We carried out a study of school bags used by junior high school students from the viewpoint of health care. We conducted the investigation by means of a questionnaire given to 246 junior high school students (both sexes) in Hyogo and Shizuoka Prefectures during the period from December 1998 to January 1999. We reported on how they are using school bags. The results are as follows : Backpacks accounted for 50% and shoulderbags 40% of the total number of bags in the entire area. As a whole, shoulderbags proved to be attractive, especially for junior high school students. A school bag weighs 4 kg on average, although the weight ranges from 0.1 to 9.5 kg, showing a big difference among individuals and also schools. Some schools regulate school bags. We offered advice to school authorities so that they may take some measures to decrease the students' burden.