Japan has some of the world's most infamously crowded trains, particularly the nation's capital, Tokyo. According to the transport ministry, the 10 most congested lines in the greater Tokyo area were:[1]
If you have a pass like the Toei 1 Day Pass (Adult: 700 yen, Child: 350 yen), make sure it covers the lines you’re traveling on and that you use the correct exit gates. Shinagawa Station can be quite complex, so it’s important to follow the signs and ensure your ticket or pass is valid for your entire journey. If you find yourself stuck, station staff are usually very helpful.
Below video could be helpful for you to understand the complicated track systems of Shinagawa Station.
- Tozai subway line
- Odakyu line
- JR Yokosuka line
- JR Chuo line
- Tokyu Denentoshi line (to Shibuya)
- JR Tokaido Line
- JR Sobu Express
- Chiyoda subway line
- JR Keihin Tohoku Line.
In this article, we explore Shinagawa Station (品川駅), one of Tokyo’s busiest train stations. As a major transportation hub, it often experiences significant crowds, especially during rush hour.
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| Toei 1 Day Pass |
Shinagawa Station (品川駅)
To exit through the automatic ticket gates at Shinagawa Station, you need a valid ticket that matches the type of transportation you used to enter the station. This could be:
- A basic fare ticket: Purchased for a single journey on the train.
- A prepaid IC card: Such as Suica or Pasmo, which you tap at the gates.
- A special pass: Like the Toei 1 Day Pass, but it must be valid for the specific lines and exits you’re using.
Video 1. Shinagawa Station—Tokyo Rail Adventure Guide (YouTube link)
Below video could be helpful for you to understand the complicated track systems of Shinagawa Station.
Video 2. 【品川駅】 Shinagawa Station (YouTube link)
Travel Tips
If you need to travel through Shinagawa Station and make a connection, consider these recommendations:
- Avoid morning rush hours (7:00 to 9:00) and evening rush hours (17:00 to 19:00)
- Opt for Prepaid IC Card or the Greater Tokyo Pass instead of John's Toei 1 Day Pass (or other limited access Pass) as shown in the video.
- IC cards are convenient but generally do not offer discounts over regular tickets.
- They (e.g., Suica, Pasmo, Icoca, etc.) are virtually identical in terms of coverage, differing mainly in where they can be purchased and refunded. Most people will want to buy the card available in the first city they arrive in, such as Suica or Pasmo in Tokyo or Icoca in Osaka.
- The Greater Tokyo Pass is a plan ticket that allows unlimited rides for 3 or 5 days on railway lines and streetcars operated by 13 private railway line companies (Note: JR Lines are not included) and 31 bus companies in Metropolitan Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures.
- In my opinion, I’ve decided to give up on the Greater Tokyo Pass due to the complexity of figuring out which railway or bus lines are included.
- Plan your trip with Jorudan (Japan Transit Planner) in advance and choose the simplest route option (e.g., least transfers/connections) and stick with it
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