Recently, our designer, José, embarked on an exciting trip, trading the familiar silhouette of the Seattle skyline for the dazzling and bustling streets of Tokyo, Japan. What started as a birthday getaway quickly evolved into a deep dive into Japan’s carry culture, offering fresh insights on how people move through their day, one bag and egg sandwich at a time.
José returned not just with souvenirs, but with pages of observations. His notes, “Musings on Japan Carry Culture,” offer a peek into the bags, brands, and behaviors shaping how Tokyo-ites move through their day, and how that sparks ideas for future TB designs.
Notes From the Train: Musings on Japan’s Carry Culture
One thing was immediately clear: people in Tokyo carry with intention. Most folks spend the bulk of their day away from home, which means their bags have to do a lot of work: holding essentials, being comfortable enough for long days, and not taking up too much space on crowded trains.
Here are some trends I noticed:
Slim backpacks are a common choice, especially ones with a more structured profile that didn’t protrude too much—likely due to train etiquette.
Briefcase-style bags were a go-to for many Japanese businessmen, often versatile enough to be carried by hand or worn as a backpack à la The Trinity.
Crossbody bags and slings were everywhere. These ranged from small, essentials-only styles to medium-sized bags big enough to hold a laptop and daily gear.
Across all styles, bags seemed to prioritize efficiency, easy access, and compactness.
... continue reading