Serving over half a million passengers a day, Tokyo Station is one of the busiest stations
in Japan.
The station first opened to the public just over 100 years ago and quickly became a transit
hub connecting Tokyo to the rest of Japan.
Tokyo Station is also the zero mile marker for many train lines.
Today, the Tokyo Station that we know and love is the result of years of restoration
and construction.
The Marunouchi side has recently been restored to its former, historic glory, while the Yaesu
side offers a modern and contemporary look.
With its multiple levels and vast underground offering a wide variety of shopping, dining
and services, it is easy to spend an entire day hanging out in Tokyo Station and its vicinity.
To make things simpler for you, we have compiled a list of 7 things to know about Tokyo Station.
JAPAN RAIL CAFE The JAPAN RAIL CAFE was the first of its kind
to open in Japan.
Located across from the Yaesu Central Gate of Tokyo Station, it consists of a travel
counter and a restaurant that offers travelers up-to-date travel information and Japanese
dishes.
The interior decor and souvenirs at the JAPAN RAIL CAFE change periodically and focus on
a different region of Japan each time.
Staff at the travel counter offer sightseeing advice and information as well as process
rail pass and ticket purchases.
These services provide a smooth and painless trip preparation process, which is invaluable
when visiting a new place.
A large interactive screen displays travel videos as well as an array of activities.
The cafe is a cosy and casual place, which is great for meeting friends or passing time
before or after a train ride.
Diners can look forward to Japanese dishes, and pair them with a large variety of alcoholic
and non-alcoholic drinks.
Takeaway bento boxes can also be purchased, for those who are short on time.
Finally, a traditionally decorated tatami mat area in the cafe section offers visitors
a photogenic place to take commemorative pictures.
ecbo cloak service Finding a vacant coin locker in Tokyo Station
can be a search in futility especially during the peak season.
Using the ecbo cloak service allows one to skip all of that hassle and straight to a
baggage-free day out.
Multi-day baggage keeping services are also offered with ecbo cloak, which is a good option
for those who want to travel light on overnight trips.
There are multiple ecbo cloak counters in Tokyo Station.
To make use of this service, simply make your baggage reservation and payment on the ecbo
cloak website and head to the counter on the day to drop off your luggage.
Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building The original Tokyo Station building was designed
by Tatsuno Kingo, an illustrious Japanese architect from the early 20th century, and
completed in 1914.
However, the station building was heavily damaged during WW2 and only a simplified version
of the building was reconstructed after the war.
From 2007 to 2012, the station building was restored to its pre-war glory.
It then took another five years for the plaza in front of the station to be beautified.
Today, visitors can see how Tokyo Station used to look like when it was first built
in 1914, complete with the domes at the northern and southern ends respectively.
Tokyo Station Gallery The Tokyo Station Gallery is an art museum
located inside the Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building.
In addition to the temporary exhibitions, the gallery is a great place to see some of
the original brickwork and internal structural design of Tokyo Station, which offers a unique
blend of art and cultural heritage.
Dining and Shopping Travelers through Tokyo Station will never
have to worry about being hungry or not finding something they may or may not need.
There are a myriad of restaurants and shops both within the ticketed area and outside
in the free to access area of Tokyo Station.
Within the ticketed area are the Gransta and ecute shopping and dining areas where one
can find a large variety of ready to eat meals, desserts and souvenirs to go, as well as the
Ekibenya Matsuri, a popular bento store selling boxed lunches from all over the country.
Outside in the free to access area, Kitchen Street is but just one of the many restaurant
zones offering a wide variety of dining options.
The Tokyo Station Hotel The Tokyo Station Hotel opened in 1915 as
a luxury hotel catering to the distinguished guests from overseas and locally.
Located inside the Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building, the classic European-styled luxury
hotel consists of 150 exquisite guest rooms, ten restaurants and bars, and fitness and
spa facilities.
Some rooms offer a great view of the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station, and there are areas
where staying guests can look up to see the designs of the domes and down into the station
itself.
Not only is the in-house service meticulous, staying guests who arrive by the Narita Express
train from Narita Airport or by bullet train can enjoy impeccable door to door porter service.
Nearby spots in the vicinity of Tokyo Station There are multiple sightseeing spots within
easy walking distance of Tokyo Station, including the Marunouchi and Otemachi business districts
and the Imperial Palace.
Of the skyscraper buildings surrounding Tokyo Station on the Marunouchi side, the Marunouchi
Building, Shin-Marunouchi Building and the Japan Post Tower KITTE offer visitors the
most varied shopping and dining experiences.
Terraces at these three buildings also offer a nice view of the red brick facade of Tokyo
Station.
Farther away, the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Palace East Garden, which are located
on the former grounds of the Edo Castle, make for an educational and cultural visit.
And that concludes our list of things to know about Tokyo Station.
Hopefully this gave you an idea of the things to do in and around the station.
For more information or to watch another video, click the links on the screen now or head
over to Japan Guide dot com, your comprehensive, up-to-date travel guide, first hand from Japan.
Thanks for watching.
Be sure to subscribe and click the notification bell for more videos about Japan.
Happy travels!