Is ‘Tokyo Station’, Japan’s main gateway, just a busy transportation hub where Shinkansen and local lines intersect, a place you rush through without a second glance?
In fact, Tokyo Station and its surrounding area are a first-class sightseeing spot, densely packed with historic architecture, deep mysteries, and urban oases that soothe the soul. This time, for short-term visitors to Tokyo, we’ve carefully selected must-see classic attractions and little-known hidden gems. We’ll suggest the best routes to enjoy during your train layovers, or for a few hours immediately after arrival or before departure.
Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building
📍 Address: 1 Chome-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005, JapanThe journey of Tokyo Station sightseeing truly begins here. Opened in 1914 (Taisho 3), the Marunouchi Station Building was designed by Kingo Tatsuno, often called the ‘father of modern Japanese architecture’. Its grand Western architecture, known as ‘Tatsuno-style Renaissance’, woven from red brick and white granite, stands out with a powerful presence amidst the modern skyscrapers of Marunouchi.
This station building’s distinctive dome roofs and third floor were actually destroyed during the air raids of 1945, and for a long time after the war, it was known in its two-story form. The beautiful three-story structure we see today was meticulously restored in 2012 (Heisei 24) to its original appearance at the time of its construction.
[Travel Tip]
For photos, the best spot is along Gyoko-dori Avenue, which stretches straight from the station’s Marunouchi Ekimae Hiroba (Plaza) towards the Imperial Palace. Here, you can capture the magnificent, symmetrical station building without obstruction. Also, the illumination from dusk to night is a must-see! Bathed in warm orange light, the station building is breathtakingly romantic and perfect for night photography.
Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Exit Dome
📍 Address: 1 Chome-9-9 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan (Tokyo Station)After admiring the Marunouchi Station Building from the outside, be sure to step inside the ticket gate area of the ‘Marunouchi South Exit’. Look up, and you’ll find a breathtakingly beautiful octagonal dome ceiling spread above you.
This dome ceiling holds a ‘deep mystery’. Zodiac animal reliefs are carved into the upper parts of the pillars, but if you count carefully, there are only eight: Ushi (Ox), Tora (Tiger), Tatsu (Dragon), Mi (Snake), Hitsuji (Ram), Saru (Monkey), Inu (Dog), and I (Boar). Where did the remaining four (Ne (Rat), U (Rabbit), Uma (Horse), Tori (Rooster)) go?
The answer, surprisingly, lies in the ‘Takeo Onsen Romon Gate’ in Saga Prefecture, far away. This gate was also designed by Kingo Tatsuno, the same architect as Tokyo Station. It was recently discovered that the four missing zodiac animals are carved into the ceiling of this gate, which was built around the same time. Was it Tatsuno’s playful spirit, or is there some deeper meaning? Looking up at the dome while pondering such historical romance makes it a truly exceptional art space, far more than just a station ceiling.
KITTE Garden
📍 Address: 2 Chome-7-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan (KITTE Marunouchi 6F)For those who wish to see the entire panorama of Tokyo Station from above, we recommend the rooftop garden on the 6th floor of ‘KITTE’, a commercial facility located right outside the Marunouchi South Exit. This building was created by preserving and renovating parts of the former Tokyo Central Post Office building, making it a historically significant architectural spot.
From the expansive rooftop deck, spanning approximately 1,500 square meters, you can gaze down upon the restored red-brick station building. The biggest appeal is being able to enjoy the view directly, feeling the pleasant breeze, rather than through glass. Watching the Shinkansen and local lines depart and arrive like a moving diorama is fascinating, even for non-railway enthusiasts.
[Travel Tip]
As admission is free and it’s easy to drop by, it’s perfect for a short break during your sightseeing. Sitting on the cute Emmental cheese-like benches, aiming for the ‘magic hour’ as the city lights illuminate from late afternoon to evening is especially recommended.
Wadakura Fountain Park
📍 Address: 3-1 Kōkyo Gaien, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0002, JapanAbout a 5-minute walk from Tokyo Station, proceeding along Gyoko-dori Avenue towards the Imperial Palace, you’ll discover ‘Wadakura Fountain Park’, a lush green oasis seemingly detached from the urban hustle. This historic site, where the ‘Wadakuramon Gate’ stood in the Edo period, first saw a grand fountain constructed in 1961 (Showa 36) to commemorate the marriage of Emperor Emeritus Akihito. Later, in 1995 (Heisei 7), it was redeveloped into its current form to commemorate the marriage of Emperor Naruhito.
With its powerful grand fountain, gently flowing waterfall, and beautifully arranged green lawns, it’s enveloped in such tranquility and healing that you might forget you’re in the heart of Tokyo. The park features a free rest area and a ‘Starbucks Coffee’ where you can enjoy a coffee break while admiring the fountains.
[Travel Tip]
It’s a perfect resting spot before or after a stroll around the Imperial Palace Outer Garden. At night, it’s lit up, creating a highly fantastical contrast between the illuminated office buildings and the waterside. It’s ideal for resting tired feet and enjoying a quiet Tokyo night.
Crab Fossil at Tokyo Station
📍 Address: Shinkansen South Transfer Gate (Tokaido Shinkansen), 1 Chome-9-9 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005, JapanFinally, we introduce a super deep exploration spot hidden inside Tokyo Station’s ticket gates. Have you heard rumors of a ‘crab fossil’ at Tokyo Station? In fact, a real crab fossil is embedded in a pillar near the ‘South Transfer Gate’ for the Tokaido Shinkansen (around where souvenir shop signs are lined up).
The marble (limestone) used in this pillar was extracted from geological strata dating back approximately 30 to 56 million years ago (Paleogene period). If you look closely, you can clearly see the outline of a crab, including its pincers and carapace. The fact that an ancient creature from tens of millions of years ago sleeps within a pillar of the latest colossal terminal station, where hundreds of thousands of people pass by daily, evokes an indescribable sense of romance.
[Travel Tip]
It’s recommended to search for it during spare time just before boarding the Shinkansen, or when transferring local lines (if coming from outside the ticket gates, a 150 yen admission ticket is required). The landmark signs may change depending on the season, but if you thoroughly search the pillars in the section where souvenir shops line up, after descending the stairs in front of the South Transfer Gate, you’re sure to experience the joy of a ‘fossil discovery!’
Tips for 120% Enjoying Tokyo Station Sightseeing
Here are some practical tips for comfortably enjoying sightseeing around Tokyo Station.
- Wear comfortable shoes: The area around Tokyo Station (especially from Marunouchi to the Imperial Palace Outer Garden) is flat and easy to walk, but the grounds are surprisingly vast. While style is important, we strongly recommend wearing comfortable shoes like sneakers.
- Be mindful of ticket gates (inside/outside): While the ‘crab fossil’ we introduced is inside the ticket gates, the exterior of the station building, KITTE, and Wadakura Fountain Park are outside the ticket gates. Aim to enjoy the inside-the-gate spots when you are already ‘inside the station’ upon arrival or before departure, to avoid unnecessary fares by repeatedly exiting and re-entering. (Admission tickets are valid for 2 hours.)
- Secure a coin locker: If you want to sightsee unencumbered, use the coin lockers inside the station or in the underground shopping areas. However, on weekends and holidays, they can get so crowded that you might become a ‘locker refugee’. Check the location of baggage storage (cloakroom) in advance, or ideally, travel light from your hotel.
From historic architectural beauty to ancient fossils and urban oases, Tokyo Station offers a superb sightseeing experience if you just shift your perspective a little. On your next visit to Tokyo, be sure to take your time and savor this captivating area.
