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. Kathy says:

    Hello Takeshi San,
    Are you able to advise if there is a video to show the quickest route from Track No. 9 to Track No. 5
    We will be travelling from Kawaguchiko to Shinjuku and there is only one train per day. This train will arrive at Shinjuku at 16:58 on Track No 9. We are hoping to get on the 17:09 Narita Express as our international flight departs from Narita Terminal 3 at 20:55.
    I see in your very helpful information above to allow 15 minutes between these two platforms, however I am hoping if we walk quickly we can make the 17:09 departure and not have to wait half an hour for the next express train.
    Thank you for your assistance.
    Kathy

  2. Rainer von Sachs says:

    Hi, very useful site – thanks.
    One thing I am still trying to find out is which signs/ exits to take when arriving on the ground floor of Tokyo Station (with the Shinkansen from Kyoto) and trying to find my way by foot to Otemachi subway station, Tozai Line (going to Waseda). I understand the best is to stay underground, following the signs that say Marunouchi Underground Central and then, hopefully the sign for the blue Tozai Line. Is this correct? How many levels do I need to go down, just one?
    Thank’s in advance, Rainer

    • Hi Rainer,

      There are several routes. But the route in the movie below is one of the good routes. It shows you Otemachi station to Tokyo station Yaesu north exit. You can go to Marunouchi side after you exit Yaesu north exit.
      https://youtu.be/ed2FkDR0y8k

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Rainer says:

        Hi Takeshi,

        many thanks for your quick answer. I watched the video and got it. However it seems that using this exit B8b from Otemachi subway station has only an escalator up (not down). So doing it the other way round (coming from the Shinkansen) might not be comfortable with luggage? Would the route via the Marunouchi Underground Gate allow me to have always escalators both ways?
        Thanks again (we are actually a family of three so it might matter ;-),
        Cheers Rainer

        • Hi Rainer,

          How about this? It’s Marunouchi route.
          https://youtu.be/xMS_5SZ685M

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Rainer says:

            Great, this is a good route if you have luggage ;-). And very clear, there is always the blue circle sign for the Tozai Line;-).
            Many thanks.

            Now I would have a different question concerning the reduced round-trip tickets for the N’EX (Narita Airport Express): I know that at JR East Travel Center (at the airpot) they sell N’EX Tokyo which would give you 33% off for the round-trip (~ 4000 Yen instead of 2 times 3000 Yen). However, for this is it mandatory to use it exactly between Narita and JR Tokyo station? The thing is that we would like to use it between Narita and JR Shinagawa (to make the connection to the Shingansen to Kyoto) but on the way back to the airport we would depart from JR Tokyo.
            I wonder if you’d know about this 😉
            Cheers Rainer

            • Hi Rainer,

              You can use Nex ticket for any stations in Tokyo.
              e.g.
              From Narita to Tokyo
              From Shinjuku to Narita

              Even you can take a local train before taking Narita Express.
              e.g
              Ueno (Yamanotel line local train) Tokyo (Narita Express) Narita

              Cheers,

              Takeshi / JPRail.com

              • Rainer says:

                Hi again,
                yes, I learnt that you can use NEX tickets for any station in Tokyo. However my question was whether in order to be able to benefit from the cheaper round trip ticket (e.g. 4000 instead of 2 times 3000 Yen between Narita Airport and Tokyo), is it mandatory that the return is the same journey? Concretely: can I get this round trip ticket to do Narita-Shinagawa in one direction and Tokyo-Narita the other? Probably not that easily as already the price would be slightly different for the two. I might need to get a round trip to Shinagawa (which is slightly more expensive), but would it be possible to board the return train in JR station Tokyo? What would happen then with my reservation necessarily taken from Shinagawa on?
                Thanks again in advance, best, Rainer
                PS: Taking the 7h55 NEX from Tokyo to Narita Airport 9h01 on a Saturday morning, would this be sufficient if my ANA flight to Europe is at 11h? Usually two hours before would be, and the trains are never really late, are they? Or would you recommend to take the 7h31 train?

