
East Japan Railway Co (JR East) will introduce a numbering system for all its stations in Tokyo starting in October, in a bid to to facilitate navigation for foreigners traveling within the capital ahead of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The numbering system will incorporate the combination of two alphabet letters showing the railway line to which it belongs and a two-digit number. It will also have the code and number of the station, enclosed in a box baring the same color as that of the train line.
For example, Shinjuku Station on the Yamanote Line will be coded JY17 –– “J” for JR, “Y” for Yamanote Line and “17” for its unique number. It will be colored light-green, symbolizing the color of the loop line.
JR East also said that hub stations where many lines stop will be coded with three-alphabet letters, including UEN and TYO for Ueno and Tokyo stations, respectively. Akihabara station will be coded AKB.
The railway operator will also translate station names into Chinese and Korean, in addition to the already existing English.
The station numbering system has already been introduced by Tokyo Metro, which operates a total of nine lines and the Toei subway, as well as other rail lines in Tokyo.

Japan’s train travel soundscape faces sad change as JR East axes special station departure melodies
JR East announces awesomely cheap one-day all-you can ride pass, Shinkansen included
Japan’s Harajuku Station to be rebuilt ahead of 2020 Tokyo Olympics
JR East to release official train simulator on Steam on 20 September
East Japan Railways phasing out magnetic paper tickets, seven other rail operators will too
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Mister Donut unveils new sakura doughnuts for cherry blossom season 2026
Cherry blossom Totoro cake brings pink sakura sweetness to Tokyo this White Day
Romance an ancient Egyptian god in the newest bizarre dating sim for mobile
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Something for the weekend? Love doll exhibition opens in Ginza – and yep, it sure looks creepy
Japanese festival float slams full-speed into power pole at Danjiri Matsuri in Osaka 【Videos】
Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo adds exclusive drinks to the menu for autumn
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
Silicone testicle covers banned from Japanese sauna following cups being left behind and on shelves
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
What should Tokyo’s newest rail station be called? Poll asks high school girls for their opinion
Tokyo train stations to host Super Mario box/character art displays to celebrate 35th anniversary
JR East to re-educate employees after frequent overruns on JR Keiyo Line
Tokyo’s busiest commuter line slowing things down with special one-lap Yamanote sightseeing train
All Japan Railway Tokyo trains to finally get security cameras starting this summer
JR East to equip trains station staff with bodycams to protect them from attacks
Construction start date announced for rebuilding of Tokyo’s iconic Harajuku Station
Tokyo train operator begins issuing body cameras, but it’s not employee conduct that worries them
New unlimited-ride JR Japan rail pass is perfect for a laid-back trip in east and northeast Japan
Harajuku Station will be demolished after the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics
150 Pokémon will be hiding in major Japanese train stations this fall, waiting for fans to find them
Tokyo trains set to become less convenient with new last train schedule
The phantom juice only available from vending machines at JR East train stations
The Station Idol Latch! project gifts us with 30 male idols for 30 Yamanote Line stations
New JR Shinkansen-inclusive rail pass is a huge bargain, great way to help out a region in need