Tokyo station is the biggest station in Japan. And most of you use this station to get on Shinkansen, Narita Express or Tokyo local trains. But this station is very complicated because it is too big and too many platforms.
In this post, I would like to explain about this station and how to change the train in Tokyo station.
Overview
First of all, please see Tokyo station map on JR East website.
Tokyo station structure is divided into three parts, ground floor, underground (Sobu line/Rapid, Narita Express) and another underground (Keiyo line/local train to Maihama, TDL). I think this is the reason why Tokyo station is very complicated. There are 20 tracks at the ground floor. Another 4 tracks each at both underground floor. There are many trains arriving and departing every minutes. Overall the following trains depart and arrive at Tokyo station:
- Shinkansen (high speed long distance train running on the designated track)
- Limited Express trains (the fastest train on conventional tracks)
- Rapid trains (suburban commute train)
- Urban commute train
I think many of you will change these trains at Tokyo station.
Ticket gate/Exit
There are more than 10 exits (ticket gate). These exits are divided broadly into two sides, Yaesu and Marunouchi. The exits looking toward the east (lower side on the map) are called “Yaesu (八重洲)”. The exits looking toward the west (upper on the map) are called “Marunouchi (丸の内)”. Each sides have North exit, Central exit, South exit and some more exits. When you exit/enter, just make sure Marunouchi (west) or Yaesu (east). You don’e need to be nervous about North, Central and South. You can move easily after you exit.
At Yaesu side, there are many exits.
For all trains — Yaesu South, Yaesu Central, Yaesu North
For Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen (to Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakata) — Yaes South, Yaesu North Central, Yaesu North, Nihonbashi
For Tohoku, Joetsu, Nagano, Akita, Yamagata Shinkansen (to Sendai, Shin-Aomori, Niigata, Nagano, Akita, Yamagata) — Nihonbashi
When you get on Shinkansen, you need to go through Shinkansen ticket gate or transfer gate. If you get on Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen from Tokyo station Yaesu side, you can use Shinkansen ticket gate at Yaesu south exit, Yaesu central north exit or Nihonbashi exit (north side of Yaesu north exit). These three exits are only for Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen passengers. Be careful! You cannot get on Tohoku, Joetsu, Nagano, Akita and Yamagata Shinkansen from these exits. These Shinaksens are completely different from Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen. Only Nihonbashi exit can be used for all Shinkansen lines. Otherwise enter Tokyo station from South, Central or North and go through Shinkansen transfer gate. But Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen is completely different line from Tohoku, Joetsu, Nagano, Akita and Yamagata Shinkansen. Shinkansen transfer gate is different. There are lots of sign. But please make sure before go through. Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen
Hotels in Tokyo Station – Tokyo, Japan
Hotels in Shinagawa Station – Tokyo, Japan
Hotels in Shinjuku Station – Tokyo, Japan
At Marunouchi side, it is very simple. Six exits, South, Central and North at both ground and underground. There is no Shinkansen ticket gates. So if you get on Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen from Tokyo station Marunouchi side, you can go through any exits and enter Tokyo station anyway. After you enter Tokyo station, you need to go through one more ticket gate, Shinkansen transfer gate.
If you transfer from any conventional line trains, just go through Shinkansen transfer gate. You don’t need to exit the station.
And also there are one more exits at underground, Keiyo underground Yaesu exit near Keiyo line tracks.
Tracks and platforms
There are 20 tracks / 10 platforms on ground floor and 4 tracks / 2 platforms each at both underground.
Ground floor
You can get on Local commute train, Rapid service and limited express trains on conventional lines at track #1-10.
Track# | Name of line | Destination |
1,2 | ■Chuo line | Shinjuku, Hachioji, Takao |
3 | ■Keihin Tohoku line | Akihabara, Ueno, Omiya |
4 | ■Yamanote line | Akihabara, Ueno, Ikebukuro |
5 | ■Yamanote line | Yurakucho, Shinbashi, Hamamatsucho, Shinagawa, Shibuya |
6 | ■Keihin Tohoku line | Hamamatsucho, Shinagawa, Yokohama, Ofuna |
7,8 | ■Ueno Tokyo line | Ueno, Utsunomiya, Takasaki, Omiya, Mito Limited Express Hitachi, Tokiwa |
9,10 | ■Tokaido line | Shinagawa, Yokohama, Odawara, Atami, Izukyu-Shimoda, Shuzenji Limited Express Sunrise Seto / Surise Izumo, Limited Express Super View Odoriko / Odoriko, Rapid Moonlight Nagara, Other rapid trains *Some trains depart from track #7, #8. |
There are 4 tracks / 2 platforms for Tohoku, Joetsu, Nagano, Akita and Yamagata Shinkansen and another 6 tracks / 3 platforms for Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen.
