The JR Yamanote Line is Tokyo’s sightseeing lifeline. This green-colored loop train circles the city and connects almost every major neighborhood.
Best part? No transfers needed. You can ride one line and hop off at stops for shopping, temples, museums, and nightlife.
In this guide, you’ll discover 10 major attractions, all easily reached on foot from Yamanote Line stations.
Each section tells you what the area is famous for, which exit to use, and how many minutes to walk – so you’ll never waste time getting lost. 😊
Quick Guide to the JR Yamanote Line
Here’s what you need to know:
- Route: Full loop ~35 km, 30 stations, takes about 1 hour
- Frequency: Every 2–4 minutes, from ~4:30am to ~1:00am
- Fare: ¥150–¥210, most inner-city trips ¥170
- Payment: Use IC cards (Suica, Pasmo) – just tap in and out
- Why travelers love it: Covers Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Station, Ueno, and more
You can do entire day trips without ever leaving the loop. Pretty convenient, right?
1. Shinjuku Station
Welcome to chaos – the good kind. Shinjuku moves more than 3 million people daily, making it the world’s busiest station. But don’t let that scare you.
This place is a city within a city where towering skyscrapers coexist with peaceful gardens, and neon-lit nightlife buzzes until dawn.
Where to Go
- Kabukicho: Tokyo’s biggest neon entertainment district, glowing with late-night energy and endless nightlife options.
- Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane): Tiny post-war era bars packed into narrow alleys where you’ll sit elbow-to-elbow with salarymen downing yakitori and ramen.
- Godzilla Head at Hotel Gracery: For quirky photo ops, this 12-meter monster head roars and lights up every hour.
- 3D Cat Billboard: Giant digital calico cat that “wakes up” and meows from a curved screen. It perfectly captures Shinjuku’s mix of high-tech and whimsical culture.
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: Combines Japanese, English, and French styles in one massive park. It’s especially gorgeous during cherry blossom season.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building: Need free city views? The 45th floor offers clear-day glimpses of Mt. Fuji.
Station Exits
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden – South-East Exit, 10 minutes walk
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building – West Exit, 8 minutes
- Omoide Yokocho – West Exit, 3 minutes
- Kabukicho – East Exit, 7 minutes
- Godzilla Head at Hotel Gracery – East Exit, 8 minutes walk (located in Kabukicho)
- 3D Cat Billboard – East Exit, 2 minutes across the street
Read More: 17 Best Things to Do in Shinjuku with My Perfect Itinerary
2. Harajuku Station
Youth culture central. This is where kawaii fashion meets thousand-year-old shrines, and somehow it all makes perfect sense.
Where to Go
- Takeshita Dori: Narrow pedestrian street that bursts with cosplay shops, candy stores, and crêpe stands. You’ll see teenagers dressed as anime characters just casually walking around.
- Meiji Shrine: Here’s the beautiful contrast – complete tranquility just minutes from the chaos. This grand Shinto shrine hides within a 170-acre forest that feels like stepping into another world.
- Yoyogi Park: Wide open space perfect for picnics, street performers, and cherry blossom viewing.
- Omotesando Avenue: Tokyo’s answer to the Champs-Élysées with stylish boutiques lining this tree-covered shopping street.
Station Exits
- Takeshita Dori – Takeshita Exit, 1 minute
- Meiji Shrine – West Exit, 2-3 minutes to torii gate
- Yoyogi Park – West Exit, 5 minutes
- Omotesando Avenue – East Exit, 5 minutes
3. Shibuya Station
Pure energy. Fashion, nightlife, and that crossing everyone’s seen in movies. Young crowds swarm here to shop, eat, and be part of the electric atmosphere.
Where to Go
- Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Hachiko Statue: The world’s busiest crosswalk lives up to the hype. When that light turns green, thousands of people surge across from all directions. The loyal Hachiko dog statue nearby always draws crowds.
- Shibuya 109: 10-floor youth fashion mall that shapes J-pop trends across the country.
- Shibuya Sky: Open-air rooftop 230 meters above the city with incredible views. You can literally watch the crossing from above.
- Center-Gai Street: Trendy lane that buzzes with karaoke boxes, restaurants, and game arcades until all hours.
