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From Tokyo Station to Asakusa by Bus: Bus Stops, Route and Fare

Toei bus near Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit in central Tokyo

It is possible to travel from Tokyo Station to Asakusa by train, but Tokyo Station is not directly connected to the Ginza Line, which provides convenient access to Asakusa.

To use the Ginza Line, you first need to walk from Tokyo Station to either Kyobashi Station or Nihombashi Station. Although the subway journey itself is relatively short, finding the correct exit and walking from the vast Tokyo Station complex to the subway station can be confusing, especially for first-time visitors.

In this article, I would like to introduce another simple way to travel from Tokyo Station to Asakusa.

From the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station, you can take a Toei bus directly to Asakusa without any transfers.

This route is particularly convenient for families traveling with children, older travelers, and anyone carrying luggage. The entire journey takes place above ground, and if a seat is available, you can sit back and enjoy views of Nihombashi, Asakusabashi, Kuramae, and other parts of Tokyo along the way.

Quick Route Information

Departure: Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit
Bus stop: No. 12
Bus operator: Toei Bus
Route: To 42-1
Destination displayed on the bus: Minami-senju Station West Exit or Minami-senju Garage
Get off at: Tobu-Asakusa Sta.
Adult fare: ¥210
Child fare: ¥110 in cash or ¥105 with an IC card
Payment: Suica, PASMO, or cash
Estimated journey time: Approximately 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic
Transfers: None

Both buses bound for Minami-senju Station West Exit and Minami-senju Garage travel through Asakusa.

Start from the Yaesu Side of Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station has two main sides:

・The Marunouchi side is on the west side.

・The Yaesu side is on the east side.

The bus to Asakusa departs from Bus Stop No. 12 on the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station.

Inside the station, follow the signs for the Yaesu South Exit. If you are arriving by JR train or Shinkansen, make sure you do not follow the signs for the Marunouchi Exit.

Tokyo Station is very large, and walking to the wrong side can add considerable time to your journey.

If you are unsure which exit to use, see our complete guide:

Tokyo Station Exit Guide: Yaesu & Marunouchi (Which Exit to Use & Where to Go)

Tokyo Station map highlighting Yaesu South Exit location near bus terminal and taxi area — Yaesu South Exit at Tokyo Station — the best exit for bus terminals, airport access, and taxis.

Watch the video: Take a look at the atmosphere around Tokyo Station’s Yaesu South Exit.

Leave Tokyo Station and Find the JR Highway Bus Area

After leaving Tokyo Station from the Yaesu South Exit, you will see a large bus area in front of the station.

The most noticeable buses here are JR highway buses. These long-distance buses depart for destinations outside central Tokyo.

JR Expressway Bus sign near the Yaesu South Exit of Tokyo Station — The JR Expressway Bus sign is an easy landmark after leaving Tokyo Station’s Yaesu South Exit. The local Toei bus to Asakusa does not depart here, so continue walking past the highway bus platforms.

Important: Keep Walking Past the Highway Bus Stops

Map showing the walking route from the JR highway bus platforms to Toei Bus Stop No. 12 — Follow the marked route past the JR highway bus platforms and cross the bus lane at the pedestrian crossing to reach Toei Bus Stop No. 12.

The bus route itself is straightforward, but finding the bus stops can be a little tricky.

The JR Express Bus boarding areas are numbered 1 through 9. You will not be boarding from here, so please be careful not to get confused.

The Toei Bus stop for Asakusa is located further back from these boarding areas, past the crosswalk shown in the photo.

Head toward bus stops 10, 11, and 12; bus stop 12 is on the right.

Pedestrian crossing leading to Toei Bus Stop No. 12 at Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit — Cross the bus-only lane at this crosswalk and follow the signs to bus stops 10 through 12. Do not cross the traffic lights on the main street.

Toei Bus Stop No. 12 at Tokyo Station Yaesu South Exit — After crossing the bus lane, continue along the covered walkway until you see the green No. 12 sign. This is the Toei bus stop for Asakusa.

Find the Green Bus Stop No. 12

Green No. 12 Toei bus stop sign for route To 42 at Tokyo Station — Bus Stop No. 12 serves Toei Bus route To 42 toward Minami-senju. Buses bound for either Minami-senju Garage or Minami-senju Station West Exit stop at Tobu-Asakusa Station.

