Navigating Tokyo Station
Aug 22, 2023, 4:55 am
#1
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Navigating Tokyo Station
Hi there
I am planning to take the 630 am Nozomi to Kyoto on a Friday. My hotel is very close to the Tokyo train station. I hear that the train station can be confusing / overwhelming.
What entrance should I use to get to the Shinkansen tracks as quickly and efficiently as possible without getting lost?
I also plan to use the QR codes from the SmartEX app. I assume this should not be a problem?
Thank you!
I am planning to take the 630 am Nozomi to Kyoto on a Friday. My hotel is very close to the Tokyo train station. I hear that the train station can be confusing / overwhelming.
What entrance should I use to get to the Shinkansen tracks as quickly and efficiently as possible without getting lost?
I also plan to use the QR codes from the SmartEX app. I assume this should not be a problem?
Thank you!
Aug 22, 2023, 5:42 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2015
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In general it’s closer to enter through the Yaesu side (where the Daimaru dept. store is) if your are going to take Shinkansen. Tokyo station is big but the signage is quite good so you don’t really need to worry much. Don’t be panic if your hotel is closer to the Marunouchi side. Just enter from there and there will be clear signs to point you to the Shinkansen gates. It will just be a longer walk.
Aug 22, 2023, 5:57 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,384
Tokyo station, departing via shinkansen isn't too bad (as arriving at Tokyo station and trying to find the right exit)
This map should help, just look out for the signs for "tokaido shinkansen" - you can review the 1floor map. Yaesu (bottom off map) is the east side and has direct access, marunoichi (top) is west side requiring a little walk
If you're on the "wrong " side, just enter the ticketed area (pink area on map) and head towards the dark pink on map (you can't miss the large shinkansen signs, they are very well labelled)
Map: https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/stations/e1039.html
shinkansen sign: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki...d_20090212.jpg
more signs: https://mithunonthe.net/2015/10/08/j...e-tokyo-kyoto/
This map should help, just look out for the signs for "tokaido shinkansen" - you can review the 1floor map. Yaesu (bottom off map) is the east side and has direct access, marunoichi (top) is west side requiring a little walk
If you're on the "wrong " side, just enter the ticketed area (pink area on map) and head towards the dark pink on map (you can't miss the large shinkansen signs, they are very well labelled)
Map: https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/stations/e1039.html
shinkansen sign: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki...d_20090212.jpg
more signs: https://mithunonthe.net/2015/10/08/j...e-tokyo-kyoto/
Aug 22, 2023, 6:41 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Yaesu Central Entrance (eastern side) is probably the closest for Shinkansen. But even though Tokyo Station is large, it's sensibly laid out with corridors north to south and good signage. If you end up on the wrong side (east/west, Yaesu/Marunouchi) there are crossover corridors that don't require you to enter the JR station.
I'm presently staying at a hotel right outside the Nihonbashi entrance (northeast side) and I can get to the Chuo JR platform in < 5min.
If you want not to be stressed you can get there a bit early, though not much will be open except for a few convenience stores and kiosks.
I'm presently staying at a hotel right outside the Nihonbashi entrance (northeast side) and I can get to the Chuo JR platform in < 5min.
If you want not to be stressed you can get there a bit early, though not much will be open except for a few convenience stores and kiosks.
Aug 22, 2023, 6:47 am
#7
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In general it’s closer to enter through the Yaesu side (where the Daimaru dept. store is) if your are going to take Shinkansen. Tokyo station is big but the signage is quite good so you don’t really need to worry much. Don’t be panic if your hotel is closer to the Marunouchi side. Just enter from there and there will be clear signs to point you to the Shinkansen gates. It will just be a longer walk.
Aug 22, 2023, 9:57 am
#8
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Aug 22, 2023, 10:19 am
#9
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Aug 22, 2023, 11:28 am
#10
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Aug 22, 2023, 11:31 am
#11
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FWIW - When you said "very close to the Tokyo train station" I assumed that you were staying in a hotel in the immediate area around the station. In that situation you might debate whether to enter the station at the closest ticket gate or walk to a different entrance, but coming from the AC hotel in Ginza, it's an easy choice to take a cab to the Yaesu entrance. Tell the driver (or ask the hotel to tell the driver) that you're taking the Shinkansen.
Aug 22, 2023, 2:46 pm
#12
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Good plan. I would expect the streets to be empty at that time.
FWIW - When you said "very close to the Tokyo train station" I assumed that you were staying in a hotel in the immediate area around the station. In that situation you might debate whether to enter the station at the closest ticket gate or walk to a different entrance, but coming from the AC hotel in Ginza, it's an easy choice to take a cab to the Yaesu entrance. Tell the driver (or ask the hotel to tell the driver) that you're taking the Shinkansen.
FWIW - When you said "very close to the Tokyo train station" I assumed that you were staying in a hotel in the immediate area around the station. In that situation you might debate whether to enter the station at the closest ticket gate or walk to a different entrance, but coming from the AC hotel in Ginza, it's an easy choice to take a cab to the Yaesu entrance. Tell the driver (or ask the hotel to tell the driver) that you're taking the Shinkansen.
Aug 23, 2023, 12:07 am
#14
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Aug 23, 2023, 4:40 am
#15
Join Date: Jun 2019
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In the sense that it's a major station with a lot of people flowing through, multiple levels, etc. - sure.
With that said, every major station I've been through in Japan, the signage for where to go for the shinkansen area is pretty big and obvious. 🙂 There will also be station attendants around that you can ask if need be.
Give yourself a little extra time so you can shop around and find a good bento to take with you on the train... ekiben is part of the shinkansen experience!
You'll do great.
With that said, every major station I've been through in Japan, the signage for where to go for the shinkansen area is pretty big and obvious. 🙂 There will also be station attendants around that you can ask if need be.
Give yourself a little extra time so you can shop around and find a good bento to take with you on the train... ekiben is part of the shinkansen experience!
You'll do great.