Station Exits
- Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Hachiko Statue – Hachiko Exit, right outside
- Shibuya 109 – Hachiko Exit, 3 minutes
- Shibuya Sky – Direct access inside station (Scramble Square)
- Center-Gai Street – Hachiko Exit, 2 minutes
Read More: 17 Top Things to Do in Shibuya with My Ideal Itinerary
4. Yurakucho Station
Old Tokyo meets new Tokyo. Salarymen pack into retro drinking alleys after work, while luxury Ginza shopping beckons just steps away.
Where to Go
- Yurakucho Sanchoku Yokocho: Cluster of izakaya-style eateries serving regional dishes and drinks from across Japan. Popular with locals for casual dining and after-work gatherings.
- Yakitori Alley (Gado-shita): The real magic happens in these tiny bars under the train tracks. Dozens of hole-in-the-wall spots where you can hear trains rumbling overhead while you drink with locals.
- Ginza Shopping Street: Tokyo’s premier shopping avenue. The 12-floor Uniqlo flagship anchors the area alongside luxury boutiques like Chanel and Louis Vuitton.
Station Exits
- Yurakucho Sanchoku Yokocho – Hibiya Exit, 7 minutes
- Yakitori Alley (Gado-shita) – Central or Ginza Exit, 5 minutes
- Ginza Shopping Street – Ginza Exit, 5-7 minutes
Read More: Top 17 Things to Do in Ginza
5. Tokyo Station
This place is a destination in itself. The red-brick Marunouchi building is an architectural gem, while underground passages hide shopping and dining treasures.
Where to Go
- Marunouchi Station Building: The restored 1914 facade makes for perfect photos – it’s one of Tokyo’s most recognizable landmarks.
- Imperial Palace East Garden: Preserves the moats and gardens from the original Edo Castle, giving you a taste of old Edo.
- KITTE Mall: Shopping and dining in a transformed former post office, complete with a free rooftop garden offering station views.
- Tokyo Character Street: Underground anime and manga paradise with dedicated Pokémon, Jump Shop, and Rilakkuma stores.
- First Avenue Tokyo Station: Underground mall with themed areas including Tokyo Ramen Street (famous ramen shops), Tokyo Okashi Land (snacks and sweets), and Tokyo Gift Street.
Station Exits
- Marunouchi Station Building – Marunouchi Central Exit, right outside
- Imperial Palace East Garden – Marunouchi Central Exit, 7 minutes
- KITTE Mall – Marunouchi South Exit, 3 minutes
- Tokyo Character Street – Yaesu Exit, inside station
- First Avenue Tokyo Station – Yaesu Exit, inside station
6. Akihabara Station
Welcome to geek paradise. Akihabara, or “Akiba” to locals, is where anime, manga, and electronics culture reaches peak intensity.
Where to Go
- Mandarake Complex: Huge store for second-hand manga, anime goods, cosplay outfits, and rare collectibles that collectors travel from around the world to discover.
- Animate Akihabara Flagship: Tokyo’s biggest anime merchandise store with floors of Blu-rays, figures, and character goods.
- Super Potato: Legendary retro video game shop with stacks of Famicom and Game Boy titles reaching toward the ceiling. Finding that one rare title feels like discovering treasure.
- Radio Kaikan: Iconic yellow building with dozens of small shops specializing in figures, model kits, and electronics.
- Yodobashi Camera: Giant 9-floor electronics department store with everything tech-related you could imagine.
- Maidreamin Akihabara Head Store: The most famous maid café chain where staff dressed as maids call you “Master” or “Princess” and perform fun rituals before serving themed food. Pure Japanese pop culture theater.
Station Exits
- Mandarake Complex – Electric Town Exit, west of station
- Animate Akihabara Flagship – Electric Town Exit, west of station
- Super Potato – Electric Town Exit, west of station
- Radio Kaikan – Electric Town Exit, west of station
- Yodobashi Camera – Central South Exit, 2 minutes
- Maidreamin Akihabara Head Store – Electric Town Exit, 5 minutes
7. Okachimachi Station
This is all about Ameyoko Market – a sensory assault of vendors hawking everything from fresh tuna to vintage band t-shirts.
Where to Go
- Ameya-Yokocho Market: Over 400 stalls create a maze of fresh seafood, dried snacks, cheap clothes, and random bargains. Vendors shout prices, sample food gets thrust in your direction, and the whole scene feels authentically chaotic.
- Street Food: Try takoyaki, kebabs, or other quick bites perfect for eating while you explore the market.
- Ramen Kamo to Negi Ueno Okachimachi Main Store: When you need a proper meal, this specialty shop serves rich duck broth with generous green onion toppings – a nice change from typical tonkotsu or miso varieties.
