Job Discussion Forums

[LobsterSan]

So, I'll be taking my first trip to Tokyo in a few days (leaving from Fukuoka), and I'll be meeting one of my friends who will be coming in from Narita Airport. Our plan is to meet eachother at Shinjuku station, since I will be arriving half a day earlier. However, I've heard Shinjuku is a pretty busy station, and it might be difficult for us to find eachother. Can anyone familiar with Shinjuku station recommend a meeting spot or a big landmark that can be easily found by two people with no prior experience with the station? Or is it best to just to meet at one of the exits/entrances?

[fluffyhamster]

It's probably best to meet at or outside one of the exits, I reckon. I myself usually head for the New South exit (not too busy and reasonably clear lines of sight, but detached from the main station by the big road mentioned below...so it's a walk to a far end of the platform to get to this exit), or the South East exit (which opens out onto steps leading down into southern Shinjuku; across the big road overpass to the right is actually the New South exit, and on the immediate left is a building with Tower Records Shinjuku signs all over it).

As for the other exits (S, E and W, don't recall there being a N!), they are always pretty busy; and the west side of the station especially can be quite confusing for first-time visitors. But where you meet ultimately depends on where you're headed next, don't it!

Yahoo.co.jp has pretty good maps (if you are familiar with basic kanji and inputting them).

[azarashi sushi]

I second Fluffyhamster's recommendation for the south-east exit. The area in front of the steps is small and not too busy so it's easy to spot people.

The new south exit is a bit detached although it's handy if you're planning to go to Takashimaya or catch a taxi. All the taxis line up outside that exit. Bear in mind also, the Yamanote line and Sobu line platforms don't have a new south exit. But, if you arrive by NEX, Chuo or Saikyo line, there is a new south exit.

[LobsterSan]

Great! My friend will be coming in on NEX, so then he should be able to access that South-East ("new south") exit/entrance. What signs should he be looking for? Does it say South-East exit or New South exit in romaji? My Japanese is good enough to get around, but my friend has no knowledge. Also, would you think he might freak out if he had to find it on his own, this being his first time in the country?

[azarashi sushi]

Yes, they're all signposted in English

[moot point]

Why don't you just buy the cheapest ticket and meet him on the platform as he comes off the NEX. I assume you'll be in possession of a mobile. Maybe he could phone you from Narita and let you know what train he'll be taking (as well as train car number and/or seat number) then you can meet him right as he walks off the train.

[fluffyhamster]

If you buy a ticket for the platform but don't go anywhere, you'll then have the hassle of queueing up to explain yourself to the ticket barrier guy when the barrier won't let you through (and tells you to seek assistance). Better to meet at an exit, methinks!

BTW Lobstersan, the South East exit is part of the main station; the New South exit is a different exit entirely, and separated/cut off from the main station by that big road (Koshu Kaido). The two exits are signposted in both languages and perhaps a hundred meters or so apart towards one end of the platform (not sure which it'll be, depends on the direction your train comes in on).

The New South exit is very east to navigate: coming up from the platforms, there is only one set of narrow ticket barriers, which opens out onto an elevated tiled area (you are actually standing at the same height as the peak section of the Koshu Kaido). To your left is a wide opening leading out to the Koshu Kaido and taxi rank (beyond that you can see the bulk of the main station)...if you turned right from that opening and followed the downward slope of the Koshu Kaido, you'd hit a busy intersection where, if you turn left (down Meiji-dori), you'll hit Shinjuku-dori, Isetan and a koban.

You can alternatively go down the escalators just inside and to the right of that opening, to cut under the Koshu Kaido and walk past the main station's SE exit. Having passed under the Koshu Kaido the (one-way) street branches in two: the left-hand one will take you along the east edge of the station and up to Studio Alta, whereas the right will show you a bit more of Shinjuku and bring you out a bit further west along Shinjuku-dori (actually, opposite Kinokuniya honten) than if you'd taken the route I outlined above.

Avoiding Koshu Kaido and the escalators entirely, and instead walking straight out of the barriers and then turning right will take you to the 2F entrance to Takashima-ya; the South annex of Kinokuniya is reached from there by going around and following the right hand side of T-ya. There are also escaltors that will bring you down to street level (where you'll again be wanting to turn left and go under the Koshu Kaido). About the only things of interest at street level on the street between the two sets of escalators that I've mentioned are a camping goods store, a Starbucks, a small ryokan, a Uniqlo and a Newsdays convenience store.

[bshabu]

[fluffyhamster]

160 yen?! Waste of money (if you can find the right button to push)!!

[azarashi sushi]

Recently I met some people on the platform arriving on the NEX at Shinjuku station and wanted to buy a platform ticket. I asked the station guy and he said there was no platform ticket... You just buy the cheapest ticket (130 yen) and then explain yourself on the way out. I did just that. This was at the New South Exit in September. It may have changed since then.

[bshabu]

Maybe it's 130 yen. But I did find out what it's called 入場券(nyuu-jou-ken)

[fluffyhamster]

Anyone who reads this thread can't fail to be amazed the fount of knowledge and wisdom that Dave's can be!