The Nagoya Municipal Metro is the main underground transport system serving Nagoya, a city in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. With six operating lines, 87 stations and a total length of 93.3 kilometres, it is a comprehensive rail network serving not only Nagoya but also several suburban areas through its connections with other regional trains.
Although the system is run by a municipal authority, each line operates independently under a private transport company. The minimum fare for a trip of up to 3 kilometres is 200 yen (about $1.777). The metro operates from 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. the following day, with different times on different lines.
The system is also known as the subway. It serves a large number of passengers, approximately 1,170,000 per day. Fares are collected at the gates. It doesn’t operate 24 hours a day and has no air conditioning. Passengers are allowed to walk between platforms. Driverless trains have been operating on the Tobu Kyuryo maglev line since 2005.
The platforms of the Tobu Kyuryo Maglev Line are equipped with screen doors. Operations are managed by the Nagoya Metropolitan Transportation Bureau. Operating hours are from 5:00 to 1:30 from Monday to Sunday. The fare is ¥100.
Metro Map of Nagoya
Map of Nagoya Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Nagoya Metro map in PDF format.
The Nagoya Metro in Japan
The City
The third largest city in Japan, Nagoya is located in the southern part of the country’s largest island, Honshu. Situated on the Pacific coast, Nagoya is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and has a population of over two million in the city and over nine million in the metropolitan area.
Nagoya is a major commercial centre, home to one of the country’s busiest ports and a thriving automotive industry. It is adjacent to Toyota City, named after the renowned car manufacturer that is headquartered there.
The city also has a strong presence in the aviation industry due to the influence of Mitsubishi. Agriculture thrives in Nagoya because it’s built on high plateaus, originally chosen to reduce the risk of flooding.
Known for its museums and theatres, Nagoya is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. The city’s climate is generally warm, with temperatures exceeding 25°C in the hottest months and averaging between 4 and 7°C in winter.
The Metro
The Nagoya Municipal Metro, established in 1957, is the city’s main mode of transport. It currently has 87 stations and 93.3 kilometres of track.
The Nagoya Metro operates a variety of train types, all designed and built by Nippon Sharyo. The most common models are the 6500 and 7000 series. Nippon Sharyo has recently partnered with Japan’s Hitachi to develop the N3000 train series for the Tsurumai line.
The metro is managed by the Nagoya City Transportation Bureau, a municipal government agency, and carries over 900,000 passengers daily.
- Also known as: Metro.
- Length: 93.3 kilometers.
- Gauge: 1067 mm (lines 3, 6, and 7); and 1435 mm (lines 1, 2, and 4.)
- Lines: 6.
- Stations: 87.
- Max speed: 65 km/h (lines 3, 6, and 7); and 75 km/h (lines 1, 2, and 4).
- Website: www.kotsu.city.nagoya.jp.
- Operator: Transportation Bureau, City of Nagoya.
- Daily ridership: Over 900,000.
- Established: November 15th, 1957.
History
Planning for the railway system began in 1936 with the vision of a massive 52 kilometre network. Recognising the engineering challenge this posed, the planners decided to build it in two phases.
Seven lines were to be built during these phases, with the first line running between Nakamura and Rikuzan stations. However, the project was put on hold and World War II brought further changes.
In 1939, during the war, a reduced metro plan of 29 kilometres was submitted.
After the war, the project was re-evaluated and a 50-kilometre railway system was proposed. The final project was proposed in 1950, and construction began years later. The Nagoya-Sakae line, only 2.4 kilometres long, was the first to open.
The metro system expanded rapidly, with an additional 20.6 kilometres built between 1957 and 1959. The last change to the plans came in 2004 with the completion of the circular line. Finally, in 2011, a tram line from Sakura Nozomu to Tokuhisa was added to the system.
