Shinjuku Station is the world’s busiest railway station, serving over 3.6 million passengers a day. The station is the main connecting hub for Tokyo’s inter-city and commuter trains and also its subway lines and many buses. The main station is connected to five directly stations and this giant railway hub boasts over 200 exits. The station is filled with shopping malls and plenty of places to eat. From a traveller’s perspective, it can seem overwhelming at first, but friendly staff at the information centres can point you in the right direction and you can download a map from the station’s website to help you get around.
Address: 3 Chome-38-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022
Shinjuku Station opening hours
The station is open 24 hours a day; 365 days a year but most trains in Japan stop running at 12 midnight or 1am, starting again about 5am so the station is quiet at night with many shops closed.
Number of platforms at Shinjuku Station
There are 53 platforms at Shinjuku Station.
Shinjuku Station toilets and showers
There are plenty of clean and well-functioning toilets in the station and also in the shopping centres. Look out for these signs – 男 male, 女 female. There are no showers in the station but many of the internet cafes near the station offer showers for a reasonable price.
Left luggage
There are plenty of left luggage facilities on the station and in the surrounding streets. Look out for Sagawa Cloak & Delivery (situated at the Tokyo Tourist Information Center in Basuta Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal) which will store your bag for 800 yen per day or deliver your luggage to your hotel, Tokyo Station or Narita or Haneda airports on the same day if checked in by 11am. Alternatively, Keio Nekonote Baggage Service (by the Keio New Line subway entrance) will store your bag for 1,000 yen for the day.
Information desk
There are plenty of these around the station and most of the staff speak English; the Tokyo Tourist Information Center, located in the bus terminal is particularly helpful.
Food and drink
There is no chance of going hungry or thirsty at this station. From the giant food halls in every station to the endless noodle bars, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There is also a good selection of western-style dishes too if you can’t face another bowl of udon noodles. Look out for Japanese eateries Kokekokko and Sangokuichi Island Tower, Café Troisgros for French dishes and great Japanese beer at Cafe Hoegaarden. And if in doubt, follow the locals to where they are eating.
Other facilities
- Ticket office
- Wi-Fi
- Bureau de change
- Police station
- Smoking area