Tokyo Station: The Complete Guide for Travelers

Tokyo Station (Tokyo-eki) is much more than just a transit hub; it is a “city within a city” and the beating heart of Japan’s railway network. Located in the prestigious Marunouchi business district near the Imperial Palace, it serves as the zero-mile marker from which all distances in Japan’s rail network are measured.

For JR Pass holders, this is the most important station in the country. It is the primary terminus for most Shinkansen (bullet train) lines connecting Tokyo to the north, west, and south. Whether you are rushing to catch a train to Kyoto or exploring the historic red-brick architecture, understanding the station’s layout is essential.

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Shin-Osaka Station: Travel guide

In Japanese, the word shin means “new,” and this is fitting for Osaka’s modern train station. You may arrive at Shin-Osaka Station on one of Japan’s famous Shinkansen bullet trains. This station may be relatively small compared to the massive stations of Kyoto and Tokyo, but it is artfully designed for easy use by first-time travelers.

Osaka is Japan’s second largest city, but Shin-Osaka Station represents the quiet side of the city. You are likely to pass through this station when traveling to Osaka, and it serves as an excellent springboard from which to begin your travels.

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JR Osaka Station: Trains, transfers, and getting around

Second only to Tokyo, Osaka is one of the largest cities in Japan. It is divided into several distinct districts. The Umeda District, located in the Kita ward, is home to a recently renovated and beautiful train station called JR Osaka Station.

While the Shinkansen stops at Osaka’s other station, the train station is an important hub and is also home to Osaka Station City, a shopping complex featuring an open floor plan and glass ceiling.

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Kyoto Station: Getting around, transfers and train lines

Kyoto is a city with a long history – more than 1,000 years, in fact. The construction of its primary train station, Kyoto Station, took place during the city’s 1200th anniversary and opened to the public in 1997.

Designed by acclaimed architect Hara Hiroshi, Kyoto Station is futuristic and modern. It is one of the largest buildings in Japan. Filled with interesting restaurants, shops, and attractions, a visit to Kyoto Station is a miniature vacation in itself.

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The 7 best temples in Japan

Thousands of Buddhist temples dot the Japanese countryside and inhabit its cities. According to one resource, “virtually every Japanese municipality has at least one temple, while large cultural centers like Kyoto have several hundred.” Many are hundreds of years old, others well over one thousand.

Temples typically consist of a number of halls and structures. Gates mark the edges of the temple grounds. The main hall of each temple is used to display sacred objects, such as statues of Buddha, gods, or goddesses; pagodas are used in a similar manner. Lecture halls are used as places of meeting and teaching. Some temples are still used as monasteries, home to Buddhist monks.

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