How to Board the Shinkansen at Shinagawa Station: Step-by-Step Guide

Shinagawa Station is one of the easiest places in Tokyo to board the Shinkansen. Once you know where to go, getting around is simple and quick.

This guide shows you exactly where to go and what to do, so you can board your train smoothly without stress.

Shinagawa Station Layout

Station layout map at Shinagawa Station with exit and transfer information for JR and Keikyu lines

Shinagawa Station may not be as famous as Tokyo Station, but many travelers find it easier to use for boarding the Shinkansen. To make your journey smooth, it helps to understand the basic layout in advance.

Konan Side and Takanawa Side

Side	Location	Notes
Konan Side	East	Shinkansen entrances and major exit for taxis, buses, and office areas
Takanawa Side	West	JR local lines, Keikyu Line, and exit for hotels

The Shinkansen gates are located inside the JR concourse, closer to the Konan (east) side.

If you are coming from the Takanawa side, do not enter the regular JR ticket gates. Follow the signs for “Shinkansen” and go to the dedicated Shinkansen ticket gates.

Shinkansen Ticket Gates

There are two main Shinkansen ticket gates in the JR concourse, as well as transfer gates for passengers coming from JR lines inside the station.

Location	Gate	Best for
JR concourse	North Entrance	Cars 6–16
JR concourse	South Entrance	Cars 1–5
Transfer area (inside JR lines)	North Entrance for Transfer	Passengers transferring from JR lines
Transfer area (inside JR lines)	South Entrance for Transfer	Passengers transferring from JR lines

All gates lead to the same Shinkansen platforms. If you are unsure which car you have, either gate works — just allow a little extra time.

Shinkansen Platforms

The Shinkansen platforms at Shinagawa Station are numbered 21 to 24.

Platform 21–22: Toward Tokyo
Platform 23–24: Toward Nagoya and Shin-Osaka

Platform assignments may vary depending on the train and time of day.

Always check the departure board or your ticket to confirm the correct platform before going down.

Step-by-Step Guide: Boarding from Keikyu Line

This is the most common route for travelers arriving from Haneda Airport. Follow these steps in order.

Step 1: Pass through the Transfer Gate

When you exit the Keikyu Line, do not leave the station building. Head toward the “Transfer to JR Line Gate” (JR lines transfer gate).

Passengers using Keikyu Line at Shinagawa Station platform with floor guides for boarding positions

Look for green signs that say “JR” and follow them.

Floor sign showing JR transfer direction at Shinagawa Station for passengers changing from Keikyu Line

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.

JR transfer gate at Shinagawa Station connecting Keikyu Line and JR lines with passengers walking

Step 2: Walk through the JR Concourse

After the transfer gate, you are inside the JR concourse.

JR concourse at Shinagawa Station after Keikyu Line gates with passengers walking toward transfer area

You do not need to exit the station or pass through regular JR ticket gates. Walk straight and follow the signs for "Shinkansen."

Entrance to Shinkansen route at Shinagawa Station with overhead signs pointing toward platforms

Floor markings and overhead signs in Shinagawa Station JR concourse guiding passengers to Shinkansen platforms

You will pass several JR local train platforms along the way.

JR concourse at Shinagawa Station with passengers walking past local train platforms toward Shinkansen area

Keep going straight without turning.

JR concourse at Shinagawa Station near Shinkansen area with overhead signs and passengers walking

The Shinkansen gates are at the far end of the concourse.

End of JR local line concourse at Shinagawa Station leading to Shinkansen entrance with clear signs

This walk takes about 3–5 minutes.

Step 3: Pick Up Your Tickets

Shinkansen ticket machines and counters at the south transfer area of Shinagawa Station with people lining up

You need a Shinkansen ticket before passing through the Shinkansen ticket gates. If you don’t have your ticket yet, you can get it here in the JR concourse.

If you booked through Japan Bullet Train: Bring your QR code to a ticket exchange machine. Scan the code and collect your paper ticket. You must use a paper ticket to enter the Shinkansen gates.
If you are buying at the station: Use the Shinkansen ticket machines near the gates. You can buy reserved or unreserved tickets using cash or a credit card.

With large luggage (total dimensions over 160 cm), you need to reserve a seat with oversized baggage space in advance. See our guide on oversized baggage for details.

Step 4: Pass through the Shinkansen Ticket Gates

Find the “South Entrance for Transfer” gate.

South transfer gate for Shinkansen at Shinagawa Station showing automatic ticket gates and overhead signs

Insert your paper ticket(s) into the gate. Make sure you insert all required tickets if you have more than one.

Close-up of passenger using ticket gate at Shinagawa Station south transfer area

The gate will open and return your ticket(s), so be sure to take them.

Close-up of ticket being returned from gate machine at Shinagawa Station south transfer area

After passing through the gate, you are inside the Shinkansen area.

Inside Shinkansen gate area at Shinagawa Station south transfer entrance with platform signs and travelers

You cannot re-enter without your ticket, so make sure you have everything before you go through.

Step 5: Go Down to the Shinkansen Platforms

Signs overhead and on the walls show which platforms they lead to.

