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Not sure where to start at Shinagawa Station? Whether you're arriving by Keikyu, JR, the Narita Express, or from outside the station, this guide shows you how to reach the Shinkansen area, find your platform, and board with confidence.
If you're still deciding which Tokyo station to use, see our guide to choosing a Shinkansen station in Tokyo.
If you're arriving by train, you can reach the Shinkansen area without leaving the station. Keikyu passengers first transfer into the JR area, while passengers arriving on a JR line or the Narita Express are already inside the JR paid area.
If you're coming from outside Shinagawa Station, use one of the direct Shinkansen entrances instead. Choose the option below that matches where you're starting.
This is the most common route for travelers arriving from Haneda Airport. Follow these steps in order.
After getting off the Keikyu train, stay inside the station and head toward the “Transfer to JR Line Gate” (JR lines transfer gate).
Look for green signs that say “JR” and follow them.
You will pass through a “Transfer to JR Line Gate.” Insert your Keikyu ticket or tap your IC card. This gate connects the Keikyu area to the JR side of the station.
After the transfer gate, you are inside the JR concourse.
You do not need to exit the station or pass through regular JR ticket gates. Walk straight and follow the signs for "Shinkansen."
You will pass several JR local train platforms along the way.
Keep going straight without turning.
The Shinkansen gates are at the far end of the concourse. This walk takes about 5–10 minutes.
If you still need to collect your Shinkansen ticket, do so before going through the Shinkansen transfer gate.
Insert your Shinkansen ticket(s) into the gate. If you used an IC card to enter the JR area, insert the ticket(s) first, then tap the same IC card.
Remember to take your ticket as you pass through. You'll need it again during your journey. If you need help, station staff are usually nearby. See our ticketing guide to learn how to use the ticket machines.
On the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen, luggage over 160 cm in total (length + width + height) requires a seat with oversized baggage space. See our guide to oversized luggage rules for details.
Once you're through the gate, you're inside the Shinkansen area.
The Narita Express (N'EX) is a JR train, so you are already inside the JR area when you arrive at Shinagawa Station.
If you're arriving from Narita Airport, go up from Platform 15 to the second-floor concourse by stairs or escalator.
You will see the South Shinkansen Transfer Gate diagonally across the concourse, so there is no need to exit through the regular JR ticket gates.
If you still need to collect your ticket, do so before passing through the gate. Once you're through the gate, you're inside the Shinkansen area.
If you arrive by Yamanote Line, Tokaido Line, or another JR line, you are already inside the JR area.
Follow the signs for the Shinkansen transfer gates. You can stay inside the JR paid area, so there is no need to exit through the regular JR ticket gates.
If you still need to collect your ticket, do so before passing through the gate. Once you're through the gate, you're inside the Shinkansen area.
The direct Shinkansen entrances are on the Konan (east) side of Shinagawa Station.
If you are coming from the Takanawa side, follow the signs for “Shinkansen” toward the Konan side and go directly to the Shinkansen ticket gates without entering the regular JR ticket gates.
Both the North Entrance and South Entrance lead to the same Shinkansen platforms, so you can use either entrance regardless of your car number. If you want to enter closer to your car, use the table below as a general guide.
Entrance | Best for | Facilities |
South Entrance | Generally closer to Cars 1–5 | Smaller smoking room |
North Entrance | Generally closer to Cars 6–16 | Waiting room and larger smoking room |
If you still need to collect your Shinkansen ticket, do so before entering. Pass through either the North or South Shinkansen Entrance. Once you're through the gate, you're inside the Shinkansen area.
After passing through the gate, you are inside the Shinkansen area.
Check the departure information for your train and confirm your platform number. Signs overhead and on the walls show the way to each platform.
Take the escalators or elevators down to the platform.
On the platform, check the electronic departure board again to confirm your train name, departure time, and destination. For help reading the departure board and your ticket, see our Boarding Guide.
If you have a reserved seat, check the car number on your ticket. If you have an unreserved ticket, check which cars are for unreserved seating on your train.
Check the overhead displays or signs on the platform screen doors to find where your car will stop.
Find your car position and wait in line.
The Shinkansen stops for only about 1–2 minutes at Shinagawa, so be ready to board quickly and find your seat.
For details on where to store your luggage, see our Shinkansen luggage storage guide.
Shinagawa Station has food, waiting areas, and smoking rooms near the Shinkansen gates. If you're not sure how early to arrive, see our guide to when to arrive for the Shinkansen.
Once you pass through the Shinkansen ticket gates, food options are limited to small kiosks and a few bento choices. If you want a sit-down meal or more options for food to take on the train, allow extra time before going through the gates.
ecute Shinagawa, inside the JR concourse, sells ekiben (station bento boxes), snacks, drinks, and sweets.
atre Shinagawa is on the Konan (east) side, outside the JR gates. It has restaurants, cafés, and convenience stores for a sit-down meal.
Inside the Shinkansen gates, small kiosks and vending machines sell drinks, snacks, and a quick bento.
A waiting room is available inside the Shinkansen concourse near the North Entrance.
Benches are also available on the platforms.
Designated smoking rooms are available inside the Shinkansen concourse.
There is a larger room on the North Gate side.
A smaller one on the South Gate side.
For more on the station's facilities, see our Shinagawa Station guide.
You now know how to reach the Shinkansen area at Shinagawa Station, find your platform and car position, and board your train. With these steps in mind, you can move through the station and board with confidence.
If you still need to book your ticket, you can book online with Japan Bullet Train before your trip and collect your paper ticket at the station. This can save you time and reduce stress on your travel day.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. Japan Bullet Train is designed for international travelers visiting Japan, with a simple multilingual website and a Japan-based customer support team. Phone support is mainly available in English, Chinese, and Korean. Other languages may be available depending on staff availability.
