T R A N S P O R T
Tokyo Metro & Subway Guide: 13 Lines, Passes, Transfers, and Survival Tips
9 Tokyo Metro lines + 4 Toei lines. Color codes, fares, tourist passes, transfer rules, rush hour tips. Everything to ride Tokyo's subway.
Quick Answer
- Tokyo’s subway = Tokyo Metro (9 lines) + Toei Subway (4 lines). Two different companies, 13 lines total, ~290 stations.
- Get the Tokyo Subway Ticket: 24h ¥800, 48h ¥1,200, 72h ¥1,500. Unlimited rides on all 13 subway lines. Available at Narita/Haneda airports and BIC Camera stores. The best deal in Tokyo transit.
- Every line has a color and letter code. Ginza Line = orange, G. Stations are numbered: G-09 = Ginza on the Ginza Line. You never need to read Japanese.
- Use Suica if you don’t have the Subway Ticket. Tap in, tap out, fare calculated automatically. → Suica guide
- Last trains around 11:30 PM–midnight. Use Google Maps for exact times.
- Get a commuter pass (定期券) for your home–work route. Most employers pay for it (通勤手当). Buy at station offices or pass vending machines.
- Tokyo Metro and Toei are different companies. If your commute crosses both, get a combined pass — saves significantly vs. separate tickets.
- Suica/PASMO with auto-charge for everything outside your commuter pass route. Set up via Mobile Suica or PASMO app.
- Rush hour (7:30–9:30 AM): Tozai Line and Chiyoda Line are the worst. Consider timing or route alternatives.
- QR tickets launching March 2026: Tokyo Subway Ticket and Common One-Day Ticket will be available via QR code on your smartphone. No more physical ticket hassles.
What This Guide Covers
✅ You’ll learn:
- All 13 subway lines with colors, codes, and key stations
- The critical difference between Tokyo Metro and Toei (and why it matters for your wallet)
- How transfers work (free vs. paid, IC card vs. ticket)
- The best passes for tourists and residents
⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes
💰 Fares: ¥180–¥330 per ride (Tokyo Metro), ¥180–¥430 per ride (Toei). Or ¥800/day unlimited with Tokyo Subway Ticket.
⚠️ Watch out for:
- Metro and Toei transfers cost extra with paper tickets (free with Suica, slightly discounted)
- Some “transfer” walks are 10+ minutes underground (Otemachi, we’re looking at you)
- Last train is earlier than you think — check before that last drink
Two Companies, One Subway System
This confuses everyone. Tokyo’s subway is run by two separate companies:
Tokyo Metro (東京メトロ) — 9 Lines
| Line | Color | Code | Key Stations | Useful For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ginza | 🟠 Orange | G | Shibuya, Omotesando, Ginza, Ueno, Asakusa | Shibuya↔Asakusa, shopping |
| Marunouchi | 🔴 Red | M | Shinjuku, Tokyo, Ikebukuro, Ginza | Shinjuku↔Tokyo Station |
| Hibiya | ⚪ Silver | H | Roppongi, Ginza, Ueno, Akihabara | Roppongi nightlife, Ueno museums |
| Tozai | 🔵 Sky Blue | T | Nihombashi, Kudanshita, Nakano | East-west cross-city |
| Chiyoda | 🟢 Green | C | Omotesando, Otemachi, Meiji-jingumae | Harajuku area, business district |
| Yurakucho | 🟡 Gold | Y | Ikebukuro, Yurakucho, Toyosu | Toyosu fish market |
| Hanzomon | 🟣 Purple | Z | Shibuya, Omotesando, Otemachi, Oshiage (Skytree) | Shibuya↔Tokyo Skytree |
| Namboku | 🩵 Teal | N | Meguro, Roppongi-itchome, Komagome | North-south express |
| Fukutoshin | 🟤 Brown | F | Shibuya, Shinjuku-sanchome, Ikebukuro | Shibuya↔Ikebukuro underground |
Toei Subway (都営地下鉄) — 4 Lines
| Line | Color | Code | Key Stations | Useful For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asakusa | 🌹 Rose | A | Asakusa, Nihombashi, Shinbashi, Sengakuji | Haneda Airport (via Keikyu through-service) |
| Mita | 💙 Blue | I | Meguro, Mita, Otemachi, Sugamo | Business district |
| Shinjuku | 🥬 Leaf Green | S | Shinjuku, Kudanshita, Jimbocho | Shinjuku south side |
| Oedo | 🔴🟣 Magenta | E | Roppongi, Tsukiji, Shinjuku, Ueno-Okachimachi | Massive loop, covers gaps |
Why Does This Matter?
