The Easiest JR Train Route Map of Tokyo
Tokyo's train route map is extremely complicated. Seeing is believing.
To make matters worse, this map does NOT include 286 stations of subways.
Actually, many international tourists say that they got lost in Tokyo, or did not see how to get to their destinations.
It is one of the purposes of Tokyo Direct Guide to simplify and organize tourist information of this large and complicated city.
Actually, must-knows are not so many from a local's point of view.
I made a JR (= Japan Railway) train route map for you that is simple but enough to understand Tokyo City.
Print it out and keep this page for your better travel! (All Free but Personal Use Only.)
cf: Internet Access in Japan
3 Simple Steps to Understand Tokyo
- Learn 3 of JR Lines to know Tokyo City.
- Find the Places You Want to Go.
- Learn the Ways From/To Narita & Haneda International Airport.
1: Learn 3 JR Lines to know Tokyo City
Yamanote Line
Learn Yamanote Line, the loop line around Tokyo City, first of all. You can know the essentials of Tokyo. Hub stations are all on Yamanote Line. It takes around 1 hour to go around on Yamanote Line. The trains all have yellow-green lines.
Chuo Line
Chuo means "central." It goes from east to west in Tokyo. Tokyo Station is the very central station and Shinjuku is a hub.
Keihin-Tohoku Line
It goes from north to south. It includes many of Yamanote Line stations, so if you are going to a station with both of Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku Line, it is all right as well. In daytime, Keihin-Tohoku Line are all rapid.
Once you remember these JR Lines, especially Yamanote Line, you understand the outline of Tokyo City. Now you have few chances to get lost and a lot of chances to enjoy more of Tokyo freely and comfortably.
You Don't Find Your Destinations in The Easiest JR Train Map?
There are more JR lines in Tokyo. Moreover, subways are also important part of Tokyo's transportation.
If your destinations are not on the map,
- Go Down This Page First; I wrote the descriptions of each station & place
- See Tokyo's Must See & Do which shows how to get to each tourist attraction
- See The Easiest Subway Maps
- If all of them don't work, see the real & complete route map provided by East Japan Railway.
Talking practically, you will take subway(s) when you go to Asakusa, Tsukiji Market, Roppongi, etc.
Links to the Complete, Official JR Train Maps
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/info/map_a4ol.pdf Official PDF Map by JR
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/ - Top Page of JR East (English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese)
2: Find the Places You Want to Go - Descriptions of the Stations & Places
Tokyo Station
Tokyo Station is the very central station of Tokyo.
It is a hub where so many trains and subways are connected. Shinkansen, Japanese superexpress/bullet trains, start from Tokyo station if you are going to Northen Japan and Western Japan such as Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima, etc.
Stay here - Hotels near Tokyo Station
Shinjuku
Shinjuku is one of the hub stations in Tokyo. You will catch a train here especially when you visit Western Tokyo such as Mt. Takao and Mt. Fuji.
There is Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory in Shinjuku.
It is convenient to visit the districts on Yamanote Line from Shinjuku. If you are visiting some places where you take a subway to go, I recommend other place to stay.
Stay here - Hotels in Shinjuku
Tokyo Tower
The nearest JR station is Hamamatsucho.
To see all the ways to Tokyo Tower, go to How to Get to Tokyo Tower by train - the simplest explanations & maps
Official Website: http://www.tokyotower.co.jp/index/
Tokyo Skytree
The nearest stations are Tokyo Skytree Station of Tobu Skytree Line and Oshiage Station of Asakusa Subway Line and Hanzomon Subway Line.
So, if you are in Shinagawa, just take Keikyu Line to Oshiage.
If you can find Hanzomon Subway Line near you, take it to Oshiage. For example, if you are in Tokyo Station, take JR Sobu Line to Kinshicho and change trains into Hanzomon Subway Line.
If you are not sure, think of going to Asakusa first, and take Tobu Skytree Line.
If you are in Asakusa, Ueno, Tokyo Station, Tokyo Disney Resort or Haneda Airport, there are Skytree shuttle buses. (220 - 920 yen for single ticket, depends on where you get on the bus.)
For simpler explanations, go to The Easiest Subway Maps.
Official Website: http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/
Nippori
Keisei Skyliner from/to Narita Airport stops at Nippori, which is a Yamanote Line station.
