Japanese studio Nendo has designed a cabin-size suitcase with a fabric lid that unzips from the top and rolls back to the side for easier access.

Named Kame – the Japanese word for "tortoise" – Nendo's case has a hard, lightweight polycarbonate shell and a soft textile front.

Most suitcases only unzip around one side, often forcing the user to lay the bag flat before delving inside.

Nendo's Kame design features a horizontal groove two thirds of the way down the padding, which allows the soft cover to be tilted away from the case so the user can access the contents from above.

A series of vertical indentations also enable the lid to be rolled back so the bag can be opened in tight spaces like a car boot.

"The lids of most hard suitcases are heavy to open and close, because they're also used for storage, but this suitcase is easy to open and close by rolling the lid to the side," said Nendo.

"The rolled-up lid can be fastened with an elasticised band, which doubles as a fastener for the suitcase itself when not in use," the studio added.

The hard curved shell is designed to protect the contents, while the cushioned front can flex if the bag is slightly overfilled.

A combination-activated lock on one side of the case includes a cable that is pulled out to loop through the case's ring-shaped zip pulls.

"We didn't forget to have fun with the design, either, and turned the 'o' on the lock's number dial into a smiley face," Nendo said.

Smaller travel essentials can be stored in two zipped mesh compartments integrated into the bag's fabric lining.

For transportation, a handle extends on metal rods from the top of the shell for pulling the case on its two wheels. Further plastic handles on the top and side can be used when the luggage is light enough to lift.

The case measures 550 millimetres in length, making it a suitable size for use as cabin baggage on most major airlines.

Nendo created the suitcase for Italian brand luggage Fabbrica Pelletterie Milano, which produces the designs in orange, blue, green and white.

The Tokyo-based studio, led by designer Oki Sato, has also recently unveiled a collection of furniture that incorporates bamboo baskets and a line of Hello Kitty T-shirts for men.

Photography is by Ayao Yamazaki.