The Biggest and Busiest Train Stations In Japan (2024)

Amazingly, the top ten busiest train stations in the world are all in Japan. Here’s our guide to those incredible stations and the impressive numbers behind them.

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Japan’s domestic rail network has a reputation for being the best in the world. Fast, efficient, clean, safe, futuristic, comfortable - basically everything you could want from public transport. It’s also hugely popular - so much so that 45 out of the 50 busiest train stations in the world are in Japan, including the number one and the entire top ten. This is just one of the many incredible Facts about Japanese Trains! As such, travelling through these stations can be a cultural experience in itself. They are also often mega complexes packed with restaurants, shops, and more. Learning to navigate them while journeying across Japan with a JR Pass can be an art form especially for international visitors so the more preparation you do beforehand the better. This is where we come in. Let’s take a look at Japan’s busiest stations, the impressive stats and numbers behind them, and what their inner workings are like.

The vast numbers of people which make Japan’s train stations the busiest in the world are also testament to the country’s world-leading domestic rail network. While the list and the passenger figures behind them are ever-changing, we’ve put together a top ten busiest list based on data over the last ten years. These stations are not only busy but can also feel confusing at first if you’re an international visitor. If you need practical help, consult our incredibly helpful Visitors Guide to Trains and Railways in Japan.

Beyond the train station itself, vibrant and lively Shinjuku is considered one of the must-see areas of Tokyo. From glowing neon to lively nightlife, world-famous restaurants to the city’s biggest red light district, Shinjuku has a bit of everything, and is known as a vibrant, bustling entertainment hub. Highlights and landmarks include Golden Gai, the Robot Restaurant, the beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen park, the Samurai museum, the aforementioned Kabukicho red light district, countless ramen restaurants and Izakaya, and much more. It’s also one of Tokyo’s biggest shopping districts. In other words, there’s a lot to see and do in Shinjuku. Read our Travellers Guide to Shinjuku for more.

A close second, Shibuya Station is also extremely busy and another major train station. Look out for the artwork by Taro Okamato and the statue of Hachiko - a loyal Japanese Akita dog who waited outside the station for his dead master for nine years - near one of the many exits. Shibuya has many other sights to offer too including the world-famous Shibuya Scramble - one of the world’s busiest intersections and road crossings for foot traffic. Every day, thousands of people ‘scramble’ across in all directions in a wonderful, chaotic pulse. There’s no doubt that walking it is a remarkable experience, but so is photographing it. Read our guide to the Best Places To Photograph The Shibuya Scramble for more.

Like Shinjuku and Shibuya, Ikebukuro is in the heart of Tokyo, which likely explains its huge passenger numbers. This station is attached to major department stores such as Parco and Seibu making it an ideal place to pick up some shopping on your travels.

The first train station on the list that’s not in Tokyo, you’ll find Umeda Station in the city of Osaka. As well as having a busy train station, Umeda is a very popular and lively district. From Osaka’s tallest skyscrapers to its most spectacular landmarks, plus the very best in high-end shopping, cuisine and entertainment – it’s easy to see why Umeda is such a popular attraction. This futuristic and glamorous part of Osaka is a famous business and shopping district with iconic landmarks such as the Umeda Sky Tower and the giant Hep Five Ferris Wheel. It’s also a major transport hub for the city and the biggest business district in the Kansai region. Our Guide to Umeda: Osaka’s Glamourous Side has all you need to know.

Nagoya Station is not only one of the world’s busiest stations, but it is also one of the largest on the planet based on its floor area of 410,000 m2. It also holds another record - Nagoya Station is the tallest railway station building in the world at 50 storeys high. Finally, it’s also the headquarters of the Central Japan Railway Company. This record-breaking station is located in Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, in Aichi Prefecture. Its rail lines include the Tokaido Shinkansen, Tokaido main line, Chuo main line, Takayama main line, and Kansai main line.

A traditional red brick building, which wouldn’t look out of place in London, Tokyo is well worth a visit whether you’re a train aficionado or not. A five-minute walk from the Imperial Palace and home to the luxurious Tokyo Station Hotel, this industrial era landmark is well worth a visit for trainspotters with a love of tradition as well as international tourists with a taste for history. While there, check out ‘Ekiben ya Matsuri’, a shop in the station’s main passage which sells more than 200 types of ekiben (packed lunches for train journeys) from across Japan.

Located in southern Tokyo, Shinagawa Station is another key transportation hub for the city. It is a major station on the JR Yamanote Line and Tokaido Shinkansen Line, among others.

And last but not least, as an honourable mention - Kyoto Station. It may only rank 15th busiest in the world, but it’s worth an additional mention because it’s also a stunning building that’s well worth a visit even if you’re not catching a train. This huge and modern architectural masterpiece features a skywalk with stunning views of Kyoto and looks more like a space station than a train station. It is beautiful in its own right however, with a huge amount going on, including lots of excellent places to eat. Don’t miss Kyoto Ramen Street, which is located on the tenth floor of Kyoto Station, to the south of the Daikaidan Grand Stairway. For more, read our Guide to Kyoto Station.

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