Tokyo station guide. How to change the trains, Shinkansen, Narita Express and other local trains.

Station information
Tokyo station Marunouchi building. (C) JP Rail
Looking to track#9 and 10 (Tokaido Rapid trains) from track#20 for Tohoku Shinkansen at Tokyo Station (C) JP Rail

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

All lines on conventional lines have a line color, such as orange color for Chuo line. (C) JP Rail

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

Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen is shown by blue and Tohoku and other four Shinkansens are shown by Green.

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

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 lineDestination
1,2■Chuo lineShinjuku, Hachioji, Takao
3Keihin Tohoku lineAkihabara, Ueno, Omiya
4■Yamanote lineAkihabara, Ueno, Ikebukuro
5■Yamanote lineYurakucho, Shinbashi, Hamamatsucho, Shinagawa, Shibuya
6■Keihin Tohoku lineHamamatsucho, Shinagawa, Yokohama, Ofuna
7,8■Ueno Tokyo lineUeno, Utsunomiya, Takasaki, Omiya, Mito
Limited Express Hitachi, Tokiwa
9,10Tokaido lineShinagawa, 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.

Akita Shinkansen and Tokaido Shinkansen at Tokyo station (C) James Chuang
Track#Name of lineDestination
14-19Tokaido ShinkansenNagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakata
20-23Tohoku, Joetsu, Hokuriku (Nagano), Akita, Yamagata ShinkansenSendai, 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

Narita Express at Sobu underground platform

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 lineDestination
1,2■Yokosuka lineRapid 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 lineRapid 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
At Marunouchi Central Exit. Don’t exit here. Take the way to right and follow the sign Marunouchi Underground Central Exit. (C) JP Rail

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 some moving sidewalks and escalators on the way to Keiyo line tracks. Keiyo line platforms are far away from other platforms. (C) JP Rail

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 lineDestination
1,2■Keiyo lineLocal train to Shin-Kiba, Maihama, Soga, Matsudo, Limited Express Wakashio to Katsuura, Awakamogawa, Limited Express Sazanami to Tateyama
1-4■Keiyo lineLocal train to Shin-Kiba, Maihama, Soga, Matsudo
Signs are shown in both Japanese and English. (C) JP Rail

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 line20 minutes
 Tohoku Shinkansen
Hokkaido Shinkansen
Joetsu Shinkansen
Hokuriku Shinkansen
Akita Shinkansen
Yamagata Shinkansen
Tokaido Shinkansen10 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 line20 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 line20 minutes
 Yamanote line
Keihin-Tohoku line
Chuo line
Ueno Tokyo line
Limited Express Odoriko
Limited Express Hitachi/Tokiwa
10 minutes
Keiyo line15 minutes
 Ueno Tokyo line
Limited Express Odoriko
Limited Express Hitachi/Tokiwa
Keiyo line15 minutes

Luggage storage facility and coin lockers

Coin lockers are available many many places in Tokyo station at both inside and outside the ticket gates.

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

  1. Brian says:

    Dear Takeshi,

    The plan, if all goes well with clearing immigration & customs in good time at Narita T2, is to first pick up our pre ordered pocket wifi/phone and then to JR to buy rail tickets for NEX 18 – Nozomi 33 (Shinagawa) – Shin Osaka and then the Ltd Exp Super Hakuto 9 onto Osaka Station.

    Not completely understanding it but Hyperdia website is showing a total ticket price for one to be ¥18,090 and I was wondering if this is correct and how much would it be to buy Green car tickets please?

    I also noted that not only is there a JR EAST Travel Center B1f but another office on the arrivals floor above. Have you any preferences or suggestions what one will be best as my timing is a little tight to make those connections.

  2. Brian says:

    Thank you Takeshi,

    The change at Shingawa was in ‘Plan A’ and Tokyo Station was only in ‘Plan B’ if I missed NEX 18 in ‘Plan A’ to connect with the Nozomi 33.

  3. Brian says:

    I am planning to transfer from the Narita Express to the Shinkansen for Shin-Osaka at Tokyo Station on a Sunday morning in April and I have just looked at the JR Tokyo Station map.

    Can you tell me how I will achieve this as the map is useful but could do with some directions please?

  4. Rachel says:

    Hi, how do I go to nadoshi station from Tokyo?

    Can’t find it on the map…

    thanks!

  5. Jenny says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    My ticket schedule is Mar 29 at 09.00 boarding, so I have to arrive on Narita Airport at 7 AM. I leave around Tokyo Station due the Tokyo Station is big places (and your article really help me) so I have to arrive in Tokyo Station before 6 AM. My question as below
    1. what time the Tokyo station and Narita Airport Station start to operate? is it 24 hours? and what time the first train start to operate, too?
    2. according to you, could I reach the Narita Airport Station on time at 7 AM? my second altenative is find a hotel near Narita for last day.
    2. my first day is start from Osaka so I already have Icoca Card, could I use Icoca card in Tokyo for subway etc?
    3. could I use Icoca card to buy the NEX ticket (Tokyo Station – Narita Airport Station)?
    4. could I buy the NEX ticket on Mar 28 (to prevent any confuse for tomorrow morning)?

    Thanks & Regards,
    Jenny

    • Hi Jenny,

      >1. what time the Tokyo station and Narita Airport Station start to operate? is it 24 hours? and what time the first train start to operate, too?
      It’s not 24 hours. The first Narita Express leave Tokyo at 06:18 and arrive Narita at 7:18. You will see the timetable at the link below:
      http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/e_nex_d/index.html

      But there is one earlier train that departs Tokyo at 5:04. This is a regular commute train and you have to transfer at Chiba to another commute train. If you will take these trains, you will get Narita at 6:30.

