Shinjuku Station: How to Board Fuji Excursion and Narita Express

Shinjuku Station is widely recognized as the busiest railway station in the world, serving around 3.5 million passengers daily. It connects multiple JR and private rail lines and has more than 200 exits across interconnected stations.

Many visitors find it confusing at first. This guide helps you navigate with confidence, whether you are heading to Mt. Fuji, Narita Airport, or transferring to the Shinkansen.

Quick Answer: Trains and Transfers from Shinjuku

Shinjuku Station has many JR Limited Express trains, but it does not have Shinkansen platforms. Use the table below to find your situation quickly.

Destination / Situation	Train or Station	What to Do
Mt. Fuji / Kawaguchiko	Fuji Excursion	Board at JR Shinjuku Station, platforms 9 or 10.
Narita Airport	Narita Express	Board at JR Shinjuku Station, platforms 5 or 6.
Other selected JR Limited Express routes	Various Limited Express trains	Check whether your Limited Express train departs from JR Shinjuku Station.
Tokyo-area JR trips or Shinkansen transfers	JR local or rapid trains	Use JR lines from Shinjuku to reach your next JR station.
Any Shinkansen route	Tokyo, Shinagawa, or Ueno Station	You cannot board the Shinkansen at Shinjuku.

Confirm JR Shinjuku Station

Use JR Shinjuku Station

Map showing stations with the Shinjuku name including Shinjuku, Seibu-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-sanchome, and Shinjuku-nishiguchi in Tokyo

Make sure you are using JR Shinjuku Station. Several stations near Shinjuku have similar names. Some are operated by different railway companies. Going to the wrong one can cost you time, even though the destination looks close by.

Station	Operator	What You Should Know
JR Shinjuku Station	JR East	This is the correct station for the trains in this guide. Look for the green JR logo.
Seibu-Shinjuku Station	Seibu Railway	This is a different station building. JR trains in this guide do not depart from here.
Shinjuku-nishiguchi Station	Toei Oedo Line	This is a subway station. It is not the West Gate of JR Shinjuku Station.
Shinjuku-sanchome Station	Tokyo Metro / Toei	This is a subway station near Shinjuku, not the JR station used for the trains in this guide.

Follow signs for JR lines when you arrive, and confirm you are inside the JR Shinjuku Station area before you look for your platform. Fuji Excursion and Narita Express use JR Shinjuku Station, but other JR Limited Express trains may depart from a different station.

If you are taking the Shinkansen, you cannot board it at Shinjuku. Use JR lines to reach the Shinkansen station shown on your ticket.

Find the Right Gate Area

Shinjuku Station information map board showing station layout, gates, and platform locations

Shinjuku Station can feel confusing because it has many gates and exits. The main JR gate areas are broadly divided into three sides: East, West, and South. For many Limited Express trains, the South Side gates are a useful place to start.

Area	Main Gates	What's Nearby
East Side	East Gate, Central East Gate	Kabukicho, subway connections, Seibu-Shinjuku Station
West Side	West Gate, Central West Gate	Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Odakyu and Keio lines
South Side	South Gate, New South Gate	Busta Shinjuku (highway buses), Limited Express train platforms

Entering from the South Gate or New South Gate helps you stay close to platforms 5–10. This can make it easier to reach Fuji Excursion, Narita Express, and other Limited Express trains.

If you are taking the Narita Express, allow extra time to find the platform. Platforms 5 and 6 are on the south side of the JR station area.

Limited Express Trains from Shinjuku

In Japan, a train’s service name is often different from the name of your destination station. To navigate Shinjuku Station smoothly, start by matching your destination with the correct train name below.

Which Limited Express Should You Take?

Station display boards show both the train name and its destination. Look for your train name first, then confirm your platform number.

Destination	Limited Express Train	Platforms
Mt. Fuji / Kawaguchiko	Fuji Excursion	9, 10
Kofu / Matsumoto / Yamanashi	Azusa, Kaiji	9, 10
Narita Airport	Narita Express	5, 6
Odawara / western Kanagawa	Shonan	5, 6
Nikko / Kinugawa	Spacia Nikko, Kinugawa	5, 6

Fuji Excursion: Platform and Boarding

Fuji Excursion limited express train stopping at the platform inside Shinjuku Station before departure to Kawaguchiko

The Fuji Excursion usually departs from platforms 9 or 10 at Shinjuku Station. Always check the departure board on the day, since platform assignments can change.

Fuji Excursion may run together with Kaiji or Azusa between Shinjuku and Otsuki. For Kawaguchiko, make sure your ticket and car number are for the Fuji Excursion cars. These are usually Cars 1–3, but you should always check your ticket and the departure board before boarding.

All seats on the Fuji Excursion require a limited express ticket. Some ticket types allow you to use an available ordinary-car seat without choosing a specific seat in advance. If another passenger has a reservation for that seat, you may need to move.

For full route, seat, and booking details, see the Fuji Excursion guide.

Narita Express: Platform and Narita Airport Station

Narita Express limited express train stopped at a platform inside Shinjuku Station for airport access in Tokyo

The Narita Express usually departs from platforms 5 or 6 at Shinjuku Station. For these platforms, the New South Gate, Koshu-Kaidō Gate, and Miraina Tower Gate are useful JR gate areas to check first. Entering from another gate may require a longer walk through the station.

