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. adi segal says:

    i wiil be arive at 07:40 track No.2
    and to take SHINKANSEN KODAMA 637 at 07:56
    Departure track No.14 .(16 min.)

    can you tell me how to go from track 2 to track no 14 ?

  2. Amanda says:

    Hi Takeshi
    Thanks for taking your time to reply. i m planning to go :
    30/1 arrive Narita 5.30pm go to : Shirakawa-go (overnight at Kanazawa due to late arrival)
    From Shirakawa-go, i would like to go to Mount Fuji (stay a night nearby – kawaguchi or gotenba) – have not book a place
    from 1/2 to 6/2, i would b staying very near to shibuya station, and places i would like to visit:
    Yokohama / Kawagoe / DisneySea / Meiji Shrine
    Tsukiji market / Imperial Palace / Akihabara
    Odaiba / Ghibli Museum
    May i know which passes should i purchase? i would like the fastest route to kanazawa and mount fuji, if there’s a shinkasen.
    Thanks so much for your kind assistance.

  3. Jenny says:

    Halo there~

    I will be arriving Haneda Airport at 7am.
    I am thinking of departing to Osaka using Shinkansen on that day itself. However, before that, I need to exchange the order with the pass as well as to reserve seat at the counter. Do you think I will be in time for that? Or it is advisable just to take the train to Osaka next day. Thanks~

    Jenny

    • Hi Jenny,

      It’s no problem at all. You can travel to Osaka on arrival day. It takes 30 to 45 minutes to get Shinagawa or Tokyo from Haneda. And it takes 3 hours to get Osaka from Tokyo by Shinkansen. Shinkansen runs until late night.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Jenny says:

        Thanks for the reply.

        Do you think there will be ticket available at that time? Any possibility that they will run out of Shinkansen tickets?

        Thanks.
        Jenny

  4. Amanda says:

    Hi. my flight will arr narita on 30/1 5.30pm. if i want to visit the shirakawa go, is the sinkasen from tokyo station to kanazawa the fastest route? wat pass should i purchase? and can i use the same pass to visit mount fuji?

    • Hi Amanda,

      Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa route is the fastest. But you cannot get Shirakawago on arrival day. Your arrival time is too late to get there. You have to stay in Kanazawa and take a bus next day.

      You have to fix all part of your plan first before you pick the deal. I cannot say which pass is the best for you until you show me all part of your trip plan. Please tell me your detailed plan day by day.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  5. Cheong Tiaw Swee says:

    From Narita T 2 reach Tokyo station at Track 1 and on transfer to Shinkansen Hayabusa 13 to Shin Hakodate hokuto on 20/12/2016 at track 20, how much walking time needed ?

    Thanks

  6. Tait says:

    Hi, we are heading to Nagano on the bullet train, when we take the NEX from Narita airport should we go to Tokyo station or Shinjuku station?
    Thanks

  7. veronica says:

    Hi,

    Its our first time to Japan. We are a family of 4 (2A & 2Kids) and we are going Tokyo this coming week.

    We bought our tickets from SIN to travel from Narita T1 to Ueno station via Keisei Skyliner. We need to continue our journey from Ueno to Karuizawa and HIS Singapore said we can buy at T1. We hope we wont have issue moving around to find the counter

    I downloaded the airport map which tells me where to go to exchange my voucher to KS ticket but I cannot find how to move from Ueno station to find the Hokuriku Shinkansen. I was told being 1st timer, its easier to move around in Ueno than in Tokyo station (earlier we wanted to buy NEX ticket which stops at Tokyo station).
    I tried to google how to move from Ueno to Hokuriku but I cant find. Do you have a brief map or maybe kind of explain to me how do we find our way?

    We are trying to reach Karuizawa by dinner time so the kids can have a good rest so I hope to be well prepared instead of having to move around to find the gate at that time.

    many thanks in advance

    • Hi Veronica,

      First of all, you can book and purchase Hokuriku Shinkansen ticket at Narita airport. Keisei and JR ticket counter are located side by side.
      http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/customer_support/service_center.html

      Actually in my opinion, you should have chosen Tokyo station to transfer the trains. Tokyo is a big station but you can change the trains in same station.
      On the other hand, at Ueno station, you have to walk outside. Please see the link below:
      https://goo.gl/maps/wEEBMNtS2kC2

      Keisei Ueno station is located underground. You have to go up the ground level after arrival at Keisei Ueno station. And then you will find JR Ueno station on your left side. It’s a huge station and you cannot miss it.

      Ueno station has many platforms.
      http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/stations/e204.html

      It looks very complicated. But there are lots of signage and just follow it. You can enter Ueno station at any ticket gate. Shinkansen platform is located in very deep underground. You can take elevator or escalator. So you will be find.

      I recommend you to have at least 15 minutes to transfer. Even 20 minutes is fine. If you worry about transfer at Ueno, you can purchase and book Shinkansen ticket at Ueno station. You can purchase it in last minutes as long as seat is available. Usually it’s not hard to get seats.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • veronica says:

        Many thanks Takeshi. I didn’t expect such a swift response. Very appreciated.

        Oh..so we made a wrong choice by going Ueno Station instead of Tokyo. HIS Singapore told me Ueno is easier but seems we have to get out of the Keisei Ueno. I hope we wont get lost since we need to be fast to catch the next available train.

        Can you enlighten me further :

        Keisei Skyliner – only 1 standard class? If we arrive Narita at about 1420hrs, do you think we can leave custom within an hr time and catch the 1538hrs train? (that will include queuing at the counter to exchange for the train ticket) I hope the queue wont be long…

        By any chance do you know if we need to have passports ready to exchange for the train tickets? HIS told me no need but from the website it seems they are required? (as I hope to get my hubby to queue to buy Hokuriku Shinkansen while I queue to get the KS tickets) in order to save time 🙂

        Hokuriku Shinkansen – I can buy from Narita T1 as well but I understand from the staff I have to take Asama (I guess its a train model). Do they have different class to offer? Do I “reserve” a seat at airport? How will we gauge what time to book then?? (Since we wont know if we will get lost finding JR Ueno or not..

        Thanks again for your kind advice.

  8. Lim,an hock says:

    Hi, I’m taking Narita airport bus to Tokyo station yaesu south exit.where can I take train goin Hamamatsucho station goin haneda airport.ty

  9. Francis Fuentelara says:

    Hi Takeshi San !
    Good day
    We will be going to Tokyo Japan this December 2016 and this is our first time . On our 3rd day, we were scheduled to go to Osaka via Shinkansen. Would you know if we can bring our suit case on Chuo Line Train from Shinjuku Station to Tokyo Station.
    Are suit cases allowed on other commuter train ?

    • Hi Francis san,

      There is no restrictions. You can bring the suitcase in the train. However don’t take the train in peak hours, 7:00 to 9:00 am on week days. Train is packed and you cannot get in.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  10. Rustam says:

    Dear Takeshi san,

    May I know where are the shinkansen stations to Osaka in Tokyo and vice versa ? Need to know before making decision for accomodation. Tks

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