Komagome Station is located on Tokyo’s JR Yamanote Line, between Sugamo and Tabata Stations.
It is a convenient starting point for visiting two beautiful Japanese gardens: Rikugien Gardens and Kyu-Furukawa Gardens.
However, choosing the wrong station exit can lead to unnecessary walking, especially when visiting Rikugien.
The key difference is that JR Komagome Station has North, South and East exits, while the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line uses numbered exits 1 to 5.
This guide explains which exit to choose, how to transfer between JR and Tokyo Metro, and how to reach the nearby gardens.
- 1. Quick Answer: Which Exit Should You Use?
- 2. JR Komagome Station — North, South and East Exits
- 3. Tokyo Metro Namboku Line — Exits 1 to 5
- 4. How to Get to Rikugien Gardens
- 5. How to Get to Kyu-Furukawa Gardens
- 6. How to Transfer Between JR and the Namboku Line
- 7. Which Direction Should You Take?
- 8. Can You Visit Both Gardens in One Day?
- 9. Five Common Mistakes at Komagome Station
- Mistake 1: Confusing JR Exits with Tokyo Metro Exits
- Mistake 2: Choosing North Exit for Rikugien Gardens
- Mistake 3: Walking to Rikugien’s Someimon Gate Without Checking
- Mistake 4: Thinking Kyu-Furukawa Gardens Is Immediately Outside Komagome Station
- Mistake 5: Using JR East Exit for a Namboku Line Transfer
- 10. Official English Information
- Final Tip
1. Quick Answer: Which Exit Should You Use?
| Destination | Recommended Exit |
|---|---|
| Rikugien Gardens — Main Gate | JR South Exit / Metro Exit 2 |
| Rikugien — Someimon Gate | JR South Exit / Metro Exit 2 |
| Kyu-Furukawa Gardens | JR North Exit / Metro Exit 5 |
| JR Yamanote Line | Metro Exit 3 or 4 area |
| Komagome Public Library | Metro Exit 4 |
| Komagome-higashi-koen Park | Metro Exit 1 or 3 |
| Streets around Nakazato | JR East Exit |
Important: Rikugien’s Someimon Gate is closer to Komagome Station than its Main Gate, but it is normally closed. For regular visits, use the Main Gate.
2. JR Komagome Station — North, South and East Exits
JR Komagome Station is served by the Yamanote Line (JY10).
There are two main JR ticket gate areas:
- A shared ticket gate serving the North and South exits
- A separate ticket gate at the East Exit
These are not three independent ticket gates.
North Exit — Toward Kyu-Furukawa Gardens
North Exit (北口 / Kita-guchi) is convenient for:
- Kyu-Furukawa Gardens
- Streets toward Nishigahara
- Shops along Hongo-dori
- Tokyo Metro Namboku Line connections
The North Exit is a useful starting point if you are walking to Kyu-Furukawa Gardens.
South Exit — Best for Rikugien Gardens
South Exit (南口 / Minami-guchi) is the recommended JR exit for Rikugien Gardens.
It is convenient for:
- Rikugien Gardens
- JR-East Hotel Mets Komagome
- Streets toward Honkomagome
- Tokyo Metro Namboku Line connections
If you are visiting Rikugien, follow the signs for South Exit (南口).
East Exit — Toward Nakazato
East Exit (東口 / Higashi-guchi) is a separate JR ticket gate.
It is useful for:
- Streets toward Nakazato
- Local shopping streets
- Nearby residential areas
According to JR East, this exit is normally unstaffed, but a customer-support call system is available.
Which Gate Has Station Staff?
JR East provides station staff at the shared North/South ticket gate.
The East Exit is normally unstaffed.
Both ticket gate areas are listed as operating from the first train until the last train.
If you need assistance, the North/South ticket gate is usually the better choice.
3. Tokyo Metro Namboku Line — Exits 1 to 5
Komagome Station is also served by the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line (N14).
Unlike JR, the subway uses numbered exits.
Exit 1 — Komagome-higashi-koen Park
Exit 1 is convenient for Komagome-higashi-koen Park and nearby streets.
