Shin-Yokohama Station
As a stop on the Tokaido Shinkansen line running from Tokyo to Osaka, Shin-Yokohama Station is one of Yokohama’s primary transport hubs. On this page you will find the following information:
— Train Lines / Services to Shin-Yokohama Station
— Getting from Shin-Yokohama Station to Yokohama Station
— Rail Passes Covering Travel to Yokohama
— Purchasing & Activating a JR Pass
— Shin-Yokohama Station Tourist Information
— Accommodation In & Around Shin-Yokohama Station
— 20 Things to Do Around Yokohama & Where to Stay
Yokohama is Japan’s second-most populous city, serviced by multiple major stations including Shin-Yokohama Station. As a stop on the Tokaido Shinkansen line, many visitors move to and from the city via Shin-Yokohama with local lines connecting it to other major stations in the city including Yokohama, Sakuragicho and Kannai.
It is important to note that this page is intended for international visitors who will primarily be interested in using the shinkansen and does not include complete information about all services and facilities at the station.
TRAIN LINES / SERVICES TO SHIN-YOKOHAMA STATION
Shin-Yokohama Station is serviced by several lines of which the Tokaido Shinkansen offers the fastest way to move to and from the city, with local lines connecting it to other stations in the city and surrounding region:
TOKAIDO SHINKANSEN
Running from Tokyo to Osaka via Nagoya Station and Kyoto Station, the Tokaido Shinkansen runs to the west of the capital and stops at:
Tokyo / Shinagawa / Shin-Yokohama / Odawara / Atami / Mishima / Shin-Fuji / Shizuoka / Kakegawa / Hamamatsu / Toyohashi / Mikawa-Anjo / Nagoya / Gifu-Hashima / Maibara / Kyoto / Shin-Osaka
Shin-Yokohama is the second stop on the Tokaido Shinkansen line from Tokyo Station, making it quick and easy to reach. Shin-Yokohama can be reached from: Tokyo in 17 minutes / JPY1380, Nagoya in 80 to 90 minutes / JPY990, Kyoto in 120 to 150 minutes / JPY12,650 and Shin-Osaka in 150 minutes / JPY13,540. For the daily schedule, refer to our ‘Tokaido Shinkansen Timetable’ page. The Japan Rail (JR) Pass covers services on the Tokaido Shinkansen – other than the Nozomi – and all services on the Hokuriku Shinkansen – see below for details. Shinkansen services operate from Platforms 1 to 4 at Shin-Yokohama Station.
OTHER TRAIN LINES / SERVICES
A couple of other convenient lines run to and from Shin-Yokohama Station, providing access to Yokohama’s most popular districts and attractions:
YOKOHAMA CITY SUBWAY BLUE LINE
The Yokohama City Subway Blue Line runs 40km in length from Shonandai Station to Azamino Station, stopping at Shin-Yokohama Station and many other stations including Yokohama, Sakuragicho, Kannai and others. Operating around just after 05:00 until 24:00, services run frequently throughout the day taking 8 minutes / JPY250 to travel between Shin-Yokohama Station and Yokohama Station, 12 minutes / JPY280 to Sakuragicho Station and 14 minutes / JPY280 to Kannai Station. The JR Pass does not cover this service – see below for further details.
YOKOHAMA LINE
The Yokohama Line runs 43km in length from Higashi-Kanagawa to Hachioji, stopping at Shin-Yokohama and many other stations including Yokohama Station. Operating around just after 05:00 until 24:00, services run frequently throughout the day taking 14 minutes / JPY170 to travel between Shin-Yokohama Station and Yokohama Station. The JR Pass covers this service – see below for further details.
GETTING FROM SHIN-YOKOHAMA STATION TO YOKOHAMA STATION
As noted above, both the Yokohama City Subway Blue Line and Yokohama Line run from Shin-Yokohama Station to Yokohama Station. Running frequently throughout the day from around 05:00 until 24:00, services take 8 to 14 minutes and cost JPY170 to JPY250 (depending on which service you choose to use).