For paper tickets: Transferring between Tokyo Metro and Toei requires a new ticket. You exit one gate and enter another. This costs money.
For Suica/PASMO: The transfer is seamless — just walk through the connecting gates. There’s a small discount (~¥70) applied automatically when transferring between the two companies.
For tourist passes: The Tokyo Subway Ticket covers BOTH companies — unlimited rides on all 13 lines. This is why it’s such a great deal.
Follow the colored signs. Each line has a unique color — the system is designed to work without reading Japanese.
How to Ride: Step by Step
With Suica / Welcome Suica (Recommended)
- Find the subway entrance. Look for the Metro “M” logo (blue) or Toei signs. These are different from JR gates (green logo).
- Tap your Suica at the entry gate. Beep → gate opens.
- Follow the color of your line to the platform. Signs everywhere.
- Check the direction. Platform displays show the next stations and terminal station. Make sure your destination is on the list.
- Board the train. Listen for station announcements in English.
- Tap your Suica at the exit gate. Fare deducted automatically (¥180–¥330 for Tokyo Metro, ¥180–¥430 for Toei).
With a Tokyo Subway Ticket
- Insert the ticket into the gate slot (or tap it — newer tickets have IC chips)
- Ride as much as you want within the validity period
- Insert/tap at exit gate
- Keep the ticket — you’ll reuse it for every ride during the validity period
With a Paper Ticket
- Check the fare map above the ticket machines
- Buy a ticket for the correct fare
- Insert into the gate slot at entry
- Collect it on the other side (you need it to exit)
- Insert at the exit gate — machine keeps it
If you bought the wrong fare: Use the fare adjustment machine (精算機, seisanki) near the exit gates. Insert your ticket, pay the difference, get a new ticket, use that to exit.
The Station Numbering System: Your Secret Weapon
Every station has a letter + number code:
- G-09 = Ginza Station on the Ginza Line
- M-25 = Shinjuku Station on the Marunouchi Line
- H-07 = Roppongi Station on the Hibiya Line
How to use it:
- Find your current station code (posted on every platform sign and wall)
- Find your destination code (Google Maps shows it)
- If the letter matches → same line, no transfer needed. Just count stations.
- If the letter is different → you need a transfer
Example: You’re at G-09 (Ginza) and want to reach H-07 (Roppongi). Different letters → you need to transfer. At Ginza, switch from the Ginza Line (G) to the Hibiya Line (H). Both lines stop at Ginza.
Numbers go up in one direction and down in the other. This tells you which way to ride.
Transfer Rules: The Tricky Part
Transfers Within the Same Company (Free-ish)
Tokyo Metro ↔ Tokyo Metro: Walk through the connecting corridor. No need to tap out and back in — the fare is calculated as a single journey. Your Suica handles it automatically.
Toei ↔ Toei: Same deal.
Transfers Between Companies (Costs Extra)
Tokyo Metro ↔ Toei: This is where it gets annoying. With Suica, you’ll walk through an intermediate gate (called 連絡改札, renraku kaisatsu). Suica applies a ~¥70 discount. With paper tickets, you need a transfer ticket purchased at the origin station.
Tokyo Metro / Toei ↔ JR: Always exit one system and enter the other. Separate fares. No through-gates. This is why Suica is essential — it tracks all of this automatically.
The Long Transfer Walks
Some “easy transfers” involve 5–10 minute underground walks:
| Station | Transfer Between | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Otemachi | 5 different lines (Marunouchi, Tozai, Chiyoda, Hanzomon, Mita) | Up to 10 min between distant platforms |
| Shinjuku-sanchome | Marunouchi ↔ Fukutoshin ↔ Toei Shinjuku | 5–8 min |
| Kudanshita | Tozai ↔ Hanzomon ↔ Toei Shinjuku | 5 min |
| Iidabashi | Yurakucho ↔ Namboku ↔ Tozai ↔ Toei Oedo | Up to 8 min |
Pro tip: Google Maps sometimes suggests a “transfer” that involves a 10-minute walk through the bowels of Otemachi Station. Check the walking time before assuming it’s quick.
→ Detailed guide: Tokyo Metro Transfers
Some transfer corridors are basically underground highways. Factor walking time into your route.
Welcome Suica & IC Cards on the Subway
Your Suica (or Welcome Suica) works on every subway line — both Tokyo Metro and Toei, plus JR, plus private railways, plus buses. It’s the universal payment card.
