Marunouchi and Tokyo Station

The red-brick fronted building of the beautifully restored Tokyo Marunouchi Station is one of the most impressive pieces of architecture in the city, setting itself apart from the surrounding skyscrapers made of glass and steel. In it you will find one of the most important mass transportation hubs in the city, connecting the country with bullet trains that run from Hakodate in the far north to Fukuoka in the southwest. Not only does the station offer a plethora of dining and shopping options, but it is surrounded by some of the most beautiful sights in the city, from the Marunouchi business district to Nihonbashi, downtown Edo, old Tokyo.

Getting off the train, heading towards the west exit of Marunouchi, we find ourselves a step away from the Imperial Palace. Or walking out the gate to the east of Yaesu, we’ll be a few minutes walk from shopping districts like Ginza or Nihonbashi. You can see the area virtually in the following 360 degree photo (it moves with your mouse, or mobile device)

The central station through which every traveler passes

It is not an exaggeration to say that probably every traveler in Japan passes through Tokyo Station at some point. It is the busiest train station by number of trains in Japan, and connects the country along its entire length via the bullet train network, with regular departures to other major cities such as Kyoto. It also offers quick and easy access to Narita and Haneda airports, and is only 15 minutes from Japan’s busiest station, Shinjuku.

Train lines that arrive at Tokyo Station

As a transit hub, Tokyo is one of the most connected stations in the city. It is one of the most important terminals of the JR Yamanote line, which runs through the center of Tokyo and passes through several of the busiest and most interesting neighborhoods in the city. It also passes the Marunouchi line, which gives direct access to Ginza, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro. For those who plan to leave the city, just hop on a bullet train, better known as shinkansen, and you can reach the large northern island called Hokkaido or the southern island called Kyushu. Tokyo Station is a gateway to the city and the rest of Japan.

Bus

Leaving Tokyo Station on the Yaesu side, you will meet buses that will take you to the main cities of the country, as well as to Tokyo’s two main airports.

On the way to Narita, lines such as the Airport Limousine and the TYO-NRT leave several times an hour, with reduced schedules during the early morning hours or very late at night. The trip is approximately one hour and twenty minutes.

On the way to Haneda, lines such as the Airport Limousine or the Keihin Kyuko Bus leave several times an hour, with reduced schedules early in the morning or late at night. The trip takes between 30 to 55 minutes, depending on the service and the destination terminal.

The service is usually more expensive during non-regular hours, and you can make reservations online or buy tickets at the time of travel.

A maze of shopping streets

Tokyo Station is truly a place to shop ’til you drop, and you don’t need to walk far to get back to your train! The station is full of shops, both inside the travel area and outside. They can take a look at GRANSTA, full of delights to the palate, souvenirs and fashion products; explore First Avenue Tokyo Station, home to the famous Tokyo Character Street (for the many shops you’ll find featuring famous characters); take a walk through Yaesu Chikagai, an underground shopping center with more than 180 businesses; or go up to see the Daimaru Tokyo department store, one of the largest in the downtown area of ​​Tokyo.

If that’s not enough, and you need a quick concentrated shopping spree, you can visit the Marunouchi Building, Shin Marunouchi, KITTE or Marunouchi Brick Square, all surrounding Tokyo Station.

Yaesu Chikagai, the underground shopping center of Tokyo Station

Yaesu Chikagai is one of the largest underground shopping centers in Japan with more than 180 businesses, 60 of which are restaurants and cafes that will recharge you with energy to continue your purchases! When it comes to fashion, you can find everything from casual attire, sporting goods and custom shoes. You can also find household goods stores, pharmacies and unique souvenirs from Japan.

GRANSTA

An underground maze of shops and restaurants, GRANSTA is one of Tokyo’s largest station shopping areas. Extending from the boarding area almost to the outside, no matter if you “come or go”, you can buy all kinds of souvenirs, cosmetics, clothes, food, and more!

If you are traveling by bullet train or the Narita Express, be sure to try the lunch boxes known as “ekiben” where you can sample delicacies from all over Japan. There is a huge amount of sweet souvenirs for sale, and you will even find international brands of chocolates!

