Tokyo Station Guide Where You Can Enjoy Sightseeing Too | Explore the Ever-Evolving Mega Station!

Tokyo Station is the starting point for major rail lines connecting 33 prefectures, including the Tokaido and Tohoku Shinkansen. It also serves numerous highway buses, making it extremely convenient for travel. As a true gateway to Japan, this mega station is vast—so much so that many visitors may find themselves getting lost. You might even worry, "Will I be able to make the transfer properly...?"
In this guide, we’ll provide a detailed look into Tokyo Station itself, including its interior layout and the surrounding area.

1. Remember the Two Main Exits!

Tokyo Station’s two main exits are the Marunouchi Exit and the Yaesu Exit. Marunouchi is on the west side of the station, while Yaesu is on the east. Keeping these two exits in mind will be extremely helpful for meetups or when navigating the area.
Also, for Shinkansen users, it’s useful to remember the Nihombashi Exit, located north of the Yaesu Exit. It’s close to the train platforms, making it easier to move around.

■ Marunouchi Exit

When you think of Marunouchi, you picture the red-brick station building, which is a designated Important Cultural Property of Japan. It was restored in 2012 to its original pre-war appearance and also serves as a tourist attraction. It’s lovely during the day, but the nighttime illumination is especially recommended. The photogenic scene is worth a visit.

When you exit from either the Marunouchi South or North Gates, you’ll arrive under a dome-shaped ceiling inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, reaching about 35 meters high. Decorated with 2.1-meter-wide eagles, a keystone shaped like Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s helmet, and carvings of zodiac animals, it’s beautiful enough to make you forget the hustle and bustle of the station.

■ Yaesu Exit

The Yaesu Exit is close to the Shinkansen platforms and houses one of the largest highway bus terminals in the city. With plenty of shopping and dining options, it’s a great place to spend time if you have a while before departure or just want to relax.

2. What You’ll See from the Second Floor

Now, let’s look at the station interior after passing through the ticket gates. The second floor at platform level is mainly used for boarding and alighting trains, and the view from the platforms is something to check out.
Tokyo Station is horizontally long, so seeing a lineup of conventional and Shinkansen trains in a row is a unique sight you can only get at a big station. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of more trains than usual.

Also, on the second floor near the Nihombashi Exit is Starbucks Coffee JR Tokyo Station Nihombashi Exit Store. This location is often relatively uncrowded. Why not enjoy a coffee while watching the long-distance buses return to the terminal during your wait?

3. The First Floor is Spacious and Great for Transfers!

The first floor is a concourse where you can transfer to Shinkansen gates or go up to the second-floor conventional train platforms.

You’ll also find kiosks selling souvenirs and bento lunch boxes, JR's familiar “Kiosk” shops, and casual cafés perfect for a quick break.
Be sure to check out ecute TOKYO, too. It’s lined with stores selling deli items, sweets, and small gifts, making it ideal for grabbing souvenirs.
There are also limited-time shops and seasonal campaigns, so checking the official website in advance may help you score some great deals.

Conventional train lines are numbered from 1 to 10, beginning at the Marunouchi side with platforms 1, 2, 3, and so on. Each line is color-coded and clearly marked with large signs, making it easy to understand.

The Shinkansen lines are also color-coded:
Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen are marked in blue

Tohoku, Akita, Yamagata, Hokkaido, Hokuriku, and Joetsu Shinkansen are marked in green

Remembering that blue is for southbound Shinkansen and green is for northbound will make things easier.
There are two transfer gates per route, with a total of four within the first-floor ticket area.

4. Is the Basement Floor Perfect for Shopping?

On the first basement floor (B1), you’ll find GRANSTA, which features around 90 stores, including souvenir shops, bento stands, and variety goods shops. It’s one of the largest shopping areas within the station.

This facility also extends outside the ticket gates. Freshly made deli items and bentos from the on-site kitchen make perfect travel snacks or lunch options that never get boring. You can also store your luggage in a cloakroom, allowing you to take your time shopping for souvenirs.

Another highlight of the basement is the increasingly popular meeting spot: “Gin no Suzu” (Silver Bell).