Exit 2 — Rikugien Gardens
Exit 2 is the recommended subway exit for Rikugien Gardens.
It is useful for:
- Rikugien Gardens
- Bunkyo Gakuin University Girls’ High School
- Nearby Honkomagome streets
Remember that Rikugien’s Main Gate is farther away than the normally closed Someimon Gate.
Exit 3 — JR South Exit
Exit 3 is convenient for:
- JR Komagome Station South Exit
- Komagome-higashi-koen Park
- Seigakuin
It is a useful choice when transferring to the southern side of JR Komagome Station.
Exit 4 — JR North Exit
Exit 4 is convenient for:
- JR Komagome Station North Exit
- Komagome Public Library
- Komagome Area Culture Creation Hall
- Takinogawa Elementary School
Exit 5 — Kyu-Furukawa Gardens
Exit 5 is useful for:
- Kyu-Furukawa Gardens
- Komagome Elementary School
- Komagome Junior High School
- Kagawa Education Institute of Nutrition
If you are arriving on the Namboku Line to visit Kyu-Furukawa Gardens, Exit 5 is a useful starting point.
4. How to Get to Rikugien Gardens
Rikugien is one of Tokyo’s traditional Japanese landscape gardens.
It is known for its peaceful pond, seasonal flowers, maple trees and landscaped walking paths.
From JR Komagome Station
- Get off at Komagome Station (JY10).
- Follow signs for South Exit.
- Leave the station.
- Follow the walking route to Rikugien’s Main Gate.
- Enter through the Main Gate.
Walking time: approximately 7 minutes.
From Tokyo Metro Komagome Station
- Get off at Komagome Station (N14).
- Follow signs for Exit 2.
- Leave through Exit 2.
- Walk toward Rikugien’s Main Gate.
Walking time: approximately 7 minutes.
Important: Main Gate vs. Someimon Gate
Rikugien has two entrances that visitors may see on maps.
Main Gate
- Approximately 7 minutes from JR Komagome South Exit
- Used for regular garden admission
- Recommended for ordinary visits
Someimon Gate
- Approximately 2 minutes from JR Komagome South Exit
- Much closer to Komagome Station
- Normally closed
- Opens only on specially announced dates
Common mistake: Walking to Someimon Gate because it appears closer on a map, only to find it closed.
Unless an official announcement confirms that Someimon Gate is open, use the Main Gate.
Official Rikugien Gardens Access Guide (English)
5. How to Get to Kyu-Furukawa Gardens
Kyu-Furukawa Gardens is known for its elegant Western-style mansion, rose garden and traditional Japanese garden.
It is located north of Komagome Station.
From JR Komagome Station
- Follow signs for North Exit.
- Leave the station.
- Head toward the Nishigahara area.
- Follow the walking route to Kyu-Furukawa Gardens.
Walking time: approximately 12–15 minutes, depending on your walking pace.
The Japanese official access guide lists approximately 12 minutes, while the English guide lists approximately 15 minutes.
From Tokyo Metro Komagome Station
- Get off at Komagome Station (N14).
- Follow signs for Exit 5.
- Leave the station.
- Continue toward Kyu-Furukawa Gardens.
Are There Closer Stations?
Yes.
Two other stations are convenient for Kyu-Furukawa Gardens:
| Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|
| Nishigahara Station — Namboku Line | Approximately 7 minutes |
| Kami-Nakazato Station — JR Keihin-Tohoku Line | Approximately 7 minutes |
| Komagome Station — JR Yamanote Line | Approximately 12–15 minutes |
If Kyu-Furukawa Gardens is your only destination, Nishigahara or Kami-Nakazato Station may be more convenient.
Official Kyu-Furukawa Gardens Access Guide (English)
6. How to Transfer Between JR and the Namboku Line
Komagome Station is served by two railway operators:
- JR East — Yamanote Line (JY10)
- Tokyo Metro — Namboku Line (N14)
The two operators have separate ticket gates.
From JR to Tokyo Metro
- Get off the JR Yamanote Line.