RAIL PASSES COVERING TRAVEL TO YOKOHAMA
There is no escaping the fact that travel using the shinkansen is expensive. Given the speed and distances covered by these trains, travellers should think of them much like taking a flight, with tickets accordingly priced. International visitors to Japan have the option of purchasing several passes which allow for unlimited use on many services:
JAPAN RAIL (JR) PASS
Covering all 9 shinkansen lines in Japan and many other train services, the Japan Rail (JR) Pass is a great option for visitors planning to use the shinkansen more than a handful of times and/or travel large distances. Travelers have the option of 7, 14 and 21-day passes covering either Ordinary or Ordinary and Green Cars. The JR Pass allows for use of any service on the Tokaido Shinkansen line – other than Nozomi – at no additional cost but noting that should holders wish to have a reserved seat, they are still required to book a seat at the ticket office (at no additional cost). The pass also covers use of the local Yokohama Line but does not cover use of the subway.
PURCHASING & ACTIVATING A JR PASS
Passes can be purchased via the official website or via a JR-affiliated sales office. Once you completed payment, you will receive an exchange order. This is a proof of payment and looks almost like a flight ticket with your personal details, type of pass, and validity (three months from the date of issue). It is important to note that the exchange order is not your actual pass and will need to be exchanged for your pass once in Japan. Whatever you do, do not lose the exchange order and prioritise exchanging it for your pass when you arrive.
Before using a pass, it must first be exchanged/activated. Exchanging/activating the pass can be done at numerous offices located at airports – including Haneda Airport and Narita Airport in Tokyo, Chubu Centrair Airport in Nagoya and Kansai Airport in Osaka – and major train stations throughout Japan*. If you have the time, we recommend activating your pass while at the airport. If you’re planning to do so at Shin-Yokohama Station, you can exchange/activate your pass at the:
— JR Central Ticket Office: open daily from 08:00 to 20:30
— JR Tokai Tours Shin-Yokohama Office: open weekdays from 08:00 to 20:00 / weekends from 08:45 to 19:00
Otherwise, passes can also be activated at Tokyo Station, Nagoya Station, Kyoto Station and Shin-Osaka Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen line. To exchange/activate your pass you will need your exchange order and passport. Make sure you allow adequate time to exchange and activate your pass if you are intending to use it on the same day or do so a day or two before you plan to start using it (you can always nominate a later activation date). Once you have your activated pass you are free to ride however you can’t insert your pass into the ticket gates. Simply walk through the side booth (permanently attended by station staff) and show your pass. You will be waved through and you can make your way to the platform.
SHIN-YOKOHAMA STATION TOURIST INFORMATION
Shin-Yokohama Station Tourist Information Center is located on the second-floor of the station, nearby the North Exit and UNIQLO Cubic Plaza. Open daily from 09:00 to 21:00, full-time English, Chinese and Korean-speaking staff are on-hand to assist with general any tourism, accommodation and transport-related enquiries.
ACCOMMODATION IN & AROUND SHIN-YOKOHAMA STATION
Travelers moving to the city via Shin-Yokohama Station can take advantage of multiple large to mid-sized, Western-style hotels in its immediate vicinity. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Yokohama: Shin-Yokohama Station Area’ hotel page.
It is worth noting that there is even more accommodation in the precincts around Yokohama Station, Sakuragicho Station, Kannai Station, the Minato Mirai 21 bayside area and the city’s famous Chinatown district.
20 THINGS TO DO AROUND YOKOHAMA & WHERE TO STAY
As Japan’s second most populous city, Yokohama is huge, sprawling and offers plenty for visitors to do. Mixing historic and modern attractions, the city’s close proximity to Tokyo – only 25 minutes by train – make Yokohama especially popular with Tokyoites and international visitors who flock to the city as an easy daytrip or overnight stay. Our ‘20 Things to Do Around Yokohama’ page includes our suggestions of the best attractions and activities on offer – a great place to start when planning your visit.
HOW TO GET TO YOKOHAMA
Located less than 30 minutes to the south of Tokyo using standard train services, Yokohama is easy to reach the capital with the faster option of using the Tokaido Shinkansen (‘Bullet Train’) – taking less than 20 minutes to reach Shin-Yokohama Station from Tokyo Station. Our ‘How to Get to Yokohama’ page has everything you need to know about getting there from Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and beyond.
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO JAPAN
Heading to Yokohama using the rail system is quick, easy and comfortable. Unfathomable in its size and efficiency, moving around the country by train opens-up all regions of Japan for exploration. Our ‘Plan Your Visit’ page has everything you need to know about visiting Japan – from tips on the best time to travel, times to avoid, entering and exiting the country, money matters, staying connected, accommodation, staying safe and healthy and plenty more to ensure that you get the most out of your time here.
