Tokyo Metro

Metro Route Map of Tokyo

Tokyo metro consists of 13 lines run by two operators respectively. 9 lines of Tokyo Metro and 4 lines of Toei Subway are included. The total distance of all these metro lines has been over 304 kilometers (189 miles), with nearly 300 stations. It is a part of the urban rail transit system serving for the city and its outskirts, and also one of the busiest metro system around the world. The daily passenger flow has been more than 10 million averagely.

In December 1927, the first section of Ginza Line, between Asakusa and Ueno, was opened. This became the first metro line all over Asia, which indicates that Tokyo was ahead to develop its metro system.

Tokyo Metro Tickets & Metro Passes

It is practical to swipe the IC transportation card at any metro station after topping up. In Tokyo, Sucia card is the most common one, while PASMO card is also widely used. It can be used to take any metro line, and even for payment in stores. Otherwise, you may also purchase a ticket on spot or the pass with unlimited rides.

Regular tickets are not convenient relatively, as you need to buy the ticket each time when you enter the metro station. 

The one-day ticket of Tokyo Metro or Toei Subway permits the holders to take their metro lines without a limitation of rides, within the 24 hours after the first use. However, you can’t blend the ticket of two company. That’s to say, the one-day ticket of Tokyo Metro can’t be used to take Toei lines, vice versa.

To take the metro lines of both Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway? Tokyo Subway 24/48/72-hour Ticket is the answer for you. It’s provided for oversea tourists only, show your passport to buy the ticket at metro stations or tourist service centers.

Notes:

  Do confirm the specific scope of use of the pass you’re about to buy. Some can be used to take metro of its company only, while some can also be used to take other vehicles like buses under its operation.

  The pass with unlimited rides is suitable for who will take metro for many times within the usable time period. If you are going to take it for only a few times, it is not cost-effective.

Tokyo Metro & Its Lines

9 lines are operated by Tokyo Metro Company, including the earliest Ginza Line. The total distance of all these 9 lines is about 195 kilometers (121 miles), with 180 stations. There are quite many stations that you could transfer to other metro lines, and it’s also accessible to transfer to JR and private urban rails.

There is a train every 2-3 minutes, while the maximum time interval won’t exceed 5 minutes. In the early morning, there are also a few trains running, at a frequency of a quarter or so, then the interval will be shorter as it gets close to peak hours.

The fare is charged in accordance with the distance you travel. The standard tickets are in JPY 180, 210, 260, 300 & 330 by stage. If you use an IC transportation card, 24/48/72-hour ticket, or other concession tickets, it would be cheaper, but just a little bit.

A Metro Train on Ginza Line

1. Ginza Line (G): Shibuya ↔ Asakusa, 19 stations

  Identification color: orange
  Distance: 14.2 kilometers (8.8 miles)
  Year of its opening: 1927
  Service time: 04:01 – 23:26
  Main stations: Shibuya (G 01), Omote-sando (G 02), Gaiemmae (G 03), Ginza (G 09), Nihombashi (G 11), Kanda (G 13), Ueno (G 16), Asakusa (G 19)

2. Marunouchi Line (M): Ogikubo ↔ Ikebukuro (the main line, 25 stations)

Nakano-sakaue ↔ Honancho (the branch line, 3 stations more)
  Identification color: red
  Distance: 24.2 kilometers (15 miles) of the main line, 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) of the branch line
  Year of its opening: 1954
  Service time: 04:00 – 23:27
  Main stations: Shinjuku (M 08), Shinjuku-gyoemmae (M 10), Kasumigaseki (M 15), Ginza (M 16), Tokyo Station (M 17), Otemachi (M 18), Ochanomizu (M 20), Ikebukuro (M 25)

3. Hibiya Line (H): Naka-meguro ↔ Kita-senju, 22 stations

  Identification color: sliver
  Distance: 20.3 kilometers (12.6 miles)
  Year of its opening: 1961
  Service time: 04:00 – 23:34
  Main stations: Roppongi (H 04), Kasumigaseki (H 07), Hibiya (H 08), Ginza (H 09), Tsukiji (H 11), Akihabara (H 16), Ueno (H 18)

4. Tozai Line (T): Nakano ↔ Nishi-funabashi, 23 stations

  Identification color: sky blue
  Distance: 30.8 kilometers (19.1 miles)
  Year of its opening: 1964
  Service time: 04:00 – 23:33
  Main stations: Waseda (T 04), Iidabashi (T 06), Otemachi (T 09), Nihombashi (T10)