For tourists: Get a Welcome Suica at the airport. 28-day validity, no deposit. Or download the Welcome Suica Mobile app on iPhone.
The Welcome Suica difference:
| Card | Deposit | Validity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Suica (physical) | ¥0 | 28 days | Tourists without iPhone |
| Welcome Suica Mobile (iPhone) | ¥0 | 28 days | Tourists with iPhone |
| Suica / PASMO (physical) | ¥500 | Indefinite | Residents |
| Mobile Suica / PASMO (app) | ¥0 | Indefinite | Residents |
Note: Physical Suica cards were suspended in June 2023. Anonymous sales resumed March 2025 but availability is limited. Welcome Suica is the reliable tourist option.
→ Full details: Suica Card Guide
Passes and Tickets: Which One Saves You Money?
For Tourists: Tokyo Subway Ticket
The Tokyo Subway Ticket is the single best transit deal in Tokyo for sightseeing:
| Duration | Price | Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| 24 hours | ¥800 | ¥800 |
| 48 hours | ¥1,200 | ¥600 |
| 72 hours | ¥1,500 | ¥500 |
What it covers: Unlimited rides on all 9 Tokyo Metro lines + all 4 Toei Subway lines.
What it doesn’t cover: JR lines (including Yamanote Line), private railways, buses.
Where to buy: Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, BIC Camera stores (Yurakucho, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, others), and select Metro/Toei stations.
When it pays off: If you take 4+ subway rides in a day (easy when sightseeing), the 24h ticket saves money. The 72h ticket at ¥500/day is almost always worth it.
New in 2026: Starting March 25, 2026, the Tokyo Subway Ticket and the Common One-Day Ticket will be available as QR code tickets on your smartphone. Buy online, display the QR code at the gate, no physical ticket needed.
For Tourists: Common One-Day Ticket
| Ticket | Price | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Metro 24h Ticket | ¥600 | Tokyo Metro only (9 lines) |
| Common One-Day Ticket | ¥900 | Tokyo Metro + Toei (13 lines) |
| Tokunai Pass (JR) | ¥760 | JR lines within Tokyo 23 wards |
Which to choose:
- Staying in the subway system all day? → Tokyo Subway Ticket (best value)
- Mixing subway and JR? → Buy both the Tokyo Subway Ticket and Tokunai Pass
- Only using Tokyo Metro? → Metro 24h Ticket (¥600, also available as QR code since March 2025)
For Residents: Commuter Pass
A commuter pass (定期券) is a fixed-route unlimited pass for 1, 3, or 6 months:
- 1 month: ~¥8,000–¥15,000 depending on distance
- 3 months: ~5% discount vs. monthly
- 6 months: ~10% discount vs. monthly
Most Japanese employers cover the commuter pass cost (通勤手当). If your route uses both Metro and Toei, get a combined pass at a Metro or Toei station office.
The 9 Tokyo Metro Lines: What Each One Is Good For
Ginza Line (G) — 🟠 The Tourist Line
Shibuya ↔ Asakusa in 30 minutes. Hits Omotesando, Ginza, Nihombashi, Ueno. Tokyo’s oldest subway line (1927). Short trains (6 cars), gets crowded.
Tourist highlight: Board at Shibuya, hit Omotesando (shopping), Ginza (luxury), Ueno (museums), and Asakusa (Sensoji Temple) — all on one line.
Marunouchi Line (M) — 🔴 The Business Line
Ikebukuro ↔ Shinjuku ↔ Tokyo Station ↔ Ginza. The workhorse for commuters between the three biggest stations. Very crowded at rush hour.
Hibiya Line (H) — ⚪ Roppongi After Dark
Naka-Meguro ↔ Roppongi ↔ Ginza ↔ Ueno ↔ Kita-Senju. Your nightlife line: Roppongi clubs, Ebisu restaurants, Ginza bars.
Chiyoda Line (C) — 🟢 Harajuku & Beyond
Yoyogi-Uehara ↔ Meiji-jingumae (Harajuku) ↔ Otemachi ↔ Kita-Senju. Connects to Odakyu Line (towards Hakone) and JR Joban Line.
Hanzomon Line (Z) — 🟣 Shibuya to Skytree
Shibuya ↔ Omotesando ↔ Otemachi ↔ Oshiage (Tokyo Skytree). Through-runs to Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line and Tobu Skytree Line.
Fukutoshin Line (F) — 🟤 The Underground Yamanote
Shibuya ↔ Shinjuku-sanchome ↔ Ikebukuro. Parallels the Yamanote Line underground. Through-runs to Tokyu Toyoko Line (towards Yokohama) and Tobu Tojo Line.
