(Updated 2025 Guide)

Tokyo Station vs. Shinagawa Station — Which One Should You Use?

If you’re planning to take the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo, you might be surprised to learn that most major Tokyo stations—like Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Harajuku—do NOT have Shinkansen platforms.

In the Tokyo metropolitan area, only two stations offer Shinkansen service:

✔ Tokyo Station

✔ Shinagawa Station

This guide explains the difference between the two, which lines they serve, and which station is most convenient depending on where you’re staying or traveling from.

Shinkansen Lines You Can Board in Tokyo

Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station is the main Shinkansen hub.
You can board the following bullet train lines:

• Tokaido Shinkansen (Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakata)

• Tohoku Shinkansen (Sendai, Morioka, Aomori)

• Hokkaido Shinkansen (Hakodate, Sapporo in the future)

• Yamagata Shinkansen (Yamagata, Shinjo)

• Akita Shinkansen (Akita)

• Joetsu Shinkansen (Niigata)

• Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kanazawa, Toyama, Nagano)

If you are going anywhere north of Tokyo, Tokyo Station is your only option.

Shinagawa Station

Shinagawa only serves one line:

• Tokaido Shinkansen
  (Nagoya → Kyoto → Shin-Osaka → Hiroshima → Hakata)

This line is used by travelers heading to western Japan, especially Kyoto and Osaka.

Shinagawa is a smaller, easier station to navigate, which makes it popular among visitors.

Which Station Should You Choose?

Use this as your quick guide:

Choose Tokyo Station if you are in:

(Ueno and north/east Tokyo areas)

• Ueno

• Akihabara

• Ryogoku

• Asakusa

• Kanda

• Ginza

• Nihonbashi

• Ikebukuro

• Sugamo

• Shinjuku

• Tokyo Skytree

• Tokyo Disney Resort

• Narita Airport (via Narita Express)

Also:
If you’re taking the Shinkansen to Tohoku, Hokuriku, Nagano, Niigata, or Hokkaido → Tokyo Station only.

Choose Shinagawa Station if you are in:

(Shibuya side / south Tokyo)

• Shibuya

• Ebisu

• Meguro

• Osaki

• Gotanda

• Harajuku

• Roppongi

• Tamachi

• Shinagawa Seaside

• Haneda Airport (via Keikyu Line)

If you’re traveling to Kyoto, Osaka, or Hiroshima, Shinagawa is often less crowded and easier to navigate.

Tokyo Station vs. Shinagawa Station: Which Is Better?

Key Takeaway

If you’re going to Kyoto/Osaka → Both stations work

Choose the one that’s closer to your hotel.

If you’re going anywhere north → Tokyo Station only

If you want easier transfers & fewer crowds → Shinagawa Station

Final Tips for Travelers

• Shinkansen tickets typically open one month before the travel date.

• Trains around holidays (New Year, Golden Week, Obon) sell out fast.

• If you’re carrying oversized luggage, book “Seats with Oversized Baggage Space” on the Tokaido Shinkansen.

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