Tokyo Character Street

Japan is very famous for its manga and anime characters and its “kawaii” (cute, cute) culture. There’s no better place in Tokyo to buy character merchandise than Tokyo Character Street, which is located inside First Avenue Tokyo Station. You will be able to find brands like Pokémon, Hello Kitty, Rilakkuma and much more. It is a rare opportunity to find that limited edition product that is only available in Japan.

Restaurants to make our mouths water

It may sound strange to go to a train station for lunch or dinner, but if you don’t, you would be missing out on a unique and delicious experience. From ramen to fresh sushi, you can find some of the best restaurants in the city. Whether you’re having a quick breakfast before your trip or looking for a relaxing place to dine and enjoy the night view of the city, Tokyo Station is a gourmet destination in its own right.

In Tokyo Ramen Street you will find a wide variety of options. Rokurinsha is particularly popular, renowned for its thick tsukemen, voluminous noodles with a richly flavored broth. Then they can take a tour of Tokyo Okashi Land, a paradise of Japanese snacks and preserves. Don’t miss Calbee’s Shop for freshly made fries to go.

It is also possible to try gastronomic specialties from all over Japan. Toyama Shiroebitei offers a bowl of Toyama crystal shrimp tempura, and Nagoya’s Yabaton is also present here with its misokatsu restaurant, a Nagoya specialty made of breaded pork covered in a sweet miso-based sauce. There are endless shops where you can buy a bento, with many specializing in ekiben, or seasonal lunches, which contain specialties from different parts of Japan.

And for vegetarians, we highly recommend the Tantan de T, a slightly spicy sesame noodle made entirely with vegetable ingredients.

Marunouchi – Busy streets with a European look

Marunouchi is known as an office district, with striking steel and glass skyscrapers, but these are interspersed with charming shopping streets that exude a certain European flair. The tree-lined stone street of Marunouchi Naka-dori transports us to other parts of the world while admiring some high-fashion products, artworks or enjoying an outdoor cafe. From November to February, the trees are adorned with lights, creating an atmosphere straight out of a fairy tale.

The Marunouchi Building

A prestigious office building, an icon of the area and a historical monument, the Marunouchi Building is 180 meters high, with 37 floors that house high-quality product businesses, as well as very important corporate offices. Contemplating Tokyo Station, this building was built in 1923 by the Mitsubishi group, first gaining fame for surviving the Great Kanto Earthquake that same year, and later for surviving bombing during World War II.

You can feel the history that surrounds it as you walk inside, the first commercial floors recreate the external appearance that the building originally had. For a different perspective, head up to the 35th or 36th floor for lunch with a spectacular view of the Tokyo skyline.

Marunouchi BRICK SQUARE

Although Marunouchi seems to be all about big buildings, it also has “secret” places where you can escape from the big city. Marunouchi Brick Square is the perfect example, with a small European-style garden, a fountain, evergreen grass and its charismatic benches where you can immerse yourself in the relaxed atmosphere and enjoy the open sky. If you are looking for something to eat, you will be able to find many luxury restaurants, some of which offer their menu “al fresco”. We added some trendy shops in the area and the Ichigokan Museum, and Marunouchi Brick Square is a compact and diverse space in the very heart of Tokyo.

Marunouchi Trust Tower

The main building of the Marunouchi Trust Tower is a 37-story skyscraper. Most of the building is offices, but for those looking to experience its grand luxury, they can book a suite at the 5-star Shangri-La Hotel, which occupies the top 11 floors.

The north building of the Marunouchi Trust Tower, just to the side, offers a variety of dining options, from izakaya, a Japanese-style bar, to Chinese restaurants.

The best way to travel within Japan is by train, very punctual and convenient, although it can be expensive. To have an even better price, we recommend traveling with the Japan Railways universal pass called JR PASS , which can be purchased on their website. This pass is purchased before traveling to Japan , arriving at the airport or at any train station , you can pick up your pass with proof of purchase .

And if you are looking for more activities in Tokyo, in the following list you will find what you are looking for!