First Avenue Tokyo Station

First Avenue Tokyo Station is a vibrant, multi-level shopping and entertainment complex located directly beneath the famous Tokyo Station in the city of Koto. This underground passage, directly connected to the Yaesu Exit, is a true treasure trove for anyone interested in Japan's modern culture, gastronomy, and unique shopping. The complex attracts both tourists and locals with its incredible variety of shops and restaurants.

The main highlights of this place are its themed "streets." The most famous of these is Tokyo Character Street, which houses shops dedicated to popular anime, manga, and video game characters. Here, you can find exclusive merchandise featuring Pokémon, Hello Kitty, and Studio Ghibli characters. Equally popular is Tokyo Ramen Street—an area where eight of Tokyo's best ramen restaurants offer their signature dishes, from classic to innovative. And for those with a sweet tooth, there is Tokyo Okashi Land, where the country's leading confectionery brands sell freshly prepared treats.

In addition to the themed zones, First Avenue offers a wide selection of souvenir shops, stores with traditional Japanese sweets and snacks, and restaurants for every taste. It's the perfect place to buy unusual gifts, try a variety of Japanese dishes, or just have a fun time, especially on a rainy day. Thanks to its convenient location, the complex has become an essential part of the journey for many passing through Tokyo Station.

The following contact information is available for the First Avenue Tokyo Station shopping center. Unfortunately, phone number and official website details are currently unavailable.

To get up-to-date information on opening hours, featured stores, or ongoing promotions, we recommend visiting the information desks directly at the shopping center or searching for information on official tourist resources for the city of Koto.

To make your visit to First Avenue Tokyo Station as productive as possible, it's worth planning ahead. Start with Tokyo Character Street, not just for a look around, but for a real treasure hunt. Many shops offer exclusive merchandise that can only be found here—for example, look for plush toys or keychains featuring popular characters dressed as station staff. Pay special attention to limited-edition items at the Pokémon Store, Donguri Republic (for Studio Ghibli fans), and the JUMP SHOP, dedicated to popular manga characters. This is your chance to bring home a truly unique souvenir from Japan.

When it's time for lunch, head straight to Tokyo Ramen Street. To avoid long queues at the most popular restaurant, Rokurinsha—known for its rich tsukemen (dipping ramen)—try to visit on a weekday before 12:00 or after 14:00. If you're looking for something unusual, try the Michelin-recognized vegetarian ramen at Soranoiro Nippon, or ramen with sardine broth (niboshi) at Ramen Gyoku. In each restaurant, orders are placed through a vending machine, so check the menu in the window beforehand to make your choice.

For dessert and edible gifts, stop by Tokyo Okashi Land. Instead of just buying packaged sweets, try freshly made potato chips with chocolate or ice cream at Calbee+. At Glico-ya Kitchen, you can find rare flavors of Pocky sticks and other familiar sweets. This is a great place to experience the confectionery culture of the city of Koto and buy delicious souvenirs that will delight friends and family. Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours in the complex, especially if you are traveling with children or are a fan of Japanese pop culture.

Getting to First Avenue Tokyo Station is incredibly easy, as the shopping complex is located directly beneath the Tokyo train station of the same name. This makes it a perfect point to visit immediately upon arrival in the city or just before departure. The most convenient and fastest way is to take a train or subway to Tokyo Station, which is one of the country's largest transport hubs and is served by most JR and subway lines.

After arriving at the station, follow the signs to the Yaesu Central Exit. From there, head down to the B1 basement level, where the shopping arcade is located. For getting around the city, the JR Yamanote Line and the Marunouchi Line subway are particularly convenient, taking you to Tokyo Station from most key areas of the capital.

Don't worry about getting lost in the massive station complex. Everything inside is designed for visitor convenience, with detailed signs in both Japanese and English everywhere. Additionally, you can find maps throughout the station to help you quickly find your way to specific areas like Character Street or Ramen Street.

The history of First Avenue Tokyo Station is inextricably linked to the development of Tokyo Station itself—one of the largest and busiest transport hubs in Japan. Initially, the shopping areas under the station were not created as a tourist attraction, but for a practical purpose: to make the stay of numerous passengers and city guests more comfortable and interesting. The idea was to turn train waiting times into an opportunity for useful shopping and a quick snack.

Over time, this underground complex outgrew its original utilitarian function and turned into a standalone destination. Thanks to a unique combination of cultural and culinary offerings, First Avenue became popular not only among travelers but also among residents of the city of Koto. This place became a clear example of how an infrastructure project can evolve into a full-fledged cultural and entertainment center with a life of its own.

A key factor in its success has been its themed "streets." For example, Tokyo Character Street, which opened in 2008, quickly gained cult status thanks to collaborations with major Japanese animation studios and brands. This made it possible to collect exclusive merchandise featuring favorite characters in one place. In turn, Tokyo Ramen Street has become a true pilgrimage site for foodies, bringing together several of the capital's best ramen restaurants under one roof, each with its own unique style and recipe.

To fully enjoy everything First Avenue Tokyo Station has to offer, you should plan to visit for 2 to 4 hours. This is the optimal amount of time to explore the famous themed "streets" without rushing, pick out unique souvenirs in the numerous shops, and enjoy culinary delights. Of course, you could run through the complex in an hour, but in that case, you would likely only get a general impression and miss out on the most interesting parts.

The duration of your visit will depend on your interests. For example, anime fans could easily spend over an hour on Tokyo Character Street alone, choosing exclusive merchandise. Lunch at Tokyo Ramen Street, especially during peak hours, can take about an hour including potential queues. If you also want to try freshly prepared treats at Tokyo Okashi Land and buy gifts, you should add at least another half hour to your plan. Therefore, to get the most enjoyment without feeling rushed, it's better to aim for a longer visit.

The First Avenue Tokyo Station shopping complex is open to visitors year-round, making it a convenient place to visit at any time. The main operating hours are daily from 10:00 to 20:30. However, it's important to remember that these hours apply to the complex as a whole, while individual themed zones, shops, cafes, and restaurants may operate on their own, often extended schedules. For example, the Tokyo Okashi Land zone opens as early as 9:00, and many restaurants on Tokyo Ramen Street stay open until 23:00.

No advance booking is required for entry into the shopping complex itself. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, it is highly recommended to check the official website of First Avenue Tokyo Station or the pages of specific shops and restaurants before your visit. This will allow you to get the most up-to-date information on opening hours and any potential schedule changes.

Visiting such a vibrant place as First Avenue Tokyo Station is an event in itself. However, to make your journey through the city of Koto even more rewarding, it's worth paying attention to its surroundings. The area around Tokyo Station is more than just a transport hub; it's a true kaleidoscope of attractions, where modern architecture sits alongside historic buildings, and bustling shopping centers neighbor cozy museums.

Exploring nearby locations will allow you to dive deeper into the atmosphere of the capital of Japan and see how multifaceted this district can be. Just a few minutes' walk from the underground complex, new discoveries await you, from cultural centers to gastronomic hotspots.