Overhead and wall signs inside Shinagawa Shinkansen area showing directions to platforms 23 and 24

Take the escalators or elevators down to the platform.

Escalator descending to Shinkansen platforms at Shinagawa Station with passengers heading to tracks 23 and 24

Step 7: Find Your Car and Board the Train

On the Shinkansen platform, there is a large electronic departure board.

Shinkansen departure board at Shinagawa Station platform showing train times and destinations

Find your train and check the following:

Platform number (21–24)
Train name (Nozomi, Hikari, or Kodama)
Departure time
Destination (for example, Shin-Osaka or Hakata)
Car number (especially if you have an unreserved ticket)

The board updates in real time, and train names and destinations are shown in English.

Note: For help reading your ticket and the departure board, see our guide on how to read Shinkansen tickets and departure boards.

Check the car number using the overhead displays or the signs on the platform screen doors. These show where each car will stop.

Shinkansen platform sign showing car number and seat position layout on platform screen doors

Find your car number 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.

Passengers boarding a Shinkansen train at Shinagawa Station with departure board and car numbers above

For information on where to store your luggage on the Shinkansen, see our guide to luggage storage options.

Other Ways to Reach the Shinkansen

From Narita Express

The Narita Express (N'EX) stops at Shinagawa Station. Exit the N'EX platform and follow the signs for “Shinkansen.”

Narita Express platform at Shinagawa Station with passengers walking and train at platform 13

The N'EX is a JR train, so you are already inside the JR area. You do not need to exit the station or pass through regular JR ticket gates. Walk directly to the Shinkansen ticket gates and continue with ticket pickup and boarding.

JR concourse at Shinagawa Station above Narita Express platform with passengers and signs to the Shinkansen platforms

From JR Lines

If you arrive by Yamanote Line, Tokaido Line, or another JR line, you are already inside the JR area.

Yamanote Line platform at Shinagawa Station with passengers walking and stairs leading up to the concourse

Follow the signs for "Shinkansen." No transfer gate is needed.

JR concourse at Shinagawa Station with passengers and signage pointing toward the Shinkansen platforms

From Outside the Station

Look for the Shinkansen entrance located inside the station, closer to the Konan (east) side.

Shinkansen North Entrance ticket gates at Shinagawa Station with travelers entering the Shinkansen area

Both the North Entrance and South Entrance lead to the same platforms. However, if you want to use the waiting room or larger smoking area, it is better to enter through the North Entrance.

If you want to choose a gate based on your car number, use the following as a guide:

South Entrance: Cars 1–5 (smaller smoking room)
North Entrance: Cars 6–16 (waiting room and larger smoking room)

If You Arrive Early

Arrive 20–30 minutes early (or 40 mins if picking up tickets). Here is what you can do while you wait.

Shops and Food Near the Gates

Shopping Outside the Shinkansen Gates

Once you pass through the Shinkansen ticket gates, there are only small kiosks and limited bento options inside. If you want to buy food for your trip or do some shopping, we recommend the following:

ecute Shinagawa

ecute Shinagawa is a shopping area inside the JR concourse, before the Shinkansen gates. It sells ekiben (station bento boxes), snacks, drinks, and sweets. This is one of the best places to buy food for your journey. Many travelers stop here to pick up a meal before boarding.

atré Shinagawa

atré Shinagawa is a larger shopping and dining complex on the Konan (east) side, outside the JR gates. It has restaurants, cafés, and convenience stores. Visit here if you want a sit-down meal before your journey.

Last-minute Snacks Inside the Shinkansen Gates

Bento shop inside Shinagawa Station Shinkansen concourse selling ekiben and drinks to travelers

Inside the Shinkansen concourse, there are small kiosks, ekiben shops, and vending machines. You can buy drinks, snacks, or a quick bento just before boarding.

Waiting and Smoking Areas

Waiting Areas

A waiting room is available inside the Shinkansen concourse near the North Entrance. You can sit and wait here.

Shinkansen waiting room inside Shinagawa Station with passengers seated before boarding Shinkansen

You will also find benches on the platforms.

Shinkansen platform bench at Shinagawa Station with passengers waiting and departure boards in the background

Smoking Rooms

Designated smoking rooms are available inside the Shinkansen concourse.

There is a larger room on the North Gate side.

Large smoking room inside Shinkansen ticket gates at Shinagawa Station near the north gate with people entering and exiting

A smaller one is on the South Gate side.

Small smoking room in Shinagawa Station Shinkansen area near the south transfer gate with passengers nearby

For information about the station’s facilities, see our Shinagawa Station guide. This guide also covers nearby attractions and popular destinations that you can easily visit from Shinagawa Station.

Ready for Departure

Shinagawa Station is a convenient and easy place to board the Shinkansen. The layout is simple, the gates are clearly signposted, and the walk to the platform is short. You can pick up your tickets, grab some food, and find your car without hassle.

Arrive a little early, check your platform, and head to your boarding position with confidence.

Book your Shinkansen tickets in advance with Japan Bullet Train for a smooth and stress-free journey.