Nippori Station Guide: Your Key to Tokyos Hidden Gems

Station overview at Nippori

Planning your Tokyo itinerary can feel overwhelming, but if you know how to navigate Nippori Station, you’ll unlock a side of Tokyo that’s equal parts historic and hip. If you’re gearing up for a trip, the ultimate nippori station guide will help you navigate like a local, with maps, exit tips, and nearby hidden gems.

By the end, you’ll breeze through transfers, find the best exits, and dive straight into fabric town, retro amusement parks, and winding temple lanes.

Lines served

Nippori Station is a major interchange in Arakawa, Tokyo, linking three JR East lines, the Keisei Dentetsu Line, and the Toei Nippori-Toneri Liner. Here’s what you’ll find:

• JR Yamanote Line (loop service around central Tokyo)
• JR Keihin-Tōhoku Line (connects Saitama to Yokohama)
• JR Jōban Line (runs northeast toward Iwaki)
• Keisei Main Line & Keisei Skyliner (rapid access to Narita Airport)
• Toei Nippori-Toneri Liner (automated guideway transit to Toneri)

Station history

Nippori Station opened on April 1, 1905 (JR East) and December 19, 1931 (Keisei) (Wikipedia). In October 2009, a new elevated platform launched for Keisei’s Skyliner and limited express services, cutting transfer times and easing congestion.

Daily ridership

Over 200,000 passengers pass through Nippori each day. Here’s a breakdown for fiscal 2013:

system	daily ridership (FY2013)	operator rank
JR East	102,817 (boarding only) (Wikipedia)	37th-busiest
Keisei Dentetsu	96,428 (entering/exiting) (Wikipedia)	3rd-busiest
Toei Nippori-Toneri Liner	20,421 (boarding only) (Wikipedia)	busiest on line

Plan transfers smartly

Let’s walk through transfer basics so you don’t get caught off guard.

JR to Keisei transfer

If you have a JR ticket or rail pass and want to catch the Skyliner, follow signs to the Keisei section. You’ll head up to the top floor—look for escalators marked “Keisei”. Once you reach the transfer/exit level, follow platform signs for Narita Airport trains.

Using IC cards

Got a Suica or Pasmo? Just tap at the transfer ticket gate (Gate B for JR lines) and glide straight through. Remember to check your card balance before hopping off the train, or you might hit an insufficient-funds gate beep.

Skyliner connections

If your aim is Narita Airport, you can transfer here—but note that holders of the “Keisei Skyliner & Tokyo Subway Ticket” or “Greater Tokyo Pass” should consider using Ueno instead. For that route, peek at the ueno station yamanote line exits guide to make your life easier.

Navigate station exits

Nippori Station has multiple exits that sling you into different neighborhoods. Picking the right one can save you time and extra steps.

JR central north exit

• Leads you to Yanaka Ginza, a charming shopping street with vintage snacks, local crafts, and tiny stalls.
• Perfect if you’re aiming for Tennoji Temple just a five-minute walk away.

JR east exit

• Steps away from Nippori Textile Town, a mile-long stretch with over 90 fabric shops, buttons, and sewing supplies (Go Tokyo).
• Ideal for hobbyists or bargain hunters.

Keisei exit A and B

• Exit A: Head to the JR ticket office if you need a Shinkansen ticket or JR Pass—just to the left as you exit.
• Exit B: Fastest route to the Skyliner platform overhead.

Toneri Liner exit

• A single automated platform, perfect if you’re bound for the northern wards.
• Clear signage in English shows you the way to the ticket machines and platform gate.

Discover nearby attractions

Step off the platform and dive into these local highlights.

Yanaka Ginza shopping street

Picture a retro Tokyo—low-rise buildings, traditional snacks, and a community vibe. You’ll find:

• Grilled mochi on a stick
• Handmade toys and souvenirs
• Cozy cafés to rest your feet

Nippori Textile Town

Tokyo’s fabric capital dates back to the Taishō era (1910s). Walk east from the station and you’ll pass:

• Over 90 stores for quilting, knitting, and tailoring gear (Go Tokyo)
• Affordable bolts of cotton, silk, and vintage kimono cloth
• Helpful shopkeepers, even if your Japanese is limited

Arakawa Yuen amusement park

Reopened April 2022, this ward-operated park mixes nostalgia and new thrills:

• Miniature trains circling a lush landscape
• An animal plaza where you can feed goats and rabbits
• A Ferris wheel with city views

Tennoji Temple and Yanaka neighborhood

Just a short stroll from the north exit, Tennoji Temple offers a peaceful spot amid bustling city life. The surrounding Yanaka district is full of winding alleys, small galleries, and local bakeries begging for exploration.

Find station amenities

You’ll find all the essentials here, so you can stay comfortable and connected.

Ticket offices and gates

• JR ticket office (Midori no Madoguchi) near Exit A for JR Pass exchanges and Shinkansen bookings
• Keisei ticket counter for Skyliner reservations
• Multiple IC card recharge machines

Restrooms and lockers

• Clean, wheelchair-accessible restrooms on the Keisei and JR levels
• Coin lockers in various sizes near the JR central north and east exits

Shops and dining

Right inside the station you’ll spot:

• Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson) for quick snacks
• Bento shops serving fresh lunch boxes
• Cafés with takeaway coffee—fuel up before heading into the fabric alleys

Get travel tips

A few insider nuggets to smooth your journey.

Airport access

• From Narita: Skyliner runs from Keisei Nippori in about 36 minutes.
• From Haneda: JR Yamanote Line direct to Shinagawa, then a transfer to the Keihin-Tōhoku Line back to Nippori. Total ride time ~45 minutes.
• From Tokyo Station on Yamanote: About 20 minutes nonstop.

Off-peak hours

Travel between 10 am and 4 pm on weekdays to avoid the morning and evening rush. Platforms around 9 am and 5 pm can get packed, especially on the Yamanote and Keihin-Tōhoku lines.

Accessibility info

• Elevators connect all platforms to street level.
• Tactile paving guides you from ticket gates to platforms.
• Staff assistance is available at the JR ticket office—just ask for help in English.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I transfer between JR and Keisei with one ticket?
   No, you’ll need separate tickets or an IC card to move between the systems. Just tap out and in at each ticket gate.

2. Are there luggage storage options at Nippori?
   Yes, coin lockers of various sizes are near the north and east exits. If they’re full, try the nearby 24-hour lockers in Yanaka Ginza.

3. Is there free Wi-Fi at the station?
   JR East offers “JR East FREE Wi-Fi” in the station concourse. Look for SSID “JREASTFREE_Wi-Fi”.

4. Which exit is best for going to Nippori Textile Town?
   Use the JR east exit. The textile shops stretch a mile east along the main street.

5. Do all trains stop at Nippori on the Yamanote Line?
   Yes, every Yamanote Line train stops at Nippori, so you don’t need to worry about express services skipping the station.