This is the correct bus stop.

The sign also shows the Toei Bus logo and the route number:

東42 / To 42

The destinations displayed on the sign are:

Minami-senju Garage

Minami-senju Station West Exit

Do not worry if the sign does not prominently mention Asakusa. Both services stop at Tobu-Asakusa Station before continuing to Minami-senju.

If you see the large green number 12 and the Toei Bus sign, you are in the correct place.

Confirm That the Bus Stops in Asakusa

The route map on the bus stop shows all stops between Tokyo Station and Minami-senju.

Look for Tobu-Asakusa Sta. on the route map. This confirms that the bus travels through Asakusa before continuing north toward Minami-senju.

Other stops along the route include Nihombashi, Kodemmacho, which is within walking distance of Ningyocho, Asakusabashi, Kuramae, and Komagata.

Toei Bus route To 42 map from Tokyo Station to Tobu-Asakusa and Minami-senju — The To 42 route travels from Tokyo Station through Nihombashi, Asakusabashi, Kuramae, and Tobu-Asakusa Station before continuing to Minami-senju.

English timetable for Toei Bus To 42-1 from Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit to Asakusa — Toei Bus To 42-1 timetable from Bus Stop No. 12 at Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit. All listed buses stop at Tobu-Asakusa Station. Timetable revised April 1, 2024.

How to Board the Bus

In central Tokyo, Toei buses use a front-boarding and advance-payment system.

English guide showing how to pay and ride a Toei bus using Suica, PASMO, or cash — Board a Toei bus through the front door and pay when you board. Tap an IC card once or use coins or a ¥1,000 note. Press the stop button before your stop and exit through the rear door.

① Pay when you board

Enter through the front door.

If you’re using a Suica, PASMO, or another transportation IC card, simply tap your card on the reader.

If you’re paying with cash, pay the correct fare when boarding.

Only ¥1,000 notes can be used in the fare machine. Larger banknotes such as ¥5,000 and ¥10,000 notes are not accepted.

Don’t have a Suica card yet?
Read our Welcome Suica Guide to learn where to buy one and how to use it on trains and buses in Tokyo.

Suica Card Guide for Tourists: Where to Buy, How to Use and Recharge

If you are planning to use trains and buses during your stay in Tokyo, having a Suica or PASMO card can make your journey much easier.

② Move toward the back of the bus

After boarding, please don’t remain near the entrance.

Move toward the back whenever possible so other passengers can board easily and the aisle stays clear.

③ Check the priority seats

If you’re looking for a seat, be aware that some seats near the front are reserved for elderly passengers, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and passengers with small children.

If the bus becomes crowded, please leave these seats available.

④ Hold on to the handrails

Japanese buses may begin moving before everyone is seated.

If you’re standing, always hold a handrail or strap to keep your balance.

⑤ Press the stop button

When your stop is approaching, press one of the red stop buttons located throughout the bus. The driver will then stop at the next bus stop.

The stop immediately before Tobu-Asakusa Sta. is Komagata-bashi. After the bus leaves Komagata-bashi and the announcement for Tobu-Asakusa Sta. begins, press the stop button.

If the stop button is already illuminated, another passenger has already pressed it, so you do not need to press it again.

On Toei Bus Route To 42, board through the front door and pay your fare when you get on. When the bus arrives at Tobu-Asakusa Station, exit through the rear door.

⑥ Enjoy the ride

One of the best things about taking the bus is that you can enjoy Tokyo’s streets and neighborhoods along the way.

Unlike the subway, the journey itself becomes part of your sightseeing experience.

Map of the bus route from Tokyo Station through Nihombashi and Kuramae to Asakusa — The bus travels from Tokyo Station through Nihombashi, the Ningyocho and Kodemmacho area, Asakusabashi, Kuramae, and Komagata before reaching Asakusa. Journey times vary depending on traffic.

Get Off at Tobu-Asakusa Station

The stop immediately before Tobu-Asakusa Sta. is Komagata-bashi. After the bus leaves Komagata-bashi and the announcement for Tobu-Asakusa Sta. begins, press one of the red stop buttons.

Toei bus at Tobu-Asakusa Station bus stop in Tokyo — The Toei bus stops beside Tobu Asakusa Station. Exit through the rear door after the bus arrives at Tobu-Asakusa Sta.

