Tokyo Station: Shinkansen Gates, Exits, Transfers, Shopping

Tokyo Station: The City's Central Transportation Hub

Used by thousands daily, Tokyo Station is a massive, complex hub filled with endless shopping and dining options.

Navigating its scale can be daunting—walking from the Shinkansen platforms to the Disney-bound JR Keiyo Line alone can take 20 minutes.

This guide provides essential tips for mastering Tokyo Station's main exits, Shinkansen transfers, and transit lines, plus our top recommendations for sightseeing and food.

Tokyo Station Guide

1. The Shinkansen Entrance at Tokyo Station: On the First Floor
2. Main Exits at Tokyo Station: Marunouchi and Yaesu
3. Tokyo Station's Train Line Colors and Symbols
4. How to Transfer to the Tokyo Metro Lines
5. How to Board the Train for Tokyo Disney Resort
6. From Tokyo Station to Narita Airport: Train or Bus?
7. JR Ticket Offices
8. Shopping, Coin Lockers, and Meeting Places at Tokyo Station
9. Marunouchi Exit: Best Places to Visit Nearby and Access
10. Yaesu Exit: Best Places to Visit Nearby and Access

1. The Shinkansen Entrance at Tokyo Station: Head to the First Floor

All Shinkansen entrance gates are located on the first floor on the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station. Depending on how you arrive, follow these steps:

Transferring from JR or Tokyo Metro Lines

Head to the first floor and follow the blue Shinkansen signs to the transfer gates. You do not need to exit the main station.

Give yourself about 15 to 20 minutes for the transfer if you already have your Shinkansen ticket.

If you need to buy your Shinkansen ticket at Tokyo Station, give yourself one hour if it's your first time here, or 30 minutes in total if you are used to buying Shinkansen tickets using the vending machines.

Entering from Outside the Station

1. Enter the Main Gates: Use your IC card (like Suica or Pasmo) to enter the regular JR ticket gates.

2. Proceed to Shinkansen Gates: Head to the Shinkansen-specific gates on the 1st floor.

3. The Double-Tap Process: Tap your IC card at the Shinkansen gate to "close" your local trip, then immediately insert your Shinkansen paper ticket to enter the platform area.

The Shinkansen Lines at Tokyo Station

Platforms 14 through 23 at Tokyo Station are all for Shinkansen trains.

Please note that there are separate transfer gates for the Tokaido Shinkansen and all other Shinkansen lines.

- Tokaido Shinkansen (blue)

- All other Shinkansen lines (green)

Platforms 14 - 19 are for the Tokaido Shinkansen and San'yo Shinkansen trains. Travelers headed to cities in western Japan, like Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima, will board from these platforms.

Platforms 20 - 23 are for the Tohoku, Yamagata, Akita, Hokkaido, Joetsu, and Hokuriku Shinkansen trains. People headed to the ski slopes at Yuzawa in Niigata or Kamikochi in Nagano will board from these platforms.

2. Tokyo Station's Two Main Exits: Marunouchi and Yaesu

Tokyo Station is divided into two primary sides:

- Marunouchi Exit (West): Leads to the Marunouchi and Otemachi districts. This side is famous for the station’s iconic red-brick facade, Marunouchi Square, and the path toward the Imperial Palace.

Yaesu Exit (East): Leads toward the Nihonbashi district. This modern side houses the Tokyo Station Bus Terminal, the Daimaru department store, and massive underground hubs like Tokyo Character Street (within Tokyo Ichibangai).

1F Yaesu Central Exit	B1F Yaesu Underground Central Exit (outside)

1F Marunouchi Central Exit	B1F Marunouchi Underground Central Exit

Tokyo Station’s four primary ticket gates are organized by side and floor:

- 1st Floor (1F): The Marunouchi Central Exit (West) and the Yaesu Central Exit (East).

- Basement Floor (B1): The Marunouchi Underground Central Exit and the Yaesu Underground Central Exit.

3. Tokyo Station Line Services: Train Line Colors and Symbols

JR Lines

1. Regular JR Lines
Tokaido Line, Ueno-Tokyo Line, Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Chuo Line, Sobu Rapid Line, Yokosuka Line, Keiyo Line, Musashino Line

2. Shinkansen Lines
Tokaido, Joetsu, Hokuriku (via Nagano), Tohoku, Akita, Yamagata, Hokkaido

Subway

Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line

The simplest way to avoid getting lost at Tokyo Station is to look at the color of your train line. As long as you know the name and color of the train line you need to take, all you have to do is follow the signs.

JR lines are indicated by white rectangles on signs. The Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line and other subway lines, which are located outside the JR ticket gates, are indicated by circles on yellow signs.

