What is the main train line in Tokyo?

Tokyo Station, also sometimes referred to as Tokyo Central Station, is a major railway station in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The original station is located in Chiyoda's Marunouchi business district near the Imperial Palace grounds. The newer Eastern extension is not far from the Ginza commercial district.



The most important and iconic train line in Tokyo is the JR Yamanote Line. It is a circular loop that connects nearly all of the city's major urban centers and terminal stations, including Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Station, Ueno, and Shinagawa. The line is easily identified by its signature bright green (lime) color and its "inner" and "outer" circle designations. A full loop takes about 60 minutes, with trains arriving every 2 to 4 minutes during most of the day. Because it circles the "heart" of the city, it is the primary way most visitors and commuters navigate Tokyo. While the subway system is vast and complex, the Yamanote Line remains the "spine" of Tokyo's transit, serving as a vital landmark for understanding the city's geography.

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Marunouchi, better known as the area surrounding Tokyo Station, is Tokyo's central district. It's arguably the city's most convenient place to stay because it not only grants you fantastic access to much of Tokyo, often at a more affordable rate, but also to the rest of Japan.

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Shinjuku Station is the top passenger station with approximately 1.57 million passengers per day. The number of passengers is extremely high because Shinjuku Station is the arrival and departure point for various train lines.

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Not only is Tokyo Station one of the city's biggest stations, but it's also one of the most architecturally pleasing. You might find that hard to believe while trapped in the never-ending warren of underground passageways, but exit from the Marunouchi side and you'll see the station's best face.

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Avoid the rush hour Welcome to Tokyo's rush hour, which runs approximately between 7.30am-9.30am and 5.30pm-7.30pm, although the mornings are definitely more of a squeeze. If you're not a fan of crowds or have large luggage, it may be worth outside the peak times.

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While the metro lines do no accept the JR Pass, other IC Cards, such as the Pasmo and Suica, may be used. These cards give you access to almost any train or bus in Tokyo, and are a perfect complement to the JR Pass.

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When choosing your train, you may notice that yellow trains are called Sobu Line, while orange trains are named Chuo line. This distinction identifies the type of service – yellow are local trains, while the rapid trains are orange. Typically, rapid trains run on the main lines.

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Considered one of the most beautiful train stations in Japan, Kanazawa Station is a work of art that harmonises traditional artistry with modern architecture. In front of the station lies the Tsuzumimon Gate, a towering gate modelled after the tsuzumi drum used in traditional Noh theatres.

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Despite the stations' heavy usage, Shinjuku and Shibuya are considered the two most complex and hard-to-use stations in Tokyo. And that's the opinion of locals who use them every day! A 2021 report by ITMedia Lab placed Shinjuku and Shibuya 1st and 2nd, respectively, in terms of how difficult it is to transfer trains.

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In Japan, trains are very convenient. No matter where you're going, public transport is often the fastest way. In major cities, trains come every few minutes, while a little more planning is required in rural areas as services can be more limited.

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There are really no really no go areas, even red light areas of Kabukicho in Shinjuku have tons of tourist visiting nowadays, crime towards visitors are low, the only real way you get into trouble is if you are looking for trouble yourself.

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How crowded are regular trains in Tokyo when it's not rush hour? The morning rush between 7 AM and 9 AM is the worst, if you can avoid those times the trains are just fine, you might even get a seat. The evening is nowhere near as bad since people get off work at different times.

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10 Things NOT to Do in Tokyo
  • Don't arrive late.
  • Don't tip at restaurants.
  • Don't make phone calls on the train.
  • Don't stand on the right side of the escalator.
  • Don't take small children on the subway at rush hour.
  • Don't turn up at Tokyo Skytree without a ticket.
  • Don't expect to find restaurants on the ground level.


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As I explained, if you're visiting as a non-Japanese speaker, you'll generally have no trouble finding someone who speaks English in restaurants, hotels, and public transport in big cities like Tokyo or tourist cities like Kyoto.

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The ideal duration to explore Tokyo is at least 5 days to discover the main areas of the city and the outskirts of the prefecture. To explore Japan's best, spend at least 2 weeks here.

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