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Expertly Navigate Shinjuku Station, from the West Exit to the East Exit

Aug 17, 2020

Shinjuku Station is the busiest train station in the world, so as you can imagine, it is quite complicated. Even if you are heading for the East Exit, you may end up heading out of the West Exit by mistake, or spend a lot of time looking for any way out of the station. Before your trip to Shinjuku, read this article to discover three ways to get from the West Exit to the East Exit of Shinjuku Station!

Route #1 – Use the Newly Opened East-West Passageway

First, let us introduce the quickest way to get from the West Exit to the East Exit - the East-West Passageway, which opened in Shinjuku Station in July. If you wanted to get directly from the West Exit to the East Exit without leaving the station before July 2020, you would either have to buy a ticket to pass through the JR ticket gates from one side to the other or take the long way around via the Metro Promenade connected to the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line. Now that the 100 meter, completely free, East-West Passageway is open, it only takes about one minute to get from the East Exit to the West Exit! The passageway is 25m wide to accommodate all passengers using the busiest station in the world, so there is plenty of space to walk even during rush hour.

Recommended for: People who want to get from the West Exit to the East Exit in the shortest amount of time possible.

Route #2 – Pass Through the Tsunohazu Guard Tunnel

Right next to Omoide Yokocho, an area of Shinjuku packed with small bars and restaurants, lies the Tsunohazu Guard Tunnel that passes under the train tracks. If you want to experience the Shinjuku of old, try taking this tunnel to the East Exit.

How to Get from the West Exit to the East Exit via the Tsunohazu Guard Tunnel

1) From the West Exit, head in towards HALC and Uniqlo (Shinjuku West Exit Branch.)


2) Once you arrive at Uniqlo, turn right.


3) When you reach the end of the street, turn right again and you’ll find the entrance to the Tsunohazu Guard tunnel.


4) The East Exit is on the other side!


Recommended for: People who want to experience the older side of Shinjuku.

Route #3 – Go Under Shinjuku O-Guard Bridge

If you’ve gone out of the West Exit and want to head to Kabukicho, Shinjuku’s entertainment district, then going under the Shinjuku O-Guard Bridge is the best choice.

How to Get from the West Exit to Kabukicho via the Shinjuku O-Guard Bridge

1) From the West Exit, head in towards HALC and Uniqlo (Shinjuku West Exit Branch.)


2) Don’t turn at Uniqlo, and keep going straight.


3) Once you’ve arrived at the crosswalk, turn right and head under the bridge.


4) Once you’ve passed through, you’ve made it to the East Exit side of Shinjuku Station! Head left to make your way to Kabukicho.

Although Shinjuku Station is very busy, and the city itself even more so, if you follow the steps above you should be able to get from the east side to the west side of the city with ease. Check out our article on how to navigate the city from Shinjuku Station’s South Exit. If you read both, you’ll be a Shinjuku Station expert in no time!

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