I have a lot of luggage...is JR still okay?

[Anime lover]

We will be traveling to Japna in about 3 weeks. The problem is, is that we have a lot of luggage and we will be staying different places. Disney area, Tokyo, Kyoto , and Hakone are. Does taking a JR railway have storage for suitcases, say two large per person? Or is there some other way of traveling that would be more comfortable or easier on us with a lot of luggage?? Thank you for your help.

 

[marsans]

If you are talking about just the JR rails in Tokyo, carrying your luggage onto the trains wont be that bad, a bit inconvenient but thats it.

If you are talking about the express trains, they have places to store luggage.

Either way, I wouldn't be to worried about it.

 

[nice gaijin]

As long as you aren't riding during rush hour, you should be ok

 

[Mike Cash]

You could always use one of the many overnight delivery services to forward stuff to your next stop, keeping aside things that you will have more immediate need for in a smaller and easier to carry bag. No need to schlep all your stuff everywhere you go. I can't imagine anything that would do a better job of taking all the fun out of a trip.

 

[nice gaijin]

No need to schlep all your stuff everywhere you go. I can't imagine anything that would do a better job of taking all the fun out of a trip.

I would imagine losing all of your luggage would do a pretty good job... I like the idea of an overnight delivery service though, as long as the OP will have a "base of operations" of sorts. If they're bouncing all over the place they'll be schlepping their bags anyways.

 

[Anime lover]

okay, thank you to all who have replied, this is a breakdown of our trip, the first night we will stay in a capsule hotel, just for the experience of it, the next two nights we will be at a disney hotel, the next two nights at a ryoken in kyoto, the next 4 nights in Tokyo and the next night in Hakone. That's crazy huh?? Do you have any suggestions about traveling with all this luggage??

 

[Mike Cash]

okay, thank you to all who have replied, this is a breakdown of our trip, the first night we will stay in a capsule hotel, just for the experience of it, the next two nights we will be at a disney hotel, the next two nights at a ryoken in kyoto, the next 4 nights in Tokyo and the next night in Hakone. That's crazy huh?? Do you have any suggestions about traveling with all this luggage??

Sure, but I don't feel like typing it up twice since you obviously didn't bother to read it the first time.

 

[Anime lover]

to Mike Cash, you don't have to be so rude. You obviously live in Japan and understand the railways and how to travel. We have saved many years to take this trip and I am taking my mother along who is in her 60's. I am planning the whole trip and do not want her to be dissapointed in my planning. I don't mind hualing 2 huge suitcases anywhere, but maybe she would. I did read your original post, the reason I reposted was to explain a more breakdown of how much hopping around we will be doing. You said in your original post "schlep our stuff everywhere"... okay, then what do I do with it?? I'm sorry if I seem dumb to you but like I said, this is the first trip. I have spent lots of money of tour books, learn Japanese programs, lots of internet research, but I was hoping this was a nice site to ask "nice" people questions. Maybe if you are in a bad mood today you should not post. Japan is well known in the U.S. as the nicest country in the world. Too bad you are not a good representation of that.

 

[Mike Cash]

Did you read the sentence before "schlep....."?

I'll repost it for you:


You could always use one of the many overnight delivery services to forward stuff to your next stop, keeping aside things that you will have more immediate need for in a smaller and easier to carry bag.

The best (and so far only) suggestion yet in this thread to relieve your burden when travelling....and you zoomed right by it.

And in case the name "Mike Cash" struck you as being of Japanese origin, I will clarify that I am not Japanese and am under no obligation to be a representative of the Japanese people or to maintain their reputation.

Seems to me the smart thing to do would be to get your foot out of your mouth and ask for practical advice about the overnight delivery services.

 

[ArmandV]

the first night we will stay in a capsule hotel, just for the experience of it

And where do you suppose you're going to put all of your luggage at a capsule hotel? Sure, some have lockers, but are they big enough to fit everything?

 

[Anime lover]

We have made arrangements with a capsule hotel that has rooms with just 4 capsules in it. It is a separate room with table and chairs and seems nice. They will store our big luggage downstairs. We will just take our backpack up to our room. We will arrive in Tokyo late and will only stay at the capsule that night for the experience.

