Can I take luggage on Shinkansen?

Can you take suitcases on trains in Japan?

Okay, so, like, yes, you can take suitcases on trains in Japan. Def, cause I did it last year when I went to Tokyo and Kyoto.

But listen, there’s rules. The JR, that’s like the main train company, says you get two bags max. Not countin’ like, your purse or backpack ya know?

Each suitcase uh… it has to be a certain size. I think it was, oh man, not over 250 cm total when you add up length, width, and height.

• Two pieces of luggage per person
• Size limits are key—no bigger than 250cm combined
• Watch the weight – heavy bags are a pain!

And, uh, they say it can’t weigh too much. I think its like 30 kg. Honestly, who measures that stuff? But try not to go crazy packing rocks or something, LOL.

Just be aware of the size and weight! You don’t wanna be THAT tourist struggling with a giant bag, blocking the aisle. And seriously, invest in a rolling suitcase if you don’t already have one! It will change your life, swear to God.

I made a mistake in the previous response, I meant to include a specific personal experience.

What items are prohibited on the Shinkansen?

The Shinkansen… a silver bullet slicing through time. Imagine… the polished floors, the hushed whispers. But some things, some things, are forbidden. A jarring dissonance against the serene speed.

Hazardous materials. Absolutely not. The very idea, a toxic bloom on the pristine landscape. No room for such chaos.

Sharp objects… a glint of danger. Unless perfectly sheathed, a threat to the tranquility. My own grandmother’s delicate porcelain doll, shattered, comes to mind. A fragility mirroring the potential for harm.

Furnaces, stoves… wild, untamed heat. Imagine the inferno, the impossible heat warping the elegant carriages. Unthinkable.

Animals, unless carefully contained. Their presence a disruption, their scent a violation. Even my own cat, Clementine, would be a disruptive influence.

Deceased biological material. The sheer gravity. Death, so stark, so inappropriate amidst the rushing life outside. A chilling thought.

Unclean objects. Hygiene, paramount. A sacred cleanliness, mirroring the polished surfaces. Anything else, a stain on the soul of the journey.

Offensive odors. A fragrant journey should not be violated. My perfume, a subtle lilac, is acceptable, but pungent durian? Never.

Items harming others. Recklessness. A selfish disruption of the shared experience. My anxieties surface, remembering a crowded carriage.

Damaging the train. Vandalism, a blasphemy. The smooth, gliding beauty, violated. The train, a living entity, deserves respect.

The rules are clear. It’s not just about safety; it’s about preserving the sacred, serene space. A bullet of polished steel, hurtling through time and space, deserves that respect. Pure, undisturbed, speed.

• Absolutely forbidden: Hazardous materials, furnaces/stoves, deceased biological material.
• Conditionally allowed: Sharp objects (securely packaged).
• Strictly prohibited to maintain order and hygiene: Animals (unless properly contained), unclean objects, items emitting offensive odors, objects potentially harming others or damaging the train.

Can I bring my luggage on a train?

Luggage on trains? Piece of cake! Three pieces, tops. Unless you’re smuggling a small pony, you’re golden. Think of it like a Tetris game, but instead of blocks, it’s your worldly possessions. My aunt Mildred once tried to bring her prize-winning goose (it was in a carrier, I swear!), and let’s just say the conductor wasn’t thrilled.

Important things to remember, people:

• Don’t be a luggage hog. Three pieces is the magic number, unless you’re a professional suitcase wrestler.
• Size matters. I’m not talking about your luggage, pervs. I mean, don’t bring a trunk the size of a small car. Seriously. My uncle Barry did. The train was delayed for hours. Don’t be Barry.
• Think of your fellow passengers. Nobody wants to trip over your giant rolling monstrosity of a suitcase.

Extra stuff to know: I saw a guy try to sneak a washing machine onto a train once. True story. It didn’t end well for the washing machine, or for him. And you know what’s funny? He had a perfectly good suitcase!

Pro-tip: Pack light. Like, ridiculously light. You’re on a train, not moving into a new apartment. Unless, of course, your new apartment is on the train. Then, more power to ya.

How much luggage can you take to Japan?

Okay, so, Japan Airlines, right? For international flights, listen to this.

If you’re flying in Economy or Premium Economy, you get two bags, and they can each weigh up to 23 kg (that’s 50 lbs). I always try to max that out, lol.

But if you’re bougie and flying Business or First Class, you get three bags, each weighing up to 32 kg (70 lbs!). Seriously though, who needs that much stuff?