Lines and Stations
The Nagoya Municipal Metro has six lines and 87 stations in total. The entire network covers 93.3 kilometres, most of which is underground. Each line has a different route or, in other words, a different set of stations. The operator of the metro varies from line to line – some are run directly by the government, while others are run by private companies, such as Meitetsu, which operates some of the suburban trains. The metro lines are as follows:
Higashiyama Line
Officially known as Line 1 of the Nagoya Municipal Metro, this line is marked in yellow with the letter ‘H’. The termini for this line are Takabata and Fujigaoka. It was the first line to open in 1957 and was last extended in 1982. The line has a single route with a total of 22 stations, covering a distance of 20.6 kilometres.
Meijo Line
This is the circular line of the Nagoya Municipal Metro, marked in purple and identified by the letter ‘M’. The line starts at Kanayama station. The line continues through Sakae, Ozone and Nagoya Daigaku until the trains return to Kanayama. As it is a circular line, there are two directions in which the trains travel. The western part of the line is called Line 2 of the Nagoya Municipal Metro, while the eastern part is called Line 4. This line has a total of 28 stations.
Meiko Line
Also officially part of Line 2 of the Nagoya Municipal Metro, it is marked in purple, but unlike Line 2, the letter used to identify its stations is ‘E’. This line has a total of 7 stations in its short 6 kilometre journey, with termini at Kanayama Station in Naka Ward and Nagoyako Station in Minato Ward.
Tsurumai Line
Identified by its blue colour and the letter ‘T’, this line, officially Line 3 of the Nagoya Municipal Metro, terminates at Kami Otai in Nishi-ku and Akaike in Nisshin. This part of the metro has 20 stations along a 20.4 kilometre railway.
Sakura-dori Line
The Sakura-dori Line, marked in red with an ‘S’, is also known as Line 6 of the Nagoya Subway. This line has 21 stations spread over 19.1 kilometres of track. The terminus of this line is Nakamura Kuyakusho in Nakamura Ward and Tokushige in Midori Ward.
Kamiiida Line
This is the latest addition to the Nagoya Metro system, having opened in 2007. According to the official nomenclature, this line is called Line 7 of the Nagoya Municipal Metro. It can be identified by its pink colour and the letter ‘K’. It’s only 0.8 kilometres long and has only two stations – Kamiiida and Heian-dori.
Connections
As with any major city, Nagoya has several modes of public transport. The Nagoya Metro connects to various forms of transport within the city. The suburban lines, although not technically part of the Nagoya Metro, are an important part of urban transport in Nagoya. In Japan, medium- and long-distance railways are entirely private, so there are various operators for suburban transport.
In Nagoya, the main operator is Meitetsu. The lines operated by this company sometimes share nomenclature, signalling and colour with the Nagoya Metro. Meitetsu operates several suburban lines, such as the Meitetsu Inuyama line and the Meitetsu Toyota line.
Other operators providing suburban services include one of the most important companies in Japan: JR Central. This company operates four lines – Tokaido, Chuo, Kansai and Tayakama. They also operate an old bullet train, the Tokaido Shinkansen, which connects Nagoya with cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto.
Nagoya also has several public and private surface transport services. Buses are an essential means of transport in the city. Some are managed by the city government, while the company Meitetsu operates its own bus fleet called Meitetsu Bus. There’s also a BRT line in Nagoya called Yutorito, which connects to the Meijo line at Ozone Station.
Finally, the Gozaisho Ropeway, located on the outskirts of Nagoya city, provides an aerial tram service to the town of Komono. It can be reached by taking an express bus from Nagoya Station.
Connection to the airport
One of the greatest architectural highlights of Nagoya is its airport. This airport is the Chubu Centrair International Airport, which is located on an artificial island built to accommodate its facilities. This airport was inaugurated in 2005 and is located 35 kilometres south of the city of Nagoya. Due to its distance from the city, the Nagoya Municipal Metro does not have a direct connection. Therefore, access to the metro is via the suburban railway.
The airport has the Central Japan International Airport Station, which is also operated by Meitetsu. This station is part of the Meitetsu Airport Line, which has only three stations. The best way to get to the subway is to take the µSky Limited Express, a high-speed train that connects the airport with Meitetsu Nagoya Station without changing trains. From this station you can connect to the Higashiyama and Sakura-dori lines.
