always the option to put it on the floor, too. It%26#39;s not going to be real comfortable but it can be done.

Personally, I would use takkyubin for that sized bag but most visitors do not have a comfortable feeling about doing this.

%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;I see Japanese people carrying huge suitcases all the time on the trains.%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;

Are you sure about this? Maybe you%26#39;re seeing Korean or Chinese tourists doing this. No Japanese native I know ever does that, whether the suitcase is empty or not. It%26#39;s considered idiotic to take luggage with you when you travel in Japan.

To Pamies,

Please don%26#39;t take a big suitcase to a commuter train in rush hours. You%26#39;ll injure yourself or those around you.

I appreciate all your comments and tips and will endeavour to cut down my requirements and purchase a smaller case.

By Australian standards a 66cm x 43cm x 24cm case would be seen as a small to medium size case. Not many Australians travel with cases smaller than this.

It is the warm thick clothes that take up the space. We will be visiting the mountains and will need warm clothes for these trips.

Cheers

Pam