Tozai Line (T) — 🔵 Most Crowded Line
Nakano ↔ Otemachi ↔ Nishi-Funabashi. Runs east-west. Holds the record for Tokyo’s most crowded line during rush hour (~199% capacity on the worst section).
Yurakucho Line (Y) — 🟡 Toyosu Fish Market
Wakoshi ↔ Ikebukuro ↔ Yurakucho ↔ Toyosu. Take this to Toyosu Market (the successor to Tsukiji’s wholesale market).
Namboku Line (N) — 🩵 The Quiet One
Meguro ↔ Roppongi-itchome ↔ Komagome ↔ Akabane-Iwabuchi. Less crowded, north-south route. Through-runs to Tokyu Meguro Line.
Rush Hour on the Subway
Peak Hours
- Morning: 7:30–9:30 AM (worst: 8:00–8:45 AM)
- Evening: 5:30–8:00 PM
The Most Crowded Lines
| Line | Section | Peak Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Tozai Line | Kiba → Monzen-nakacho | ~199% |
| Chiyoda Line | Machiya → Nishi-Nippori | ~178% |
| Hanzomon Line | Shibuya → Omotesando | ~175% |
| Marunouchi Line | Shinjuku → Shinjuku-sanchome | ~170% |
Rush Hour Survival
- Shift by 30 minutes. 7:00 AM or 10:00 AM is dramatically different from 8:30 AM.
- Use the Fukutoshin Line instead of the Yamanote Line between Shibuya and Ikebukuro — parallel route, often less crowded.
- Board the middle of the train. Door positions near stairs are the most packed.
- Backpack off your back. Hold it at your feet. This is not optional — it’s basic etiquette.
- Women-only cars are available on some lines during morning rush. Clearly marked with pink signs.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Can’t find the Metro entrance | JR and Metro are separate systems | Look for the blue “M” logo, not the green JR logo. Metro entrances are often built into building basements. |
| Suica won’t open the gate | Insufficient balance | Charge at any machine in the station. Minimum ¥1,000. Cash or credit card. |
| Transfer gate won’t let you through | Paper ticket doesn’t include transfer fare | Buy a transfer ticket at origin station, or use Suica to avoid this entirely. |
| Missed last train (~midnight) | Lost track of time | Taxi (¥2,000–¥5,000 in central Tokyo), manga café (¥1,500/night), karaoke until 5 AM first train. |
| Got off at wrong station | Misread station number | Get back on and ride to correct station. With Suica, only entry and exit stations matter. |
| Tokyo Subway Ticket expired | Validity period ended | Buy a new one, or switch to Suica for remaining days. |
FAQ
Q: What’s the difference between Tokyo Metro and Toei?
A: Two different companies operating subway lines in Tokyo. Tokyo Metro has 9 lines (Ginza, Marunouchi, Hibiya, etc.). Toei has 4 lines (Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku, Oedo). They share some stations but have separate ticket gates. Suica and the Tokyo Subway Ticket work on both. Individual paper tickets do not transfer between them without buying a transfer ticket.
Q: Should I get a Tokyo Subway Ticket or just use Suica?
A: If you’re sightseeing for 2–3 days, the 72h Tokyo Subway Ticket (¥1,500) is almost always cheaper than pay-per-ride. If you’re mixing subway and JR (Yamanote Line), you’ll need Suica for JR anyway — so some tourists get both: Subway Ticket for Metro/Toei, Suica for JR and everything else.
Q: Can I use Suica on the subway?
A: Yes. Suica works on all Tokyo Metro lines, all Toei lines, all JR lines, and most private railways and buses in the Tokyo area. It’s the universal card.
Q: How do I know which exit to use?
A: Station exits are numbered (A1, B2, C3, etc.) and signs inside the station show which exit leads to which street or landmark. Google Maps shows the recommended exit for your destination. Check before leaving the platform area — backtracking to a different exit can mean a long underground walk.
Q: Is the subway safe late at night?
A: Extremely safe. Tokyo’s subway is safe at all hours. The main risk is falling asleep and missing your stop (which means waiting for the first train if it’s the last service). There’s no crime concern on late-night trains — the biggest nuisance is drunk commuters on Friday nights.
Related Guides
- How to Get and Use Suica — The IC card that works everywhere
- How to Ride the Yamanote Line — JR’s loop line connecting all major stations
- Airport to City Center — Getting to the subway from the airport
- Tokyo Metro Transfers — Detailed transfer walking routes
- Shinjuku Station Navigation — The most complex station