Where do bullet trains leave from in tokyo?

Where do Bullet Trains Leave from in Tokyo?

The excitement of traveling on Japan’s bullet trains, also known as Shinkansen, starts from the moment you board them. But, before you experience the thrill of racing to your destination at incredible speeds, you need to find out where these bullet trains leave from in Tokyo.

Tokyo Train Station Hubs

Tokyo has several train stations that serve as hubs for Japan’s bullet train network, including the Tokyo Station (Tokyo Station ()) and Shinjuku Station (Shinjuku Station ()). From these stations, multiple types of Shinkansen trains depart for various parts of Japan.

Major Depature Points

Here’s a breakdown of the most popular departure points in Tokyo:

• Tokyo Station (): The flagship station of the Japanese train network, Tokyo Station offers departures to Osaka’s Shin-Osaka, Nagoya, Nagoya, Fukuoka’s Hakata, Hiroshima, and many other major cities.

  • Tokyo Station has several Shinkansen platforms:

    • Platforms 11 and 12: Hokuriku Shinkansen Line (Nagano and Kanazawa) services
    • Platform 13: Joetsu Shinkansen Line (Nagano, Niigata) and Hokuriku Shinkansen Line services
    • Platforms 22 and 23: Tōkaidō Shinkansen Line (Odawara, Kyoto, Osaka) services
    • Platforms 44 and 45: Kashima Shinkansen Line (Kashima)

• Shinjuku Station (): Also known as Tokyo’s unofficial "west exit" city, Shinjuku has several Shinkansen departures, including services to Nagano, Nagano, Kanazawa, and Osaka’s Shin-Osaka.

  • Shinjuku Station’s Shinkansen platforms include:

    • Platform 12: Nagano Shinkansen Line and Hokuriku Shinkansen Line services
    • Platform 26: Tōkaidō Shinkansen Line services

• Tokyo Station East Exit: This area serves as the departure point for many other Shinkansen services to destinations like Tokyo Station Tokyo Station Tokyo Station (not to be confused with Shinjuku Station!)

Here’s a summary of the major departure points from Tokyo:

Train Platforms and Gates

Navigating the Shinkansen stations in Tokyo can be complex, especially if you are not familiar with Japanese signposting. To ensure smooth travel, take note of the following:

• Some platforms are designated as shared platforms, which can hold multiple trains simultaneously. If you are unsure about platform changes, confirm before boarding.
• Certain gates or doors on some platforms are marked for limited express trains, express trains, or rapid trains.
• Always validate your IC card or buy your ticket before proceeding to the platform.
• Board through the designated gate marked "" ( Shinkansen departures).

Planning Ahead

To ensure a smoother journey, consider the following tips:

• Check your train schedule in advance. You can do so online through websites such as Hyperdia, TimeTable, or by mobile app like Hyperdia iOS or Android.
• Validate your IC card at vending machines or at IC-card-only gates to prevent being charged an extra fee.