Track# | Name of line | Destination |
14-19 | Tokaido Shinkansen | Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakata |
20-23 | Tohoku, Joetsu, Hokuriku (Nagano), Akita, Yamagata Shinkansen | Sendai, Shin-Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Niigata, Nagano |
There is a lot of tracks. But it is not complicated to transfer the trains on ground floor. I think 10 minutes is enough to transfer any trains on ground floor.
I have several movies in regards to the transfer between Shinkansen and other trains in my YouTube channel:
From Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen to Narita Express and other JR line
From Narita Express to the Shinkansen
Underground Sobu (地下総武) – Narita Express, Rapid Airport Narita
There are 4 tracks / 2 platforms that are located at deep underground, basement fifth floor. If you take the trains to/from Narita airport, you will use these underground tracks.
Track# | Name of line | Destination |
1,2 | ■Yokosuka line | Rapid train to Yokohama, Ofuna, Yokosuka, Narita Express from Narita airport to Shinagawa, Yokohama, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Omiya,Limited Express Shiosai/Ayame from Choshi, Kashima-Jingu |
3,4 | ■Sobu line | Rapid Airport Narita to Chiba, Narita airport, Narita Express from Shinagawa, Yokohama, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Omiya to Narita airport, Limited Express Shiosai/Ayame to Choshi, Kashima-Jingu |
These underground platforms can be accessed beside Marunouchi central exit. There are many signs that say “Narita Express” or “Sobu line” or “Yokosuka line”. When you transfer to other trains from Narita Express or Airport Narita, you just take escalator or stairs to go up. But if you transfer to Narita Express or Airport Narita, you should remember to follow the sign that says Marunouchi Central or Marunouchi Underground Central. You may be able to get there faster.
I recommend you to have 15 minutes to transfer between this underground platform and other platforms on ground floor. Especially Shinkansen’s platform is located at other side. However if you transfer from Narita Express or Airport Narita to Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen (to Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Hiroshima or Hakata), you can transfer at Shinagawa. Shinagawa station is a big station too. But it is smaller than Tokyo station and all platforms are located at ground floor. It is much easier and faster to transfer. Please see the map of Shinagawa station at JR East website.
Underground Keiyo (地下京葉) – local train to Maihama, Soga, Matsudo
There are 4 tracks / 2 platforms that are located at deep underground, basement fourth floor. If you take the trains to/from Maihama (the nearest station of Tokyo Disney Land), you will use these underground tracks.
Track# | Name of line | Destination |
1,2 | ■Keiyo line | Local train to Shin-Kiba, Maihama, Soga, Matsudo, Limited Express Wakashio to Katsuura, Awakamogawa, Limited Express Sazanami to Tateyama |
1-4 | ■Keiyo line | Local train to Shin-Kiba, Maihama, Soga, Matsudo |
These underground platforms can be accessed beside Yaesu South exit. There are many signs that say “Keiyo line”. But this platform is very far. It is 600 m away from Yaesu South. So I recommend you to have 15 minutes to transfer between this underground platform and other platforms on ground floor. Especially most of local lines, such as Chuo line, Yamanote line and Keihin-Tohoku line, are located at other side. Please remember to go to Yaesu South and find the way to Keiyo line tracks.
If you transfer from Sobu line, such as Narita Express or Rapid Airport Narita, it takes at least 20 minutes. If you can find Underground south exit at Underground Sobu, exit Tokyo station and go through Marunouchi Jiyu Tsuro (丸の内自由通路). This way is a bit faster than going through Tokyo station.
I have two movies which shows you the transfer to/from Keiyo line.
