Your Ultimate Guide to Shibuya Station Yamanote Line Exits

Understand station layout

Picture this: you step off the Yamanote Line at Shibuya Station, ready to explore. But with more than a dozen gates and multiple levels, choosing the right shibuya station yamanote line exits can feel overwhelming. In this ultimate guide, you’ll get a clear map of every gateway, handy navigation tips, and top spots to hit near each exit.

In 2025, about 3 million people pass through Shibuya daily, making it the world’s second-busiest metro station after Shinjuku (Wikipedia). Let’s break down how it’s organized so you can zip in and out without a second thought.

Platform arrangement

Shibuya Station spans three floors above ground plus a basement level. On the second floor you’ll find all JR Yamanote Line platforms (tracks 1 and 2) alongside the Saikyō, Rinkai, Shōnan-Shinjuku and Narita Express lines (MATCHA). The platforms sit near the Hachiko Exit, Central Exit and South Exit – we’ll cover each in detail below.

Exit levels overview

• Ground floor: main concourses, commercial areas and connections to nearby department stores.
• Second floor: JR ticket gates for Yamanote and other JR lines.
• Third floor: Tokyo Metro Ginza Line ticket gate (exit only), plus overhead walkways.
• Basement levels: Exit 15 on B3 leads directly into Shibuya Hikarie and underground shopping.

Knowing which floor you need saves you time – and keeps you from zigzagging through crowds.

Choose your exit

Not all exits are created equal. Some drop you at iconic landmarks, others at hidden gems. Here’s what each major gateway offers.

Hachiko exit

To reach the Hachiko Exit, head to the Harajuku-direction end of the Yamanote Line platform, then take the stairs or escalator down to the second-floor ticket gate (MATCHA). Once you clear the gate, you’ll emerge at the beloved Hachiko Statue.

Landmarks around

• Hachiko Statue: the famous loyal dog memorial, a popular meet-up spot.
• Scramble Crossing: watch hundreds dash every light change.
• Shibuya Center Street: a buzzing pedestrian lane packed with shops.

Nearby eats

• Uobei for conveyor-belt sushi (fast and fun).
• Ichiran Ramen for a solo dining booth experience.
• Nonbei Yokocho (drunkard’s alley) for tiny izakaya bars.

Central gate

You’ll find the Central Exit in the middle of the Yamanote platform. Just take the stairs or escalator up from tracks 1 or 2 to reach the third-floor ticket gates. This route is perfect if you’re aiming for Tokyo Metro’s Ginza Line or Keio Inokashira Line.

Shibuya Hikarie access

• Descend from the Central Gate to B3 by Exit 15, and you’re in Shibuya Hikarie’s shopping and dining complex.

Dining and shops

• Blue Bottle Coffee for a caffeine fix.
• Story Restaurant & Bar for skyline views.
• Loft Shibuya for quirky gifts and stationery.

New south gate

For the New South Gate, walk along platforms 3 and 4 (Narita Express, Saikyō, Rinkai and Shōnan-Shinjuku Lines) toward the south end, then follow signs up to the second-floor gate. It’s a quieter alternative to Hachiko.

Narita Express platform

• Perfect if you’re heading straight to Narita Airport.
• Fewer crowds than the main exits.

Surrounding area

• Shibuya Stream: shops, riverside cafes and live music.
• Bunkamura: concert hall, art gallery and theater.

Miyamasuzaka exit

Also known as the Miyashita Park exit, this gate sits just right of the Hachiko Exit. After passing through Hachiko, turn right and take the stairs down to street level.

Miyashita Park connection

• Direct path to the revamped Miyashita Park rooftop skate park and cafes.

Local hangouts

• Onitsuka Tiger flagship store.
• Nice Cream for inventive soft-serve flavors.

Ginza line exit

Although this is technically an exit, the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line gate on the third floor only serves as an exit for arriving passengers (MATCHA). You can’t enter here, but if you’re hopping off the Ginza Line this is your landing spot.

Metro link

• Once you’re out, follow signs to the JR Central Gate if you want to transfer back to the Yamanote Line.

