A Guide to the Main Train Stations in Tokyo

It cannot be overstated how essential trains are to Tokyo. The city’s rail system is renowned for its infrastructure, efficiency, and punctuality, and thus, it is intertwined with the lives of a vast majority of its 14 million residents. In Tokyo, only around 12% of commutes are done with personally owned vehicles, meaning that public transportation is by far the norm.

This also means that train stations in Tokyo serve as significant landmarks as well, being major hubs for transportation but also serving as prolific centers for commerce and social life. On a list of the top 10 busiest train stations in the world, only one is not located in Japan, being Kolkata Station in India (ranked number nine). Furthermore, the three busiest are in Tokyo. The most prominent stations in Tokyo are largely operated by JR (Japan Railways), with the JR Yamanote Line being the mainstay of the city's network. This line goes in a loop around the central part of Tokyo and it, plus other JR lines like the Chuo Sobu Line, are fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. These lines plus all other lines can be accessed with rechargeable IC cards like the Suica and PASMO as well. 

Let’s take a look at some of these train stations that stand as some of the world’s busiest, and those will surely be places to know for your next trip out to Japan!

Shinjuku Station

Shinjuku Station is at the heart of the Shinjuku ward of Tokyo. It is the world’s busiest train station. On average, 3.5 million to 4 million people go through this station on a daily basis. This is about the population of Los Angeles, California, in the United States. Essentially, the number of people that live in one of the world’s most prominent cities goes through Shinjuku Station every day. 

The reason for this large flow of commuters comes down to Shinjuku Station’s very central location as well as the large number of train lines and platforms (53 in total) that are serviced within. A majority of visitors to Tokyo will find themselves at Shinjuku Station at some point, as it is a primary junction for getting to many other parts of the city and even surrounding prefectures. 

Below are all the train lines that are accessible at Shinjuku Station:

Shibuya Station

Not far from Shinjuku Station is Shibuya Station, one of the most iconic stations in Tokyo. It is located centrally within the Shibuya ward, one of the most commercially prominent locations within the greater city. Within the station’s immediate vicinity, the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing and the statue of the famous dog Hachiko are both right by the JR Yamanote Line entrance. 

Shibuya is also a major transportation hub in Tokyo and services around 3 million commuters a day. It is the 2nd busiest train station in the world. Much like Shinjuku Station, Shibuya Station covers a wide area with multiple complexes and dozens of exits. There are nine different lines operated by three different companies, six of which it serves as a terminal station.

For those coming from and going to Narita Airport in Chiba, Shibuya Station is a stop for the Narita Express train. 

The lines at Shibuya Station are as follows:

Ikebukuro Station

Ikebukuro Station services the area of the same name, one of Tokyo’s most eclectic neighborhoods. It is also a major railway station on the JR Yamanote Line, just like Shinjuku Station and Shibuya Station, and following suit of those two, it is the third busiest station in the world with around 2.3 million daily commuters. 

The surrounding Ikebukuro area is filled with quality restaurants, salt-of-the-earth bars, and charming cafes, making it a frequently flocked-to destination for both Tokyo residents and visitors alike.  There are 8 total lines serviced at Ikebukuro Station and it is largely utilized for commuters going to and from Saitama Prefecture directly north of Tokyo. 

The lines at Ikebukuro Station are as follows:

Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station is one of the crown jewels of the city’s railway system. Though it is not as busy as the previously mentioned stations in terms of total commuters, it actually has the most scheduled arrivals and departures in the country. As the city’s eponymous station, it is the central hub for both inner-city and cross-country travel, the terminal for a majority of Japan’s Shinkansen bullet train lines that go out to different parts of the country! 

Shinkansen lines are as follows:

Tokyo Station is one of the most architecturally outstanding stations in the city, with stark red brick facades in western styling. The Marunouchi Exit of Tokyo Station is nearby the Imperial Palace and the illustrious Otemachi area. With high-end dining, shopping, and other attractions, it is a great representation of Tokyo’s history and sophistication.

On the other side is the Yaesu South Exit. Express buses to different destinations, including major airports within the Tokyo area, depart from the Yaesu South Exit. This exit goes towards Ginza and Hibiya. 

The serviced lines at Tokyo Station are as follows: