Virtually every elementary schooler in Japan is required to carry their books to and from school in a randoseru, so the bags represent a major family expense.
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A randoseru (?????) is a firm-sided backpack made of stitched firm leather or leather-like synthetic material, most commonly used in Japan by elementary schoolchildren. Traditionally it is given to a child upon beginning their first year of school, whereupon the child uses the same bag until grade 6.
Is it ok to wear a backpack in Japan? Of course you can wear a backpack in Japan. However, there are some tips to keep in mind if you want to have an easy time blending in. Especially if you're in a big city like Tokyo, it can be beneficial to bring a smaller bag.
The randoseru, like many things in Japanese culture, is a nearly immutable object. It represents a carefree, innocent, and traditional childhood in Japan. It's not just any backpack one would throw on in the western world. Nearly every single child has one here.
Unscrupulous thieves use sharp knives to sneakily cut your back pack and remove the contents and this is easier in a crowed area like a train where you may be crammed in like sardines and because of the motion of the train, you don't notice a person robbing you. With the back pack in front, all this is avoided.
Concealing ContrabandWhile certainly not the overwhelming number of cases, such instances have led to some administrators banning backpacks to dissuade students from sneaking illegal and dangerous items onto school grounds.
While temples and shrines aren't as strict in Japan as other places in Asia, it's still of the utmost importance to avoid revealing or unseemly clothing. Women should avoid wearing tops that expose their shoulders or chest.
The crown prince of the time was given a backpack upon entering elementary school (at Gakushuin). To honor the soldiers of the country, the shape of the backpack resembled the backpacks used in the military. This quite immediately became the fashion, and the shape has continued to become the randoseru used today.