Hi. I will be travelling front Asakusa Station to Tokyo Station, then connecting to the Shinkansen. This will be my first time going to Tokyo Station. It looks like i have two options at Asakusa: 1) Ginza to Yamanote line, directly into Tokyo Station or 2) Asakusa line to Kyobashi station, then walk into Tokyo Station.
Which of those options makes the most sense, to connect to the Shinkansen? How much time should we leave between arriving at Tokyo Station and the Shinkansen departure time, given that we could get lost, have to figure out the ticket system, etc.?
Thanks for your guidance.
I agree with /u/EntrySure1350, skip the transfers, the walk isn't that extreme.
I'd probably recommend about an hour or so before departure, gives you enough time to navigate. If you have time to spare you can pick some Ekiben or snacks for the journey.
I'm also assuming you're going to Tokyo because you're riding the Tokaido Shinkansen towards Kyoto/Osaka. If you're riding the Tohoku Shinkansen north, I'd recommend getting on at Ueno instead. It's a bit quieter.
Reminder that you should go to the Tokyo Metro/Toei Subway Asakusa Station. Asakusa has this confusing thing where there's another station also called "Asakusa Station" on the Tsukuba Express line that's 500 meters away from the Metro Asakusa Station
If using the Tokaido Shinkansen (i.e. Kyoto), an easier alternative is to go to Shinagawa (via direct Toei Asakusa line trains) and board the Shinkansen there. All Shinkansen trains stop here, departing about 6 minutes after leaving Tokyo.
Ueno is the Tohoku Shinkansen equivalent, also served by direct trains from Asakusa (Ginza Line), though a handful of Shinkansen trains from/to Tokyo do not stop there, so caution is needed if you already bought tickets with a Tokyo departure.
Between the 2 options, they are roughly similar. You will walk a bit less if you connect at Yamanote. You have multiple stations at which you can do that, but my choice would be Ueno.
I had considered that, but decided against it, for a reason I can't remember anymore!!!
Ginza to Kyōbashi then walk or Asakusa to Takarachō then walk. I wouldn’t mess around with transferring.
Or do the easy thing and take a taxi.
I hadnt considered a taxi, especially since it would be 6am on a Sunday, so presumably minimal traffic.....hmmmm....
If you're at all concerned, download the GO taxi app, and you can book a cab from your hotel, which will deliver you directly to the best entrance for the shinkansen.
We generally stay in Asakusa before heading down to kyoto, and these days just cab it to the station. Much more relaxed and really not that expensive (about 30k jpy).
I would transfer if you have luggage. I try to minimize hauling bags on the street.
No luggage, thankfully!