The JR Yamanote Line

Tokyo Station to Tamachi Station with a Japan Rail Pass

yamanote 1

03.16.2020

Let's start our journey along the Yamanote Line in Tokyo Station. The Yamanote Line is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

0 km - tokyo station

Tokyo station is the terminus for most shinkansen services and classic JR lines. The station is divided into two parts: Marunouchi and Yaesu.
A short walk north-west from the Marunouchi exit will lead you to the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Palace East Gardens. The palace is built on the site of the former Edo Castle. The palace was completed in 1888 and is now the residence of Emperor Akihito.

Most areas are not accessible to the public, but you can visit the East Gardens, which include a Japanese-style garden (Tues. - Thurs. and Sat. -Mon., 9 am - 4:30 pm, Nov-Feb, 4pm, free).

You can also walk to the National Museum of Modern Art, which displays the largest collection of modern Japanese art as well as Western-style paintings (Tues. - Sun., 10 am to 5 pm, 8pm Fridays, ¥420).

0.8 km - yurakucho station

Alight here for the tourist information center. Take the International Forum Exit.

A five-minute walk from Yurakucho is Ginza, considered the most fashionable shopping district in Japan.

Tsukiji Fish Market, the largest wholesale fish market in Japan, is two stops from Ginza on the Hibiya Subway Line. Visitor numbers for the auctions are limited. You have to queue at the O-sakana Fukyu Center before 5 am. Alternatively, you can arrive after 9 am to visit the wholesale market area.

2 km - shimbashi station

The birthplace of the railway in Japan. At nearby Shiodome, you can visit the Former Shimbashi Station, a replica of Japan's first station building (Tues. - Sun., 11 am - 6 pm, free).

Hama Rikyu Garden is a 10-15 minute walk from the station. It is one of Tokyo's best-known landscape gardens and dates back 300 years (daily, 9 am - 5 pm, ¥300).

3.1 km - hamamatsucho station

Change here for the Tokyo Monorail to Haneda Airport.

From here, also visit the 333-meter high (1093 feet) Tokyo Tower, which was constructed in 1958, when Tokyo's young TV networks needed a tall antenna to transmit. The Main Observatory is at 150 meters (492 feet) and the Special Observatory is at 250 meters. At the main observation floor cafe, Club 33 hosts free live music on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings.

The tower also houses an art gallery, the Guiness Book of World Records Museum Tokyo, and a wax museum. (Main Observatory, ¥820, Special Observatory, an additional ¥600, Tower 9 am - 10 pm, museums 10 am - 9 pm).

4.6 km - tamachi station

Just across the street from this station stands the Tokyo Institute of Technology.

Just after Tamachi Station, you will see the impressive site of the new Yamanote Station, Takanawa Gateway.

5.9 km - takanawa gateway station

The new station Takanawa Gateway with a Japan Rail Pass

The new station along the Yamanote line will bring you to a new district. It gives also access to the temple Sengakuji and the Sengakuji subway station.

Where to stay near Tokyo Station ?

THE TOKYO STATION HOTEL 東京ステーションホテル Dating back 100 years, after renovation, recently reopened its doors along with Tokyo station. Take the opportunity to stay at a historical monument.
1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0005
03-5220-1111 / www.thetokyostationhotel.jp

HOTEL METROPOLITAN MARUNOUCHI
A stylish luxury hotel connected to the Tokyo Station with a special discount for Japan Rail Pass holders. You can enjoy a superb view of the city from their restaurant lounge.
1-7-12 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0005
03-3211-2233 / www.hotelmetropolitanmarunouchi.jp

PEARL HOTEL YAESU パールホテル八重洲
A quiet, modern and reasonably priced hotel, only a five minute walk from the Yaesu North Exit of Tokyo Station.
1-2-6 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-0028
03-3246-8080 / www.pearlhotels.jp/en/yaesu/index.html

Where to eat near Tokyo Station?

WASHOKU EN 和食えん A popular izakaya just outside of Tokyo Station. From the Marunouchi north exit, the restaurant is on the 5th floor of a building called Marunouchi Oazo, directly to the right, across the street.
Open daily, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Tel : 03-5223-9896

MEAL MUJI ミール無印
The well-known MUJI ‘brandless’ stores that have been spreading all over the world have their own cafés in Japan! This cafeteria-style restaurant serves lots of different healthy meals with your choice of sides. From the Yaesu south exit of Tokyo Station, turn right to walk south down Sotobori- dori. Meal Muji is a 5 minute walk and will be on your right.
Open daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tel 03-5208-8241

more Travel tips

the yamanote line part 2: shinagawa to ebisu station

the yamanote line part 3: shibuya to shin-okubo station

getting around in tokyo

The Yamanote Line : from Takadanobaba to Sugamo

the yamanote line part 4:
from takadanobaba to sugamo

The Yamanote Line from Komagome to Uguisudani

The Yamanote LinE PArt 5 : from komagome to uguisudani

The Yamanote Line from Ueno to Tokyo Station

the yamanote line part 6:
from ueno to tokyo station

Your Pass at the best price

National JR Pass	From	$ 365
JR Kansai Pass	From	$ 28
JR Kyushu Pass	From	$ 180
JR Shikoku Pass	From	$ 106
JR West Pass	From	$ 236
JR Hokkaido Pass	From	$ 205
JR Central Pass	From	$ 168
JR East Pass	From	$ 318