5. Chiyoda Line (C): Yoyogi-uehara ↔ Kita-ayase, 20 stations

  Identification color: green
  Distance: 24 kilometers (14.9 miles)
  Year of its opening: 1969
  Service time: 04:00 – 23:47
  Main stations: Yoyogi-koen Park (C 02), Meiji-jingumae <Harajuku> (C 03), Omote-sando (C 04), Kasumigaseki (C 08), Hibiya (C 09), Nijubashimae <Marunouchi> (C 10), Otemachi (C 11)

6. Yurakucho Line (Y): Wakoshi ↔ Shin-kiba, 24 stations

  Identification color: golden
  Distance: 28.3 kilometers (17.6 miles)
  Year of its opening: 1974
  Service time: 04:00 – 23:29
  Main stations: Ikebukuro (Y 09), Iidabashi (Y 13), Yurakucho (Y 18), Ginza-itchome (Y 19)

7. Hanzomon Line (Z): Shibuya ↔ Oshiage<SKYTREE>, 14 stations

  Identification color: purple
  Distance: 16.8 kilometers (10.5 miles)
  Year of its opening: 1978
  Service time: 04:06 – 23:37
  Main stations: Shibuya (Z 01), Omote-sando (Z 02), Hanzomon (Z 05), Jimbocho (Z 07), Otemachi (Z 08), Oshiage<SKYTREE> (Z 14)

8. Namboku Line (N): Meguro ↔ Akabane-iwabuchi, 19 stations

  Identification color: emerald green
  Distance: 21.3 kilometers (13.2 miles)
  Year of its opening: 1991
  Service time: 04:01 – 23:36
  Main stations: Meguro (N 01), Azabu-juban (N 04), Roppongi-itchome (N 05), Iidabashi (N 10)

9. Fukutoshin Line (F): Wakoshi ↔ Shibuya, 16 stations

  Identification color: brown
  Distance: 20.2 kilometers (12.6 miles)
  Year of its opening: 2008
  Service time: 04:00 – 23:29
  Main stations: Ikebukuro (F 09), Higashi-shinjuku (F 12), Shinjuku-sanchome (F 13), Meiji-jingumae <Harajuku> (F 15), Shibuya (F 16)

Toei Subway & the Lines

Entrance to the Toei Station

4 metro lines are operated by Toei Subway, Bureau of Transportation, Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Since it was firstly opened in 1960, there has been 4 lines with a total distance of 109km (68 miles) as well as 106 stations, of which passengers could transfer to other Toei lines at 9 stations. Of course, it is available to transfer to Tokyo Metro lines and more rail lines at more stations. The frequency and ticket fare are similar with those of Tokyo Metro.

1. Asakusa Line (A): Nishi-magome ↔ Oshiage, 20 stations

  Identification color: rosy red
  Distance: 18.3 kilometers (11.4 miles)
  Year of its opening: 1960
  Service time: 05:00 – 00:30
  Main stations: Shimbashi (A 10), Higashi-ginza (A 11), Nihombashi (A 13), Asakusabashi (A 16), Asakusa (A 18), Oshiage (A 20)

2. Mita Line (I): Meguro ↔ Nishi-takashimadaira, 27 stations

  Identification color: blue
  Distance: 26.5 kilometers (16.5 miles)
  Year of its opening: 1968
  Service time: 05:10 – 00:36
  Main stations: Meguro (I 01), Shibakoen Park (I 05), Hibiya (I 08), Otemachi (I 09)

3. Shinjuku Line (S): Shinjuku ↔ Motoyawata, 21 stations

  Identification color: leaf green
  Distance: 23.5 kilometers (14.6 miles)
  Year of its opening: 1978
  Service time: 05:00 – 00:27
  Main stations: Shinjuku (S 01), Shinjuku-sanchome (S 02), Jimbocho (S 06)

4. Oedo Line (E): Tochomae [Tokyo Metropolitan Government] loop ↔ Hikarigaoka, 38 stations

  Identification color: magenta
  Distance: 40.7 kilometers (25.3 miles)
  Year of its opening: 1991
  Service time: 05:00 – 00:57
  Main stations: Shinjuku-nishiguchi (E 01), Higashi-shinjuku (E 02), Iidabashi (E 06), Tsukijishijo (E 18), Shiodome (E 19), Roppongi (E 23), Kokuritsu-kyogijo (E 25), Shinjuku (E 27), Tochomae [Tokyo Metropolitan Government] (E 28)