Finding your way in big Japanese stations: exits, transfers and floor numbers

You arrive on the JR Yamanote Line at Shinjuku, heading for the free observation decks in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government No. 1 Building (45th floor). The South Observatory is open 9:30–22:00 (last entry 21:30) and the North Observatory 9:30–17:30, or until 22:00 on days the South is closed. The South closes on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, the North on the 2nd and 4th Monday (as of 11 October 2026).

Station scale: 3,530,594 passengers a day across JR East, Keio, Odakyu, Tokyo Metro and Toei, on 2017 figures compiled by Nippon.com (the JR figure is boardings doubled); JR alone has platforms numbered 1 to 16.

Exit decision: the building is about a 10-minute walk from JR's West Gate (西改札), according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. In 2020 JR renamed its gates; the one you want is now signed 西改札 (West Gate).

Steps:

1. On the platform, look for yellow signs saying 西口 / West Exit. Ignore every other exit name.

2. Go down to the concourse and through the 西改札 gate. Tap your IC card.

3. Follow signs for 都庁 (Tochō, the Metropolitan Government Building) through the underground passage westward.

4. Come up at the twin-towered building, and use the No. 1 Building entrance for the observation decks.

Time: about 2–3 minutes from platform to gate, plus about 10 minutes' walk = 12–13 minutes.

What goes wrong: taking the East Gate puts you on the opposite side of the tracks. Since 19 July 2020, the East-West Free Passage (about 25 m wide and 100 m long) lets you cross under the tracks outside the gates without buying a ticket, so the fix costs about 5 minutes, not a new fare.

Alternative: Tochōmae Station on the Toei Oedo Line connects directly to the building, which avoids the JR crowds if you're coming from Roppongi or Shiodome.

Inputs: the Keiyo Line platforms are on the fourth basement level, a long walk from the other platforms. JR East says the walk from the Shinkansen or other JR lines takes 10 to 15 minutes; this guide allows 20.

Steps:

1. Leave the Shinkansen through the transfer gate marked for JR lines (のりかえ口), not an exit gate.

2. Follow the 京葉線 / Keiyo Line transfer signs and the red line painted on the floor. Take the moving walkways when you reach them.

3. Allow 20 minutes; with large suitcases, allow 25.

Result: if your Shinkansen arrives at 14:02, aim for a Keiyo Line train leaving no earlier than 14:22. Planning a 10-minute connection here is the classic mistake.

One station, several companies. A big "station" is often several stations sharing a name. At Shinjuku, JR, Odakyu, Keio, Tokyo Metro and Toei each have their own gates. Moving between JR and a private line normally means going out of one set of gates and in through another, unless a dedicated transfer gate links them.

Gate names and exit names differ. The gate is where you pass the ticket barrier (改札, kaisatsu). The exit is where you reach the street (出口, deguchi). At Shinjuku JR, the West Gate (西改札) leads to the West Exit area. Signs show both.

Numbered exits belong to subways. Tokyo Metro and Toei stations number exits with a letter and number, such as A1 or B12. The letter usually groups exits on one side or one passage. Google Maps and the station's own page tell you which number is nearest your destination.

Sign colours help. Exit signs are yellow, usually with black lettering: Japan's national barrier-free guidelines for stations specify yellow for exit signs (JIS Z 9103); each line has its own colour and letter code (for example the Marunouchi Line is red, M). Follow the colour of your line, then switch to yellow for the exit.

The free passage is your friend. Large stations have passages outside the gates (自由通路, jiyū tsūro) that anyone may walk through without a ticket. Use them to cross the station when you've come out on the wrong side.

Google Maps: in the transit directions, the walking leg often names the exit. Tap it for an indoor map at some big stations.

The operator's own station page: JR East, Tokyo Metro and Toei publish station maps (構内図, kōnaizu) in English, showing gates, exits, lifts and toilets. Screenshot it before you go in.

On-site boards: the large map boards near gates show "You are here" and nearby buildings with their exit numbers.

Department store links: many stations connect directly to department stores on B1 or 1F; their floor guides list the station links too.

B2: Second basement. In France / Germany: Sous-sol 2 / 2. Untergeschoss.

B1: Basement. In France / Germany: Sous-sol / Untergeschoss.

1F: Ground floor. In France / Germany: Rez-de-chaussée / Erdgeschoss.

2F: First floor. In France / Germany: 1er étage / 1. Stock.

3F: Second floor. In France / Germany: 2e étage / 2. Stock.

So a café listed as "3F" is two flights up from the street, not three. Hotel lobbies on 2F or even higher floors are common in station buildings, with a small ground-floor entrance.

1. Show a screenshot of the destination with its Japanese name, or the exit name in Japanese (for example 西口).

2. Say "Sumimasen, kore wa doko desu ka?" (Excuse me, where is this?).

3. Station staff at the window by the gates are the most reliable; many big stations also have staffed information counters for visitors.

4. If someone points, repeat the direction back with your hand. If they start walking with you, that's normal kindness; thank them with "Arigatō gozaimasu."

Before tomorrow's first journey, look up the nearest exit for your destination, note its name or number in Japanese and English (for example 西口 / West Exit, or A1), and screenshot the station map from the operator's website.

Shinjuku daily passengers: About 3.53 million across five operators (2017 figures).

Shinjuku East-West Free Passage: Opened 19 July 2020; about 25 m × 100 m.

Shinjuku JR gate names: 西改札, 東改札 and others renamed in 2020.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government observation decks: About 10 minutes' walk from JR West Gate; South 9:30–22:00 (last entry 21:30), North 9:30–17:30; free.

Exit sign colour: Yellow (national barrier-free guidelines, JIS Z 9103).

Tokyo Station Keiyo Line transfer: 10 to 15 minutes' walk (JR East); this guide allows 20.

Sources for this section: Nippon.com, "Shinjuku Station Is Enormous!" (passenger data by operator) · Shinjuku East-West Free Passage · JR East Tokyo Branch press release, Shinjuku East-West Free Passage and gate renaming (2 June 2020) · Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Bureau of Finance, observatory opening hours (Japanese) · Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, barrier-free design guidelines for passenger facilities (September 2025; exit signs in yellow) · JR East, Tokyo Station Keiyo Line transfer guide (updated 20 November 2024)

The rules in this guide come from the official pages below. Japan, Booked. does not book or submit requests on your behalf.

• Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Bureau of Finance, observatory opening hours (Japanese)
• Nippon.com, "Shinjuku Station Is Enormous!" (passenger data by operator)
• JR East Tokyo Branch press release, Shinjuku East-West Free Passage and gate renaming (2 June 2020)
• JR East, Tokyo Station Keiyo Line transfer guide (updated 20 November 2024)
• JR East station maps (English)
• Tokyo Metro station information (English; each station page links its station map)
• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, barrier-free design guidelines for passenger facilities (September 2025; exit signs in yellow)
• Shinjuku East-West Free Passage