Tobu Asakusa Station and Matsuya Asakusa beside the bus stop — When you get off at Tobu-Asakusa Sta., you will see the entrance to Tobu Asakusa Station and the Matsuya Asakusa department store directly beside the bus stop.

The bus stops beside Tobu Asakusa Station and the Matsuya Asakusa department store. From here, Kaminarimon is only a 2 to 3-minute walk away.

Walking map from Tobu-Asakusa Station bus stop to Kaminarimon Gate — Kaminarimon is only a 2 to 3-minute walk from the Tobu-Asakusa Station bus stop. Walk to the Azumabashi intersection, turn right onto Kaminarimon-dori Street, and continue straight to the gate.

Asakusa Kaminarimon Gate with large red lantern in the early morning at Sensoji Temple Tokyo with fewer crowds — Kaminarimon Gate at Sensoji Temple around 8 AM — one of the few moments you can see Asakusa without heavy crowds.

Asakusa

What Can You Do in Asakusa?

After arriving in Asakusa, you can visit several attractions within walking distance.

Kaminarimon
Nakamise Shopping Street
Sensoji Temple
Asakusa Shrine
Sumida Park
Sumida River
Tokyo Skytree views
Local restaurants and traditional shops

You can also walk from Sensoji Temple to Tokyo Skytree if you want to continue exploring the area.

Walking from Sensoji Temple to Tokyo SkytreeExploration

Returning from Asakusa to Tokyo Station

To return to Tokyo Station, go to Tobu-Asakusa Sta. Bus Stop No. 10.

The bus stop is located along Edo-dori Street, across the road from Tobu Asakusa Station and the EKIMISE building.

Because there are several bus stops around Asakusa, make sure you are waiting at the stop clearly marked:

Tobu-Asakusa Sta. Bus Stop No. 10

Local map showing bus stops around Tobu Asakusa Station and Kaminarimon — Use this local map to find Tobu-Asakusa Sta. Bus Stop No. 10 for the return journey to Tokyo Station.

Tobu-Asakusa Station Bus Stop No. 10 for Tokyo Station — Bus Stop No. 10 is located along Edo-dori Street, across the road from Tobu Asakusa Station and the EKIMISE building.

Use the Tokyo Station-Bound Timetable

The official timetable at the bus stop includes buses that terminate at Higashi-Kanda as well as buses that continue to Tokyo Station.

For this reason, use the English timetable in this guide. It shows only the To 42-1 buses that reach Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit.

English timetable for Toei Bus To 42-1 from Tobu-Asakusa Station to Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit — Toei Bus To 42-1 timetable from Bus Stop No. 10 at Tobu-Asakusa Station to Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit. Only buses reaching Tokyo Station are shown. Do not take route To 42-2, which terminates at Higashi-Kanda.

Bus or Train: Which Is Better?

The best option depends on your priorities.

Choose the bus if you…	Choose the train if you…
Want to travel without changing trains	Want the fastest route
Prefer to avoid long walks inside stations	Are traveling during heavy traffic
Are traveling with children or an older family member	Are comfortable navigating Tokyo’s train and subway system
Have luggage	Do not mind walking inside large stations
Want to see Tokyo from street level	Prefer a more predictable journey time
Are not in a hurry

My Local Advice

The most difficult part of this journey is not riding the bus. It is finding Bus Stop No. 12.

When you leave Tokyo Station, the JR highway bus platforms are much more visible than the local Toei bus stops.

Remember these three points:

Leave from the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station.
Walk past JR highway bus stops 1 to 9.
Follow the signs for 10 to 12 and continue to the green No. 12 bus stop.

Once you find the correct bus stop, the rest of the journey is simple.

You can board the bus, pay with Suica or PASMO, and travel directly to the center of Asakusa without changing trains.

More Tokyo Bus Guides

If you would like to explore Tokyo by local bus, you may also find this guide useful:

From Tokyo Station to Tokyo Tower by Bus: Bus Stops, Route and Fare

Tokyo Station to Monzen-Nakacho by Bus: A Direct and Easy Route

From Tokyo Station to Tsukiji by Bus: Bus Stops, Route and Fare

Local buses can be a convenient way to travel between Tokyo’s major attractions while avoiding complicated train transfers and long walks through underground stations.

Explore Tokyo Like a Local

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If you ever need personal travel advice, I’d be happy to help.

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