 

[nice gaijin]

First thing you should do is reduce the amount of luggage you take with you, then you should consider Mike's advice. You are moving around a lot, the more you take with you the more you will be weighed down; there is also the possibility that you might be shopping, buying clothes and gifts along the way.

My suggestion is to take maybe 3 or 4 days worth of clothing and leave it at that. No more than two pairs of shoes, and minimal toiletries. You can buy nice new clothes and get your other ones washed as you go. That should cut your huge suitcases into smaller ones, and you can bring a folded duffel bag (or just buy one in Japan) if you find yourself with more stuff on your return flight.

 

[tigermilk]

nice gaijin hit the nail on the head. Dump some luggage. Last time I was in Japan I was there for 4 weeks on business. I had a decent amount of luggage, but that was because I brought my bike with me. I had the bike case, a decent sized suitcase (with plenty of bike clothes), and a duffel. I just hit the local laundary mat on the weekend. Was recently in France for 2 weeks and same story (again, with the bike). Learn to pack light. Trust me when I say you won't want to lug junk around.

 

[bakaKanadajin]

okay, thank you to all who have replied, this is a breakdown of our trip, the first night we will stay in a capsule hotel, just for the experience of it, the next two nights we will be at a disney hotel, the next two nights at a ryoken in kyoto, the next 4 nights in Tokyo and the next night in Hakone. That's crazy huh?? Do you have any suggestions about traveling with all this luggage??

If you're taking the Odakyu line from Tokyo to Hakone (most likely from Shinjuku station) there are a few different trains you can hop on. I'd recommend spending the extra to get on a 'Romance Car', which is the name they give their Hakone Express trains. These are different from Odakyu's regular commuter express trains. Those commuter trains have no space for luggage, aside from the little overhead bag shelf. The Romance Car is used by some daily commuters but also travellers and tourists headed to Hakone, so even if it doesn't have a large luggage storage area it'll most likely still be more accomodating and you'll feel like you're inconveniencing less people. Plus its faster than even the Rapid Express, more comfortable, you can eat on the train and it only makes a few stops on its way to Hakone

So (again IF you're going this route) at Shinjuku station the Romance Car will board on the same platform as the commuter trains, but I think they board to the far LEFT side. The regular trains are all silver/cream/white colour, and all look like subways, while the Romance Cars are clearly more colourful (pink, blue, white) and look more like long-distance trains.

Don't worry you won't miss your stop, Hakone-Yumoto is the last stop. If you're spending a day or two in Hakone look into the Odakyu Hakone pass, it incudes travel to Hakone plus travel around the area and admission to a few fun things if I remember correctly.

 

[Ewok85]

If you are only here for 11 days then I wouldn't bring 2 large suitcases, to me thats insanity.

Train stations do not have lockers for anything that big. Even a "carry-on" sized case would be hard to cater for.

Getting around will be tough - you will have to drag them up and down stairs. If you are lucky there might be an escalator. You will be walking long distances with the cases. What will you do if you go to restaurants? Shops? Just take them with you?

I had enough fun just getting my own case from home to Narita, and back again; having to carry them around for a week and a bit would drive me insane.

 

[marsans]

I agree with Ewok, if your only there for about two weeks. Why not lighten the load and just do some laundry one day? Last time I was in Tokyo for 8 days, and only brought a large backpack.

Laundry saved my life in that situation.

 

[Goldiegirl]

I personally hate dragging any luggage around on the trains. It's never really "not" busy...at least to me! The elevators aren't convenient and taking up space on the escalators and probably blocking, even partially, the fast side of the escalator will be a big annoyance to everyone trying to get around you. I had one suitcase for 6 weeks here. The most important thing is comfortable shoes! I don't know how the Japanese women can get around in high heels here! I am truly in awe! Anyway, have a GREAT trip! I am sure your mom will not be disappointed.

 

[Mike Cash]

The most important thing is comfortable shoes! I don't know how the Japanese women can get around in high heels here!

