Tokyo Station Guide: Trains, Map, Food and Travel Tips

Tokyo Station is more than a place to catch a train. This major transport hub has a historic red-brick building, underground shopping streets, ramen restaurants, character stores, souvenir shops, and easy connections across Japan. It is also a convenient starting point for exploring Marunouchi, Ginza, and the Imperial Palace.

Tokyo Station Quick Guide

Understanding the Tokyo Station Map

The easiest way to understand Tokyo Station is to divide it into two main sides.

The Keiyo Line platforms are farther from the main station area. Allow an extra 10 to 15 minutes if you are travelling to Tokyo Disney Resort.

Train Lines at Tokyo Station

JR Local and Rapid Trains

Tokyo Station serves the Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Chuo Line, Tokaido Line, Ueno-Tokyo Line, Yokosuka Line, Sobu Rapid Line, Keiyo Line, and Musashino Line.

Tokyo Metro (Subway)

The Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line stops at Tokyo Station and connects directly to the Marunouchi side.

Shinkansen

Tokyo Station serves the Tokaido, Tohoku, Hokkaido, Joetsu, Hokuriku, Yamagata, and Akita Shinkansen.

Airport Train

Sources: narita-airport.jp

The Narita Express provides a direct connection between Narita Airport and Tokyo Station.

Tokyo Station offers convenient train connections to major areas in Tokyo and cities such as Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya, Sendai, Niigata, Nagano, and Kanazawa.

Main Tokyo Station Exits

Marunouchi Central Exit

Use this exit to see the front of the historic Tokyo Station building. It also faces the Marunouchi business district and the road leading towards the Imperial Palace.

Marunouchi North Exit

This exit is convenient for Tokyo Station Gallery, Marunouchi OAZO, and the JR East Travel Service Center.

Marunouchi South Exit

Choose this exit for KITTE Marunouchi, the Tokyo International Forum, and the southern part of Marunouchi.

Yaesu Central Exit

This is a convenient exit for First Avenue Tokyo Station, department stores, restaurants, and the Yaesu shopping area.

Yaesu South Exit

Use this exit for highway buses, airport buses, luggage storage, and the southern Yaesu area.

How to Get to Tokyo Station

Travel times may vary depending on the train service, transfer time, and schedule.

Best Things to Do at Tokyo Station

See the Marunouchi Station Building

The red-brick Marunouchi Station Building is one of Tokyo Station’s most famous sights. The original station opened in 1914, while its major restoration was completed in 2012. Walk across Marunouchi Station Square for a full view of the building.

Opening Hours: Outdoor area is open all day
Location: Marunouchi Side
Cost: Free
Best For: Architecture and photography

Look Inside the Marunouchi Domes

Enter through the Marunouchi North or South Exit and look up at the restored dome ceilings. The detailed designs and warm lighting make this one of the most beautiful parts of the station.

Opening Hours: During station operating hours
Location: Marunouchi North and South entrances
Cost: Free outside the ticketed area
Best For: History and indoor photos

Shop at Tokyo Character Street

Tokyo Character Street has stores selling anime, television, game, and character merchandise. You can find shops related to Pokémon, Studio Ghibli, Tomica, Chiikawa, Crayon Shin-chan, One Piece, Dragon Ball, Harry Potter, and other popular characters.

Opening Hours: 10:00 to 20:30
Location: B1, First Avenue Tokyo Station
Cost: Free to enter
Best For: Anime fans, families, and souvenirs

The shopping area is outside the JR ticket gates, so you do not need a train ticket to enter.

Eat at Tokyo Ramen Street

Tokyo Ramen Street brings together popular ramen shops serving different styles, including shoyu ramen, tonkotsu ramen, tsukemen, and seafood-based ramen. Lines can be long during lunch and dinner, so visit before 12:00 or between 15:00 and 17:00.

Opening Hours: 10:30 to 23:00, last order at 22:30
Location: B1, First Avenue Tokyo Station
Cost: Most meals are individually priced
Best For: Ramen lovers and quick meals

Explore Tokyo Okashi Land

Tokyo Okashi Land is a snack area featuring well-known Japanese confectionery brands. Some stores sell freshly made or limited-edition snacks that are difficult to find elsewhere.

Opening Hours: 09:00 to 21:00
Location: B1, First Avenue Tokyo Station
Cost: Free to enter
Best For: Japanese snacks and affordable gifts

Shop and Eat at GRANSTA Tokyo

GRANSTA Tokyo has restaurants, cafés, bento counters, bakeries, dessert shops, and souvenir stores. Some sections are inside the ticket gates, while others are outside. Check the signs before passing through a gate.

Opening Hours: Varies by shop
Location: 1F and B1 of Tokyo Station
Cost: Free to enter sections outside the gates
Best For: Bento boxes, desserts, cafés, and last-minute souvenirs

Visit Tokyo Station Gallery

Tokyo Station Gallery holds rotating exhibitions inside the historic Marunouchi building. The museum also preserves parts of the station’s original brick structure.

Opening Hours: 10:00 to 18:00; Fridays until 20:00
Closed: Mondays, New Year holidays, and exhibition changeover periods
Location: Near Marunouchi North Exit
Cost: Depends on the exhibition
Best For: Art, history, and architecture

Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. Check the Tokyo Station Gallery exhibition schedule before visiting.

See Tokyo Station from KITTE Garden

KITTE Garden is a free rooftop viewing area overlooking the Marunouchi Station Building and train tracks. Visit around sunset to see the station lights and trains arriving below.

Opening Hours: Weekdays 11:00 to 23:00; weekends and holidays 11:00 to 22:00
Location: 6F, KITTE Marunouchi
Cost: Free
Best For: Night views, photography, and train spotting

The garden may close during bad weather. KITTE Marunouchi

What to Eat at Tokyo Station

Buy your ekiben before entering the Shinkansen platform area. Popular bento boxes can sell out during weekends and Japanese holiday periods.

Luggage Storage at Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station has around 5,000 coin lockers, but they can fill quickly on weekends and during busy travel seasons. Arrive early if you need a large locker. Locker availability can also be checked through the Tokyo Station Navi app.

Baggage storage counters are available at several locations:

• Outside the Yaesu South Gate
• Near the Marunouchi North Gate
• Inside GRANSTA Tokyo on B1
• Near selected Shinkansen transfer gates

Some counters also provide luggage delivery to hotels or other cities. Opening hours, prices, and same-day delivery areas vary.

Best Time to Visit Tokyo Station

Visit on a weekday between 10:00 and 16:00 for fewer commuters. Lunchtime from 12:00 to 14:00 can be busy, especially around Ramen Street and GRANSTA.

For photos of the Marunouchi building, come before sunset and stay until the lights turn on. Avoid weekday rush hours from around 07:30 to 09:30 and 17:00 to 19:30 if you are carrying luggage.

Tips for Filipino Travelers

• Save a screenshot of your train platform, exit name, and station map.
• Use a Suica, PASMO, or compatible IC card for local JR and subway trips.
• Shinkansen tickets are separate from regular local train fares.
• Follow the coloured signs for your train line instead of relying only on platform numbers.
• Allow at least 20 to 30 minutes for a Shinkansen transfer if this is your first visit.
• Remember whether your destination is on the Marunouchi or Yaesu side.
• Use elevators if you have large luggage, since some station passages have long stairways.
• Bring some yen, although most major stores also accept cards and IC payments.
• Check the last train time if you plan to eat or shop late at night.
• Use the station information counter if you get lost. English assistance is available at major service counters.