The Yamanote, Tokyo's iconic subway line

The Yamanote line, what is it?

The JR Yamanote Line is probably the most popular and convenient way to get around Tokyo. Opened in 1885, it has become essential to the daily life of Tokyoites .

Passing all over Tokyo, it is the perfect line to travel there. It is a "circular" metro line looping through the capital and passing through some of the city's most famous neighborhoods . Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Akihabara, they are all served by the Yamanote.

Is the Yamanote line accessible to tourists?

The Yamanote line is also very easy to use for travelers passing through Tokyo.

  • information and instructions are systematically available in English in the carriages, on the platforms and in the station ,
  • important announcements are also made in English ,
  • the teams of the JR East company , in charge of the line, will be able to understand you and help you in your travels.

In short, this is the most accessible line in the archipelago for non-Japanese speaking visitors. And in addition, it is cheaper than most of the other lines circulating in Tokyo!

 

Plan de la ligne Yamanote à Tokyo

 


 

Shinjuku Station

La gare de Shinjuku

©Kakidai

It is the busiest station in the world with a daily average of around 3.42 million passengers . In addition to the many subway lines that pass there, it is also from Shinjuku station that we can take the bus to other major cities in Japan, longer than the train but much cheaper!

Shinjuku is a mixture of several worlds. First there are the gigantic shopping centers where you will find everything. It is also an important business district with the highest skyscrapers in the capital. Among these, the observatory at the top of the towers of the seat of the metropolitan government of Tokyo offers you a magnificent 360° view of the megalopolis.

Shinjuku is also popular for its nightlife . With its famous Kabukicho district , it has earned a reputation as Tokyo's liveliest district .


GUIDE TO SHINJUKU STATION


 

Ikebukuro Station

La gare d'Ikebukuro

©Wei-Te Wong

In the northwest of Tokyo, the station with the owl mascot is also an important place of passage in the capital. And these are two worlds that meet there.

To the west of the station, the restaurants, pachinko and izakaya, the traditional Japanese bars, have given a certain reputation to the nightlife of the district, which is very lively . And at the eastern exit, there's shopping with malls like Sunshine City and not-to-be-missed department stores like Don Quixote and Japan's largest Pokémon Center.

Our apartments are also located in this area, a few steps from the train station ! They have a perfect location in Tokyo as they allow easy access to all the iconic areas of the city and they will therefore help you to have an unforgettable stay .


GUIDE TO THE IKEBUKURO LINE


 

Ueno Station

La gare d'Ueno

© Wei-Te Wong

It is a historic station in Tokyo having been inaugurated in 1883 , at the beginning of the development of railways in Japan. It has an important place in the railway network of the country because the shinkansen (Japanese high-speed trains) towards the north of the archipelago , pass through this station.

From Ueno Station, you can access one of Tokyo's lungs, Ueno Park with its lotus ponds . This is where the Tokyo National Museum , the National Museum of Western Art and the very famous Ueno Zoo are located , where you can meet pandas . Going for a walk from this station, you can also go to Yanaka , a quiet neighborhood with a nostalgic soul.


GUIDE TO UENO STATION


 

Akihabara Station

La gare d'Akihabara

©Hikosaemon

 

Inaugurated in November 1890, it was opened to the public in 1925 but it was after the Second World War that the activity of Akihabara station increased drastically . Located east of Tokyo, it is undoubtedly one of the most visited by tourists from all over the world.



It is indeed the favorite district of fans of manga, anime but also electronics of all kinds . It is possible to unearth treasures not found elsewhere. And access to Japan's "Electric Town" is very easy thanks to the many signs for the "Akihabara Electric Town Exit" in the basements of the station.


GUIDE TO AKIHABARA STATION


 

Tokyo station

La gare de Tokyo

©baroparo

It is one of the capital's most emblematic stations . It is also the city's main shinkansen station. The recognizable symbol of the station is its west facade, built of brick and having survived from the time of its inauguration in 1914 .

The different parts of this station and its exits are connected by a vast network of underground passages housing shops merging with the surrounding businesses and shopping centres.

The original station is located in the Marunouchi business district and its most recent eastward extension is not far from the luxury shopping district of Ginza . Opposite the station, the Imperial Palace and its park are one of Tokyo's most historic places .


GUIDE TO TOKYO STATION


 

Shibuya Station

La gare de Shibuya

©chensiyuan

No one goes to Tokyo without going through Shibuya station! Opened in 1885, it is one of Japan's oldest subway stations and is still in heavy use today.

The station is known worldwide thanks to the legend of the dog Hachiko , who waited there for his master every day until his death . Today, everyone meets in front of the statue of the faithful dog before going on an adventure in the neighborhood .

In front of the main exit of the station, you find yourself in front of the very famous gigantic pedestrian crossing. By crossing it, you will return to the heart of Shibuya. The area is popular for its shopping centers, such as the 109 tower , and its many shops, but also for its restaurants and karaoke.


GUIDE TO SHIBUYA STATION


 

Harajuku Station

La gare d'Harajuku

©IQRemix

Here is a one-of-a-kind building. Built in 1924, it perfectly illustrates the style of the taisho era (1912-1926). And it is still this amazing Western-style wooden building that is still in use, almost 100 years after it was built.

The surroundings of the station are the perfect illustration of the differences in styles that cohabit in Tokyo .

There is, a stone's throw from the station, the most famous shrine in Tokyo, the Meiji Jingu . The latter and its park are a true haven of peace within the capital. But Harajuku is especially popular for shopping with Takeshita Dori for Kawaii fashion, Avenue d'Ometesando , the "Champs-Elysées" of Tokyo, for luxury, and Ura-Harajuku for vintage stores.


GUIDE TO HARAJUKU STATION


 

Yoyogi Station

La gare de Yoyogi

©keyaki

 

Very close to Harajuku, you can easily walk from station to station. Between the two, Yoyogi Park is the most famous in the district.

It is mainly known for its cosplayers who come to meet there every Sunday morning . Within it, the stadium created for the 1964 Olympic Games will be reused for those of 2020 for the men's and women's handball events. Today it also serves as a concert hall and it is not uncommon to come across hordes of fans while walking along the park.


GUIDE TO HARAJUKU STATION


 

 

The Japan Experience offer to explore Tokyo with complete peace of mind

On the Yamanote Line, the easiest way to travel is by using a Suica or a Pasmo ! These prepaid travel cards will allow you to travel freely on the whole line. Note that travelers with a Japan Rail Pass can use it on the Yamanote, the line being managed by the JR train company .

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