Kuramae Station 蔵前駅

Kuramae is a small district in Taito ward in the north of central Tokyo. It is best known for its many small craft studios, both traditional and modern, and artisanal cafes scattered throughout.

Umayabashi Intersection, connecting Kuramae Station (Oedo Line) and Kuramae Station (Asakusa Line). The Oedo Line station is left from here.

Kuramae is accessed by two different train lines: the Asakusa Subway Line and Oedo Subway Line. The Oedo Line's Kuramae Station is station number E-11. The Asakusa Line's Kuramae Station, a little south of the Oedo Line station, is station A-17.

Having two "Kuramae" stations can be confusing, especially since they are over 500 meters apart and not linked by any passageway.

Changing trains between the two Kuramae Stations

However, both Kuramae stations are run by the same Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (or "Toei" for short—the other Tokyo subway line operator being Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd.). This means that you can transfer between the Asakusa and Oedo lines at Kuramae Station without buying a new ticket. But, the transfer happens above-ground. Keeping your ticket (or smartcard), you go up onto the street and walk approximately 500 meters from one to the other and enter the other Kuramae Station through the orange ticket wicket within 30 minutes of having exited the first station.

This makes Kuramae one of the most troublesome stations for changing trains in the whole of the Tokyo subway system. On the other hand, if you have time on your hands, it gives you a brief window of opportunity to maybe enjoy a bit of browsing around the art and craft stores in the neighborhood, or a coffee at one of its several artisan cafes.

See more details about changing trains below—as the route is determined by which platform you are using on the Asakusa Line Kuramae Station.

Kuramae Station on the Oedo Line (Magenta)

Kuramae Subway Station on the Toei Oedo Line (station number E-11) is the northernmost of the two stations. It is roughly east-west in alignment, running along Kasuga-dori Avenue (Route 453), which marks the northern edge of the Kuramae district. Just 200 meters east is Umayabashi (Umaya Bridge 厩橋) over the Sumida River.

Transfering to the Asakusa Line Kuramae Station is easiest done from Exit A6 (or Exit A5, with an elevator - see Barrier Free) of the Oedo Line station. Turn right out of Exit A6. However, from there, the route depends on which platform of Kuramae Station on the Asakusa Line you are heading for.

For Platform 1, keep going straight at Umayabashi Intersection, across Edo-dori Avenue, then right down Edo-dori Avenue to Exit A2, a little after the second side-street on your left.

For Platform 2, just a few meters along from Exit A6 of the Oedo Line station, turn right at Umayabashi Intersection and go down Edo-dori Avenue (Route 6). Just after the third side-street on your right, you will see the A4 entrance to Kuramae Station on the Asakusa Line.

The next stations to Kuramae Station on the Toei Oedo Line are Shin-Okachimachi Station to the west and Ryogoku Station to the south-east.

Asakusa Line

Elevator access to Kuramae Station on the Asakusa Line is via Exit A0 or Exit A1. Which one you choose depends on which platform of the station you are using.

Platform 1 is for trains heading southwards, in the direction of Nishi-magome station (the next station being Asakusabashi Station). Use Exit A1 if you need the elevator. Go right out of the exit, then right again to get to Kuramae Station on the Oedo Line.

Platform 2 is for trains heading northwards, in the direction of Oshiage station (the next station being Asakusa Station). Use Exit A0 (A zero) if you need the elevator. Go right out of the exit then left to get to Kuramae Station on the Oedo Line.

Whichever of the two above exits you use, you will have to cross the road at the big Umayabashi intersection two hundred or so meters further north in order to get to the A5 elevator exit of Kuramae Station on the Oedo Line. See map below.

Barrier Free

Both Kuramae Stations, on the Asakusa Line and the Oedo Line, have barrier-free access, as well as barrier-free bathroom facilities. Allow about 10 minutes when changing between stations in a wheelchair.

Oedo Line

Elevator access to Kuramae Station on the Oedo Line is at Exit A5, just to the right of the stairs. Once you have entered the ticket wickets, another elevator is available for access to the platforms.

If heading for Platform 1 of Kuramae Station on the Asakusa Line, go left out of Exit A5, maintain a straight line and cross Edo-dori Avenue (Route 6), and then cross Kasuga-dori Avenue (Route 453) and go all the way down the left-hand side of Edo-dori Avenue to Exit A1.

If heading for Platform 2 of Kuramae Station on the Asakusa Line, go left out of Exit A5, and then cross Kasuga-dori Avenue (Route 453) at the corner. Go all the way down the right-hand side of Edo-dori Avenue to Exit A0.

Kuramae Stations Map

See a map to the two Kuramae stations, on the Oedo Line and the Asakusa Line, with exit information (including elevators for barrier-free access), and surrounding places of interest.

Hotels Near Kuramae Station

The Kuramae area and Asakusabashi area just south of it are full of generally quite new, good value accommodations including the MyCube by MyStays Asakusa Kuramae, the Nui Hostel & Bar Lounge, the Hotel Kuramae and the APA Hotel Asakusa-Kuramae.