Tokyo Station will never match the labyrinthine sprawls that are Shinjuku Station and Shibuya Station, but it can still be daunting. The number of surrounding stations also adds to the confusion: five other major stations (Hibiya, Nijubashimae, Yurakucho, Ginza, and Higashi-ginza stations) can be reached from Tokyo Station by underground walkways. Tokyo Station continues to grow as the area is developed and more Shinkansen trains arrive at the platforms. Here are a few tips to keep your head on straight when making your way through Tokyo Station.
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01
Pick a side
![Pick a side]()
Pick a side
The Tokyo Station complex is divided into two sides: Marunouchi and Yaesu. Marunouchi, facing the Imperial Palace, is the side with the pretty facade that makes its way onto so many Instagram feeds, while Yaesu faces a business district. If you’re headed to the Shinkansen or disembarking, Yaesu is your destination, whereas most commuter and local trains are more conveniently reached from the Marunouchi side.
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02
Get underground
![Get underground]()
Get underground
The ground beneath Marunouchi is riddled with a maze of train tunnels, subway tunnels, and walkways. Trips through Tokyo Station invariably involve a detour through the subterranean tunnels that link much of the Marunouchi district. Thankfully, a detour below ground at Tokyo Station is much easier than at Shinjuku Station, where there is a 50-50 chance you will get completely lost.
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03
Keep an eye on the signs
![Keep an eye on the signs]()
Keep an eye on the signs
Tokyo Station’s revamp in 2012 and because the station is mostly devoted to a single operator (JR East) mean that signage and routes through the station are more straightforward than at other larger stations. Keep an eye out for the signs and you should stay moving in the right direction.
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04
Stow your luggage
![Stow your luggage]()
Stow your luggage
There are many coin lockers throughout the station and if you’ve arrived early or have some time to kill, it’s a great idea to take advantage of them. Once your luggage is secured, roam through the station and take the underground passages out to Yurakucho or Ginza.
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05
Stop for a bite to eat
![Stop for a bite to eat]()
Stop for a bite to eat
There are many food options at Tokyo Station and some people make the trip there just to dine. There are food courts attached to the department stores around the station (for example, Gransta, South Court, Keiyo Street, Kitamachi Dining, and GranAge), but the top destination is Kitchen Street on the Yaesu side. Plan before you arrive: there are nearly a hundred restaurants within striking distance of the platforms, including some well-regarded branches of local institutions.
The Tokyo Station Hotel
1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo
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