Shinagawa

What to know

Shinagawa (品川) is one of Tokyo's 23 special wards, and its station is among the busiest in the city. Its role as a transport hub has attracted numerous hotels, offices, restaurants, and shops. Shinagawa has catered to travelers since the Edo Period (1603–1868), when it served as the first post station on the main road linking Tokyo with Kyoto.

Shinagawa Station is a key transportation hub in Tokyo, served by the Yamanote Line, Tokaido Shinkansen, and direct trains to both Haneda and Narita airports. Haneda is just 15 minutes away. The station will become even more important in the 2030s when it becomes the Tokyo terminal for the new maglev line to Nagoya.

The station has two exits: the Takanawa Exit on the west and the Konan Exit on the east. The Takanawa side is home to many hotels, especially Prince Hotels, and shopping complexes like the Shinagawa Prince Hotel complex, which includes cinemas, bowling, and the Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa aquarium.

The Konan Exit area features large office buildings and company headquarters. These buildings are designed to meet workers' needs, with dining and shopping on the lower floors and a large garden space for a pleasant atmosphere.

Shinagawa grew into an important town in the early 1600s after the construction of the Tokaido, the main route between Edo (modern Tokyo) and Kyoto. It was the first of 53 post stations from Nihonbashi, providing food and lodging for travelers, much like today's hotels.

As Tokyo expanded, Shinagawa was absorbed and its rustic post-town feel gave way to a modern city. However, the former Tokaido road south of the station retains charm with small shrines, temples, and historic sites. A small information center is located near Ebara Shrine.