Tokyo Station has so much to offer that it would be a shame to pass it off as just another station. There’s shopping, dining, souvenir shopping – you name it, you can do it. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the places to visit in Tokyo Station, both inside and outside the station gates. Make sure you know what to do in advance so you don’t get lost in the station’s spacious interior.
What is Tokyo Station like?
Tokyo Station is the gateway to Japan, where conventional lines to various directions converge, as well as to and from the Tokaido Shinkansen, the transport line to western Japan, and the Tohoku and Hokuriku Shinkansen, the transport lines to the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions of Japan.
The red-brick Marunouchi Exit Station Building, completed in 1914, has existed as a symbol of the nation since the Edo period and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. In recent years, it has often been talked about not only for its function as a station, but also as a trendy place with the latest commercial facilities and gourmet spots.
【inside the ticket gates】GRANSTA TOKYO
Spread over the basement and first floors of Tokyo Station, the shops include famous Japanese and Western confectionery shops that are perfect for buying as souvenirs, as well as boxed lunches and delicatessen dishes that can be enjoyed as a luxury on the Shinkansen. There is also a cloakroom service, so you can leave your suitcases and other belongings behind and take your time browsing the shops.
In the GRANSTA TOKYO Keiyo Street area on the way to the Keiyo Line, you will find T’S Tantan, which originated in Jiyugaoka. Here you can enjoy tantanmen noodles that do not contain any animal products such as meat, seafood, dairy products or eggs. The meat miso, an essential ingredient in tantanmen, is made from soya beans and is popular for being gentle on the body while still providing the richness of tantanmen noodles.
Access: 0 minute walk from the Marunouchi ticket gates of Tokyo Station.
Opening hours: 10:00-22:00 (21:00 on Sundays and last day of consecutive holidays).
*Some shops open at 7:00.
Regular closing days: No regular holidays.
【inside the ticket gates】Ekibenya Matsuri
Located in the central aisle area of Gransta Tokyo and open from 5.30am, this ekiben shop is always crowded with people seeking bento before boarding the bullet train.
The shop is open from 5.30am in the central passage area of Gransta Tokyo, and is always crowded with people looking for ekiben before boarding the Shinkansen.
Access: 1 min walk from the Yaesu Central Exit ticket gate of Tokyo Station.
Opening hours: 5:30-22:00.
Closed: No holidays
【inside the ticket gates】ecute Tokyo
This shopping mall is located on the ground floor of Tokyo Station, in front of the Shinkansen south transfer entrance. Here you can buy topical sweets that make great souvenirs, as well as snacks and breads that are perfect for eating on the Shinkansen. There are also shops that are only open for a limited time, so you may be able to find a shop that is the talk of the town.
Access: 1 min walk from Tokyo Station Marunouchi Central Exit.
Opening hours:
Sweets: 8:00-22:00 (21:30 on Sundays and public holidays)
Food: 8:00-22:00 (21:30 on Sundays and public holidays)
Food drive: 8:00-22:00 (Sun & public holidays 21:30)
Bakery cafe/book cafe: 7:00-22:00 (Sun & public holidays 21:30)
Goods: 9:00-22:00 (Sun & public holidays 21:30)
Closed: No regular holidays.
【outside the ticket gates】First Avenue Tokyo Station
The area is home to Tokyo Character Street, Tokyo Okashi Land, TOKYO GIFT PALETTE, Nippon Gourmet Road, Tokyo Ramen Street and the TOKYO GOURMET ZONE. This is a highly recommended place to spend some free time before boarding the Shinkansen.
There are numerous coin lockers available, so it is a good idea to leave your luggage with them and look around lightly.
Access: 0 min walk from Tokyo Station Yaesu Underground Central Exit ticket gates.
Opening hours.
