Shin-Yokohama Station Guide: Shinkansen Access, Transfers & Nearby Attractions

Shin-Yokohama vs Yokohama Station: What You Need to Know

Shin-Yokohama Station (新横浜駅) and Yokohama Station are not the same place — and this trips up a surprising number of first-time visitors to Japan. Yokohama Station is the city's main transportation hub, surrounded by department stores and connecting to multiple JR, private railway, and subway lines. Shin-Yokohama Station, about 15 minutes away by train, is where the shinkansen stops.

If you are arriving in Yokohama by bullet train, you will arrive at Shin-Yokohama. If you are heading to Chinatown, Minato Mirai, or the waterfront, you will need to transfer from here to local transport. The station is well-signed in English, but knowing the layout in advance saves time — especially if you have luggage or are catching a connection.

Shin-Yokohama sits in the Kohoku Ward area, a business and sports district quite different from central Yokohama's tourist zones. The area has its own attractions worth knowing about, particularly if you have time between trains.

Which Shinkansen Stop at Shin-Yokohama

All three Tokaido Shinkansen services stop at Shin-Yokohama: Nozomi (のぞみ), Hikari (ひかり), and Kodama (こだま). This makes Shin-Yokohama one of the more convenient shinkansen stations — unlike some smaller stops, you do not need to plan around which service type to catch.

From Tokyo Station, the Nozomi reaches Shin-Yokohama in approximately 18 minutes (¥2,850). This makes Shin-Yokohama the first stop west of Tokyo on the fastest services, and a practical entry point for travelers heading to or from Kyoto, Osaka, and points along the Tokaido/Sanyo corridor.

Note for Japan Rail Pass holders: the JR Pass covers Hikari and Kodama services but not Nozomi. The Hikari takes a few minutes longer to Shin-Yokohama from Tokyo but is otherwise identical in comfort. Kodama stops at every station and is the slowest option.

Station Layout and Navigating Transfers

Shinkansen Gates (3F) to JR Yokohama Line (1F)

Shin-Yokohama Station is a multi-level building. Shinkansen platforms and gates are on the third floor (3F). The JR Yokohama Line, which connects to Yokohama Station and other local destinations, operates from platforms on the first floor (1F).

To transfer from the shinkansen to the JR Yokohama Line, exit through the shinkansen ticket gates on 3F, then follow signs down to the 1F platforms. The walk takes about five minutes at a normal pace. Elevators and escalators are available for those with luggage. Signage is bilingual (Japanese and English) throughout.

Allow 5-10 minutes for the transfer, more during peak hours or when carrying large bags. If you are transferring in the opposite direction — from local trains to the shinkansen — factor in time for ticket purchase at the shinkansen gates on 3F.

Transferring to the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line

The Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line (ブルーライン) runs underground at the station, accessible from the basement level (B2F). This line connects Shin-Yokohama directly to Yokohama Station, Sakuragicho (for Minato Mirai and Chinatown), and further south.

Follow signs from the shinkansen gates down to the subway level. Platform 1 serves the Yokohama and Sakuragicho direction; Platform 2 heads toward Azamino. The subway is often faster than the JR Yokohama Line for reaching central Yokohama tourist areas, particularly Sakuragicho.

The Sotetsu-Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line also serves the station, providing direct connections to Shibuya and other Tokyo destinations without needing to go via Tokyo Station.

Coin Lockers and Station Facilities

Coin lockers are available on three floors: 1F, 2F, and 3F. Sizes and rates are:

Size	Price	Fits
Small	¥300 (~$2)	Backpacks, small bags
Medium	¥500 (~$3.30)	Carry-on suitcases
Large	¥700 (~$4.70)	Full-size suitcases

Prices are per use up to 24 hours. Large lockers fill up quickly on event days — particularly when Nissan Stadium hosts football matches or concerts. If you arrive during an event, check 1F lockers first as they tend to have more availability than the busier 3F shinkansen level.

The station building includes Cubic Plaza, a shopping complex with restaurants, cafes, a convenience store, and a drugstore. For ekiben (train station bento boxes), shops on the 3F shinkansen concourse sell regional specialties including the famous Kiyoken shumai bento — a Yokohama classic worth grabbing before boarding.

What to Do Near Shin-Yokohama on a Layover

Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum

The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum (新横浜ラーメン博物館) is a five-minute walk from the station's north exit. Despite the name, it is less a traditional museum and more an indoor food hall — a recreation of a 1950s Tokyo streetscape housing eight to ten regional ramen shops from across Japan.

Admission is ¥450 (~$3) for adults and ¥250 (~$1.70) for elementary and middle school students. Hours are 11:00 to 22:00 (last order 21:30), open daily. No reservation is needed, but expect lines of 20-30 minutes at popular stalls on weekends.

For a layover, the Ramen Museum is one of the best uses of spare time at Shin-Yokohama. You can comfortably visit, eat a bowl or two, and return to the station within 1.5 to 2 hours. Cash is preferred inside the museum.

Nissan Stadium and Nearby Walks

Nissan Stadium (日産スタジアム), home of the Yokohama F. Marinos football club, is about a 15-minute walk from the station. Unless there is a match or event, the stadium area itself is not a major draw — but the walk to the stadium passes through a pleasant park area with green space and river views.

If you have a longer layover and the weather is good, the park is a quiet contrast to the station area.

Getting to Yokohama City Center from Shin-Yokohama

Two main options connect Shin-Yokohama to central Yokohama:

Route	Time	Cost	Best for
JR Yokohama Line to Yokohama Station	~15 min	¥220 (~$1.50)	Connecting to other JR lines
Blue Line subway to Sakuragicho	Check at station	Check at station	Chinatown, Minato Mirai, waterfront

The JR Yokohama Line is the standard choice if your destination is Yokohama Station itself — the ride is straightforward and covered by JR Pass. For tourist destinations like Yokohama Chinatown, Red Brick Warehouse, or the Cup Noodles Museum, the Blue Line to Sakuragicho is more direct.

If you are heading to Tokyo (Shibuya area) without passing through Tokyo Station, the Sotetsu-Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line offers a direct connection — useful for travelers whose hotel is in western Tokyo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Nozomi Shinkansen stop at Shin-Yokohama?

Yes — all three Tokaido Shinkansen services (Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama) stop at Shin-Yokohama. The Nozomi from Tokyo Station takes approximately 18 minutes. Japan Rail Pass holders should note that the JR Pass covers Hikari and Kodama but not Nozomi.

How do I get from Shin-Yokohama to Yokohama Station?

The JR Yokohama Line takes about 15 minutes and costs ¥220 (~$1.50). Alternatively, the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line connects both stations underground. For tourist areas like Chinatown or Minato Mirai, the Blue Line to Sakuragicho is more direct than going via Yokohama Station.

Are there coin lockers big enough for suitcases at Shin-Yokohama?

Yes — lockers are available on 1F, 2F, and 3F in three sizes: small (¥300), medium (¥500), and large (¥700). Large lockers fit standard suitcases but fill up quickly on days when Nissan Stadium hosts events. Arrive early or check 1F lockers if the 3F level near the shinkansen gates is full.

Is Shin-Yokohama Station the same as Yokohama Station?

No — they are completely separate stations about 15 minutes apart by train. Shin-Yokohama is where the shinkansen (bullet train) stops. Yokohama Station is the city's main transportation hub with shopping malls, more rail connections, and closer proximity to the waterfront tourist areas. Most visitors arriving by shinkansen will need to transfer to local transport at Shin-Yokohama to reach central Yokohama.