We’ll be arriving at Shinjuku station from NRT with NEX.
It’s my first time in Japan, and I have read a few times now, that navigating Shinjuku Station can be a nightmare as Google maps does not work properly there. I am going to be staying at JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom next to the station, and think that I need to take either the “Lumine Exit” or the “South Exit”. Are those hard to find? Anything else I need to consider?
by Heavy_Law5743
13 comments
You will get lost, you’ll eventually find it and you’ll be fine. Don’t stress about it, enjoy it, it comes with your travels to Japan.
But for some context Lumine is the shopping area.
Plenty of signs in english, so just periodically check to see you’re on the right path. I think google maps allows you to walk through parts of the station virtually (might not be totally up to date), so you can take a look at that to ease any potential anxiety. If anything, signage is likely better now than what is found on google maps.
Millions of people navigate Shinjuku station everyday. Millions of tourists each year. Tourists went through Shinjuku before internet was a thing and most survived. Sure, it’s big, but you’ll probably survive too. Utmost worst case scenario is you exit at the wrong place and you walk a bit. Your hotel is on the Southwest of the station, so go on the West side, pick one exit, and walk on the street level if you’re not confortable.
It is a labyrinth, best is to note which exit you need to head towards, and don’t be shy to ask for directions.
Not even joking, use a compass. I used google maps to know the general area I’m supposed to be heading but it got kind of hectic and I couldn’t figure out what was considered south, west, etc. I used the compass on my iPhone and google maps to navigate through and it became so much easier.
The only thing you really have to be aware of is that there are several escalators from the train platforms to different concourses, which all lead to different exits. And the platforms are long enough, and the concourses myriad enough, and the exists spread out enough that you may have to walk a very long way around if you take the wrong concourse or even exit the completely wrong way.
So, right when you get off the train, try to get out of the way of other passengers (usually not that many on the N’EX), and take a moment to orient yourself. Read all the signs that point to the various exits; the nearest escalator is perhaps *not* the one you want. You’ll probably want to follow the signs for South Exit, from there it’s not that complicated.
Just don’t let the crowd push you somewhere if you’re not sure that’s where you want to go. Dealing with the crowds is the entire trick in Shinjuku. And again, the N’EX platforms usually aren’t very busy. You’ll be dealing with this more when you take the Yamanote or other major lines.
Honestly just get lost!
I dont mean that rudely, just accept ahead of time that you WILL get lost and that is okay, so pack a sense of humour. Over time you will get less lost.
I just went through shinjuku station for the first time today. It’s a little confusing and the exits are not as clearly labeled as they are in tokyo station. However, once you’re out, even if you take the wrong exit you’ll be able to navigate the streets where things will become a lot easier. That’s what I did. I couldn’t find the exit google maps wanted me to use, so I took a random exit then walked on the street.
There are signs with some of the exits, but not all of the exits are clearly and obviously marked, and sometimes there’s a better exit than the one that google maps sends you to, but it’s an exit into some random building and you kind of have to know that they exist.
You will get lost. The first time i was alone in Shinjuku station i just follow the crowd flow to the first possible exit. Don’t be scared, it’s an amazing station at get lost it’s part of the fun
For big stations, Google Maps is not gonna function as it should. Way too many layers and levels, just go in the general direction and give yourself extra time to get to where you want to go.
There’re plenty of exits but so long you take your time to try and navigate, you will eventually find your way around
Check a map beforehand and find your exit. Then once in the station check the maps to know where you are. Follow the signs to your exit. Voilà.
EDIT: Note that exits are visible on Google Maps. Best way to find the one closest to your hotel. Then if you don’t find the exit on the maps in the station, that’s simply because there are tons of these. Just ask a staff member and they’ll point at the correct direction.
Try to guide yourself using the signs. Make sure you know which exit you are looking for. And then take it as a challenge, as if in a video game. Good luck, have fun.