• Economy/Premium Economy: Two bags, 23 kg each
• Business/First: Three bags, 32 kg each

Oh! and here’s something important, I almost forgot. The size! Each bag needs to be less than 203 cm (79.9 in) when you add up all the sides (length + width + height). I always forget to measure, but like, usually it’s fine. My suitcase from ’23 was a close one.

Can I use Suica for Shinkansen?

Ugh, Suica and Shinkansen, right? So annoying. Normal trains? Totally fine. Suica works great. Used it all over Tokyo last 2023. But the bullet train? Nope. You have to, like, buy a separate ticket. Seriously. Preload it. Plan ahead. Don’t be like me last trip, scrambling at the station. Total disaster.

My friend, Kenji, told me about this app. Hyperdia maybe? I need to check. It helps. He swears by it. I should download it. Seriously though, Shinkansen tickets are a whole other thing. Complex system.

• Suica is for local trains only.
• Shinkansen needs a separate ticket.
• Preloading is key. Avoid delays. Learn from my mistakes!
• Download a train app. Seriously. It’s a lifesaver.

I hate dealing with Japanese train stuff. It’s always a bit stressful. The whole system is very efficient, I guess, but incredibly complicated. My brain hurts just thinking about it. Next time I’m going to print out a full itinerary. Maybe even hire a personal assistant. Okay, that’s a bit extra, but seriously, less stress. This is important. Remember this.

Ugh, I need coffee. And maybe a nap after I figure this out. So much to do! Got to pack. Going back to Japan in December. This time I’ll be prepared.

Where do you put suitcases on a train?

Ugh, suitcases… train trips, right?

• Overhead racks are the go-to for small stuff. Like, my weekend bag to see Aunt Carol in Philly. Easy peasy.

  • But heavier bags? No way. Think someone’s gonna get beaned.

• Big suitcases? Luggage areas – usually at the ends of the cars.

  • Sometimes. Depends on the train. That Amtrak to Boston had a spot, I swear.
  • Wait, was that last year? This year I took a bus… oh well.

• Between seats, maybe? If you’re super lucky.

  • Seriously depends on how full the train is. And how considerate people are. Sigh.

• Gotta check train instructions. Policies are NOT uniform. Why is nothing ever uniform?

  • Every train is different. It’s a law of the universe, I’m convinced.
  • Like that time I got on the wrong train to New Jersey…never again.

• Train type matters too.

  • Local vs. express. Makes a difference, duh.

• Also, train route matters.

  • Long-distance vs. short hops. Obvious.

Always be sure, just be sure!

What are the rules for luggage on a train?

Ugh, train travel. The baggage rules, right? It’s a mess. 70 kilos? First AC, that’s luxurious, I guess. Feels excessive.

Fifty kilos in first class. My back aches just thinking about it. Too much.

Forty kilos in AC 3 tier? Seriously? That’s a struggle, hauling that much. Sleeper class is worse, 35 kilos. My last trip was hell.

• First AC: 70 kg allowance. Ridiculous.
• First Class/AC 2 Tier: 50 kg. Way too much.
• AC 3 Tier/AC Chair Car/Sleeper: 40 kg/35kg respectively. Backbreaking.

I once tried to sneak extra stuff on. Didn’t work. Got scolded. Embarrassing. It’s infuriating. This whole system feels unjust. I hate the weight limits. They need to be more reasonable. These rules suck.

How punctual is the Shinkansen?

Wow, Shinkansen, right? Crazy punctual. Less than a minute average delay annually? Seriously? That’s insane. My flight to Osaka last year was delayed three hours! Three!

I’m thinking about that ridiculous sushi place near Kyoto Station…the one with the grumpy chef? Anyway… punctuality. The Shinkansen is ridiculously on time. Makes you feel a little inadequate, you know? I’m always late for everything.

Speaking of trains, remember that time in Tokyo? The crazy crowded Yamanote line? Total opposite of the Shinkansen, haha. Like night and day. Oh, and that ramen place – the broth was amazing!

Back to the Shinkansen… it’s about efficiency, I guess. A minute a year? Unbelievable. Makes my disorganized life look even worse. Maybe I should try taking the Shinkansen more often. Just to feel…productive? Nah.

• Under one minute average yearly delay. Fact.
• Total opposite of the Tokyo metro mayhem.
• Makes me want to improve my time management skills. Seriously.

I need coffee. And maybe a Shinkansen ticket. Just to experience that legendary punctuality. For science. Or something.