Tokyo Character Street: 10:00-20:30
Tokyo Okashi Land: 9:00-21:00
Nippon Gourmet Street: 10:00-23:00 (LO.22:00)
Tokyo Ramen Street: 10:30-23:00 (LO.22:30)
Tokyo Gourmet Zone: 11:00-23:00 (22:00 on Sundays and public holidays)
Tokyo Gift Palette: 9:30-20:30 (from 9:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)
For the latest opening hours, please check the official website.
Closed: No regular holidays.
Details of each of the shops in Tokyo Station Ichibangai are given below.
【In First Avenue Tokyo Station】Tokyo Character Street
This area allows visitors to fully enjoy the goods and exhibitions of popular characters, including the TV station’s official shop and shops where goods from Ultraman, Pokémon, Kirby and Jump magazine can be purchased. In the central event space Ichiban Plaza, a limited-period pop-up store is held every one to two weeks.
Access: 0 min walk from Tokyo Station Yaesu underground central exit ticket gates.
Opening hours: 10AM-8PM
*Please check the official website for the latest opening hours.
Closed: No regular holidays.
【In First Avenue Tokyo Station】Tokyo Okashi Land
This area is home to famous confectionery manufacturers Morinaga’s Okashi na Okashiya-san, Calbee’s Calbee Plus, Kameda Seika and Glico ALMOND DAYS, Glico’s almond specialty shop. Visitors can enjoy limited-edition sweets only available here, as well as special experiences where the sweets are freshly made.
BIG Poteliko, which is larger than usual, Freshly Baked Moonlight Cookies, which offer the aroma and taste of oven-baked cookies, and Freshly Made Happy Turns with plenty of toppings.
Powder Mania” and more, offering a slightly more luxurious way to enjoy confectionery.
Access: 0 min walk from Tokyo Station Yaesu underground central exit ticket gates.
Opening hours: 9AM-9PM
For the latest opening hours, please check the official website.
Closed: No regular holidays.
【In First Avenue Tokyo Station】Nippon Gourmet Street
This is a restaurant district with well-known and well-known restaurants from all over the country, from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south. Some of these restaurants have opened for the first time in Tokyo, while others are new businesses, so you can enjoy the feeling of a trip here alone.
Access: 0 min walk from Tokyo Station Yaesu South Exit.
Opening hours: 10:00-23:00 (LO.22:00)
*Countries Hinoto is also open from 7:00 to 9:30.
**Opening hours vary from shop to shop.
Closed: Open irregularly.
【In First Avenue Tokyo Station】Tokyo Ramen Street
The area is home to Tokyo’s leading ramen shops, where queues are inevitable. The area is home to some of Tokyo’s best restaurants, from light to strong, including the charismatic tsukemen restaurant Rokurinsha and Ikaruga in Ichigaya.
There are also many other must-try tastes, such as SORANOIRO NIPPON, which was selected as a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide Tokyo 2015 and is famous for its Veggie Soba, which uses vegetables as all parts of the noodle. Depending on the time of day, there can be queues of up to an hour at any of the restaurants.
Access: 1 min walk from Tokyo Station Yaesu Underground Central Exit ticket gates.
Opening hours: 8:30-23:00 (last order 22:30)
*Rokurinsha is open from 7:30 to 9:45 (LO. 9:30).
**Opening hours vary depending on the restaurant.
Closed on certain days of the week.
【In First Avenue Tokyo Station】Tokyo Gourmet Zone
The area is lined with seven restaurants where you can enjoy a casual lunch or dinner. The area is particularly popular with bar and craft beer lovers, and is made up of restaurants that are well-loved by drinkers.
Access: 0 min walk from the Yaesu North Exit ticket gates of Tokyo Station.
Opening hours: 11:00 – 23:00 / until 22:00 on Sundays and holidays (LO. 1 hour before food closes, 30 minutes before drinks close).
*For the latest opening hours, please check the official website.
Closed on weekends and public holidays.
