Shinjuku station is one of the largest and busiest stations in Tokyo. It has many lines, many exits and long walks between platforms. You do not need to learn the whole station. You need three things: the name of your exit, the line you ride, and the name of your stop. Learn these before you go down the stairs, and the station becomes much simpler.
Why the station feels hard
Shinjuku is a hub. Trains from the west, the south and the centre meet here, and some lines run in separate buildings. Each line has its own platform, and the walk from one platform to another can be long. Many signs point to the same place in different ways. The crowds are heavy at the rush hours in the morning and the evening.
First-time visitors often lose time because they take the wrong exit at the end of a ride. The exit you need is not always the closest one to the platform. Plan for this before you travel.
If you plan to visit the wider district, read the Shinjuku guide first. It explains the streets on each side of the station. For the whole city, the Tokyo guide gives the big picture.
Before you arrive
Write three things down, on paper or in your phone, in English and in Japanese:
- The name of your stop and the name of the line you ride.
- The exit you plan to use, and the name of a landmark close to it.
- The address of your hotel. Show it to a station clerk or a taxi driver if you need help.
Check the exit on the map of your hotel's booking page before you travel. Many hotels name the exit they are closest to. Copy that name into your notes.
Read the signs in order
Station signs in Japan follow a clear order. Look for the line first, then the direction, then the exit. Colours and symbols help. Most lines have their own colour on the signs and on the maps. Follow the sign that shows the name of the next station in your direction. Do not simply follow the crowd, because the crowd may be going to a different platform.
When you leave a train, look at the map above the door. Find the exit that is nearest to your destination, and note its name. Stand in front of a station map for a moment. It is faster to read the map once than to walk the wrong way for a long time.
Use the map and the app
Use a map app that shows station exits, and keep the operator's app open for delays. Do not rely on an old printed map. Stations and lines change over time, and an old exit name may no longer be right.
Inside the station, large maps stand near the ticket gates and the main hall. Take a photo of the map near your platform. Keep your phone charged, because the walks are long and you may need the map twice.
Luggage and families
Shinjuku has lifts and escalators, but the route to them is not always direct. Look at the accessibility guide on the operator's website before you travel with a stroller or a large case. Plan the route so that each change has a lift, and allow time for the walk between platforms.
Travel outside the rush hours when you can. Trains are less crowded, and the stairs are less busy. On the platform, stand to the side so that people getting off can leave first. In a crowd, keep your bag in front of you.
Families should agree on a meeting point before you enter the station, such as a named shop or a sign near one exit. If a child gets lost, go to the station staff. They can call the operator's office and help you find your group.
Common mistakes
- Leaving by the first exit you see. Check the exit name first.
- Trusting a phone map without a check on the station sign. Compare both.
- Carrying heavy luggage up the stairs at the rush hour. Find the lift before you need it.
- Forgetting the way back. Note the exit for your return, too.
Check first: Check the station layout and the lift routes on the official website of each operator whose line you use. Check the timetable and the last train on the operator's app on the day you travel. Do not rely on an old blog for either.
What to do next
Shinjuku is a good base for many trips in Tokyo. Read the Tokyo guide for the city, and the Shinjuku guide for the streets and food near the station. For more practical help on arrival, read the practical guide. Build your route on the planner.
