Information, maps and images of the Tokyo subway system. The Tokyo subway began operating on 30 December 1927. Its network covers 330 kilometres and includes 282 stations on 13 lines.
The system serves a staggering 8,700,000 passengers per day. Fares are set at 1.57. Unfortunately, the system doesn’t operate 24 hours a day, but it does have air conditioning. Walking between platforms is permitted. On some lines, such as the Yurikamome Waterfront Line, driverless rubber-tyred trains have been in use since 1995.
The platforms of the Marunouchi, Mita, Namboku and Yurikamome lines have screen doors. The operation is managed by Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. and the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (Toei). Operating hours are from 5:00 to 1:00 from Monday to Sunday. The fare is 170 yen.
For more details, please refer to the Tokyo Metro Official Website.
Metro Map of Tokyo
Map of Tokyo Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it.
About Tokyo Metro
The Tokyo Metro, formerly known as Eden, is the rapid transit system serving Japan’s capital city. The system began its journey in 1927 as the Tokyo Underground Railway. It currently has 13 lines and 282 stations, with a network length of nearly 330 kilometres. Tokyo Metro Co. Ltd, a company jointly established by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, operates the system alongside Toei Subway Company. The latter is responsible for 4 of the 13 lines. It has a daily passenger flow of around 8.7 million.
In reality, three companies manage the network – JR, a public company, and TOEI and TRTA, which are private companies.
For tourists, the subway is undoubtedly the optimal mode of transport in Tokyo, providing access to retail centres, religious sites, museums, parks and landmarks such as Sensoji Temple (Asakusa), Scramble Crossing (Shibuya), Kabukicho (Shinjuku), Tsukiji Market (Tsukiji), Kabuki-za (Higashi-ginza) and Tokyo Tower (Kamiyacho).
Despite its seemingly complicated map, Tokyo’s subway system is quite user-friendly, thanks to its unique nomenclature, signage, English language availability and helpful staff ready to assist travellers.
Understanding Tokyo Metro’s Lines and Stations
The nomenclature of the Tokyo subway is quite simple and easy to remember:
- Each line is identified by a letter.
- Each station is identified by a number.
- Station numbers are surrounded by a line of the same colour as the line.
Lines Operated by Tokyo Metro
- Line 3 or Ginza Line: This line, marked with the letter G and an orange colour, runs from Shibuya to Asakusa. It is 14.3 kilometres long and serves 19 stations, from G-01. Shibuya to G-19. Asakusa.
- Line 4 or Marunouchi Line: Marked by the letter M and red colour, this line runs from Ogikubo to Ikebukuro and covers 24 stations over 24.2 kilometres. It also has a branch line, marked by the lower case letter ‘m’, which runs from Nakano-Sakaue to Honancho, adding another 3.2 kilometres and 4 stations to the system.
- Line 2 or Hibiya Line: Marked with the letter H and silver in colour, this line connects Naka-Meguro and Kita Senju and has 21 stations over 20.3 kilometres.
- Line 5 or Tozai Line: Identified by the letter T and the sky blue colour, this line has 23 stations between Nakano and Nishi-Funabashi. It is 30.8 kilometres long.
- Line 9 or Chiyoda Line: Marked by the letter C and the green colour, this line runs from Yoyogi Uehara to Kita Ayase, with a total of 20 stations over 24 kilometres.
- Line 8 or Yurakucho Line: Identified by the letter Y and yellow colour, this line connects Wakoshi Stations with Shin-Kiba, passing through 24 stations.
- Line 11 or Hanzomon Line: Marked with the letter Z and violet in colour, this line runs between Shibuya and Oshiage, with 14 stops in between.
- Line 7 or Namboku Line: Marked with the letter N and green in colour, this line runs between Meguro and Akabane-Iwabuchi, with 19 stations in between.
- Line 13 or f*ckutoshin Line: Marked with the letter F and brown colour, this line runs from Wakoshi to Shibuya and stops at 16 stations.
Lines Operated by Toei Subway
- Line 1 or Asakusa Line: This line is identified by the letter A and the colour pink. It serves 20 stations, from A-01. Nishi-Magome to A-20. Oshiage.
- Line 6 or Mita Line: Marked by the colour blue and the letter I, this line has 27 stations, from I-01. Meguro to I-27. Nishi-Takashimadaira.
- Line 10 or Shinjuku Line: Identified by the light green colour and the letter S, this line has 21 stations, from S-01. Shinjuku to S-21. Motoyawata.
- Line 12 or Oedo Line: Identified by the letter E and the fuchsia colour, this line has a total of 38 stations, from E-01. Shinjuku-Nishiguchi to E-38. Hikarigaoka.
Operating Hours of Tokyo Metro
The metro runs every day from 5:00 AM until 12:30 AM. During peak hours, the frequency is as high as a train every 3 minutes, and during regular hours, a train every 10 minutes.
