What is the most beautiful station in Tokyo?

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.



While "beauty" is subjective, Tokyo Station is widely considered the most architecturally beautiful station in the city. The Marunouchi side, with its iconic red-brick and white-stone facade, was designed by architect Kingo Tatsuno and completed in 1914. It stands in stark, elegant contrast to the surrounding glass skyscrapers and was meticulously restored to its pre-war grandeur (including its distinctive domes) in 2012. In 2026, it remains a "cathedral of transport" that blends European Renaissance style with Japanese precision. Another strong contender for "most beautiful" is the smaller Meiji-Jingu-mae Station, which provides a minimalist, nature-integrated entrance to the Meiji Shrine. However, for sheer historical scale and "Old World" charm, the Marunouchi building of Tokyo Station is the crown jewel. It is particularly stunning at night when the brickwork is illuminated, making it a favorite spot for wedding photography and tourists seeking a glimpse of Tokyo's imperial-era history.

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With approximately 3.5 million people passing through it on a daily basis, Shinjuku Station holds the Guinness World Record for being the world's busiest train station.

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8 of the World's Most Beautiful Train Stations
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  • Eigerwand Station - Jungfrau, Switzerland.
  • Gare de Nice-Ville – Nice, France.
  • Amsterdam Centraal Station – Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Milano Centrale – Milan, Italy.
  • Atocha Station – Madrid, Spain.
  • Grand Central Terminal - New York City, NY.
  • Antwerp Central – Antwerp, Belgium.


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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!

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Opened in February 1913 and remodelled in 1998, Grand Central Terminal, also known as Grand Central Station, is one of New York's most impressive architectural structures, which has changed very little in over a century.

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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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Shinjuku station is the world's busiest railway station, with more than three million passengers every day. The station itself has 13 train lines and serves as a way to connect central Tokyo with the surrounding suburbs.

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Shinjuku Station, meanwhile, is widely believed to be the world's busiest train station. Literally millions of people pass through the station daily. Thanks to the red-light district, Kabukicho, Shinjuku is known for ~sexy~ nightlife, hostess and host clubs, and love hotels.

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A day-trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji and the lesser-known Hakone five lakes area is among the favorite experiences of many travelers to Japan, so here is our guide on how to visit this famous landmark with the Japan Rail Pass.

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The Japan Rail Pass is valid only on a portion of the travel from Tokyo to Mount Fuji. At Shinjuku Station, take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki Station. This leg takes around 1 hour, and is covered by your JR Pass. At Otsuki Station, you must transfer to the Fujikyu Railway Line to reach Kawaguchiko Station.

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The areas with the largest number of crime incidents, namely Shinjuku, Setagaya, and Edogawa, are also areas with a comparatively high population. Likewise, few people live in the low-crime areas of Bunkyo, Meguro, and Arakawa.

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Both places are fun. Shibuya trends a bit younger, but Shinjuku is equally happening at night. Note that you have more hotel choices (including generally cheaper ones) at Shinjuku compared to Shibuya.

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With the Japan Rail Pass, you can ride on all JR trains, including the Shinjuku Line, without paying additional fares.

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Every station has multilingual ticket machines where you can buy a one-way fare ticket, or you can use a rechargeable IC card to swipe in and out of the ticket gates. Tokyo Metro and Toei have teamed up to offer a subway pass for tourists that can save you some yen, as well as being super convenient.

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