Complete Guide for JR Tokyo Station: How to use it without getting lost! At ticket gates

Ryan

Tokyo Station is so big and difficult!

JR Tokyo Station is the gateway to Tokyo, the capital of Japan, where approximately 14 million people live. It is a huge terminal station where the Shinkansen, conventional train lines, and subway lines converge, making it an important starting point for many travelers. For locals who are familiar with the area, it is a very convenient station for various transfers. However, the large station is filled with people, platforms and exits. It's like a dungeon in a role-playing game. If this is your first time at JR Tokyo Station, you'll definitely get lost in no time!
With the information in this article, you'll be able to use JR Tokyo Station smoothly without getting lost!

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Here’s the basics! Learn the direction of JR Tokyo Station!

Ryan

JR Tokyo Station is extremely large and spacious, but there is actually a way to make it easier for you to understand!

The area west of JR Tokyo Station, towards the Imperial Palace, is called "Marunouchi," and the area east of the station is called "Yaesu." Just knowing this will help you know which direction you're heading!

You can roughly understand the location from the ticket gates

The many exits at JR Tokyo Station are actually arranged in a fairly regular pattern. 
Here are the exits on the ground level (1st floor).↓

• Marunouchi side (west side, facing the Imperial Palace): (1)Marunouchi North Exit*, (2)Marunouchi Central Exit*, (3)Marunouchi South Exit*
• Yaesu side (east side, opposite the Imperial Palace): (4)Yaesu North Exit*, (5)Yaesu Central North Exit, (6)Yaesu Central Exit*, (7)Yaesu Central South Exit, (8)Yaesu South Exit*
• North side: (9)Nihonbashi Exit

There are three exits on both the Marunouchi and Yaesu sides: North, Central, and South.
Although it is not well known, there is a "Nihonbashi Exit" a little way off the north side, which you will use when a group bus arrives. It has fewer people passing through it than the other exits, and is generally empty even during the day.
Please note that the Yaesu Central North Exit and the Yaesu Central South Exit are the exclusive exit for the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen.
All exits marked with an * have an accessible route, and access between each exits and the platforms is easy for everyone.

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Complete Guide for JR Tokyo Station: Experience the History of Tokyo Station! At Marunouchi Aboveground

The underground exit is as below,

• Marunouchi side (west side, facing the Imperial Palace): (10)Marunouchi North Exit(Underground)*, (11)Marunouchi Central Exit(Underground)*, (12)Marunouchi South Exit(Underground)*, (13)Keiyo Underground Marunouchi Exit*
• Yaesu side (east side, opposite the Imperial Palace): (14)Yaesu Central Exit(Underground)*, (15)Keiyo Underground Yaesu Exit*
• North side: (16)GRANSTA Underground North Exit*

There are three exits (North Exit, Central Exit, South Exit) on the Marunouchi side underground, just like on the ground. The Marunouchi Central Exit(Underground) is the closest and most convenient one to transfer between the JR Line and the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line.

On the Yaesu side, there is only the Yaesu Central Exit(Underground).

To the south of JR Tokyo Station, there is the Keiyo Line platform, where the Keiyo Underground Marunouchi Exit and the Keiyo Underground Yaesu Exit are located. Although it is more than 400m away from other platforms and exits, this is also the same station. The exits here are also called Marunouchi on the west side (Imperial Palace side) and Yaesu on the east side. The Keiyo Line is very convenient when heading to Tokyo Disneyland, so I will introduce it again in another article.

Please note that the use of the "Gransta Underground North Exit" on the north side underground is limited to those who have some kind of transportation IC card, such as "Suica".

In addition, all of the underground exits marked with an * have an accessible route, and access between each exits and the platforms is easy for everyone.

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Complete Guide for JR Tokyo Station: How to transfer without getting lost! At Marunouchi Underground

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Complete Guide for JR Tokyo Station: How to transfer without getting lost! To the Keiyo line

Once you know the exit, the sign is easy to follow

Now, based on the information above, let's take a look at the signboards at JR Tokyo Station.

Ryan

The signboards indicate each exit in five languages, so it’s easy to know which direction to go.

JR line exits can be accessed with tickets or each of transportation IC cards

At JR line exits, you can use a ticket or each of your transportation IC card such as Suica.
When entering and exiting the ticket gate, insert your ticket into the yellow area shown in the photo below, or briefly touch your transportation IC card to the blue illuminated area.

Conventional line ticket gate↓

The way to use the Shinkansen ticket gates is basically the same as for conventional trains. However, those who have taken conventional trains to the Shinkansen station need to be a little careful. Please note that the way to enter the ticket gates differs depending on the combination of your ticket and transportation IC card.

• Using only a transportation IC card: Touch the blue frame of the Shinkansen ticket gate
• Using a combination transportation IC card and ticket: (1)Insert the ticket in the yellow area shown in the photo below, and (2)Immediately after inserting the ticket, touch the transportation IC card to the blue illuminated area
• Two tickets only: Stack two tickets and insert them in the yellow area

Tokaido Shinkansen ticket gate at JR Tokyo Station↓

Ryan

When using a combination ticket and transportation IC card, it can be difficult to time the touch of the transportation IC card immediately after inserting the ticket, which can result in errors. If you have trouble, ask the station staff at the ticket gate for help.

Have a nice trip!

らいあん（Ryan）

中のひと

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これまで日本国内は47都道府県をすべてまわり、世界20以上の国・地域を旅してきた旅好きです。 世界中のあらゆる場所は「誰かにとっての地元（ローカル）」。 ローカルな情報を知ることで、旅先での新しい発見にワクワクしながらも、まるで地元を歩くように自由自在な旅を楽しんでいきましょう！

I'm a travel enthusiast who has traveled to all 47 prefectures in Japan and more than 20 countries and regions around the world. I believe that every place in the world is "someone's local". By learning about local information, you can enjoy traveling freely as if you were walking around your hometown while getting excited about new discoveries on your travel!