2017.07.06
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Useful Ways to Utilize Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station is often the starting point from which visitors travel around to see the city of Tokyo. In addition to being a hub for shinkansen (bullet train) and other train services, it has a variety of services and facilities for travelers. Here are ways to utilize Tokyo Station that may come in handy.

Index

Utilize Services to Leave Your Bags
If Sending a Letter, Use the Postbox Near the Marunouchi Central Gate
More Convenient Services and Facilities
Plenty of Great Food and Shopping Too
Smartly Utilize the Free Buses Around the Station

See all

Utilize Services to Leave Your Bags

It's a hassle when you want to leave your bags and can't find an open coin operated locker. in such cases, use the Coin Locker Navi on which you can search for available lockers. You can search by size (large, medium, small) so it's quite convenient.
If your bag is too big for a locker, go to a baggage storage center (600 JPY per item; there are restrictions on size and weight). They are located in the JR East Japan Travel Service Center on the first floor and on the B1 Floor of GRANSTA inside the ticket gates. You can also have your luggage sent to the airport from these locations.

*The image is for illustrative purposes only.

Utilize Services to Leave Your Bags

Coin Locker Navi Official Homepage

If Sending a Letter, Use the Postbox Near the Marunouchi Central Gate

There is a postbox in the shape of Tokyo Station near the Marunouchi Central Gate (inside the gate). If you post your letter in the slot that's on the left when you're facing it, you will get a special postmark called a "fukei-in" (scenery mark) on the letter. The postmark includes the date and the words "Tokyo Chuo" (in Japanese) and an image of Tokyo Station, so why not send letters to friends and family, and to yourself, to remind you of your trip?

ひでわく/PHOTOZOU

If Sending a Letter, Use the Postbox Near the Marunouchi Central Gate

Japan Post Official Homepage

More Convenient Services and Facilities

There are many other convenient services and facilities, such as the Station Concierge Tokyo (English speaking) inside GRANSTA. In addition to information about the station and its facilities, the concierge will answer questions about tourism and events in the city, and tourism outside of Tokyo.
If you are traveling with a baby, you'll want to check out the Nursing Room that is equipped with a changing table, sink and nursing chair. Inside the gates, they are located at the Central Transfer Passageway for the Tohoku, Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen on the 1st floor and at the Yaesu Underground Central Gate on the B1 Floor. Outside of the gate, there is one on the B1 Floor of Character Street.
There is also a foreign exchange at the JR East Japan Travel Center on the first floor at the Marunouchi North Exit, as well as in GRANSTA. Both offer exchange for 33 currencies.
*The image is for illustrative purposes only.

More Convenient Services and Facilities

Tokyo Station Official Homepage

Next page: Plenty of Great Food and Shopping Too

Plenty of Great Food and Shopping Too

There are also many places to enjoy shopping and good food! There is an extensive restaurant area outside the gates at the Yaesu Entrance, with a variety of restaurants including Japanese, Chinese, and western places. In GRANSTA, there are places where you can have sushi, as well as many shops to buy takeout. There is also a great selection of shops selling small items and sweets to take home as gifts.
One highly recommended place is the Tokyo Station Gallery. It is an exhibition space that takes advantage of the brick walls from the time that Marunouchi Station Building of Tokyo Station, designated an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government, was built. A variety of exhibits are held there and it also has a museum shop that sells station-themed items.
*Entrance fee: About 1,000 JPY (depends on the exhibition)

Taichiro Ueki/Flickr

Plenty of Great Food and Shopping Too

Tokyo Station Official Homepage

Smartly Utilize the Free Buses Around the Station

Why not try the Free Shuttle Bus for your sightseeing?
The Metrolink Nihonbashi circles around the Yaesu Entrance of Tokyo Station and the Nihonbashi and Kyobashi areas where there are many historic buildings. It runs roughly every 10 minutes. The Metrolink Nihonbashi E Line, which runs about every 22 minutes, connects the Yaesu Entrance with Nihonbashi and atmospheric Ningyocho.
There is also a Marunouchi Line that runs every 12 to 15 minutes around the Otemachi, Marunouchi, and Yurakucho areas. It will take you close to the Gaien (outer garden) of the Imperial Palace.