The first phase of Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu was opened on 17 September, 2022. This new terminal aimed to consolidate all the different bus services which are currently scattered along the road outside Yaesu Exit of Tokyo Station and is expected to cater for 600 bus services daily.
Let us take an in-depth look at the newly opened bus terminal. Its accessibility, facilities as well as recommended restaurants will also be covered in this article.

What is Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu?

Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu is a bus terminal right in front of Tokyo Station (Yaesu Exit) which has been scheduled to open in three phases. The first phase was just opened last year, while the second and the last phases are scheduled to open in 2025 and 2028 respectively. It will be the largest bus terminal in Japan when completed.

This time I will be introducing the areas included in the first phase which made up of:
<Basement 1/F>　Ticketing & information Counter
<Basement 2/F>　Departure concourse
The bus terminal can be accessed from ground level and is also directly connected with the Yaesu underground shopping mall.
The Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu will be a consolidated hub for 600 different bus services a day. These bus services operate nationwide, with about 30 bus services from Tohoku area, 380 services from Chiba, 20 services from other areas in Kanto, 20 services from Hokuriku and Koshinetsu, 50 services from Tokai region, 80 services from Kansai area and 20 services from Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu.

Access to Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu

I am going to introduce the ways to the Bus Terminal. If you have a poor sense of direction, you might opt for going from the ground level. If you prefer a faster route, I recommend going from the underground level.

– From ground floor

Firstly, let me introduce the ways to Bus Terminal from ground level.

Look for the “Yaesu South Exit” signage once you arrived the Tokyo Station.

After getting out from the station, you will see a building, Tokyo Midtown Yaesu just in front of you, it is where the bus terminal located.

However, you might have to go a bit further as there is no pedestrian crossing nearby. Turn to your right once you leave the station.

Follow the way and go straight.

Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and turn left.

Go straight.

You will be arriving at the Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, where the bus terminal is located.

The ticketing & information counter is at Basement 1/F while the departure concourse is at Basement 2/F. Let’s take an escalator or elevator and go downstairs.

From underground floor

Next, let’s look at the way to the bus terminal from underground floor.

Once you arrived Tokyo Station, head towards the Yaesu South Exit.

Pass through the ticket gate and you will see a descending staircase just in front of you right after you get outside the station (the red mark in the photo above). Let’s go down the stairs.

Go straight and at the end of the passage, it is connected to the Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu (Tokyo Midtown Yaesu).

You are now in Basement 1/F. If you want to go straight to the bus platform, take an escalator or elevator to the Basement 2/F.

What you can find at Basement 1/F of Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu

Let us take a look at Basement 1/F.

– Ticketing & information counter

There was a ticketing and information counter at Basement 1/F. Bus tickets can be purchased in advance online or bought on the bus with an IC card. You can also purchase a ticket at the counter here.

◎Operating hours: 6:20～20:00

※ Credit cards can be used
※ Tickets of the following routes can be purchased at the counter.
    ・Tokyo – Kimitsu Line
・Mitsui Outlet Park Kisarazu Line
・Tokyo – Kisarazu Line
・Tokyo – Kamogawa Line
・Tokyo – Katsuura Line
・Tokyo – Choshi Line
・Tokyo – Togane / Narutou Line etc.

– Ticketing machine

There was a ticketing machine at the left of ticketing and information counter. However, only tickets of certain routes can be purchased at the ticketing machine, and credit cards cannot be used.

◎Operating hours 5:00～22:00

– Lounge

A lounge area was available in front of the ticketing and information counter where you can kill time with free wifi and a comfy seat at sofa.

◎Operating hours 5:00～24:35

– Coin-lockers & vending machines

To the right of ticketing and information counter were coin-lockers and vending machines. You might need to be aware that although vending machines can be dotted around Basement 2/F, coin lockers were only available here.

– Body therapy

Just next to the ticketing and information counter was a body therapy named “KA RA DA factory”. It offered intensive body care courses on skeletal / pelvis correction, muscle stretching, and head massage which help you to relax before or after a bus ride.

◎Basic information of “KA RA DA factory” Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu Branch

Operating hours	10:00～21:00
Address	Basement 1/F, Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu, 2-2-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Tel	03-6262-6774
Homepage	https://karada39.com/salon/detail.html?id=919

– Shops & restaurants

Basement 1/F of Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu was connected to the shop and restaurant floor of Tokyo Midtown Yaesu. In addition to Starbucks and local popular cafés, there was a wide selection of menus including standing sushi, spicy tan-tan noodle, and tacos.

There was a pharmacy which is convenient if you forget to bring along any necessities or pills for motion sickness.

◎Basic information of Basement 1/F, Tokyo Midtown Yaesu

Operating hours	10:00〜21:00 ※Operating hours may vary with shops Please check with the shops directly for information
Address	Basement 1/F, Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, 2-2-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Tel	Please check with the shops directly for information
Homepage	https://www.yaesu.tokyo-midtown.com/

– Convenience store

A convenience store “7-Eleven” was located at Basement 1/F, which was just next to the escalator leading to the bus platform at Basement 2/F.

