Oops! Japan #45 — One Kanda, Two Stations? It’s Kanda Station… but which one?

 Oops! Japan #45 — One Kanda, Two Stations?

It’s Kanda Station… but which one?

If you’re in Tokyo and you’re told to go to Kanda Station, make sure to ask:

“JR or Metro?”

Why?

Because there are actually two different stations named Kanda — run by two different companies — in two different locations, but sharing the same name.

• JR Kanda Station (run by JR East):

This is an elevated station served by the Yamanote Line, Chuo Line, and Keihin-Tohoku Line.

• Tokyo Metro Kanda Station (run by Tokyo Metro):

This one is underground, served only by the Ginza Line.

You can transfer between them, but… it’s not as seamless as it sounds. The signage can be confusing, especially if you’re in a rush or not familiar with the area. The entrances/exits are on completely different levels and sometimes feel like they’re blocks apart.

Why it’s an “Oops”:

• Foreign visitors often assume it’s a single, integrated station.

• Some travelers even exit the wrong one — only to realize they’re in the wrong place entirely.

• If you’re using navigation apps, they sometimes don’t clearly distinguish between the two.

What to do:

• If someone says “Kanda Station,” always ask “Which one?”

• When transferring, follow the signs slowly and carefully — especially if you’re carrying luggage.

• Allow extra time for the transfer. It’s not a long walk, but it’s easy to get turned around.

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🇯🇵 日本語の補足

東京にある「神田駅」は、JR東日本と東京メトロが別々に運営している2つの駅ですが、駅名がまったく同じなので、旅行者にとってはかなり紛らわしい場所です。

• JR神田駅（高架）→ 山手線・中央線・京浜東北線が走っています

• 東京メトロ神田駅（地下）→ 銀座線が走っています

この2つは乗り換え可能ですが、物理的に距離があり、構造も違うため、間違って別の出口に出てしまうと大きく迷う原因に。

外国人観光客の中には、Googleマップで「Kanda」と打って目的地に着いたと思ったら、まったく別の出口だった…という失敗談も多いです。