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,
Going to Disneyland traveling with kids, may I ask how exactly to transfer from Shinjuku station (JR Chuo Line) to Tokyo (JR Keiyo Line) to Maihama?
Also, how long would it take for us to switch lines between Chuo Line to Keiyo line?
Thank you,
Jem
Hi Jem,
Please see the following movie. It shows you how to transfer from Chuo line to Keiyo line at Tokyo station.
https://youtu.be/9gZX4xAzHeQ
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Good day!
May I know if I get the JR East pass, does the pass allow me to travel from Maihama station to Tokyo and then to Nagano.
It is necessary to reserve seats on the Shinkansen, especially during the peak period (Christmas and New Year).
Thank you very much!
Hi Vivienne,
Yes. This trip is covered by JR East Pass fully.
Reservation is highly recommended. But even if you want, it may be challenging for some trains because of peak period. You can book it in advance at the link below:
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx?_ga=1.242959042.1325107855.1421419524
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I’m planning to go to japan next month. Is it possible to use the bullet train from Osaka to Narita Airport via JR pass?
Thank you very much.
Hi Belle san,
Yes, you can. But the fastest train, Nozomi is not covered. You have to take the second fastest train, Hikari.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
You cannot catch Shinkansen at Narita. You have to take Narita Express to Shinagawa and then transfer to Shinkansen. Both trains are covered. You can transfer at Tokyo station too, but Shinagawa is easier. Please find more info at 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
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/narita-express.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear,
I have to go from Shinjuku Station to Nagoya. What is the best way to do it? There are a lot of bullet trains from Tokyo to Nagoya? I have been with the bullet train before but in a different direction and from Tokyo Central.
Thank you in advance,
Dan.
Hi Dan,
You may take Chuo line to Tokyo and catch Shinkansen. The timetable is the following:
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I am staying at a apartment that is 9 minutes walking from Ginza station and 12 minutes walking from Yurakucho station. I am traveling to Kyoto by regular bullet train on a weekday around 6am with one luggage. Which route would you recommend–Ginza to Tokyo station or Yurakucho to Shinagawa? Thank you so much for writing this useful post and for any advice you can give!!!!!!!
Hi Yee,
I recommend Yurakucho to Tokyo. You can go to Shinagawa but Tokyo station is only one station away.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
We are moving from Nishikasai Station to take the Hikari 505 at 8.33am.
Someone recommended to take the Tozai line to Nihombashi Station, then catch taxi to Tokyo station near the Yaesu Exit.
I am unsure how to move in Tokyo station itself to find the Shinkansen.
Is it possible for you to advise?
Thank you in advance.
Hi Ng san,
Actually you can transfer from Otemachi station to Tokyo station by walk. The names are different, but these stations are almost same place. You can access to Tokyo station from Otemachi station via underground path.
There are lots of signage in English. You can’t miss it.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/signage-and-announcement-in-the-station-and-train.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi again,
Yes, we have thought of walking to Tokyo station from Otemachi station. However, we are a family of 5, carrying 5 luggages. Will using the underpass be a challenge?
Thank you.
Ng Lay Hoon
Hi Ng,
I think it’s challenging. In Tokyo, it’s busy anywhere. You cannot use a cart, like airport. So you have to carry your luggage by yourself. The following movie shows you to transfer from Tokyo station to Otemachi. It’s reverse way but you can see how you will do.
https://youtu.be/GM8jYvUJ0u8
If it’s not comfortable for you, take taxi to Tokyo station to Yaesu exit. It’s closed to Shinkansen platform.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
Thank you so much for your valuable advice.
Kind regards,
Ng Lay Hoon
No problem, Ng san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
We’ll be having trip by train from Nagoya St. to Iidabashi St in Shinjuku. According to Hyperdia there are several transfer station along the way (Tokyo and Akihabara). Do we have to get off and change train or is it just one train from Nagoya to Iidabashi and we remain on board at the transfer stations?
Thanks a lot for your helpful reply,
-linda-
Hi Linda,
You have to transfer several times. You don’t need to exit but get off the trains and change.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi!
I will be taking NEX from Narita airport to Tokyo Station and take Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori. May I know how to move around at Tokyo station? Are they on different level? Do I need to exit and enter? Can you please direct me? Many thanks!
Hi Ivy,
You don’t need to exit but it’s different level. NEX arrive at the underground platform and Shinkansen platform is ground level. Please check the link to the map in the post above.
And also the following movie shows you how to get NEX platform from Shinkansen ticket gate. It’s opposite way but it may help you to understand the route.
https://youtu.be/fBvjxhuXaPA
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Great! Thank you for your swift reply. Really appreciates!
No problem, Ivy.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you for the article! It will be my first time doing a train change from NEX to Akita Shinkansen. There is 20 minutes in between. Will I manage to buy some food/bento for take out? I heard the food stalls may be in different floor/area of the station.
Also, between Ikebukuro and Tokyo, which will make a better station for taking NEX to Narita, especially when carrying several luggage? I’m considering either to take hotel in Ikebukuro or Ueno.
Thank you.
Hi Sherly,
You can transfer these two trains in 20 minutes. But you don’t have enough time to choose from many kinds of bento and drinks. There are lots of shops and kiosks in the station. You may get it at even platform. I think platform is better for you because of 20 minutes transfer time. I recommend you to get the platform and find the train that you need to take. And then you can purchase the food and drink. I think you will spend at least 10 minutes for just transfer.
Some NEX depart from Ikebukuro. Otherwise go to Shinjuku and catch it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thanks for the great advise.
For Ikebukuro and Tokyo station, I’m looking at the better station for transfer between local train and NEX as I will few luggages. What is your suggestion?
Thank you.
Hi Sherly,
I recommend you to take Narita Express at Ikebukuro. You can find which NEX depart from Ikebukuro at the link below:
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/e_nex_d/index.html
As I mentioned, if you cannot take NEX at Ikebukuro, Shinjuku is the best place.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thank you for the recommendation.
Sorry, I have one more question. I saw there are 2 timetable for Narita 35, one stops at Ikebukuro and the other didn’t. Is it referring to 2 different trains?
Hi Sherly,
These trains come from different departure points. And those are coupled at Tokyo station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi hi,
thank you for all the explanation and reply in your post. I was having concerns whether i will have ample time to transfer from Shinkansen Hikari 514 to Shinkansen Hayabusa 19 (which was just just a 10 min difference) and I came across your reply and video on the transfer. It was such a great help. Thank you. (” ,)
No problem, Vain.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com