How to Navigate Shinjuku Station Without Getting Lost

Why Shinjuku Station Is Confusing

Shinjuku Station holds the Guinness World Record for the busiest railway station, handling approximately 3.6 million passengers daily. The station complex includes 36 platforms, over 200 exits (including connected stations), and 5 different railway operators — each with separate ticket gates.

The layout spans three levels: above-ground JR platforms, ground-level concourses, and underground Metro and private railway platforms. They’re all connected, but the connections aren’t always obvious.

The good news: once you learn the four cardinal directions and a few key landmarks, it becomes manageable.

The Four Directions

This is the single most useful framework for navigating Shinjuku Station. Stop trying to memorize exit numbers — just know which direction you need.

East Exit (東口)

The shopping and entertainment side. Use this exit for:

• Kabukicho (歌舞伎町) — nightlife district, 3-minute walk
• Studio ALTA — the building with the big screen, directly outside the gate
• Isetan department store — 8 minutes on foot via Shinjuku-sanchome
• Lumine Est — shopping mall attached to the East Exit
• Golden Gai — the tiny-bar alley district, 5-minute walk

West Exit (西口)

The business and government side. Use this exit for:

• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (東京都庁) — free observation deck, 10-minute walk
• Yodobashi Camera — massive electronics store, 2-minute walk
• Odakyu department store — directly above Odakyu Line platforms
• Keio Plaza Hotel and hotel district
• Skyscraper district (高層ビル街)

South Exit (南口)

The modern, recently renovated side. Use this exit for:

• Busta Shinjuku (バスタ新宿) — long-distance highway bus terminal, directly above the South Exit
• NEWoMan — shopping and restaurant complex
• Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal — intercity buses to Mt. Fuji, Hakone, and more
• Takashimaya Times Square — via the New South Exit (新南口), a 3-minute walk

Central Exits (中央東口・中央西口)

Located in the middle of the station, connecting East and West sides. Useful for quick transfers between JR and the underground passages leading to Metro lines.

Key Transfers

JR to Odakyu Line

The easiest transfer. From JR’s West Exit area, Odakyu gates are directly adjacent — look for the blue “Odakyu” signs. Transfer time: 2-3 minutes. The Odakyu Line goes to Hakone and Machida.

JR to Keio Line

From JR’s West Exit or Central West Exit, follow signs downstairs to the Keio Line gates. Transfer time: 3-5 minutes. The Keio Line connects to Chofu, Hashimoto, and Mt. Takao (高尾山).

JR to Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line

From JR’s West Exit, head into the underground passage and follow the orange “M” circle signs. The Marunouchi Line platform is underground. Transfer time: 5-7 minutes. The Marunouchi Line goes to Tokyo Station, Ginza, and Ikebukuro.

Alternatively, from the East Exit side, walk to Shinjuku-sanchome Station (about 5 minutes above ground), which also serves the Marunouchi Line plus the Fukutoshin Line.

JR to Toei Subway

Toei Shinjuku Line: From JR’s East or Central East Exit, follow signs downstairs. Look for the green leaf-shaped “S” symbol. Transfer time: 5-7 minutes.

Toei Oedo Line: Follow signs to “Oedo Line” (大江戸線). The Oedo Line platforms are the deepest in the station — expect a 7-10 minute walk with several escalators. The Oedo Line connects to Roppongi and Tsukishima.

JR to Seibu Shinjuku Line

This is the most confusing transfer because Seibu Shinjuku Station is a separate building, about an 8-minute walk north from JR Shinjuku’s East Exit. Head toward Kabukicho — the Seibu station is at the edge of the entertainment district, inside the PePe building.

Color-Coding System

Each line uses a consistent color throughout all signage:

Line	Color	Symbol
JR Yamanote Line	Yellow-green	—
JR Chuo Line (Rapid)	Orange	—
JR Chuo-Sobu Line (Local)	Yellow	—
JR Saikyo / Shonan-Shinjuku	Green / Red-orange	—
Odakyu	Blue	OE
Keio	Pink-red	KO
Marunouchi Line	Red	M
Toei Shinjuku Line	Light green	S
Toei Oedo Line	Magenta	E

Follow the colors on overhead signs to navigate. If you see the color of the line you need, walk toward it.

Landmarks to Follow When Lost

If signs aren’t helping, use these visible landmarks to orient yourself:

• ALTA building (large screen) = East Exit direction
• Odakyu department store sign = West Exit direction
• Busta Shinjuku / NEWoMan = South Exit direction
• Underground passage with tiled walls = you’re in the main concourse connecting East and West
• Escalators going very deep = you’re heading to the Oedo Line

Rush Hour Survival Tips

Shinjuku during rush hour (7:30-9:30 AM inbound, 5:30-8:00 PM outbound) is intense. Here’s how to handle it:

• Walk with the flow. Don’t stop suddenly, don’t walk against traffic. People move fast.
• Stand on the left side of escalators, walk on the right (Tokyo rule).
• Avoid the JR Central East/West passage during peak times — it’s the most congested bottleneck in the station.
• Use the South Exit as an alternative route. It’s wider and less crowded than the East/West exits.
• Have your IC card or ticket ready before you reach the gates. Fumbling blocks the flow.
• Off-peak alternative: If your schedule allows, travel before 7:00 AM or after 10:00 AM.

For more on getting around Tokyo by train, see our Tokyo Metro guide and Suica card guide.

Troubleshooting

I exited the wrong gate and need to get back in

If you tapped your Suica/Pasmo at the wrong exit gate, go to the nearest station office window (改札窓口). Staff can adjust your fare or help you re-enter without extra charge if you explain the mistake.

I’m at Shinjuku-sanchome, not Shinjuku Station

Shinjuku-sanchome (新宿三丁目) is a separate station about 5 minutes east of JR Shinjuku. It serves the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi, Fukutoshin, and Toei Shinjuku Lines. You can walk between the two stations above ground or through underground passages.

I need to catch a highway bus

Go to the South Exit and take the escalator up to the 4th floor. Busta Shinjuku is directly above. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. Bus tickets can be bought at the counter or pre-booked online.

I can’t find the Odakyu Romancecar platform

The Romancecar (特急) platform is separate from the regular Odakyu platforms. Enter through the Odakyu gates at the West Exit and follow signs for “Romancecar” (ロマンスカー) — it’s on the upper level. Tickets require a separate seat reservation.

The station map is overwhelming

Ignore the full map. Just identify: (1) which line you need, (2) which direction (East/West/South), and (3) follow the color-coded signs. Google Maps indoor navigation works in Shinjuku Station — switch to the walking directions view.