Transfer from the Tokaido Shinkansen to Keiyo line
Transfer from Keiyo line to Narita Express
Minimum connecting time
Tokyo station is the biggest station. When you change trains in Tokyo station, you must have some extra time. I will show you the minimum connecting times in Tokyo station. This is set for the first time traveler who has never been to Tokyo station. You may be able to change trains a bit quicker. However if you have this connection time, you can change trains with no stresses:
Tokaido Shinkansen | |
---|---|
Tohoku Shinkansen Hokkaido Shinkansen Joetsu Shinkansen Hokuriku Shinkansen Akita Shinkansen Yamagata Shinkansen | 10 minutes |
Yamanote line Keihin-Tohoku line Chuo line | 15 minutes |
Ueno Tokyo line Limited Express Odoriko Limited Express Hitachi/Tokiwa | 10 minutes |
Narita Express Sobu rapid train | 20 minutes |
Keiyo line | 20 minutes |
Tohoku Shinkansen Hokkaido Shinkansen Joetsu Shinkansen Hokuriku Shinkansen Akita Shinkansen Yamagata Shinkansen | |
---|---|
Tokaido Shinkansen | 10 minutes |
Yamanote line Keihin-Tohoku line Chuo line | 15 minutes |
Ueno Tokyo line Limited Express Odoriko Limited Express Hitachi/Tokiwa | 10 minutes |
Narita Express Sobu rapid train | 20 minutes |
Keiyo line | 20 minutes |
Narita Express Sobu rapid train | |
---|---|
Yamanote line Keihin-Tohoku line Chuo line | 15 minutes |
Ueno Tokyo line Limited Express Odoriko Limited Express Hitachi/Tokiwa | 15 minutes |
Keiyo line | 20 minutes |
Yamanote line Keihin-Tohoku line Chuo line | |
---|---|
Ueno Tokyo line Limited Express Odoriko Limited Express Hitachi/Tokiwa | 10 minutes |
Keiyo line | 15 minutes |
Ueno Tokyo line Limited Express Odoriko Limited Express Hitachi/Tokiwa | |
---|---|
Keiyo line | 15 minutes |
Luggage storage facility and coin lockers
Tokyo station has huge numbers of coin lockers. But in daytime, most of lockers are full in even week days. If you go to the station in late evening or early morning, you may find the space easier. And also there are several luggage storage spaces available in Tokyo station. Please see the links below to find the information about the luggage storage services and coin lockers.
Coin Lockers/Baggage Storage at Tokyo Station, Tokyo Station City official site
Sagawa Express Transportation, Tokyo Service Center
*Sagawa Express is one of major cargo transportation companies.
JR Pass and JR East Pass exchange office
There are four places where you can exchange JR pass in Tokyo station:
- JR EAST Travel Service Center (near Marunouchi north ticket gate)
- JR-CENTRAL Ticket Office (Yaesu Central)
- JR-CENTRAL Ticket Office (Yaesu North)
- JR Tokai Tours Tokyo Office (Yaesu North)
If you use JR East Pass Tohoku, JR East Pass Nagano Niigata, Tokyo Wide Pass, Hokuriku Arch Pass, JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass, you can exchange/purchase it at JR East Travel Service Center only.
Comments
Hi Takeshi-san,
We will be travelling to Hiroshima on June 15th 2017 from Tokyo.
Exact timing is not determined yet. I am planning to get tickets when I land Japan on June 9th 2017.
Please let me know if I have to rush to get tickets online.
Or can I buy the tickets when I land in Tokyo on 9th June 2017.
Thanks a lot.
Hi Babu san,
You have to purchase and book a ticket after you arrive in Japan. You cannot get it online anyway.
You can book and buy a ticket on June 9th when you arrive in Japan. Please see the link below to find more info:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I am taking the NEX train to Narita ..From M17 station what is the faster transfer and TRACK No that I shall take ??
Hi SharudinO,
Marunouchi line Tokyo station is closed to Marunouchi side exit of Tokyo station. You can enter any ticket gate of Marunouchi side. You will find the signage of Narita Express easily and follow the signage to the platfrom.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, I’m planning to take the Shinkansen to Hakodate in Hokkaido from Tokyo. I’ll be staying near Ueno Station. Can I board the Shinkansen at Ueno Station?
Hi Kay,
Yes, you can. But some trains skip Ueno. Please see the timetable in the link below.
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/01.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I have plans to take the JR Sobu line from Bakurocho Station to Tokyo station at 6am (to avoid peak crowd) in the morning in order to catch the Tokaido Shinkansen at 8am heading towards Kyoto.