【In First Avenue Tokyo Station】Tokyo Gift Palette
This area offers a colourful selection of gifts, perfect for choosing souvenirs. In addition to souvenirs and Tokyo gifts, there is also a selection of bento boxes and cafés. The area is easily accessible from the Yaesu North Exit ticket gates of Tokyo Station.
Access: 0 min walk from the Yaesu North Exit ticket gates of Tokyo Station.
Opening hours: 9:30-20:30 (from 9:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays).
*For the latest opening hours, please check the official website.
Closed on weekends and public holidays.
【outside the ticket gates】Daimaru Tokyo
This department store is directly connected to Tokyo Station. The first floor, which can be accessed immediately from inside the station, is always busy with a wide range of Japanese and Western confectionery perfect as souvenirs.
Access: 0 min walk from the Yaesu North Exit ticket gates of Tokyo Station.
Opening hours: 10:00-20:00 (*Some opening hours vary).
Closed on New Year’s Day.
【outside the ticket gates】Yaechika Shopping Mall
This is an underground shopping street directly connected to the Yaesu Underground Central Exit. Restaurants, apparel shops and household goods shops operate here, making it a convenient shopping area for locals and tourists alike.
A recommended shop is Standard Products, a new brand of Daiso, a famous 100 yen store. The shop is popular for its simple, sophisticatedly designed household goods at reasonable prices from 300 yen.
Access: JR Tokyo Station, directly connected to the Yaesu Underground Central Exit (via Tokyo Ichibangai).
Opening hours: Vary according to the shop.
Closed: No regular holidays.
【outside the ticket gates】TOKYO MIDTOWN YAESU
Fully opened on 10 March 2023, TOKYO MIDTOWN YAESU is a large building complex directly connected to the basement of JR Tokyo Station.
The building is located directly in front of the Yaesu South Exit of JR Tokyo Station and is right in front of you once you reach ground level. It is also directly connected to the station on the basement level, making it easy to get around even in bad weather. If you are heading to the station from the basement, you can proceed via the Yaesu underground shopping area, where you can see the well-stocked shops in the station.
Access: JR Tokyo Station, directly connected underground (via Yaesu Underground Mall).
Opening hours:
B1F 10:00-21:00
1F-3F Retail & services 11:00-21:00 / Restaurants 11:00-23:00
4F/5F Innovation Field 9:00-22:00
*Some shops have different opening hours. Please inquire at each shop.
Closed on certain days of the week.
【outside the ticket gates】TIC TOKYO
This is a tourist information centre accredited by the Japan National Tourist Organisation, with concierges who speak Japanese, English, French and Chinese to provide sightseeing information mainly for foreign visitors to Japan. The concierge can provide information on events and information on Tokyo and the rest of Japan, as well as discount tickets and tour reservations.
Access:One minute walk from Tokyo Station Nihonbashi Exit.
Opening hours: 10AM-7PM
Closed: Year-end, New Year and irregular holidays.
【outside the ticket gates】GRANROOF GARDEN
The landmark GRAN ROOF at Tokyo Station’s Yaesu Exit became GRANSTA Yaesu on 1 July, and the second floor of GRAN ROOF was renovated as GRANROOF GARDEN. The space features a deck that extends under a large, open roof with a design motif of light sails.
People who take the bus from the bus terminal can go a little earlier and enjoy the view from the deck, and there are tables with power supply, counters and restaurants to pass the time.
Access: 1 min walk from Tokyo Station Yaesu Underground Central Exit.
Opening hours: 7AM-11PM
Closed: No regular holidays.
【outside the ticket gates】Tokyo International Forum
It is a public comprehensive cultural facility that hosts a wide range of events, including international conferences, ceremonies and concerts. It features a design by US-based architect Rafael Viniori, and the glass building has beautiful light streaming in from the high ceiling.
There are also many benches, making it a good place to take a break.
Access: 5 min walk from Tokyo Station (connected to Tokyo Station on the Keiyo Line by the B1F underground concourse).
Opening hours: 7:00-23:30.
Closed: Open all year round.
