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

Station information
Tokyo station Marunouchi building. (C) JP Rail
2012.06.20
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

Find your hotels in 218 cities throughout Japan!!!

 

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 lineDestination
1,2■Chuo lineShinjuku, Hachioji, Takao
3■Keihin 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
9,10■Tokaido 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. Lisa says:
    August 4, 2015 at 8:05 am

    We are going to visit Disney Sea. We are staying at Shiodome Conrad. What train do you take to get to Disney Sea? How often does the train run during the day? If we plan to stay late, what is the last train and time to go back to Tokyo? Thanks.

  2. Izzy says:
    July 28, 2015 at 9:27 pm

    Hello!

    I’ve been living in Japan since January 2015, but I’ve never fixed shinkansen tickets by myself. My parets are visiting soon, and they want to go to Hiroshima.
    How is the prices and how can I get tickets from Tokyo to Hiroshima and back again? 🙂

  3. BRY says:
    July 23, 2015 at 10:22 pm

    Hi, I will be travelling to SHIN-YOKOHAMA on the 16th of August. It’s my first time and I’m not familiar with the Japan Railway system. My plan is to ride the train from Narita Airport to Tokyo. When I arrive there which particular train shall I ride to Shin Yokohama and what platform is it? Thank you.

  4. Grace says:
    July 21, 2015 at 9:56 pm

    Hello!

    Would appreciate some help, the sheer number of trains is just mindboggling. >_<

    I need to get from Narita Terminal 2 to Echigo-yuzawa. From my understanding, it seems that the fastest way is to take the airport express and then switch to the bullet train. I am scheduled to land at the airport at approx 11am on 24th July, and am not sure how much time it will take to clear customs (45min?). Could you advise which is the best route to take and what lines I should transfer to? Do I need to buy train tickets in advance online, or will it be ok to purchase the tickets on the spot?

    Thank you so much! All help is appreciated 🙂

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      July 21, 2015 at 10:28 pm

      Hi Grace,

      You need to take Narita Express and Joetsu Shinkansen (bullet train). You can find the timetable at the link below:
      http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/index.html

      As you think, you can transfer at Tokyo station. You will spend at least 15 minutes to transfer at Tokyo station.

      It usually takes around 1 hour to complete immigration, baggage pick up and custom. But when I visited Japan in this past March, it took 1.5 hour. It’s hard to guess how much time we consume there.

      You cannot purchase and book a ticket online. Online is available but you have to pick up a ticket 2 days before. But it’s not hard to purchase and book on the spot. Airport station is located underground terminal building. Once you exit custom, you can find the signage very very easily. Just follow the sign and you will find it.

      The following post tells you about the story of my arrival day in previous trip when I arrived in Narita. You may find some idea.
      https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/trip-to-tohoku-and-nagano-in-2013-winter-part-1-from-narita-airport-to-ueno.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • Grace says:
        July 21, 2015 at 10:35 pm

        Thanks for the speedy reply!

        From my understanding, I can purchase the tickets for my entire train trip (including the bullet train) at the airport express station, correct? Would I have to buy a ticket for a specific bullet train timing, or will a general ticket allow me to take whichever train that comes along? Am travelling to a concert and am worried about trains being full or simply getting lost and missing a scheduled train ride!

        Thanks once again!

        • Takeshi / JPRail says:
          July 22, 2015 at 12:45 pm

          Hi Grace,

          You can purchase all ticket when you arrive in Narita.
          There are two kinds on Shinkansen ticket, non reserved and reserved. You can take any trains by non reserved ticket. But your seat is not reserved. In worst case, you have to stand up, but it’s very rare. If you have reserved ticket, train and seat will be assigned. If you miss the train, you still take later train’s non reserved seat. Reserved seat fare is about 500 yen higher.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JP Rail

  5. Nona Diongzon says:
    July 20, 2015 at 9:08 am

    Hi! I’ll be coming from Shin-Osaka, and I need to go to Tokyo station and then to Chuo line, Nakano station. Can someone tell me which bullet train to ride from shin-Osaka to Tokyo station? And how do I transfer from Tokyo station (Shinkansen) to Chuo line? Thank you so much!

  6. KL says:
    July 17, 2015 at 4:00 am

    Hello,

    I will be taking JR from Okachimachi station to Maihama Station in the morning 8.00am rush hours with 2 children.
    1) May i know how to transit in Tokyo station?
    2) It is very difficult during rush hour?
    3) Do you have other better option?

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      July 17, 2015 at 6:47 am

      Hi KL,

      1) You will transfer from Yamanote line platform, #5 or #6 to Keiyou line platform, underground #1-4. There are lots of signage and follow the sign. But as I mentioned in the post above, Keiyo line platform is quite far. It’s about 500m away among these platforms.

      2) If you travel in weekday, it’s very very crowded. I don’t recommend.

      3) If you intend to visit Tokyo Disney Resort, you can take a bus from Akihabara. It’s much easier.
      http://info.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/access/bus/akihabara.html
      Otherwise there is no options other than Keiyo line.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  7. Herman librata says:
    July 10, 2015 at 10:39 pm

    My family will be traveling from Kyoto to tokyo by either Nozomi or kodama train late July2015.
    Please advise where we should get off at tokyo . We are heading for Metropolitan hotel Ikebukuro.
    How do we proceed from the Nozomi arrival stationat tokyo to Ikebukuro station.
    Thanks for your advise

  8. helen says:
    July 6, 2015 at 6:52 am

    Hi
    My family will visit Japan in Nov 2015.

    May I check do I have to scan a card at ticket wicket – to walk from Marunouchi Entrance to Yaesu Entrance in Tokyo Station? cos there is 2 ticket wicket at both entrance. How much do I have to pay to walk thru these 2 ticket wicket. you mean we have to pay wicket entrance to shop in the Gransta.?

    We plan to visit the 1st Ave Character Street in Yaesu Central Entrance. Do we have to pay to walk from Marunouchi Central Exit to Yaesu Central Exit, to get to 1st Ave Character Street. please advise where do I get the card to walk thru the ticket wicket, thanks .

    Exploring Inside the Ticket Wicket
    GRANSTA and Ecute, two commercial facilities inside the ticket wickets, are chock full of attractive shops and a great place to buy delicious bento (box lunch), souvenirs and many other fine goods.

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      July 6, 2015 at 3:45 pm

      Hi Helen,

      Yes, you have to pay for exploring inside ticket gate. You can purchase “Platform ticket (入場券)” at the vending machine. It costs 140 yen. You cannot use any IC card to just enter the station, line Suica, ICOCA, Pasmo. Usually platform ticket is valid for 2 hours.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  9. riza karlsen says:
    June 24, 2015 at 1:24 am

    hi..im still confuse about the transferring from one Place to another.Anyway heres my problem.We will be arriving at Narita airport terminal 1. and we would want to take shinkansen Train from Narita Tokyo to Mikawa anjo. Could you please help me to navigate. and where we will buy ticket? Our first time in japan.

    Hope to hear from you soon. thanks in advance.

  10. Sally says:
    June 2, 2015 at 7:14 pm

    Hi. We are arriving at platform 1 at 1335 and plan to catch the 1403 from platform 14. I am not familiar with Tokyo station. Is this doable in the short transfer time we have?
    Thanks

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      June 2, 2015 at 7:56 pm

      Hi Sally,

      It’s not impossible but not recommended. You will take Shinkansen from #14. So you cannot miss transfer. I think you will get Tokyo by Chuo line train. There are lots of train running on Chuo line, like every 5 minutes. Can you take one earlier train to get Tokyo. 8 minutes is too risky.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

12345…19
Copied title and URL