In advance of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, JR East have announced plans for a new alphanumeric coding system for stations in the Tokyo Metropolitan area. The new system should make it easier for people to find their way around, especially international visitors who are unaccustomed to Tokyo’s labyrinthine transit system.
Alphanumeric station ID of Shinjuku Station
Each line will receive a 2 letter alphabetical code beginning with “J” for JR, “JY” for example being the code for the JR Yamanote Line. This line code will be followed by the station number. Yoyogi Station for example, will be listed as “JY 18”. Major stations that are important transfer points between several lines will also receive 3 letter codes. The 3 letter code for Shinjuku Station for example is “SJK”.
Train Line Codes
To make things super clear for foreign visitors, station signs will also have the station name listed in 4 languages: Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean.
Major stations’ 3 letter codes
JR East will begin to introduce the numbering system from October 1st 2016, to 276 stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Tokyo Monorail which links Haneda Airport with central Tokyo is affiliated with JR East, and so will implement the same system from October 1st.
Article by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