Fare and Ticketing Information for Tokyo Metro
To calculate the fare, you can refer to the fare charts provided near each ticket machine. Additionally, Tokyo Metro provides a smartphone app and an online fare search system.
Download the App for Android and iOS:
Tickets can be purchased from vending machines using coins and bills. Passes can be bought with a credit card.
How to Use Tokyo Metro
It’s as simple as placing your ticket over the green arrow on the entrance barriers at the platforms. Remember to take it back. If you’re using a card instead of a ticket, pass it over the blue-light card reader.
Regular Tickets
Regular tickets can be bought at automatic ticket machines in the stations. Prices vary based on the distance traveled. Separate fare brackets are provided for adults and children.
- 1-6 kms. Adults: 170 yens. Children: 90 yens.
- 7-11 kms. Adults: 200 yens. Children: 100 yens.
- 12-19 kms. Adults: 240 yens. Children: 120 yens.
- 20-27 kms. Adults: 280 yens. Children: 140 yens.
- 28-40 kms. Adults: 310 yens. Children: 160 yens.
Coupon Tickets
Normal Coupon Tickets are sold in packs of 11 and can be used at any time of the day (peak or off-peak). These tickets offer a slight discount as they are the same price as 10 normal tickets.
Off-Peak Coupon Tickets are also available. These are sold in packs of 12 and can be used Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 4.00pm, on weekends and public holidays and on 30 and 31 December and 2 and 3 January. There are also Weekend / Holiday Discount Coupon Tickets which are sold in packs of 14. These tickets are only valid on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, and on 30 and 31 December and 2 and 3 January.
These coupon tickets are valid for three months from the date of purchase.
One-day Open Ticket
Valid for unlimited travel for one day on all lines of Tokyo Metro. Adult: 600 yen, Children: 300 yen.
One-day Ticket for Tokyo and Toei Lines
Valid for unlimited travel. Adults: 1000 yen, children: 500 yen.
One-day Student Pass
Only valid for Tokyo metro lines. Price: 300 yen.
Combined Ticket
Valid for a whole day on all metro lines (Tokyo and Toei), Toei Streetcar (Toden), Toei Bus, etc. Adult: 1590 yen, children: 800 yen.
Student/Commuter Railway Pass
For frequent travelers, there’s the Student / Commuter Railway Pass that allows unlimited trips on a specific route. This pass is not transferable. There’s also the Tokyo Metro All Line Pass for unlimited travel on all Tokyo subway routes. This pass comes in durations of 1, 3, or 6 months, priced at 17,300 yen, 49,310 yen, and 93,420 yen respectively.
PASMO Card
The PASMO Card is a prepaid smart card that can be used on many public transport systems in Tokyo including trains and buses. It is valid for 10 years.
Suica Card
Another prepaid card option is the Suica Card. It can be used on JR trains, subways, and buses, and also for purchases. A deposit of 500 yen is required to obtain one.
Line Transfers
Special tickets are available that allow transfers to the Toei Subway lines and other rail services at a discounted rate.
Age Discounts
- Adults: Persons over 12 years old.
- Children: Those between 6 and 11 years old or 12-year-olds still in elementary school. The fare is half the adult fare.
- Toddlers: Children between 1 to 6 years old. These children travel free when accompanied by an adult or a child.
- Infants: Children under 1 year old always travel for free.
Parking Facilities in Tokyo Metro
There is parking available near each subway station. Fees apply at some locations.
Interesting Facts
During rush hour on the Tokyo Subway, from the start of service until around 9:30 am, there are women-only cars. This is a safety measure. In addition to women, these cars are also used by primary school children and the disabled.
Smoking is not permitted in the stations.
Free Wi-Fi is available in 143 Tokyo subway stations. Look for the network name “Metro_Free_Wi-Fi” or “Toei_Subway_Free_Wi-Fi”.
If you haven’t bought the correct ticket for your journey, you can adjust your ticket at ticket machines, which will calculate the fare difference.
Mobile phones must be switched to silent mode and turned off near courtesy seats. Courtesy seats are located at the rear of each carriage and are identified by a sticker. These seats should be given up for someone who needs them more than you. There are special reserved seats for pregnant women.
Tokyo Metro provides information desks from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm to assist users by providing information and assistance in English. These desks are located at Shinjuku, Ginza, Shibuya and Omote-sando stations. There are also Service Managers available from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm to assist users in purchasing tickets and providing information on routes, destinations, etc. They speak English, Chinese and Korean and are located at Shinjuku, Ginza, Omote-sando, Tokyo, Ueno, Ikebukuro Kudansh*ta, Iidabashi, Oshiage, Otemachi, Shimbashi, Yurakucho and Hibiya Nihonbashi stations.
Airport Service
From Narita Airport, you can get to Tokyo by bus, or by changing at G16 or H17 on the Keisei Line, or at M17 on the JR Line.
From Haneda Airport, take the Keikyu Line to Tokyo. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes. Change at G8 station. Alternatively, you can take the Tokyo Monorail, which takes about 20 minutes.
