japan rail question

i read about these pushing there and there during peak hours at tokyo rail stations.Were heading to kyoto and Im wondering what is the best time to leave from our hotel in ikebukuro station.Were taking the yamnote line to tokyo station with a cabin luggage and a day backpack.Basically, waht time did the yamanote line become a little bit flexible to board for those travelling with luggage? I need to decide which time becausei want to reserve our tokyo-kyoto trip. Thanks in advance.I got a 09:36 a.m or 10:06 a.m. schedule from tokyo station.IS it okei?What time shoud we depart in Ikebukuro station??

The worst rush hour period in central Tokyo is typically between 8:30 and 9 am. At 9, it's still busy in a place like Ikebukuro, but by 9:30 it gets quieter (but not that quiet). If you can take the 10:06 out of Tokyo Station, that should be an easier way to move around with luggage.

ah , 8:30 ., so earlier than that is okey? like taking the yamanote line between 7:00 to 7:30, is it quieter?so by all means, avoid 8 am on yamonete line, is that correct jacksan?

Well, 8:30 to 9 is the peak, but that does not necessarily mean it's quiet at 8 am. It's busy, but not as busy as at 8:30. But at 7 am it is indeed relatively quiet in central Tokyo because most offices don't open that early.

I would say takkyubin your luggage ahead and don't worry about the time.<BR>If your luggage is small, just carry your luggage in a way not to be a pain in<BR>the butt to others - which really means don't carry a backpack / your day pack<BR> on your back and don't worry too much about the time.<BR>

Just take the subway Marunouchi line from Ikebukuro to Tokyo station. As Marunouchi line starts from Ikebukuro, you will be among the first to get into the carriages and you can put some of your luggage on the shelf above the seats to free some space. You won't be able to use your JR Pass for the subways, but at 190 yen it's a small price to pay. It takes 16 minutes, and you have a longish walk to the Shinkansen platforms (at opposite ends of the station), but there will be others with travel luggage so you won't stand out.
Yesterday I took my two suitcases on the subway Hibiya line to Ueno between 7.45 and 8.15 am, and while the trains were busy, it caused no real inconvenience (and there are trains every 2-3 minutes at that time in the morning).