- Most classic sightseeing areas are at JR Yamanote Line stations
- For Asakusa, add the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
- For Odaiba, add the Yurikamome (from Shimbashi) or the Rinkai Line (from Osaki)
01You need only a few lines for sightseeing
Tokyo has many rail lines, but most sightseeing spots are either at a station on the Yamanote Line, which loops around central Tokyo, or one transfer away from it. You do not need to learn every line. Think "use the Yamanote Line as the base, and add a line only where it does not reach."
02The classic areas are on the Yamanote Line
Harajuku, Shibuya, Akihabara and Ueno are all Yamanote Line stations. Because the line is a loop, either direction eventually gets you there; just take the shorter way.
| Station | Main spots |
|---|---|
| Harajuku | Meiji Jingu, Takeshita Street |
| Shibuya | Scramble Crossing |
| Akihabara | Electric Town |
| Ueno | Ueno Park, Ameyoko |
03Add lines only for Asakusa and Odaiba
Asakusa: the Ginza Line
Asakusa is not on the Yamanote Line. It is the terminus of the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, which you can transfer to from the Yamanote Line at Ueno, Kanda, Shimbashi and Shibuya. From Ueno it is three stops.
Odaiba: the Yurikamome or the Rinkai Line
Two lines serve Odaiba. The Yurikamome from Shimbashi crosses the Rainbow Bridge and has great views. The Rinkai Line from Osaki runs underground to Tokyo Teleport Station. Some Rinkai Line trains run through from the Saikyo Line, so some trains from Shibuya and Shinjuku get there without a transfer.
04Plan the day on a map with just four lines
Narrow the map to the Yamanote Line, Ginza Line, Yurikamome and Rinkai Line, and the classic sights fit within it. Find the stations of the places you want to visit and visit them in order of distance to cut wasted travel.
Open a map with the four sightseeing lines
The map opens with only the Yamanote Line, Ginza Line, Yurikamome and Rinkai Line.
Open the map →