◎Basic information of “7-Eleven” Tokyo Midtown Yaesu Branch

Operating hours	7:00 ～ 23:00
Address	Basement 1/F, Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, 2-2-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Tel	03-3231-5889
Related link	https://www.yaesu.tokyo-midtown.com/shop-restaurant/detail/90100

What you can find at Basement 2/F of Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu

Let us then take a look at Basement 2/F.

– Departure concourse

The departure concourse was at Basement 2/F of the bus terminal. There were 6 boarding gates ranging from No.11 to No. 16.
What is surprising is that platform screen doors were installed and they open only when bus arrives. The screen doors not only help to keep the conditioned air indoors, but also served as a safety fence to reduce the risk of accidents.

Boarding was gathered into one location so it minimizes the risk of getting lost. Digital display boards, installed at every boarding gate showed all the relevant information related to the departure and arrival of vehicles, date and time. Announcements were broadcasted automatically to keep passengers informed of bus arrivals while they are waiting.

– Lounge

There was a lounge area at the center, but with limited number of seats. If your waiting time is long, it might be a better idea to get a seat at any restaurant or café at Basement 1/F or at Yaesu Shopping Mall instead.

– Convenience store

Another convenience store “Family Mart” can be found at Basement 2/F. This convenience store was compact in size, but it did help if you just want to grab some snacks or sweets on board.

◎Basic information “Family Mart” Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu/S Branch

Operating hours	As per operating hours of bus terminal
Address	Basement 2/F, Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, 2-2-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Tel	03-5299-7470
Related link	https://www.yaesu.tokyo-midtown.com/shop-restaurant/detail/00002

– Vending machines

While you are waiting, you can always get something to drink as there were a number of vending machines at the bus terminal.

– Restrooms / accessible restrooms/ nursery room

Restrooms at the Basement 2/F were spacious. Apart from male and female toilets, there were also accessible restrooms and a nursery room which tailored the needs of everyone.

2 recommended shops & restaurants

Basement 1/F of Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu was connected to the shop and restaurant floor of Tokyo Midtown Yaesu. It is easy to get a tasty meal while you are waiting. Let me introduce 2 recommended shops to you.

■Cake at PARIYA DELICATESSEN

With branches at youth-oriented areas in Aoyama, Shibuya, Yokohama and Umeda etc, PARIYA DELICATESSEN recently opened its branch at Tokyo Midtown Yaesu. This shop was a hot spot for people who work in the neighbourhood, as it offered weekly deli specialties mixed with spices and herbs in a chic and modern atmosphere.

My attention was drawn by these beautiful cakes. The cakes were so impressive that I would never forget once I see it. There is no reason that I just pass by without buying one. I was wondering which one I should get.

There were many types of cakes which look tempting, which included the new released cakes for celebration of shop opening and the season-limited cakes. As it was my first time, I decided to order the most popular cake of the shop “Strawberry Classic Shortcake”. I couldn’t stop grinning while taking picture of the cake itself. The cake was light and fluffy with smooth whipped cream and fresh strawberries. It was so tasty and I finished it in no time.

There was a drink bar inside the shop if you order a cake set. I was surprised that a full range of soup, coffee, tea etc. were served. It was a shop that I’d definitely love to go again.

◎ Basic information of “PARIYA DELICATESSEN Yaesu”

Operating hours	10:00～21:00
Address	Basement 1/F, Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, 2-2-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Tel	03-6262-7580
Related link	http://pariya.jp/

– Potama at Pork Tamago Onigiri

I wandered around the restaurant floor and happened to see a shop with an interesting name, “Potama”. It was actually a shop specializing in Okinawan soul food, pork tamago onigiri. The Onigiri were freshly made by hand upon order so that customers were able to enjoy them at their best; fresh, hot and made with love, just like in Okinawan homes.

I ordered a mozuku(seaweed) soup and the Shrimp and Scallop Kakiage which is exclusive to the branch at Tokyo Midtown Yaesu. As it was only for takeaway, I took a seat at the bench and finished it when it was still hot.

Deep-fried in sesame oil and dipped in tsuyu (soy sauce), the Edomae-style kakiage was filled with shrimps and little scallops. The egg and the original pork luncheon meat, made from 100% Okinawan pork with no preservatives or artificial colouring, went well together. It was definitely a taste that everyone would love. The mozuku soup, with deep and rich broth, was also recommended.

The menu offered lots of selection. Let’s try and find out your favorite dish among them.

◎Basic information of “Potama, Tokyo Midtown Yaesu Branch”

Operating hours	10:00～21:00
Address	Basement 1/F, Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, 2-2-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Tel	03-6265-1078
Related link	http://porktamago.com/en/

Can’t wait to see the further development project of Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu

How was it? This time I introduced you the Phase 1 area of Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu, which is expected to develop further along with the opening of Tokyo Midtown Yaesu in March 2023. No matter if you are using the bus or not, there is lots of fun you can find in the building, why not come and pay a visit.