Platforms 5 and 6 are also used by JR–Tobu through limited express trains, so check the train name, destination, and platform on the departure board before boarding.

If you are heading to the airport, choose Narita Airport Station, not Narita Station. Narita Airport has railway stations for Terminal 1 and for Terminals 2·3. Narita Station is a city station and is not the airport station.

For stops, ticket types, and boarding at Narita Airport, see the Narita Express and airport access guide.

Shinkansen Transfers from Shinjuku

Tokyo JR lines map around Shinjuku highlighting the Yamanote Line and connections to major stations

You cannot board the Shinkansen at Shinjuku Station. Use the Shinkansen station shown on your ticket or booking, such as Tokyo, Shinagawa, or Ueno Station.

Tokyo, Shinagawa, or Ueno Station?

Start with the departure station printed on your ticket. You cannot board the Shinkansen at Shinjuku Station, so use JR lines to reach the station shown on your booking.

As a general guide:

Tokyo Station: Useful for most travelers and the widest range of Shinkansen routes.
Shinagawa Station: Useful for Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka. It is often easier to navigate than Tokyo Station for Tokaido / Sanyo Shinkansen trips.
Ueno Station: Useful for Sendai, Kanazawa, Niigata, and northern Japan. It is often easier to navigate than Tokyo Station for JR East Shinkansen trips.

The station you need depends on your route and ticket. For a fuller comparison, see our Tokyo-area Shinkansen stations guide.

Transfer from Shinjuku Station

You can reach each of these Shinkansen stations from Shinjuku without changing trains.

Shinjuku → Tokyo Station: Chuo Line Rapid / Platform 7, 8
Shinjuku → Shinagawa Station: Yamanote Line / Platform 14
Shinjuku → Ueno Station: Yamanote Line / Platform 15

The Chuo Line Rapid and Yamanote Line can be crowded on both weekdays and weekends, and at many times of day. Allow extra time, especially if you are traveling with large luggage.

Limited Express Tickets at Shinjuku Station

JR ticket machines at the South Exit of Shinjuku Station where passengers buy train tickets and seat reservations

If you are taking a Limited Express train from Shinjuku, you can buy tickets at JR Shinjuku Station or book online before you go. The right option depends on your train, ticket type, and booking service.

Buy or Receive Tickets at the Station

At JR Shinjuku Station, you can buy or receive JR tickets at ticket machines or staffed JR ticket counters. Ticket machines are available around the main JR gate areas. Check your ticket type or booking service, then follow the signs to the correct machine or counter.

For Limited Express trains such as Narita Express or Fuji Excursion, make sure you have the ticket you need before going to the platform.

Book Online Before You Go

JR Shinjuku Station can be busy, and ticket counters or ticket machines may have lines. If you already know your travel date and train, booking online can save time and reduce stress.

If you booked with Japan Bullet Train, your QR code is for receiving paper tickets, not for entering the ticket gate directly. Collect your paper tickets before you go to the gate. This helps you avoid delays before boarding.

Use your QR code according to the collection instructions from Japan Bullet Train.
Receive your paper tickets.
Check the train name, car number, and ticket type.

For more detail on ticket collection, see our ticketing guide.

Luggage Storage and Tourist Help

If you have time before your train, you may want to store your luggage or ask for local help around Shinjuku Station. Check where the locker or information center is before you go.

Coin Lockers and Luggage Storage

Coin lockers near the East South Exit of Shinjuku Station beside the Tourist Information Center for storing luggage

Coin lockers in small, medium, and large sizes are available throughout Shinjuku Station. Below are some of the most convenient large locker areas.

Access	Area	Location & Best For
Inside the Gates	New South Area (2F)	Just inside the New South Gate, above Narita Express Platforms 5–6. Ideal for airport travelers.
Inside the Gates	Central East–West Passage (B1F)	Connects Central East and West Gates. Easy access from Fuji Excursion platforms and to Marunouchi Line.
Outside the Gates	Metro Promenade (B1F)	Underground passage between East and West sides. Convenient for Isetan and shopping areas.
Outside the Gates	West Exit Underground Plaza (B1F)	On transfer routes to Odakyu, Keio, and Toei Oedo lines.
Bus Terminal	Busta Shinjuku (4F, above New South Gate)	Lockers and staffed luggage counter. No bus ticket required.

Shinjuku Tourist Information Center

The Shinjuku Tourist Information Center is a short walk from the East South Gate.

English-speaking staff can help with station maps, local train schedules, and questions about things to do in the Shinjuku area.

Plan Your Trip

Shinjuku Station can feel complex, but a few checks make the trip easier. Confirm you are at JR Shinjuku Station, check the right gate area, and confirm your train name and platform on the departure board before boarding.

If you are heading to Mt. Fuji or Narita Airport, you can book Fuji Excursion or Narita Express tickets in advance through Japan Bullet Train.

Japan Bullet Train is an online ticket booking service designed for international travelers visiting Japan. It helps travelers book Shinkansen and selected JR Limited Express trains, with multilingual support, phone assistance, and a customer support team based in Japan.

Ready to plan your trip? Book with Japan Bullet Train.