U-turn rush begins after New Year holidays

‘Almost’, but not completely, full.

And for many people, all the benefits from the relaxation and stress relief of their vacations are wiped out by packed trains and expressways on the trip home. Shame.

Glad to be sitting at home watching TV and eating Apple Strudel.

all the benefits from the relaxation and stress relief of their vacations are wiped out 

I agree. I'm firmly against the national holiday system. This year, I left Japan well before shogatsu and am returning well afterward. That's the way to do it.

Why are those push/pull suitcases so popular?

They always look so difficult to manhandle.

For very old people I can understand their usefulness, but otherwise why would anyone not opt for a good quality rucksack?

In Japan everything is very well organized. A lot of structure makes it a very comfortable experience even when traveling at peak periods. In other countries there is a total breakdown in transport systems.

I always travel at low season to avoid the thrice yearly chaos like this.

Why are those push/pull suitcases so popular?

They always look so difficult to manhandle.

I assure you they aren't that difficult to manhandle at all specially when you only need to travel a short distance from plane to train to car/taxi.

For very old people I can understand their usefulness, but otherwise why would anyone not opt for a good quality rucksack?

Most people are going "home" to see family and not some remote location where you need to carry your luggage for long distances where the ground is rough and unstable or along the edge of a mountain, and you only have 1 change of cloths and you flip your underwear 4 times before washing them.

The crowded airports, trains, and highways seem like mostly a Tokyo and Osaka thing.

The wife and I had a nice drive from where we live (southern Hokkaido) to her hometown & parents' house (central Hokkaido) on Monday, and a nice drive back today.

Didn't have to drive anywhere near Sapporo, and other than some snow through the mountains, it was pretty smooth sailing all the way.

Not all of Japan is like Tokyo or Osaka. Not all of it is a crowded mess during the holidays.

Every year, is the same 'ol story.

Imagine for a sec that the companies would provide alternate holidays, instead of all of them giving the same days off for Obon, Golden Week or New Year. For me is lesson learned. For New Year and Christmas I tend to go to my home country, while for the rest of long holidays, I try to either work, and take days off other times, or not travel too much.

a good quality rucksack?

means a huge backpacker rucksack? You'd better notice you get frowned upon by the Japanese haha

Why are those push/pull suitcases so popular?

You mean wheeled luggage?

They always look so difficult to manhandle.

For very old people I can understand their usefulness, but otherwise why would anyone not opt for a good quality rucksack?

If the people in the photograph had been smart and used the lifts, then it's not difficult to handle. And they are popular because not everyone can carry heavy loads due to various reasons/issues. Not everybody is healthy and able-bodied, whatever age they may be.

Wheeled luggage is easy to move, and has a lot of internal space. Standing with a large backpack on a train will make you unpopular and you may accidentally take someone out when you turn round.

I got used to navigating most of the big stations in Tokyo on autopilot using the stairs, and just used the same routes if I had a heavy case and a cabin bag, as I knew where I was going. I found it difficult to find lifts, they were often full and if I used them, I would simply become lost, as I had never used them before and would emerge in random parts of the station. Once, it took me ten minutes to find my way out of a shopping complex that I was deposited in. If I'd just lugged my stuff down the stairs I'd have been out in under a minute.

We always use delivery and collection services for our luggage. Cheap enough and hassle-free.

Wall, Coll/drop etc. depends on the vol/ kg. And if all companies spread the Obon ,NY. G.W. nobody would holiday, industry would collapse? All populations have their traditions! That's why people save?(or did previously) to travel (now maybe visa would go broke without the interest payments). Holidays are a national melting pot. Enjoy.

Are we all pumped to go back to work tomorrow?

I agree. I'm firmly against the national holiday system. This year, I left Japan well before shogatsu and am returning well afterward. That's the way to do it."

Wouldn't it be nice if everyone in Japan had the same employment conditions that you did where they could leave "well before Shogatsu and return afterward"? The fact is, many don't. Too bad that you didn't factor these realities into your post.