Ueno
Ueno is one of Tokyo's Must-Sees, famous for Ueno Zoo, museums and cherry blossoms. It is the terminal of Keisei Skyliner to Narita Airport.
Stay here - Hotels in Ueno
Akihabara
Akihabara is the town of electric devices, paradise of otaku culture. Between Ueno and Tokyo Station. Yamanote Line trains stop.
Stay here - Hotels in Akihabara
Hamamatsucho
Hamamatsucho is the terminal of Tokyo Monorail from/to Haneda Airport. It is also the neaest JR station to Tokyo Tower.
Stay here - Hotels near Hamamatsucho Station
Shinagawa
Shinagawa is a Yamanote Line station, and importantly, you can take a Shinkansen to Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, etc, at Shinagawa.
Stay here - Hotels near Shinagawa Station
Shibuya
Shibuya is one of the biggest shopping districts in Japan and one of the hub stations in Tokyo. It is also the terminal station of Ginza Subway Line lead to Ginza district and Asakusa.
Stay here- Hotels in Shibuya
Harajuku
One of the coolest districts in Japan! Trends, fashion, pop culture and anything interesting start here.
Ikebukuro
One of the biggest shopping districts in Tokyo. Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo opened in December, 2014.
Stay here - Hotels in Ikebukuro
Ghibli Museum
Mitaka on Chuo Line is the nearest station to Ghibli Museum. It takes around 30 minutes from Tokyo Station, 20 minutes from Shinjuku, by Chuo rapid train. You can take a loop bus or walk to the museum.
Mt. Takao
Mt. Takao is a mountain with unique culture of Shugen-do and tengu legends.
Take Keio Line from Shinjuku to Takaosan-guchi Station.
Trips from Tokyo
Mt. Fuji
If you are going to Mt. Fuji by train, you take Chuo Line and change trains into Fujikyu Line at Otsuki Station.
Stay here - Hotels near Mt. Fuji
Kamakura
Take JR Yokosuka Line.
Want to see MORE destinations?
See the Easiest Subway Maps and you will find most of Tokyo's Must See & Do, including Asakusa and Tsukiji Market.
Dig the Blog and you find posts about Odaiba, Roppongi, etc. Every post has tourist information including access and accommodation.
https://tokyo-direct-guide.com/blog/
3: From/To Narita & Haneda International Airport
I recommend 3 ways.
1: Keisei Skyliner - the fastest!
You will be at Nippori Station, a convenient station in Tokyo, in 36 minutes. Also stops at Ueno in 41 minutes. Personally I like Skyliner the best because the train cars are very confortable.
2,470 yen, 36 minutes to Nippori (Keisei lines have slower and cheaper options as well.)
http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/index.php
2: Airport Limousine - door to door!
Its biggest feature is that Airport Limousine buses take you from Narita Airport to major hotels in Tokyo! While relaxing, you'll arrive at your hotel lobby. Check whether it stops when you book a hotel.
Around 3,000 yen, 80 minutes (depends on your destination)
cf: A List of Major Hotels where Airport Limousine stops
Link: https://www.facebook.com/AirportLimousineBus
3: JR Narita Express - direct access to major districts!
If you book a hotel in Tokyo Station, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Yokohama, you'll get to these stations directly from Narita Airport.
3,020 yen, 59 minutes to Tokyo Station
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex/
There are 2 major ways and Airport Limousine buses to hotels.
1: Keikyu Line
You will arrive at Shinagawa Station. Keikyu Line connects to Asakusa Subway Line directly, so if you book a hotel in Tsukiji or Asakusa, just get on a Keikyu train. Higashi-Ginza station to Tsukiji Market, Asakusa Station to Asakusa.
13 minutes to Shinagawa Station on Airport Rapid Trains, 407 yen.
2: Tokyo Monorail
The direct rapid monorails from/to Haneda are very fast and convenient. The trains have some space to put baggage for travelers. You will arrive at Hamamatsucho Station, a cool bay side district with attractions and good accesses to must-sees in Tokyo.
14 minutes to Hamamatsucho Station on Airport Rapid Trains, 483 yen.
3: Airport Limousine buses
Door-to-door buses from Haneda Airport arrival terminal to your hotel.
cf: A List of Major Hotels where Airport Limousine stops
Link: https://www.facebook.com/AirportLimousineBus
Once you understand the outline of Tokyo City with the Easiest JR Train Map, you can travel in Tokyo freely like a local.
Have a good trip!
Tickets
Coming soon!