      >2. according to you, could I reach the Narita Airport Station on time at 7 AM? my second altenative is find a hotel near Narita for last day.
      Hotel stay near Narita is easier. If you are okay with commute trains above, go for it. The choice is yours.

      >2. my first day is start from Osaka so I already have Icoca Card, could I use Icoca card in Tokyo for subway etc?
      Yes.

      >3. could I use Icoca card to buy the NEX ticket (Tokyo Station – Narita Airport Station)?
      No.

      >4. could I buy the NEX ticket on Mar 28 (to prevent any confuse for tomorrow morning)?
      Yes. You can purchase it in even Osaka. You can purchase it at any major JR stations throughout Japan.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  6. xlckx says:

    Hi, I will be entering JR trains with a JR Pass but making transfer to subway lines and exiting subway/metro station. Since I will be entering without a ticket, how do I exit a subway station after making a transfer? Also the vice versa, when I enter a subway/metro and exiting a JR station (I can flash JR pass), what do I do with the metro ticket?

    • Hi xlckx,

      You can exit at the gate with station staff. You can show your JR pass and they will tell you how much the extra fare is.
      If you enter from subway station, you can purchase single ticket to the first JR station on your route.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  7. R A Agarwal says:

    Intend to travel from Tokyo to Sappor and back using Ordinary Japan Rail Pass. Would like to know the followings:
    1. Whether I can convert Ordinary Pass into Green Card after arriving in Japan at the time of exchanging it. If yes, how much additional amount I have to pay?
    2. Whether with Green Card, I can travel in B Sleeper Car of Hamanasu without paying any additional amount?
    3. If I use this Sleeper Car of Hamanasu with Ordinary Pass, how much additional I have to pay?
    4. In case I travel in Hayabasu in Green Class with Ordinary Pass how much additional I have to pay- one way and both way?
    5. In case I want to travel in Hukotesei in Solo, Duet or B class with Ordinary Japan Rail pass. how much additional amount I have to pay- one way and both way?

  8. R A Agarwal says:

    Shall be arriving at Natira Airport at Terminal 1 on 25th October 14 by United Airlines around 3pm. Shall be carrying Japan Rail Exchange Voucher and would be going to Sapporo by Hayabusa 31 upto Shin Aomori and then by Hamanasu upto Sapporo. Would like to know:
    1. Location of JR Travel Service Centre at Narita Airport and its timing to
    (a) Exchange Voucher by Japan Rail Pass ((b) Reserve seat on Narita Express to Tokyo Station (c) Reserve seat on Hayabasu and (d) Reserve seat on Hamanasu.
    Shall be returning back from Sapporo on 30th October. Whether I can reserve the Return Seats on both the trains on 25 th October, 14 at the same time while reserving my ongoing seats from the airport.
    In case Reserves Seat is not available on Hayabasu 31, whether ther are unreserved seats and I can travel on such unreserved seat. Am going to attend SSRR 2014 and I shouldl reach Sapporo by 26th October 14. Shall be grateful for your guidance. Regards, R A Agarwal.

    • Hi R A Agarwal,

      You can find JR travel service in underground level of the terminal. It’s same thing as Tokyo station. There are lots of signage. You don’t need to worry about it too much. It’s much easier than you think.
      The following link shows you the timing after arrival to get to the airport station.
      https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/trip-to-tohoku-and-nagano-in-2013-winter-part-1-from-narita-airport-to-ueno.html

      You can book all trains when you exchange JR pass at Narita.

      Actually Hayabusa does not have any unreserved seat. If it’s sold out, you CANNOT take this train. There is no alternative available. So if you want to take this trains connections, you have to take this risk. If you don’t want to take any risk, I recommend you to stay in Tokyo on arrival day and book the earliest domestic flight to Sapporo on next day. You can book air ticket in advance but cannot book trains ticket in advance. The choice is yours.

      In my experience, it will be okay. But of course no guarantee.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  9. R A Agarwal says:

    How to catch Tohoku from Marunouchi Underground Central Gate. Arriving by Narita Express from Narita Airport around 5.45 pm to catch Hayabasu 31 leaving at 6 20 p.m

    • Hi R A Agarwal,

      It will arrive in underground. So you can go up to ground level and you will find the sign of Tohoku Shinkansen. 35 minutes is way enough to tranfer.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • R A Agarwal says:

        Takeshi
        Thanks. Request to advise which direction I have to take on ground lever and which gates I have to take to reach HAYABASU TRACK. after reaching
        ground level from Marunouchi underground central gate.
        Regards R A Agarwal

        • Hi R A Agarwal,

          All you have to do is following the signage of Tohoku Shinkansen. *direction to Yaesu side)
          There are lots of signs. You can’t miss it.
          You will reach Tohoku Shinkansen transfer gate. Show your Shinkansen ticket and proceed the platform. You will find the information board and it shows you which platform for your train.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JP Rail

  10. Fran says:

    Hi Takeshi

    I would be flying to Tokyo on 18 October and staying at Hilton Tokyo Bay for 8 days, but would like to visit Tokyo city, Shinjuku, Shinbuya, Ginza, Harajuku and other main shopping areas.

    What is the best way to travel around these areas easily using the Rail/Metro system from Hilton Tokyo Bay Hotel?

    Can u kindly enlighten as it looks too complicated for me when I saw the JR Rail, and Metro Subway maps today.

    Thank you

    Kind Regards
    Fran

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