- Follow signs toward the North/South ticket gate.
- Leave the JR ticketed area.
- Follow signs for the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line.
- Enter through the Tokyo Metro ticket gates.
- Check your train direction before boarding.
From Tokyo Metro to JR
- Get off the Namboku Line.
- Follow signs for JR Komagome Station.
- Head toward Exit 3 or Exit 4.
- Enter the JR station through the appropriate ticket gate.
- Follow signs for your Yamanote Line platform.
Tip: The North/South JR gate area is generally more convenient for Namboku Line transfers than the separate JR East Exit.
7. Which Direction Should You Take?
JR Yamanote Line (JY10)
| Direction | Major Destinations |
|---|---|
| Toward Ikebukuro and Shinjuku | Sugamo, Otsuka, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku |
| Toward Ueno and Tokyo | Tabata, Nippori, Ueno, Tokyo |
Check the platform display before boarding.
Tokyo Metro Namboku Line (N14)
Toward Meguro
Useful for stations including:
- Hon-komagome
- Korakuen
- Iidabashi
- Nagatacho
- Meguro
Toward Akabane-iwabuchi
Useful for:
- Nishigahara
- Oji
- Akabane-iwabuchi
Some trains continue beyond the Namboku Line onto other railway networks.
Always check the train destination before boarding.
8. Can You Visit Both Gardens in One Day?
Yes.
Rikugien and Kyu-Furukawa Gardens can be visited on the same day.
A simple itinerary is:
- Arrive at JR Komagome Station.
- Use South Exit and walk to Rikugien’s Main Gate.
- Explore Rikugien Gardens.
- Walk back toward Komagome Station.
- Continue north toward Kyu-Furukawa Gardens.
- Finish your trip at Komagome, Nishigahara or Kami-Nakazato Station.
This is a good option for visitors who enjoy gardens, traditional architecture and quieter neighborhoods in Tokyo.
Check both gardens’ opening hours before visiting.
9. Five Common Mistakes at Komagome Station
Mistake 1: Confusing JR Exits with Tokyo Metro Exits
JR uses named exits such as North, South and East.
Tokyo Metro uses numbered exits 1 to 5.
They are different exit systems.
Mistake 2: Choosing North Exit for Rikugien Gardens
JR South Exit is the recommended choice for Rikugien.
From the Namboku Line, use Exit 2.
Mistake 3: Walking to Rikugien’s Someimon Gate Without Checking
Someimon Gate is closer to the station, but it is normally closed.
Use the Main Gate for regular visits.
Mistake 4: Thinking Kyu-Furukawa Gardens Is Immediately Outside Komagome Station
Kyu-Furukawa Gardens is approximately 12–15 minutes on foot from JR Komagome Station.
Nishigahara or Kami-Nakazato Stations may be closer.
Mistake 5: Using JR East Exit for a Namboku Line Transfer
The North/South gate area is generally more convenient for Tokyo Metro connections.
Follow the transfer signs before leaving the JR station.
10. Official English Information
Use these official English-language websites to check the latest station maps and garden information.
JR East — Komagome Station
Official JR Komagome Station Map (English)
Tokyo Metro — Komagome Station (N14)
Official Tokyo Metro Station and Exit Information (English)
Rikugien Gardens
Official Rikugien Gardens Access Guide (English)
Kyu-Furukawa Gardens
Official Kyu-Furukawa Gardens Access Guide (English)
Final Tip
Remember these three points when visiting Komagome Station:
JR South Exit / Metro Exit 2: Best for Rikugien Gardens. Use the Main Gate unless Someimon Gate is officially open.
JR North Exit / Metro Exit 5: Convenient for Kyu-Furukawa Gardens.
JR East Exit: Useful for local streets around Nakazato, but not usually the best choice for garden visits or subway transfers.
Choosing the right exit can save unnecessary walking and make your visit to Komagome much easier.
Disclaimer (October 2026): This guide is based on official railway and garden information available as of October 2026. Station layouts, exit arrangements, garden gate availability, opening hours and train services may change. Always check official information and follow on-site signs before travelling.