5. Be Cautious When Transferring to the Keiyo Line, Sobu Rapid Line, and Tokyo Metro!

Transfers to the conventional lines on the second floor are easy. However, the platforms for the Keiyo Line, Sobu Rapid Line, and Tokyo Metro are about a 10-minute walk away, so extra caution is needed.

To transfer to the Keiyo Line, head toward the Yaesu South Gate. Once you see the red Keiyo Line signs, follow them straight ahead. You’ll go down escalators and moving walkways, and once you reach the bottom, you’ll see signs for the platforms.

For the Sobu Rapid Line, go toward the Marunouchi Underground Central Gate. Take the escalator down and go straight ahead until you see signs for Yokosuka/Sobu Line (Rapid). Before the ticket gates, use the escalators on either side to descend to B4 (the fourth basement level), where the platforms are located.

As for the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, the station name changes to Otemachi. Since the subway platforms are in the basement, using the underground route is the fastest way. Exit from the Marunouchi Underground Central Gate, take the escalator down, turn right, and pass the Marunouchi Underground North Gate. Continue straight, and you’ll eventually see the East Gate of Tokyo Metro Tozai Line – Otemachi Station.

6. Are Famous Tourist Spots Near the Marunouchi Exit?

When you step out of the Marunouchi Gate, you’ll see many high-rise buildings around. While the area has a reputation as a business district, there are also tourist attractions and commercial facilities nearby.
The iconic Tokyo tourist spot The Imperial Palace is within walking distance from the Marunouchi Gate. The contrast between the towering skyscrapers and lush nature is stunning and never fails to soothe the soul.
If you don’t have time to walk all the way to the Imperial Palace, try visiting Wadakura Fountain Park, which is about a 10-minute walk from the Marunouchi Gate.

Even closer is the commercial complex KITTE GRANCHE, which repurposed the former Tokyo Central Post Office building. It’s just a 1-minute walk from the Marunouchi Gate. There’s a café on the first floor, and the lobby makes a convenient meeting spot.

The basement floor features a renowned ramen street, while the 5th floor offers local gourmet restaurants—perfect for lunch or dinner. The facility also includes a fashion floor targeting sophisticated women and holds events themed around Japanese aesthetics, constantly sharing stylish and refined cultural content.
From the rooftop garden, the night view of Marunouchi is mesmerizing and highly recommended. You can look down and admire the beautifully illuminated red-brick station building from above.

7. Yaesu Exit Area Is Packed with Commercial Facilities!

From the rooftop garden, the night view of Marunouchi is mesmerizing and highly recommended. You can look down and admire the beautifully illuminated red-brick station building from above.
Just outside the Yaesu Gate, above the bus terminal, you’ll find GRANROOF, with a sail-like roof and an open-air pedestrian deck rich with greenery. It offers great views of the bus terminal, surrounding office buildings, and even parts of Ginza—making it a hidden gem.

Each floor of GRANROOF is themed around food, with many dining establishments concentrated on the basement level. You’ll find a wide range of cuisine, from Japanese to French, making it an excellent spot for lunch or dinner. Definitely worth a visit.

Also in the area is Tokyo Station Ichibangai, which includes local gourmet restaurants, Ramen Street, and Tokyo Character Street. These shops are popular with foreign tourists, who come to buy classic Tokyo souvenirs and goods featuring beloved characters.

Yaesu Underground Mall is also impressive, offering a wide range of fashion, restaurants, and lifestyle goods. As one of the largest underground shopping malls in Japan, you may easily lose track of time while shopping.

◎ Finally: If You Get Lost in the Station…

Tokyo Station is vast and easy to get lost in, but knowing in advance which exit is closest to your destination can help you avoid confusion. For that reason, it’s highly recommended to memorize the Marunouchi Exit and Yaesu Exit clearly.
If you do get lost inside Tokyo Station, rely on the information signs posted throughout the station, or don’t hesitate to ask a station staff member for directions.

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Tokyo Station Guide Where You Can Enjoy Sightseeing Too | Explore the Ever-Evolving Mega Station!