【outside the ticket gates】Inside the dome of the Marunouchi station building
The Marunouchi Station Building has a modern red-brick exterior, but you can see the underside of the dome ceiling from the Marunouchi North Exit of Tokyo Station. Just gazing at the dome is an overwhelmingly beautiful experience, but you’ll also want to find the eight zodiac signs carved into the eight corners of the dome.
The dome is also home to a large eagle with its wings outstretched, and other detailed carvings and designs are also worth paying attention to.
Access.
North Dome: 0 min walk from Marunouchi North Exit of Tokyo Station.
South Dome: 0 min walk from Marunouchi South Exit of Tokyo Station.
【outside the ticket gates】THE TOKYO STATION HOTEL
Part of the Tokyo Station Marunouchi side station building is open as a hotel. It features a luxurious interior and 150 guest rooms.
The Imperial Suite, a special, top-of-the-range room in the middle of the Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building, is 173 m² in size and has a 3.0 m ceiling height. Although not readily available to the general public, there is also a 23 m2 classic type room facing the Tokyo Station side of the building. The hotel is located in the Marunouchi area of Tokyo Station.
Access: Directly connected to Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Exit.
Check-in: 15:00
Check-out: 12:00
Closed: No holidays.
【outside the ticket gates】TOKYO STATION GALLERY
The gallery is a “museum of Tokyo Station, linking history and the future”, with exhibitions held every period. The building’s structure and ceiling design are a must for station building enthusiasts.
Access: 0 min walk from Marunouchi North Exit of Tokyo Station.
Opening hours: 10:00-18:00 (Fri 10:00-20:00), entry until 30 minutes before closing.
Closed on Mondays (or Tuesdays if Monday falls on a public holiday).
【outside the ticket gates】Dorin Square, a new meeting place.
A new meeting spot in the plaza at the Marunouchi Underground South Exit, with a prominent steam locomotive wheel.
The word ‘Dorin’ means ‘driving wheel’. Three C62-15 steam locomotive wheels, which used to run on the Tokaido Line, make an outstanding impact. This is the perfect spot for a rendezvous near Marunouchi.
Access: 1 min walk from Tokyo Station Marunouchi Underground South Exit.
Opening hours: None.
Closed: No.
【outside the ticket gates】TRAVELER’S FACTORY STATION
This is the flagship shop of The Travellers Company. A wide range of stationery and sundries with train and travel motifs are available. The shop offers a wide range of stationery and sundries with train and travel motifs, including products exclusive to Tokyo Station and fashionable sundries that add a bit of travel to your everyday life.
Access: 1 min walk from Tokyo Station Marunouchi Underground North Exit ticket gates.
Opening hours: 10AM-9PM (all days)
Closed: No regular holidays.
【outside the ticket gates】Marunouchi station square
This plaza offers a frontal view of Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi Station Building, a scene that is typical of Tokyo Station. If you come to Tokyo Station, you’ll want to take a commemorative photo with the Marunouchi Station Building in the background.
Access: 0 min walk from Tokyo Station Marunouchi Central Exit.
Opening hours: None.
Closed: No.
Information on access to Tokyo Station
From Narita Airport
- 1 hour 5 minutes from Bus Stop 31 on the Arrivals Floor of the Terminal 1 Building by Keisei Bus.
- 1 hour 15 minutes from Bus Stop No. 2 and No. 19 on the Arrivals Level at the Terminal 2 Building by Keisei Bus.
- From Keisei Bus Terminal 3, platform 1: approx. 1hr 20 mins.
From Haneda Airport
Take the Keikyu Line from Haneda Airport Terminals 1 & 2 or Haneda Airport Terminal 3 to Shinagawa Station, take the JR Yamanote Line or Keihin Tohoku Line and alight at Tokyo Station.
From Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Shibuya
Take the JR Yamanote Line and get off at Tokyo Station.
From Shinagawa
Take JR Yamanote Line or Keihin Tohoku Line and get off at Tokyo Station.