Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu: How to Catch a Highway Bus from Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station seriesPart of my Tokyo Station Yaesu Guide — choose the right exit, check whether a place is inside or outside the JR gates, and plan time before trains or buses.

The biggest point of confusion I found at Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu is that it is not one single boarding hall. It has two separate areas: A beneath TOFROM YAESU and B beneath Tokyo Midtown Yaesu. I walked and photographed both routes from Tokyo Station. Although both buildings connect to the wider Yaechika underground network, their departure boards and gates are separate. In this guide, I show how I identify the correct area, reach it from Tokyo Station, check the ticket options, and avoid a last-minute sprint.

1. The quick answer

The terminal’s official operating hours are 5:00 a.m. until the last departure at 12:35 a.m. Underground passages do not remain equally accessible all night: the official access map shows the normal underground route as roughly 6:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m., while the street-level approach is available for a wider period. After 11:00 p.m., shutters restrict movement between A and B underground, so use the outside route and arrive especially early.

2. Which buses leave from here?

Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu serves daytime and overnight highway buses across Japan. The exact route, operator, timetable, and even boarding gate can change. I took these representative destinations from the official route directory when I checked it on October 14, 2026—they are not a promise that every route operates every day.

3. How to get there from Tokyo Station

For a first visit, I recommend Yaesu Central Exit as the clearest common starting point. After leaving the JR ticket gates, continue toward the Yaesu frontage. From there, follow the route for the area printed on your reservation: Area A beneath TOFROM YAESU or Area B beneath Tokyo Midtown Yaesu.

Route to Area A: TOFROM YAESU

Area A is beneath TOFROM YAESU. I followed the full route from the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station to the terminal entrance and marked it on the map below.

1. 1
   Walk straight from the Yaesu station frontage

   Follow the blue arrow toward TOFROM YAESU. Do not turn toward the Marunouchi side.

2. 2
   Continue beside TOFROM YAESU

   Stay on the marked sidewalk and follow the building rather than entering at the first doorway.

3. 3
   Take the elevator down

   Use the elevator shown in the photo. After descending, follow the Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu A signs.

Route to Area B: Tokyo Midtown Yaesu

Area B is beneath Tokyo Midtown Yaesu. I followed the route from Yaesu South Exit and found one detail especially important: the ticket/information counter and boarding floor are on different levels.

1. 1
   Follow signs for Yaesu South Exit

   Leave the JR paid area and continue toward the station frontage.

2. 2
   Walk outside and turn right

   Continue along the Yaesu side toward the JR highway-bus area.

3. 3
   Cross toward Tokyo Midtown Yaesu

   Use the pedestrian crossing shown in the photos, then enter the Midtown building.

4. 4
   Take the elevator down

   The Area B ticket and information counter is on B1. Boarding gates B11–B16 are one level lower on B2.

Underground route for rain

Both buildings connect to Yaechika (Yaesu Underground Shopping Mall), so you can reach either terminal without crossing outside in the rain. I follow signs for TOFROM YAESU for Area A or Tokyo Midtown Yaesu for Area B. I find the indoor route comfortable with rolling luggage, but there are several junctions, so I check each sign instead of simply following the crowd.

Use the official A/B access guide and save its printable terminal map before travel.

4. Buying tickets: reserve first when possible

The terminal itself does not manage reservations for every bus. I recommend finding your route in the official directory, opening the bus operator’s booking page, and reserving directly. If you need English, check whether that operator offers an English page before paying.

For example, VIP Liner’s English site currently lists a direct Tokyo–Kawaguchiko bus. Use it as one operator example, not as a universal booking site for all departures.

5. My departure-day checklist

1. 1
   Open the ticket or confirmation email

   Confirm A or B, operator, service name/number, time, and destination. “Tokyo Station” alone is not enough.

2. 2
   Arrive 20–30 minutes early

   This gives a first-time visitor time to find the correct area, use the restroom, and reorganize luggage.

3. 3
   Read the departure board for your area

   Match the service and time, then note the current gate. A bus stop can change on the day, and the A and B boards show only their own departures.

4. 4
   Go to the gate at least 10 minutes early

   For a reserved bus, you do not need to queue extremely early, but you must be present before departure. Buses leave on time even if a passenger is missing.

5. 5
   Show your web or paper ticket

   Travelers who already hold the required ticket can normally go directly to the stop without visiting the counter.

The official live gate guide is useful before arrival, but always treat the screen inside the terminal and staff announcements as the final instruction.

6. Luggage, bus trunks, and coin lockers

Luggage limits are set by each bus operator, not by one terminal-wide rule. Ordinary suitcases may be accepted in the underfloor trunk on many coaches, while bicycles, musical instruments, surfboards, snowboards, very large cases, fragile items, and valuables may be restricted or refused. Check the operator’s size, quantity, and liability rules before booking.

• Keep valuables with you: passports, cash, medication, phones, cameras, and breakable items belong in your cabin bag.
• Label the suitcase: add your name and contact details before placing it in the trunk.
• Ask before bringing special equipment: do not arrive with a bicycle or board based on another operator’s rule.
• Use a locker for a long wait: both terminal areas list coin lockers, but sizes and vacancies are limited.

Facilities at a glance

Facility hours and access can change. Recheck the terminal’s official services page, especially for late-night departures.

For station locker sizes, availability checks, and luggage delivery, see my coin locker and luggage-storage guide.

7. Where to eat before your bus

Choose food based on the terminal area and time remaining. A sit-down restaurant is not worth missing a non-refundable departure.

8. Bus or train to Mt. Fuji and Kawaguchiko?

The answer depends on the exact date. When I checked VIP Liner’s timetable on October 14, 2026, it showed a direct service from Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu A at 11:10 a.m. to Kawaguchiko Station West at 1:00 p.m. Fares shown for October dates varied, so I treat the figures below as a planning snapshot rather than a promise for another travel day.

My recommendation: I would choose the bus when its departure time matches the plan and I want the simplest low-cost route from the Yaesu side. I would choose rail when highway traffic could threaten an important reservation, or when the bus schedule does not fit. Check the current VIP Liner timetable and fare and the official Fuji Excursion information before deciding.

9. Useful Japanese at the terminal

10. Quick FAQ