Is that 6am the peak hour for tokyo station? I’m afraid i will encounter a peak hour and be a nuisance (tugging my luggage) to other passengers while taking the sobu line and while navigating Tokyo station searching for the Shinkansen platform.
Please advise!
Garry
Hi Gary,
6 am is quiet. You will see many more passengers what your expectation. But it’s no problem to take a train with luggage. I think 6:30 is still okay. It’s just 5 minutes away from Bakurocho to Tokyo. Even if you leave there at 6:30, you will have plenty of time at Tokyo station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I would like to ask a question regarding shinkansen transfer.
I am heading to tokyo from Shin-Osaka station boarding a bullet train, I don’t know which gate to exit, I don’t know which we train we are boarding as we cannot understand japanese, I am confused at which gate to exit, also which station are we supposed to arrive. We are boarding from shon osaka headed to tokyo station, is it just TOKYO STATION, no other name for the station, we are very confused and we need help! I hope my question does not confuse you, Thank You!
Hi J,
I understand what you mean. Tokyo station is just Tokyo station. There are so many stations in downtown Tokyo, like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shinagawa. Tokyo station is one of those.
By the way, there are huge number of foreign tourists in Japan in these days. Most of them do not understand Japanese at all but they are okay to travel. Don’t be nervous. In the station, there are many signage. You don’t lose your way. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/signage-and-announcement-in-the-station-and-train.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I plan to go to Osaka from Narita international airport by the Bullet train. My flight will arrive around 7 am in morning. Kindly confirm if I can take a train from Narita to Tokyo station and board a Bullet triangle for Osaka . How much total time needed from Narita international airport to Tokyo bullet train platform for Osaka
Hi Sam,
It takes one hour from Narita to Tokyo and need another 15 minutes to transfer at Tokyo station.
But actually you can take Narita Express to Shinagawa, not Tokyo. And you can catch Shinkansen (bullet train) at Shinagawa. This is much easier because platforms for Narita Express and Shinkansen are much closer than Tokyo. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/shinagawa-station-guide-transfer-among-shinkansen-keihin-kyuko-to-haneda-narita-express.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I need to get off from the Keiyo line and then catch a shinkansen to Nagano. Which direction should I go when I come off the platform at Tokyo Station?
Thanks
Hi Khang,
No worries. All you have to do is just following the signage. There are lots lots of signage of Shinkansen. But Keiyo line platform is far from Shinkansen platform. You must have 15 minutes to transfer.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Good morning
Arriving at Tokyo station
Destination minami senju station
With jr Joban line
Where i must go to take this train and where i can fond
Schedules
Tks a lot for yr help and kindness
Regards
Daniel
Hi Daniel,
You can take a local train, such as Yamanote line, Keihin Tohoku line to get Nippori or Ueno. And then take Joban line local train to Minami-Senju. You can change trains at either Ueno or Nippori. But Nippori is smaller station and easier to change trains. Please use hyperdia to check the schedule.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
We will be taking the JR Chuo Rapid Service to Tokyo (Arrival track no. 1) from Shinjuku, and transferring to Shinkansen for Gala Yuzawa (Departure track no.21). Do you know if it is easy to to transfer between the 2 points? How long will it take?
Also, generally, should we plan for a longer time for transfers from that stated in Hyperdia? I am worried about losing our way in big stations like Shinjuku and Tokyo.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Regards,
Geraldine
Hi Geraldine,
If you have 15 minutes, it’s enough to change trains. Tokyo station is a big station but it’s not hard from Chuo line to Shinkansen. Especially the signage of Shinkansen is everywhere. Just follow the signage and you will get there easily.
If you still worry about it, just add 5-10 minutes. It’s way enough.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you, Takeshi-san..
No worries, Geraldine san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I would like to ask a question regarding shinkansen transfer.
I am going to Kita-Ikebukuro (Tokyo) from Karatsu (Fukuoka). I received information to board Sakura from Hakata station, and then transfer to Hikari at Himeji station to arrive at Tokyo.
I’d like to ask if I were to reserve my seat for Sakura, can I also make a reservation for the Hikari train that I will board at Himeji station from Hakata station? Or is it already included in one package?
I hope my question is not confusing, would really love to hear your answer regarding this. Thank you!
Hi Angela,
You can book both tickets at same time in Hakata station or other JR stations in advance if you want. But you need to book separately. You will get two reserved seat tickets.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com