
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
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Flock to Tomarigi, the viral app that lets you perch in over 1,000 spots throughout Japan
Japan’s birth rate rose for the first half of the year for the first time in over a decade
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
7-Eleven Japan goes viral for chilled soba that’s “too salty to eat”
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
First Pokémon anime movie since 2020 announced, brings new characters and staff to the series [Video]
Beautiful 785-step Japanese shrine sando stairway walk is one very good reason to visit Kagawa
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
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
JR East to equip trains station staff with bodycams to protect them from attacks
All Japan Railway Tokyo trains to finally get security cameras starting this summer
Construction start date announced for rebuilding of Tokyo’s iconic Harajuku Station
New unlimited-ride JR Japan rail pass is perfect for a laid-back trip in east and northeast Japan
Tokyo train operator begins issuing body cameras, but it’s not employee conduct that worries them
150 Pokémon will be hiding in major Japanese train stations this fall, waiting for fans to find them
Harajuku Station will be demolished after the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics
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
Tokyo trains set to become less convenient with new last train schedule
Yamanote Line train temporarily suspended after carriage fills with smoke in Tokyo