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! My family of 4 (with husband & 2 kids, ages 10 and 6) are travelling to Japan next year from March 25 to Apr 8, 2017.
Here is the plan for our trip:
1) Day 1-4: Tokyo
2) Day 5-7: Kyoto
3) Day 8-10: Osaka
4) Day 11 & 12: Tokyo Disneyland
5) Day 13 & 14: Tokyo DisneySea
Is it advisable to buy JR pass? If it is, what is the easiest (and fastest) way to get from Osaka to Tokyo Disneyland if we will use our JR passes?
I am looking forward to hear your reply/advise.
Sincerely,
Kat
Hi Kat,
You can use JR pass 7 days. You may use 7 days pass for Tokyo – Kyoto – Osaka – Tokyo Disneyland. For day 1 to 4, you can use subway pass or single ticket.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
If you arrive in Narita, there are several deals available.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
You can take Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo and JR Keiyo line from Tokyo to Maihama by JR pass.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
I have a few qns if you can help me with ? I have
bought JR east Niigata Nagano pass from travel agent outside Japan . Will arrive on 19 October at narita terminal 1 at 845am and want to travel to Nagano , then Matsumoto on that day .
Qn 1: when I arrive at narita airport , I will have to go to JR east office and exchange my voucher to JR east pass , right? After getting the pass , can I book at the same office the narita express to leave the airport ?
Qn2: is it better to take narita express to omiya station and then get on the asama or hakutaka to Nagano ? Of course , I can take Narita express to Tokyo station and then change to Shinkansen there , but Tokyo station is vey big and confusing !
Qn3: do I need to reserve ticket /seat online before I arrive in Tokyo for the narita express and the Shinkansen to Nagano ? Or is it no problem getting a reserved seat at JR east office in narita airport itself ?
Qn4 : can you advise of a better route to travel from narita to Matsumoto on the JR east pass ? I do not want to travel to shinjuku to get to Matsumoto .
Thanks in advance
Hi Andrea,
1. Yes. You can book at same place where you exchange the pass.
2. You should change the trains at Tokyo station. It takes 26 minutes from Tokyo to Omiya by Shinkansen. It takes almost one hour from Tokyo to Omiya by Narita Express. Do you still want to take Narita Express to Omiya? And also there is no Narita Express to Omiya from Narita in the morning.
3. Even if you want to book it online, you cannot do it. Because you have to pick up the ticket by 21:00 on the day before trip date. You have to book it when you exchange the pass anyway.
4. There is no routes other than Shinjuku-Matsumoto and Tokyo-Nagano-Matsumoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Thanks for your reply .
May I ask what is the easiest way to walk from narita express platform to catch the Shinkansen to Nagano ?
You mention shinjuku To Matsumoto .
This means I can take narita express and get off off at shinjuku and then take the express from Shinjuku to Matsumoto ?
thank you
Hi Andrea,
Please see the link below to watch the movie of transfer from Narita Express platform to Shinkansen ticket gate.
https://youtu.be/ykJprIwr98s
You can get off Narita Express at Shinjuku to transfer to limited express train to Matsumoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I would like to have some view on the Shinkansen trains. Without taking the Shinkansen, can I get into the Shinkansen platform for a short visit? If it is possible, how can I goto the Shinkansen platform if I’m alighting from the Yamanote line?
Hi Danny,
You need to purchase a Shinkansen platform ticket that is 140 yen. You can purchase it at Shinkansen ticket vending machine. It’s valid for 2 hours.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I am travelling Narita Airport to Nikko and I need to transfer from the Narita Express to Track 21 or 23 to continue to Nikko. How long would this take with a rolling suitcase.? Is there an escalator I could use ?
Hi Shelley,
There are escalators or elevators to get all platforms. You may spend about 10 to 15 minutes.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I am catching the tsubasa 133 to kaminoyamen onsen, which leaves Tokyo station at 10.00am. Would you be able to tell me which platform/ line this is please?
Thank you
Hi Ava,
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
It shows you the track number too.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
Will be taking bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo…and after which will explore Tokyo for 3 days. Which is more convenient to access the JR line..Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station? This will helps me to finalize which area I choose on the hotel location
Tq
Hi Erica,
It depends on which part of Tokyo you will visit. Both places are very convenient. Please see the link below to find more info:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Good morning
I would like to go from Tokyo Station to Suidobashi station. How do I do it and can I use the JR pass? Thank you
Hi JS,
You can take Chuo line from Tokyo to Ochanomizu and Chuo/Sobu line from Ochanomizu to Suidobashi. JR pass covers this trip. Train runs very very frequently.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Good morning Takeshi san
I have a JR pass. I would like to travel from Narita Airport to Kyoto station. What is the best way to travel using the JR pass? Thank you.
Hi JS san,
You can take Narita Express from Narita to Shinagawa. And then transfer to Shinkansen to Kyoto. You may change Narita Express and Shinkansen at Tokyo station. But Shinagawa is smaller and easier to transfer. Please refer the following links to get more info:
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
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I am arriving to Tokyo Narita airpot on June 25 at 4 pm. I want to take Nozomi (fast train) to Kyoto. How can I do it and where do I buy a Nozomi train ticket? Thank you
Hi Zee,
You can take Narita Express to Shinagawa and transfer to Nozomi. You can purchase all tickets, like base fare ticket, Narita Express ticket and Nozomi ticket at Narita airport station.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/customer_support/service_center.html
You can find the fare and timetable at Hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
You can transfer from Narita Express to Nozomi 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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
We wish to get from the Shiba Park Hotel Tokyo to the Commonwealth War Cemetery, Yokohama and would welcome any advise on how to do so.
Also, we wish to get from the Shiba Park to Joetsu, NOT by bullet train, and again need advice on how to do so.
Hi William,
You can take JR train from Hamamatsucho to Yokohama. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/yokohama-and-kamakura-access-guide-find-the-right-deal-and-route-from-your-place-to-stay.html
I don’t know which part of Joetsu you want to go. Anyway if you don’t want to take bullet train, you can take rapid train to Takasaki or Maebashi and change local train. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/rapid-service-network-in-greater-tokyo.html
You also can find the route and timetable at hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello. We will be arriving at Tokyo station on the shinkansen hikari and need to transfer to the JR Yamanote line to go to Nishi-Nippori. What is the best way to do that? Does the rail pass cover the Yamanote line? Thank you!
Hi Elizabeth,
If you use JR pass, you can take Yamanote line too. You can transfer in Tokyo station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com