Lost at Kanda Station?: Which Exit Should You Use?

Arrived at Kanda Station and not sure which exit to use?

Kanda Station is smaller than Tokyo or Shinjuku Station, but there is one thing that can easily confuse first-time visitors:

JR uses named exits, while Tokyo Metro uses numbered exits.

So before looking for an exit, first check whether you arrived by JR or the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line.

Here is the simple guide.

Quick Answer: Which Exit Should You Use?

Destination	Useful Exit
Kanda West Exit Shopping Street	JR West Exit
Kanda West Exit Shopping Street from Ginza Line	Exit 4
Transfer between JR and Ginza Line	Follow JR / Ginza Line signs
Kanda Sakura Hall	Ginza Line Exit 4
Chiyoda Elementary School	Ginza Line Exit 4
Kanda Post Office	Ginza Line Exit 6
Manseibashi area	Ginza Line Exit 6

JR Kanda Station Has Four Main Exit Names

If you are using JR, you will see four main exit names:

West Exit

South Exit

East Exit

North Exit

JR East groups the station gates into two sides:

West Exit / South Exit

and

East Exit / North Exit

So do not expect to find one single central exit.

Check your destination before leaving the ticket gates.

Kanda West Exit — Best for the Shopping Street

If you want to explore the traditional streets around Kanda, use:

JR Kanda Station → West Exit

The Kanda Station West Exit Shopping Street begins on this side of the station.

The area is filled with restaurants, bars, small shops, and local businesses.

It has a very different atmosphere from nearby Tokyo Station.

If you are using the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line instead, Exit 4 is convenient for the same shopping-street area.

Official Chiyoda tourism information lists the Kanda West Exit Shopping Street as accessible from:

JR Kanda Station → West Exit

or

Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Kanda Station → Exit 4

Tokyo Metro Kanda Station — Use the Exit Number

Tokyo Metro Kanda Station is on the Ginza Line.

Its station number is:

G13

Unlike JR, Tokyo Metro uses numbered exits.

The station has exits numbered 1 through 6.

So if you arrive on the Ginza Line, do not immediately look for a JR-style “West Exit” or “East Exit.”

Look for the correct exit number instead.

Transferring Between JR and the Ginza Line

Kanda Station is convenient for transferring between JR and the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line.

However, the JR and Tokyo Metro areas have separate ticket gates.

If you are transferring, follow the signs for:

JR Lines

or

Ginza Line

You will need to pass through the ticket gates when transferring between the two railway systems.

Tokyo Metro lists Exit 1 on the JR Kanda Station side, which can also help you understand the direction of the JR station.

Ginza Line Exit 4 — Useful for the West Side

Tokyo Metro officially lists several destinations around Exit 4, including:

• Kanda Sakura Hall
• Kanda Machikado Library
• Chiyoda Elementary School
• nearby hotels

Exit 4 is also convenient for the Kanda West Exit Shopping Street area.

If your destination is on the west side of Kanda Station, this is one of the most useful Ginza Line exits to remember.

Ginza Line Exit 6 — Kanda Post Office and Manseibashi Area

Tokyo Metro lists Exit 6 for destinations including:

• Kanda Post Office
• Manseibashi Community Hall
• Manseibashi Police Station

This exit is useful if you are heading toward the Kanda Post Office, Sudacho, or Manseibashi area.

Tokyo Metro marks Exit 6 as having limited opening hours.

Always check the current station signs when you arrive.

Exit 5 Also Has Limited Hours

Tokyo Metro also marks Exit 5 as a limited-hours exit.

This is worth knowing because an exit shown on a map may not always be available when you arrive.

If an exit is closed, follow the station signs to the nearest open alternative.

Which Lines Stop at Kanda Station?

Kanda Station is served by:

• JR Yamanote Line
• JR Keihin-Tohoku Line
• JR Chuo Line
• Tokyo Metro Ginza Line

This makes Kanda a convenient station between several major Tokyo areas.

Tokyo Station is just south of Kanda, while Akihabara is just north.

Kanda or Akihabara?

Kanda and Akihabara are close to each other, but they have very different atmospheres.

If you are mainly visiting Akihabara for anime, games, electronics, or hobby shops, it is usually easier to use Akihabara Station directly.

Japan Life Steps has a separate guide:

Lost at Akihabara Station? Electric Town or Yodobashi — Which Exit?

Kanda is better if your destination is specifically around Kanda itself.

Kanda or Otemachi?

Kanda is also close to the Otemachi business district.

But if your destination is around the Imperial Palace, major Otemachi office buildings, or the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station, Otemachi Station may be more convenient.

See:

Otemachi Station: Which Exit for Tokyo Station, the Imperial Palace, and Major Hotels?

A Common Mistake

One common mistake is mixing up:

JR exit names

and

Tokyo Metro exit numbers

For example:

JR West Exit

is not the same thing as:

Tokyo Metro Exit 4

They may lead toward the same general area, but they belong to different railway systems.

Always check which line you arrived on before following an exit name or number.

Japan Life Steps Tip

At Kanda Station, remember this simple rule:

JR → look for an exit name

Ginza Line → look for an exit number

And if you want the Kanda West Exit Shopping Street:

JR → West Exit

Ginza Line → Exit 4

That is one of the easiest ways to avoid confusion.

Official Information

For the latest station layout, exits, accessibility information, and construction updates, check the official websites:

JR East — Kanda Station

Tokyo Metro — Kanda Station

Related Japan Life Steps Guides

Lost at Akihabara Station? Electric Town or Yodobashi — Which Exit?

Otemachi Station: Which Exit for Tokyo Station, the Imperial Palace, and Major Hotels?

Nihombashi Station: Best Exits for COREDO Nihombashi & Takashimaya

How to Find the Right Subway Exit in Japan

Disclaimer:
Information in this article is based on official information available in 2026. Station layouts, exit opening hours, construction work, and access routes may change. Always check current station signs and official information when traveling.