I can't tell you how many times I have observed Tokyo women perambulating along the sidewalk and admired their obvious (and much appreciated) efforts at being stylish...and completely ruining the effect by wearing shoes that cause them to look as though they're on their way to interview for a job at the Ministry of Silly Walks. In such cases, I usually mutter to myself, "Damn, girl....go home and get some shoes you can walk in."

The older I get the more I admire young ladies who wear sensible shoes.

 

[WHEATTHlNS]

Wait a minute - where are you flying into? Cause the only Disneyland I know is in Tokyo, and it doesn't make much sense to go from a capsule in Tokyo (and lord I wouldnt make this the FIRST accomodation stop on my trip), to Kyoto, back to Tokyo and then Hakone (which you can see in a day, so its good you're not putting to much time there).

What I would recommend, if you dont want to pay for a delivery service, is to simply get passes on the Shinkansen, and store the luggage you don't need in Tokyo, since you're going to be returning there. I wouldn't make Hakone the last stop of my trip - but rather Tokyo. Hakone take what - 2 hours by local trains - you can easily sandwhich that into your Tokyo stay. Make Tokyo your base of operations, and the other stops your side trips. Where are you staying in Tokyo for those 4 days?

 

[Nisei88]

I have to echo everyone's sentiment and say, try to pack less. The walkway on some trains are very narrow. I was barely able to roll my suitcase though. I would of hate it if I had another piece to lug around.
Also, some escalators and elevators can be quite small making mobility difficult.

 

[Amos]

Two large cases per person?!?! You are going to piss off a lot of people wheeling those boys around on the rail network

How much stuff do you need for two weeks? Unless you have some medical condition that means you need to take a lot of things with you, then reduce the amount you need. It will also make the journey much easier.

I suggest having one main bag/case and a rucksack that you can use for day trips. Something like a 30 ltr rucksack is good.

I bet you will have trouble finding a locker to fit a large suitcase as well. I found that a soft holdall was best, as you can mold them to fit lockers or the overhead shelfs on trains.

 

[pika la]

and completely ruining the effect by wearing shoes that cause them to look as though they're on their way to interview for a job at the Ministry of Silly Walks.

Kekeke that made my day

I can't imagine how anyone can need SO much luggage... the first time I came to Japan, for a month, I brought one of those small carry on roller luggages and a purse. I'm a fairly high-maintnence girl (2 hair iron/curler, lots of toiletries, clothes, notebooks, and the like) and that was enough to fit all MY things..

I really reccomened leaving behind the things you don't NEED and packing just a little, as everyone else already say. Luggage is SUCH a hassel just between airport and house, not to mention all over the place.. if I had to lug it with me for 2 weeks I think I'd end up being so stressed I'd throw it into oncoming train or something ^^;

 

[WHEATTHlNS]

But you're not really "lugging" it for two weeks. You're just moving it during those transitions from base to base. I had two roller cases, one was filled with clothes, the other souveniers. If I didn't have those, I would've had even more junk. It just makes transport that much easier. I usually managed to get to the seats that connected one car to another so as not to be in anyones way, or slid the smaller case on to the overhead rack.

So, surely bringing too much is a hassle, but so is bringing too less.

 

[ET_Fukuoka]

I always send my luggage to my house or where I am staying!! It's sooooooo much easier!! I use it most on the way back, not usually on the way to where I am going. This has got to be one of the best things about Japan in my book. I usually only carry a small backpack with me. I did the "carry the luggage through the station thing" many times before I discovered this kind of service. I dont think I would do it in any other country though...

 

[Goldiegirl]

I just got back to Tokyo with my rolling carry on suitcase, my purse and a bag containing 2 diet Pepsis, marshmallows, and prepared sekihan...not a huge load, and it sucked! I will say again, don't travel the trains with a lot of luggage. Not only are you in the way, and impeding the flow of traffice, you get bumped into and kind of pushed into a bit. I am not blaming anyone, but I can understand their frustration of trying to get around me. I was frustrated too, because I wished I would've packed even lighter. It's also mentally hard having to concentrate to make sure you have everything and haven't forgotten anything.....just my opinion though!