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
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.
Hi Lisa,
You can take Keiyo line to Maihama. Train runs every 3 to 10 minutes from 5:30 am to midnight.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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? 🙂
Hi Izzy,
You can find it at Hyperdia:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
The ticket can be booked and purchased at any major JR stations. There are “Midori no Madoguchi” in the station. That is a reservation window. The reserved seat ticket is on sale one month prior to departure date. But it’s very easy to book Shinkansen ticket as long as you don’t travel in peak season, such as Obon, New Years, Golden week.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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.
Hi Bry,
The easiest way is taking Tokaido Shinkansen. But Tokyo station is too big to find the way. Shinagawa station is much easier to transfer from Narita Express to Shinkansen.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/shinagawa-station-guide-transfer-among-shinkansen-keihin-kyuko-to-haneda-narita-express.html
It takes 10 minutes to get Shin-Yokohama from Shinagawa. But if you want to save your cost, do not get off Narita Express at Shinagawa and keep riding to Yokohama. This train runs to not only Tokyo but also Yokohama. And then taking Yokohama line local train to Shin-Yokohama. If you take Narita Express and Shinkansen, the cost is more than 6000 yen. But if you take Narita Express to Yokohama and take local train, the cost is about 4500 yen. You may find the timetable and exact fare at Hyperdia:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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 🙂
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
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!
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
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!
Hi Nona,
You can take Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo and transfer to Chuo line at Tokyo. You can get Nakano directly from Tokyo. You can find platform# for both Tokaido Shinkansen and Chuo line in the post above. And there are lots of signage. You can’t miss it.
You can find some more info at the links below:
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
I just put the link for timetable of Shinkansen. Chuo line trains comes every 3-10 minutes. You don’t need timetable to take this train.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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?
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
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
Hi Herman,
Get off at Shinagawa station and take Yamanote line outer loop.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/shinagawa-station-guide-transfer-among-shinkansen-keihin-kyuko-to-haneda-narita-express.html
This is the fastest way to get Ikebukuro.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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.
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
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.
Hi Riza,
You can take Narita Express to Shinagawa and transfer to Shinkansen. You can find the timetables at the links below:
Narita Express http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/index.html
Shinkansen http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
You can transfer at Tokyo station but Shinagawa is easier.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/shinagawa-station-guide-transfer-among-shinkansen-keihin-kyuko-to-haneda-narita-express.html
You can purchase all tickets at Narita airport station. It’s located underground of terminal building. There are lots of signage and you can’t miss it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi San,
Thank you so much for your reply. Its really a big help. Have a nice day!
No problem, riza san.
Enjoy your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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
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
We have almost half an hour? Not sure about the 8 minutes.
Hi Sally,
I though 13:55. 30 minutes is fine.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail