Discover Shinjuku Station
Shinjuku
©marek-okon, unsplash
Our Guide with a Japan Rail Pass of the busiest station in the world
Shinjuku station is the busiest station in the world. Here is our guide to find your way.
Shinjuku station is the busiest station in the world. Here is some information to find your way.
First there are three companies going through the station : JR East, Keio and Odakyu.
If you want to take the Yamanote Line you will have to go in the JR part of the station. If you want to go to Hakone or Enoshima, you will have to follow the Odakyu signs. To reach the Mt Takao it will be the Keio Lines.
JR platforms are on the first floor and aligned from platform 1 to Platform 16 in a north-south direction. Connections between the JR Yamanote, the JR Chuo, the JR Shonan-Shinjuku, the JR Saikyo lines are easy with footbridges or underground corridors.
Special trains like the Narita Express, the Spacia to Tobu-Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen, the Super View Odoriko to Shimoda are on platforms 5 or 6.
In the Odakyu area there are 9 platforms in two floors. Romance cars to Hakone are usually leaving from platforms 2 or 3 on the upper level.
The Keio Line and Keio New line area has 5 platforms. The two companies have also their own big department stores above the platforms.
Note that there are also three subway lines going to Shinjuku station : the Marunouchi Line, the Oedo Line and the Shinjuku Line.
JR Shinjuku
©pema-lama, unsplash
It's getting sometimes more complicated when you have to exit the station. It will be easier if you know the orientation in advance. Head out the West Exit to reach the Tokyo Metropolitan Governement Building, Tokyo's city hall. From the 45th floor of the tower 1, visitors can get spectaculars views. North East of the station is an area called Kabuchi-cho which has the craziest nightlife in Tokyo. Use the East Exit to visit the Shinjuku Gyoen garden. South exit gives access to big shopping complex.
Tokyo Metropolitan, Shinjuku
©Fumiaki Hayashi, pixabay
Where to get my Japan Rail Pass in Shinjuku Station?
To exchange your Japan Rail Pass, you can go the JR East Travel Service just outside on the right of the New South Gate or the information center at the East Gate.
Tourist information center: The Tokyo Tourism Information Center is in the same building as the Highway Bus Terminal. The easiest way to find it is to go through the New South Gate or to go to the South Exit and cross the road.