The color code for JR train lines is as follows:

- Yamanote Line: yellow-green
- Chuo Line: orange
- Keihin Tohoku Line: light blue
- Tokaido Main Line: deep orange
- Yokosuka Line/Sobu Line Rapid Service: blue
- Keiyo Line: red
- Musashino Line: red

4. How to Transfer to Tokyo Metro Lines

Do you need to transfer to the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line at Tokyo Station from a Shinkansen or JR line? Then you’ll want to head to the basement floor without going through a ticket gate on the first floor.

Exit a JR ticket gate (Central, North, or South) on the basement floor on the Marunouchi side of the station and continue walking while following the signs. You will eventually arrive at the ticket gates for the Marunouchi Line.

The line is also directly connected to Otemachi Station via an underground passage. It takes about 7 minutes to reach Otemachi from Tokyo Station via this passage.

Otemachi Station is served by four Tokyo Metro lines: Tozai Line, Hanzomon Line, Chiyoda Line, and Marunouchi Line. When transferring from JR Tokyo Station to the Tozai, Chiyoda, and Hanzomon Lines, remember that you should use Otemachi Station.

5. How to Board the Train for Tokyo Disney Resort

As the Keiyo Line was constructed relatively recently, it is located far away from many of the other station platforms, on the B5F level. Head straight down the passageway before Uniqlo and go down several floors to reach the Keiyo Line platform.

Tokyo Disney Resort (Tokyo Disneyland/Disney Sea) is a 15-minute ride away at Maihama Station.

People going to Disneyland for the first time might be a bit anxious about how to get to the Keiyo Line, but you’re on the right track if you see the walkway in the photo above, so keep going!

6. From Tokyo Station to Narita Airport: Train or Bus?

There is a 1,300 yen bus from Tokyo Station that goes directly to Narita Airport, and it leaves from the Yaesu exit. The bus stop is diagonally across from the Daimaru department store.

The Access Narita bus, also bound for the airport, departs from the Yaesu south exit. Both buses take about an hour to reach Narita.

If you take the train, ride the Narita Express to reach the airport in under an hour. The boarding location is underground on the Marunouchi side, just like the Yokosuka and Sobu Lines. There are signs for the Narita Express, so you shouldn’t have to worry about getting lost.

Use a Shared Taxi for Narita Airport! How to Book and Use nearMe.Airport

Step 1: Go to the reservation page (Japanese/English*), and input your destination, departure time, desired time of arrival, number of passengers and luggage.

Step 2: You will be notified within 24 hours of the availability of a pick-up shuttle. The vehicle's arrival time will be sent to the passenger no later than 18:00 on the day before the ride.

Step 3: On the day of your reservation, board the vehicle from the designated spot and head to your destination.

*As of June 2023, only two languages are available. Three more languages will be added in the future.
Book a ride with nearMe.Airport

↑ Return to the top of article.

7. JR Ticket Offices

Ticket vending machines are found near every ticket gate (excluding the Gransta Underground North Exit).

Manned ticket offices (JR Ticket Office) are as follows:

B1F: Near the Marunouchi Underground North Exit (outside the ticket gates)

Outside 1F Ticket Gates: Near the Marunouchi South Exit, Yaesu North Exit

Inside 1F Ticket Gates: Near the Shinkansen North Transfer, Shinkansen South Transfer Gates

8. Shopping, Coin Lockers, and Meeting Places at Tokyo Station

Next, let’s take a look at the facilities and spots inside the Tokyo Station ticket gates.

Bento Boxes

There are numerous stores on each floor where you can purchase bento boxes, pastries, and other snacks.

Ekibenya Matsuri is a popular shop where you can buy famous ekiben, or bento boxes for the train ride, from around the country and is found on the first floor of the ecute and Gransta malls.

Desserts and Souvenirs

Popular dessert shops like Maple Mania and Jiichiro are on the first floor of the ecute and Gransta malls. The basement floor is concentrated with stores in the Marunouchi Underground South Exit area and near the Yaesu Central Exit by Gin no Suzu (“silver bell”).

Coin-Operated Lockers

Lockers where you can temporarily store your belongings are located in various places both inside and outside the station ticket gates. For example, there are plenty of lockers near Ekibenya Matsuri in the first floor central passage, near the Marunouchi South Exit, and on the south side of Square Zero on the basement floor.

Numerous lockers are also available in the north passage outside the ticket gates.

You can also reserve a locker or check which lockers are vacant through an online service provided by certain lockers. Please feel free to take advantage of this service.

Meeting Places and Rest Spots

There are spots where you can sit and rest by Gin no Suzu and Square Zero on the basement floor. There aren’t many spaces, but the dine-in area on the first floor of ecute is another option.

Other Services and Facilities

Nursing rooms are located near the Shinkansen North Transfer on the first floor and near Square Zero and Gin no Suzu on the basement floor.

Information centers are located in the first floor central passage, near the Marunouchi Central Exit, and near the Marunouchi Underground Central Exit on the basement floor. Visit a center if you’re lost or need help.

↑ Return to the top of article.

9. Marunouchi Exit: Best Places to Visit and Access

There are many food, shopping, and photo spots near Tokyo Station. In this section, we’ll introduce six spots by the Marunouchi Exit.

Marunouchi Square

A square where you can take a photo outside the classic Tokyo Station building. It is right outside the Marunouchi ticket gates and exits on the first floor.

Marunouchi Building

Directly connected to Tokyo Station via an underground passage, this is a commercial facility with about 150 shops and restaurants. Its fifth-floor terrace provides panoramic views of the Tokyo Station Building.

The Marunouchi Building has a Tokyo Tourist Information Counter so drop by if you ned any guidance and travel tips.

Marunouchi Illumination

- Marunouchi Central Exit/Marunouchi South Exit

Exit any of the Marunouchi exits and head to Marunouchi Naka-dori Street from Gyoko-dori Avenue on the left-hand side. It has a skating rink and Disney character statues decorating the park.

* Illuminations take place annually from mid-November to mid-February

Shin-Marunouchi Building

This sophisticated high-rise office building stands in front of Tokyo Station right outside the first-floor Marunouchi exits. A general store, apparel shops, and restaurants are found in this building.

KITTE Marunouchi

Situated opposite the station’s Marunouchi Exit, this is KITTE. A multipurpose commercial complex opened by Japan Post, the stores here stock Western apparel and foodstuffs as well as general goods and accessories with a Japanese flair.

There are also restaurants where patrons can enjoy traditional Japanese dishes and regional cuisine.

Imperial Palace

The palace is within walking distance from any Marunouchi exit. The Japanese imperial family spends their time here, but visitors are free to stroll through the lush outer garden.

↑ Return to the top of article.

10. Yaesu Exit: Best Places to Visit and Access

Tokyo Station's Yaesu Exit faces the Nihonbashi district, a bustling area with department stores and a classic charm.

The Tokyo Station Bus Terminal is also located at this exit. Here are a few of the landmarks in the area.

DAIMARU Department Store

A department store connected to the station and immediately accessible from any Yaesu exit.

Tokyo Station Bus Terminal

The Tokyo Station Bus Terminal is serviced by highway bus lines for Haneda Airport, Narita Airport, and other destinations in eastern Japan. The bus terminal can be accessed via the first-floor Yaesu South Exit.

Tokyo Ramen Street

Go out the Yaesu Underground Central Exit and walk south to find Tokyo Ramen Street, home to eight famous ramen shops from around Japan!

We particularly recommend Rokurinsha and Ikaruga, two spots where you’ll definitely need to join a queue.

On Keiyo Street inside JR Tokyo Station, you can find vegan-friendly ramen at T’s Tantan, with noodles made using zero animal products. The kitchen uses the natural flavors of vegetables and fruit to create an addictively spicy, sweet broth which is very refreshing. The chewy noodles are made with Japanese flour and no eggs, and form a delicious pairing with the broth.

Tokyo Midtown Yaesu

A new shopping complex that held its grand opening in 2023. It is directly connected to the station from the Yaesu Underground Central Exit via an underground mall.

Tokyo Character Street

Go out the Yaesu Underground Central Exit and walk north to find rows of character goods shops for popular shonen (boys) comics, anime, and more.

Nihonbashi

Located to the north after leaving through any Yaesu exit.

Ginza

Located about 15 minutes on foot to the south after leaving through any Yaesu exit.

↑ Return to the top of article.

Navigate Tokyo Station Efficiently

Hopefully, reading this article has made the massive Tokyo Station somewhat less intimidating. For travelers riding the Shinkansen trains, going to Disneyland, or shopping around Tokyo Station - remember the tips we gave you to navigate effectively in the station and enjoy your trip to the fullest!

Tokyo Station

100-0005 1-chome Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Tokyo Station is a landmark with a beautiful historical station building. It is a key point for the Shinkansen and conventional lines, and the area is dotted with Marunouchi's high-end shopping areas and historical buildings. It is also a popular tourist spot, and there are a variety of shops and restaurants both inside and outside the station, blending the historical atmosphere with the bustle of modern times.