Can you take suitcases on trains in Japan?

Can I take my luggage on trains in Japan?

The weight of my backpack, a familiar ache. Japan. Trains. A whisper of steam, a distant whistle.

Luggage? Yes, it travels with you. Always. A constant companion. Unless it’s monstrous. Don’t block exits. Common sense, really.

Local lines. Overhead racks. Familiar comfort. A gentle sway, rhythmic and soothing. My old canvas bag fits perfectly. It always does. The familiar scent of old leather.

Shinkansen. Bullet train. Speed, a blur. Space, a contained universe. Overhead racks again, though sometimes crowded. More room. A luxury. Reserve space. Free. Ticket office. Simple. I did it last year.

• Local trains: Overhead racks. Easy. Always room, it feels like.
• Shinkansen: Overhead racks, or designated free luggage space. Pre-book at ticket counter. A must for larger bags. My trip in July benefitted greatly.

The hum of the engine. A low thrumming against my bones. Japan’s heart beats a steady rhythm, carrying me along. Space. Time. The journey itself. A meditation.

Are you allowed suitcases on trains?

Suitcases? Trains tolerate three.

Satchels, backpacks too. No charge. For now.

• Luggage limit: Three items total.
• Think satchel, backpack, suitcase. You know, stuff.
• No extra cost. Mostly.

Company policy shifts. Check the website. Always. Lest you be that person.

Trains. Public transit. It’s a philosophical tightrope walk. Expect delays, and you will not be disappointed. Remember that.

• Specific rules: Vary by operator.
• Website is key. Do your homework.
• Consequences exist. Ignoring them? Your problem.

Luggage limits? Fleeting rules. So are we all. Tick-tock. You will have to deal with it.

Can I keep my suitcase with me on a train?

This train thing… it’s always a gamble, isn’t it? My last trip, a nightmare. Overcrowded. My battered, old Samsonite, a constant battle for space.

Space is the enemy. Always. Especially on those packed commuter lines. You’ll be squeezing into a seat. Fighting for armrest space. Your suitcase? A forgotten thing shoved under the seat, a foot hazard.

Long-distance trains are different. Usually. Overhead bins are mostly roomy enough. Though, even then… it’s a risk. Depends on who got there first.

Check the train operator’s site. That’s crucial. No ifs, ands, or buts. They’ll tell you the size limits. The weight limits. Even sometimes have pictures. I’ve learned that the hard way.

My old man always said, “Plan ahead, son.” He was right. Always. That’s what I’m doing now, 2 AM, replaying my last trip. Still feels wrong. Still hurts my shoulder. Damn that heavy suitcase. Never again. 2024 has been a lesson in that. That damned, heavy, stupid suitcase. I should really buy a new one. A smaller one.

Can you bring luggage on Japanese Rail Pass?

Traveling Japan with a JR Pass? Yes, you can bring luggage.

• Two bags are the golden rule, free of charge, naturally.

• Size matters, darling. Think: 250 cm total dimensions (length + width + height).

• Also, don’t let length fool you; each bag must be under 2 meters.

• Weight? A manageable 30 kg max per bag. I mean, who carries more anyway, right?

It is worth noting that some Shinkansen bullet trains have oversized baggage areas which require advance booking. Consider that when purchasing a JR Pass, it might be a good idea to look into luggage forwarding services, like Takuhaibin. A good option, especially if you plan on moving around a lot or, say, hitting up some onsen towns with narrow streets. It’s truly a liberating experience.

Where do you put suitcases on a train?

Suitcases? Overhead.

Larger ones? Ends of cars, maybe.

Policies shift. Who knows?

• Overhead racks: Prime spot. Smaller, lighter cases only. My ex tried shoving her trunk up there once. Disaster.

• Luggage areas: Designated space. Expect to compete. Like finding parking in Manhattan.

• Between seats: Slim chance. Cramped. Ankle busters.

• Train operator instructions: Ignore at your own peril. They make rules. We break them. Or try to.

Check the train type. Route matters. Details, details, details. Does it ever end?

How big of a suitcase can you bring on a train?

Fifty pounds. Twenty-eight, twenty-two, fourteen. Surfliner? Eleven inches high. Two carry-ons. Plus two more. Done.

• Size: 28 x 22 x 14 inches (most trains)
• Surfliner Size: 28 x 22 x 11 inches
• Weight: 50 lbs (23 kg) per item
• Quantity: Two carry-ons plus two personal items. Think backpack, purse.

My bag? Usually smaller. Black canvas. Heavy. Books. Doesn’t matter. Train’s got space. Pacific Surfliner to San Diego, all the time. No issues.

• Checked baggage: Amtrak offers checked baggage on most routes.
• Oversized/excess baggage: Fees apply. Check Amtrak’s site. Specific rules. Varies.
• Pro-tip: Ship your stuff ahead. Smart. Skip the baggage carousel entirely. Fly, even. Burbank to John Wayne. Train to Solana.

What are the rules for luggage on a train?

Okay, so train luggage, huh? It’s like this, alright?

Free luggage allowance? Oh, bless their cotton socks! Think of it as a weight-loss program. For your stuff, not you.

• First AC? 70 kg. You’re practically moving your whole house! Hope you packed the kitchen sink.
• First Class/AC-2? 50 kg. Decent. Like smuggling gold bars, but, you know, legal-ish.
• AC 3/AC Chair Car/Sleeper? 40 kg. Now we’re getting serious. Time to ditch the bowling ball.
• Last but not least… 35 kg. Basically, a backpack. Maybe. Just the essentials: toothbrush, phone, and a winning lottery ticket.

Don’t even think about going over! Overage is a whole other ballgame, trust me. It’s not pretty. Extra luggage? Booked luggage? Oh boy.

Basically, if your bag weighs more than a small pony, you’re gonna pay. They got scales that are more judgmental than my grandma at Thanksgiving.

It’s all about avoiding the “excess baggage” drama, which nobody, I mean, nobody wants on a long train ride. Especially not me. I’m still recovering from that time with the tuba. Seriously, a tuba?