Shopping nearby

• Tokyu Department Store Toyoko branch.
• Shibuya Mark City shops above the Tokyu Toyoko Line station.

Access connecting lines

Transferring between lines at Shibuya is smoother once you know which route to take.

Transfer to hanzomon and den-en-toshi

From the Yamanote platform, use the Hachiko Exit. After the gate, take the stairs or escalator immediately to your right down one level to find the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon and Tokyu Den-en-Toshi Line platforms (MATCHA).

Transfer to keio inokashira line

Exit via Hachiko, then look for the mural “The Myth of Tomorrow” by Tarō Okamoto. That passage leads straight to the Keio Inokashira Line entrance – a short walk but an easy landmark to follow.

Find shopping spots

Shibuya Station isn’t just a transit hub – it’s a shopper’s paradise.

Department stores connection

• Shibuya Hikarie by Exit 15 (B3): upscale fashion, home goods and eateries.
• Tokyu Department Store Toyoko: linked via the Ginza Line exit.
• Shibuya Mark City: levels of boutiques above the Tokyu Toyoko Line.

Street shopping

• Center Street off the Hachiko Exit: t-shirts, souvenirs and fast-fashion.
• Spain Slope near the South Gate: vintage shops and vinyl record stores.

Use practical tips

A few insider moves help you breeze through Shibuya Station.

Navigating crowds

• Peak hours: 8–9 am and 5–7 pm. If you can travel outside those windows you’ll dodge the worst of the crush.
• Follow the colored line markers on the platform floor to queue properly.

Ticketing and passes

• IC cards (Suica, Pasmo) work on JR and Tokyo Metro.
• If you hold a Japan Rail Pass, enter via the green “JR Pass” gates.

Accessibility options

• Elevators: look for blue wheelchair icons on station maps.
• Escalators: nearly every exit and platform has at least one escalator.

Plan your transfers

Shibuya is your launchpad to Tokyo’s hottest neighborhoods.

To major districts

• Harajuku: one stop north on the Yamanote Line or a 10-minute walk. Check our harajuku station yamanote line guide for details.
• Shinjuku: two stops north on Yamanote — peek at our shinjuku station yamanote line guide.
• Ebisu: one stop southeast — see ebisu station yamanote line guide.

To other Yamanote stops

• Ikebukuro: eight stops north ([ikebukuro station yamanote line](https://yamanote-line-tokyo.com/ikebukuro-station-yamanote-line)) for Sunshine City.
• Tokyo Station: four stops northeast; visit our tokyo station yamanote line exits guide before you go.

Review key takeaways

• Know the floors: JR on 2nd, Metro Ginza on 3rd, Exit 15 on B3.
• Hachiko Exit is best for Shibuya Crossing and Center Street.
• Central Gate links to Hikarie and the Ginza Line.
• New South Gate gives quick access to Narita Express and Shibuya Stream.
• Use Hachiko Exit landmarks to transfer smoothly to other lines.
• Shop in Hikarie, Tokyu, Mark City or hit street stalls via Center Street.
• Beat the crowds by traveling off-peak, and use IC cards for speed.

Try one route today, like exiting via Miyamasuzaka to explore Miyashita Park, and see how effortlessly you move around Shibuya. Safe travels and happy exploring.

Frequently asked questions

1. How many exits does Shibuya Station have?
   Shibuya Station features over a dozen exits across multiple levels. Major ones include Hachiko, Central, New South and Miyamasuzaka.

2. Which exit is best for Shibuya Crossing?
   The Hachiko Exit is your go-to for the famous scramble and the Hachiko Statue.

3. How do I transfer from the Yamanote to the Ginza Line?
   Use the Central Gate on the second floor. Then follow signs up to the third-floor Ginza Line ticket gate.

4. Can I store luggage at Shibuya Station?
   Yes. Coin lockers of various sizes are available near most gates, especially around the Hachiko and Central exits.

5. Are there elevators and escalators throughout the station?
   Absolutely. Look for wheelchair icons on station maps for elevator locations, and nearly every platform and exit has at least one escalator.