- Shinobazu Pond: If the market overwhelms you, these quiet lotus ponds provide the perfect escape.
Station Exits
- Ameya-Yokocho Market – North Exit, right outside
- Street Food – Throughout the market area
- Ramen Kamo to Negi Ueno Okachimachi Main Store – North Exit, 4 minutes near Ameyoko side streets
- Shinobazu Pond – North Exit, 7 minutes
8. Ueno Station
Tokyo’s cultural heavyweight. Museums, pandas, and some of the city’s best cherry blossoms all cluster in one enormous park setting.
Where to Go
- Ueno Park: Transforms into pink heaven during cherry blossom season, when families spread blue tarps under the trees for hanami parties. Even outside sakura season, it’s lovely with shrines, ponds, and tree-lined paths.
- Tokyo National Museum: Houses an incredible collection of samurai armor, delicate ukiyo-e prints, and archaeological treasures that tell Japan’s story through objects.
- Ueno Zoo: Japan’s first zoo, famous for giant pandas. There’s something magical about watching these creatures lumber around their enclosure in the heart of Tokyo.
- Ameyoko Market: The famous market street extends from Ueno to Okachimachi, creating a shopping experience you can access from multiple stations.
Station Exits
- Ueno Park – Park Exit, right outside, free
- Tokyo National Museum – Park Exit, 10 minutes inside park
- Ueno Zoo – Park Exit, 5 minutes
- Ameyoko Market – Shinobazu Exit, right outside
9. Sugamo Station
“Grandma’s Harajuku” – and that nickname captures it perfectly.
This neighborhood celebrates Japan’s seniors with traditional shops, nostalgic treats, and spiritual comfort.
Where to Go
- Jizo-dori Shopping Street: 800-meter stretch that moves at a gentler pace. Elderly locals browse shops selling traditional clothing and herbal teas.
- Maruji Shop: Famous for bright red underwear supposed to bring good luck and longevity.
- Traditional Snacks: Try Shio Daifuku (salty-sweet mochi) at Mizuno. Sample Nuresenbei (chewy rice crackers in sweet soy sauce) at Raijindo. Or grab Ichigo Daifuku (strawberry mochi) at Eitaro.
- Koganji Temple (Togenuki Jizo): Small temple with a healing statue where visitors wash it while praying for health.
Station Exits
- Jizo-dori Shopping Street – Main Exit, 6 minutes
- Maruji Shop – Main Exit, 6 minutes (along Jizo-dori)
- Traditional Snack Shops – Main Exit, 6 minutes (along Jizo-dori)
- Koganji Temple – Main Exit, 6 minutes
Read More: 10 Amazing Places Tourists Miss Visiting in Tokyo
10. Ikebukuro Station
Otaku central. This area rivals Akihabara for anime and manga culture, with the bonus of massive malls and easy navigation around the East Exit.
Where to Go
- Animate Ikebukuro Main Store: Flagship location with multiple floors of anime merchandise, books, CDs, and Blu-rays.
- K-BOOKS (Otome Road area): Multiple specialty branches for manga and character goods popular with female fans.
- Lashinbang Ikebukuro & Mandarake Ikebukuro: Both specialize in second-hand anime items and rare collectibles that serious fans hunt for constantly.
- Sunshine City: Massive mall complex that deserves a whole day. Inside, Namja Town operates as an indoor food theme park where you can sample regional specialties from across Japan without leaving Tokyo.
- Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo: One of Japan’s biggest Pokémon stores with exclusive items you won’t find anywhere else.
- Sunshine 60 Street: Main pedestrian avenue that connects everything from the station to the mall, packed with arcades like GiGO Ikebukuro, themed cafés, and restaurants.
- Otome Road: Specialized anime street that branches off, catering especially to female fans – a nice contrast to the more male-focused Akihabara scene.
Station Exits
- Animate Ikebukuro Main Store – East Exit area, 4 minutes
- K-BOOKS – East Exit, 6 minutes (Otome Road area), 6 minutes
- Lashinbang Ikebukuro & Mandarake Ikebukuro – East Exit area, 4 to 8 minutes
- Sunshine City – East Exit, 8 minutes
- Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo – East Exit, 8 minutes (inside Sunshine City)
- Sunshine 60 Street – East Exit, 3 minutes to enter the street
- Otome Road – East Exit, 6 minutes