                • Hi Rainer,

                  I meant what you said. You can use Narita-Shinagawa and Tokyo-Narita.

                  I usually get Narita 3 hours before the deparute time. The train in Japan is very reliable. I alway try to have some extra time. But the choice is yours.

                  Cheers,

                  Takeshi / JPRail.com

                  • Rainer says:

                    Hi Takeshi,
                    today I am having another question about travel with reserved tickets: Imagine you have reserved, e.g. the N’EX with seats valid from Narita Terminal 1. But for some reason (e.g. you are coming from the airport hotel and you bought your ticket the night before) you are going to board only at the next stop, i.e. Terminal 2 (because it is closer to the hotel). Would you lose your reservation? Same thing on a Shinkansen leaving with a reservation from Tokyo, say, but boarding the train at the next stop only, Shinagawa…)
                    Thanks, Rainer

                    • Hi Rainer,

                      No. You can take same seat from the next station. I have done it many times before. I had a reserved seat from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka but I got on the train from Shin-Yokohama. It is no problem at all. You will not lose your seat.

                      Cheers,

                      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Sophia Maxwell says:

    I am arriving from the Shinkansen Hikari from Kyoto. Where is the Marunouchi line in Tokyo station to Akasaka Mitsuke?

  4. Delta says:

    Hello Takeshi San,

    I have a small concern, and maybe you can help. I have a JR rail pass voucher that I cannot convert to a rail pass to reserve seats until I arrive in Japan. I am concerned that the trains I am hoping to reserve will be full by the time I arrive in Japan. What do you recommend?

    Thank you very much!

    • Hi Delta san,

      Your route is okay but I recommend you to take the following route from Hiroo to Tokyo. Because you can start using JR pass at Yurakucho:
      Hiroo (Tokyo Metro Hibiya line) Hibiya
      Yurakucho (Yamanote line) Tokyo
      Tokyo (Kagayaki 509) Nagano

      Hibiya and Yurakucho are same location. You can change the trains at Yurakucho/Hibiya. And then you can arrive in JR Tokyo station and you don’t need to exit and enter at Tokyo station. You can change trains at Yamanote line to Hokuriku Shinkansen inside Tokyo station. It is easier to find Hokuriku Shinkansen platform.

      The following link shows you the movie about Hibiya – Yurakucho transfer:
      https://youtu.be/qII1u-cEZBc
      *In this movie, movie recorder took Yamanote line train to Shimbashi. It is opposite direction. Just be careful. You must take Yamanote line or Keihin Tohoku line to Tokyo.

      The following link shows you how to change Yamanote line to Hokuriku shinkansen at Tokyo.
      https://youtu.be/cllxS6RZd80

      The following short movie shows you the signage of Hakutaka to Kanazawa on Hokuriku Shinkasnen. Hakutaka is slower train than Kagayaki. But the signage is like this. You can find how it shows you.
      https://youtu.be/ws8N8HW-9QM

      And also the following post shows you the signage of the station and train.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/signage-and-announcement-in-the-station-and-train.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Delta says:

        Hello Takeshi San,

        I want to be sure to thank you greatly. Your reply with video links is so helpful and it has improved the way I will travel from Hiro-o to Tokyo stations during my entire trip. Thank you :)))))

        May I ask your recommendation once more on how to navigate my way back to Narita on my last day in Japan? Our group of four departs terminal 2 at 6pm in the end of December.

        My plan at the moment is to check out of my Hiro-o hotel at 11am, and travel to Tokyo Station where we will hope to store four extra large luggage bags in a coin locker while we discover the area for one last time until 3 pm. Then we will board the Narita Express 35 in Tokyo station bound for Narita terminal 2, arriving at 3:33 pm.

        Do you agree this is a good use of time on the final departure day, to try to stop at lunch time in an area like Tokyo Station once more before traveling to Narita?

