The Yamanote Line (山手線, Yamanote-sen) is Tokyo's most important train line. It is a circular line which connects Tokyo's major city centers. A trip around the whole circle takes approximately one hour. Even though a single train on the Yamanote Line is roughly 200 meters long, there are departures about every two to four minutes in each direction. Below are more details about the stations of the Yamanote Line starting and ending at Shinjuku in their actual, counter-clockwise order:

Shinjuku	Shinjuku Station is Japan's busiest train station. It is located in the middle of the large Shinjuku business, entertainment and shopping district. Many suburban train lines commence at Shinjuku Station.
Yoyogi	The north entrance of the Meiji Shrine can be accessed from Yoyogi Station.
Harajuku	Harajuku is a shopping and entertainment district for young people, especially teenagers. The main entrance to Meiji Shrine is located next to Harajuku Station.
Shibuya	Shibuya is a large shopping and business district particularly popular among the younger generations. Several suburban train lines commence at Shibuya Station.
Ebisu	Closest station to Yebisu Garden Place.
Meguro	Closest station to Institute for Nature Study.
Gotanda
Osaki
Shinagawa	The Tokaido Shinkansen stops at Shinagawa Station. Shinagawa is the closest JR station to Sengakuji Temple.
Tamachi
Hamamatsucho	Hamamatsucho is the closest JR station to the Tokyo Tower and Zojoji Temple. It is also the terminal station of the Tokyo Monorail, which connects central Tokyo with the domestic Haneda Airport.
Shimbashi	Shimbashi is a large business area and the closest JR station to the Tsukiji Fish Market, Shiodome Shiosite and Hama Rikyu Gardens.
Yurakucho	Yurakucho Station is the closest JR station to the Sakuradamon entrance gate of the Imperial Palace and to the famous Ginza shopping and entertainment district.
Tokyo	Tokyo Station is the terminal station of all shinkansen lines. It is located in the prestigious Marunouchi business district, close to the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Palace East Gardens. Several suburban train lines pass through or commence at Tokyo Station.
Kanda
Akihabara	Akihabara Station is located in the center of Akihabara Electric Town, a large shopping area for electronics and otaku goods.
Okachimachi	The Ameyoko shopping street starts at Okachimachi Station.
Ueno	The shinkansen trains to northern Japan stop at Ueno Station. Ueno Park and the Ameyoko shopping street are located next to the station. Several suburban train lines commence at Ueno Station.
Uguisudani
Nippori	Convenient connections to the Keisei trains to/from Narita Airport is possible at this station.
Nishi-Nippori
Tabata
Komagome	Rikugien Garden is just south of Komagome Station.
Sugamo	Sugamo is a popular shopping district among the elderly.
Otsuka
Ikebukuro	Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo's largest shopping and entertainment districts. Several suburban train lines commence at Ikebukuro Station.
Mejiro
Takadanobaba
Shin-Okubo
Shinjuku