It can sometimes be a challenge to get around in the train stations with a pram. While the train station staff would provide assistance to the handicapped, the same does not apply for mothers with prams. I’d rather push my daughter around in a pram if i can help it. Can you imagine the strain on your poor back with all that constant carrying of your baby. It starts getting worse when your child gets heavier. I ain’t no Superwoman…So therefore, i am currently compiling a list of the train stations in Tokyo which i have visited that have and don’t have elevators. I hope this information will come in useful for other parents struggling with bringing their child around in a pram. If there are corrections regarding the information here, please do let me know and i will make the updates.
STATIONS WITH ELEVATORS:
- Akihabara (JR). It’s a maze in there but every platform has an elevator. You just have to look for the signs. The Metro has elevator access too from Showa-Dori entrance/exit.
- Asakusa (JR)
- Ebisu (JR & Metro Hibiya Line)
- Hamamatsucho (JR)
- Kamiyacho (Metro)
- Kinshicho (JR & Metro)
- Kokusai Tenjijo (TWR)
- Mita (Metro)
- Narita Airport (JR)
- Nishi-Nippori (JR)
- Oimachi (JR)
- Osaki (JR)
- Shibuya (JR)
- Shinagawa (JR). The elevator at the Takanawa entrance/exit smells like urine though.
- Shinjuku (JR)
- Tamachi (JR)
- Tokyo (JR). But it’s a pain to get to elevators when changing tracks. Be prepared to walk…be very prepared.
- Toyosu (Metro)
- Tsukishima (Metro)
- Ueno (JR). If you’re exiting from the JR Yamanote Line, you’ll have to go up and then go down again. Takes quite a bit of navigating.
- Yurakucho (JR). Has elevator but only from the main entrance/exit. If you enter from the wrong entrance, you will have to exit and re-enter at the main entrance. The Hanzomon Line has an escalator but no lift.
STATIONS WITH NO ELEVATORS:
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Asakusa (Metro). It’s a nightmare with several flights of long stairs.
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Gotanda (JR). Will be having an elevator in the next few months.
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Harajuku (JR)
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Kanda (JR)
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Minami-Funabashi. No elevators and no escalators. For those of you planning on going to Ikea, please bear this in mind.
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Okachimachi (JR)
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Shimbashi (JR)
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Shin-Okubo (JR)
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Yoyogi (JR)
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Yurakucho (Hibiya, Chiyoda Lines)
Thanks for your listing. It helps!
Yurakucho is a tough station with a stroller. When you transfer to the Hibiya and Chiyoda line, you have to go up and down a flight of stairs. Most people will help you if you ask. Also if you want to take the Hanzonmon line, its about 3 flight down on the escaltor, no lift.
I have yet to find a stroller-friendly route when taking the Metro Yurakucho line. They don’t seem to connect well. IF you do find an elevator, it’s only to realise that you have to carry your stroller up several flights of steps afterwards.
With an escalator, it still isn’t that bad. I guess with some practice (and lots of confidence), you can use escalators with your stroller. What really annoys me is when there are only steps.
Tamachi station on the JR has an elevator as does Mita station on the metro.
Gotanda station is finally getting an elevator to be open in the next few months! It really needs one as this is the station for Akachan Honpo and it only has an up escalator.
Elevator at Gotanda? Yay! This is definitely good news. Please keep us updated when it is ready.
In Kawasaki, there is neither elevator nor escalator for Keihin Tohoku platform. There is one escalator that comes only upward direction.