        I’m worried though: My concern is that when we all four arrive to Tokyo station we will not find available coin lockers for 4 extra large suitcases, since this station is so popular. This means that we will not be able to move freely around until it is time to board the N’Ex. We will be stuck with big luggage and not be able to enjoy ourselves.

        So my question second question is this: Can you recommend another location that we can explore for 3 hours that is on a JR Rail line bound for the airport which also has extra large luggage storage lockers?

        I have considered luggage delivery to the airport, but we need access to our bags until the final day and cannot send them ahead. My other concern would be that we are scheduled to fly out and if anything happened and our luggage could not be reunited with us at the airport, this would be a very big problem.

        Thank you very much for your very helpful and detailed responses. You give courage and peace to a traveler’s mind and heart.

  5. Delta says:

    Hello, I am a first-time traveler on Japan trains.
    1.) I will use a Suica card to board the Hibiya line at Hiro-o station and de-board at Kasumigaseki station.
    2.) Then I will transfer to the Marunouchi line bound for Ikebukuro, boarding it in Kasumigaseki station, and ride to Tokyo station.
    3.) Then I will de-board the Marunouchi line at Tokyo station, and use a current JR Rail pass (with no region restrictions) in Tokyo station to transfer to the Kagayaki 509 bound from Tokyo station to de-board Nagano station.

    Question: Do you recommend my plan above?

    Question: Are the Kagayakli 509 train or track signs marked with the destination words “Kanazawa” or “Hokuriku”, or Nagano” ? I want to be sure I board going in the correct direction.

    Question: When the Marunouchi line pulls in to Tokyo station and I de-board the train, which direction do I walk from the Marunouchi platform (headed toward Ikebukuro) so that I can find the Kagayaki 509 on Track 22 headed toward Nagoya?

    Step by step directions to navigate me will be very helpful. I have studied several station maps but I cannot find a map that shows me how to walk from the Marunouchi platform through the station to the Kagayaki 509 platform.

    Thank you so much:)

  6. Chirag says:

    Hello Takeshi San,

    I am looking to travel on the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-osaka tomorrow morning 9am. I will be travelling from Hotchibori with family.
    I understand I need to take the Hikari line to shin-osaka but am struggling to find a timetable.

    My question is, if you can kindly assist:

    – what is the best way to get from Hatchobori to Tokyo station at the right track for my journey with escalators or lifts as I have 2 young ones?

    – Do I need to make a reservation or I should be ok?

    Thanks
    Chirag

    • Hi Chirag san,

      You may take JR Keiyo line from Hatchobori to Tokyo. But as I mentioned in the post above, Keiyo line platform in Tokyo station is quite far from other tracks in Tokyo station. There are escalators and moving walkways from Keiyo line platform to Shinkansen platform. So it’s easy but long. You should have at least 15 minutes. 20 minutes is more comfortable.

      Reseration is not required but recommended. You can book a seat even in Tokyo station before taking Shinkansen. Reservation is open until 5 minutes before the departure time.

      I don’t recommend you to take Keiyo line before 9:00 am. It is very crowded because of morning peak hour. If you intend to take Hikari at 9:00 am in Tokyo, don’t do it. You should leave Hatchobori after 9:00 and take Hikari around 10:00 am. It is too much for the family with small kids before 9:00 am.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Chee Kiong says:

    Hello Takeshi San,

    We will departing Japan from Narita Airport on 9.45am morning flight and feeling a bit anxious how to reach Narita Airport in time

    We will be taking the subway called NishiShinjuku-Gochome Station to Shinjuku Station very early in the morning in order to reach the Airport by 7.45am for airport checking in

    Would like to seek your kind advice what train or bus to take from Shinjuku Station to Narita Airport

    As i heard Shinjuku station is a very big station, would appreciate if you could let me know which colour line or exit or entry gate to look out to travel to Narita Airport

    Please advice me whether i should purchase the Keisei Skyliner train or Keisei Line train ticket since it is morning peak hour time

    If there is another station after Shinjuku Station, please also let me know what is the station name to alight and how to reach Narita Airport from this current station

    Thank you

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