Tokyo/Shinagawa

Shinagawa (品川) is one of the 23 wards of central Tokyo, and is also a major railway station in south-central Tokyo. Historically, parts of this ward were known as Shimazuyama. Many feudal lords (daimyo) maintained estates in this area during the Tokugawa Shogunate. This area is the birthplace and former home of Sony.

Today, Shinagawa is an important train hub for Tokyo, connecting the Yamanote Line and the Tokaido Line/Shinkansen as the start of the Golden Route in Japan. It is also a center of "European" style businesses and tourism, so you will see more English than Japanese on signs, and more Italian and American restaurants than Japanese ones.

Oimachi (大井町) and Gotanda (五反田) areas in the ward have their own articles.

Understand


Although Shinagawa is a ward of Tokyo, Shinagawa Station is actually in the ward of Minato: Shinagawa Ward is located to the southwest of Shinagawa Station, in the area surrounding Gotanda and Osaki on the Yamanote Line, surrounding Ōimachi on the Keihin-Tohoku Line.

Shinagawa is not a particular destination, rather a waystation, particularly when traveling to or from western Tokyo, or a place to live or stay, due to the excellent transport connections. However, it has a large number of services, and a few tourist attractions. It is a good place to stay, or to stop for a meal or drink at the start or end of a journey, but otherwise there’s little reason to come here.

The two sides of Shinagawa Station are quite different: the west or "Takanawa" (高輪) side is mainly residential, with the exception of a sizeable hotel zoning immediately around the station. The east side or "Konan" (港南) side ranges from commercial to industrial, although many new modern residential apartments have been developed near the station and along its many water canals. Because of the many railway lines passing through, it is difficult to get from one side of the station to the other without walking through the station, so be sure to exit the station on the correct side for your destination.

Tourist information
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

By train
is served by Japan Railways (JR) and Keikyu Railway. JR runs trains to Shinagawa on the Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku, Yokosuka, and Tokaido lines. Most Narita Expresses from Narita Airport travel directly to Shinagawa (75 min, ¥3,110). Shinagawa Station is also served by the Tokaido Shinkansen, making this a convenient jumping-off point for trips to Kyoto, Osaka and other cities along the line.

On the Yamanote line, Ōsaki and Gotanda stations are also in the area.

On the Keihin-Tōhoku line, Tokyu Ōimachi line and Rinkai line, Ōimachi stations are also in the area.

Keikyu Railways trains run south to Haneda Airport, Yokohama and points beyond. Keikyu also has through service with the Asakusa subway line and operates trains going as far north as Narita, making this a cheap, but much slower, alternative to the Narita Express. The trip between Shinagawa and Haneda Airport takes as few as 17 minutes and costs ¥400.

By bus
Several hotels in Shinagawa, as well as Shinagawa Station, are connected to Narita Airport via the "Airport Limousine" bus (85 min, ¥3,000)


 * Shinagawa Bus Terminal (5 minutes walk from JR Shinagawa Station Takanawa Exit)
 * Ticket office windows: 09:00-18:00
 * Keikyu Bus(Japanese Website)
 * Tohoku - Hirosaki, Gosyogawara, Morioka, Miyako
 * Kansai - Fukuchiyama, Ayabe, Maizuru
 * Chugoku - Tsuyama, Okayama, Kurashiki, Tottori, Kurayoshi, Yonago
 * Shikoku - Tokushima, Anan, Yoshinogawa, Niihama, Saijo, Imabari


 * JR Bus Tohoku(Japanese Website)
 * Tohoku - Sendai


 * Hankyu Bus(Japanese Website)
 * Kansai - Kyoto, Osaka(Umeda,Namba)


 * Mie Kotsu(Japanese Website)
 * Chubu - Nabari, Iga, Seki, Yokkaichi

Eat
Shinagawa ward has many yakitori (skewered chicken) and yakiton (skewered pork) joints because it has the largest wholesale meat market in Japan just east of the station.

Budget
You don't even have to leave the station to treat yourself to a wide range of affordable restaurants. Inside the ticket barrier you can find:

Near the West or Takanawa Exit

Near the East or Konan Exit adjacent to the Shinkansen ticket gates

Sleep
With the new Shinkansen service to Shinagawa, the area hotels have become much more convenient (and crowded). Rooms at the hotels near the station sell out very quickly. Try Gotanda Station, 2 stops away on the Yamanote Line, for cheaper business hotels or capsules.

Mid-range

 * Prince Hotels has three towering premises on the Takanawa side.

Go next

 * Ōimachi — At the station next to Keihin Tohoku Line from Shinagawa, there are more shops, hotels and izakaya. It is also close to Odaiba.
 * Ōsaki — At the station next to Yamanote Line from Shinagawa, there are high-speed buses and Tokyu buses connecting other cities, Narita Airport.