Schedule, calendar, and timetables
The Nagoya Municipal Metro provides its users with clear timetables, which are displayed in tables showing the arrival and departure times of each train. The system operates from 5:30 in the morning until just after 1:00 the next morning. However, each line has its own detailed timetable.
In the case of the Higashiyama line, the first train leaves Iwaoka station promptly at 5:30 in the morning. The last train arrives at Hoshigaoka station at 1:15 the next morning.
The Meijo Line is a special case as it is a circular line. Clockwise, the first train leaves Kanayama station at 5:30 in the morning, while the last train arrives at Nagoya Daigaku at 12:30 in the morning of the following day. Counterclockwise, the first train leaves Mizuho Undojo Higashi station at 5:32 in the morning. The last train arrives at Aratama-bashi station at 12:29 the following day.
The Meiko Line complements the Meijo Line and has only 7 stations. The first train leaves Kanayama at 5:40 in the morning, and the last arrives at Nagoyako at 12:29 the following night.
On the Tsurumai Line, the first train arrives at Kami-Otai station at 5:31 in the morning. The last train arrives at Yagoto Station at 12:30 the following night. This line has connections with two of the Meitetsu suburban trains.
In the case of the Sakura-dori tram line, the first train leaves Imaike station at 5:31 in the morning. Meanwhile, the last train on the line arrives at this station at 12:30 in the evening, arriving at the same time as another train at Nonami station.
The Kamiiida line has only two stations. The first train leaves Kamiiida station at 5:30 in the morning, while the last train arrives at Heian-dori at 12:13 the following night.
The frequency of trains on the Nagoya Metro system varies considerably. For example, trains on the Tsurumai Line run every four minutes during the morning rush hour, and every seven and a half minutes during the rest of the day. The frequency changes again in the evening rush hour, when there are trains every five minutes, or in other words, the trains go by more quickly.
On the Sakura-dori line, trains run every four and a half minutes during the morning rush hour. This frequency changes to six minutes during the afternoon rush hour and seven and a half minutes during the rest of the day. The frequency also changes on Saturdays and Sundays, being 10 minutes for most of the day and six minutes during the morning peak.
Finally, the frequency of the Kamiiida Line is seven and a half minutes during the morning rush hour and 15 minutes during the rest of the day.
Prices, tickets, and cards
Fares for the Nagoya Metro are calculated according to the distance travelled. To calculate the different fares, Nagoya Metro has divided its network into five zones. The pricing system also shows different ticket prices for adults and children. The prices set by the metro operator are as follows:
- Zones: Zone 1 (less than 3 kilometres), Zone 2 (between 3 and 7 kilometres), Zone 3 (between 7 and 11 kilometres), Zone 4 (between 11 and 15 kilometres) and Zone 5 (over 15 kilometres).
- Adults: Zone 1 (200 yen or 1.77 USD), Zone 2 (240 yen or 2.13 USD), Zone 3 (270 yen or 2.39 USD), Zone 4 (300 yen or 2.66 USD) and Zone 5 (330 yen or 2.92 USD).
- Disabled children and adults: Zone 1 (100 yen or 0.89 USD), Zone 2 (120 yen or 1.06 USD), Zone 3 (130 yen or 1.15 USD), Zone 4 (150 yen or 1.33 USD) and Zone 5 (160 yen or 1.42 USD).
- Children with disabilities: Zone 1 (50 yen or 0.44 USD,) Zone 2 (60 yen or 0.53 USD,) Zone 3 (70 yen or 0.62 USD,) Zone 4 (80 yen or 0.71 USD,) Zone 5 (80 yen or 0.71 USD.)
- Passengers also have other options when it comes to tickets. For example, there is the popular Free Day Ticket, which offers unlimited travel on the metro for one day. There are many variations of the Free Day Ticket. The first is the Combined Free Pass Ticket, which allows you to travel by bus and subway. This ticket costs 850 yen (7.53 USD) for adults and 430 yen (3.80 USD) for children. The next ticket is the Free Day Ticket, which only allows you to travel on the subway. This ticket costs 740 yen (6.56 USD) for adults and 370 yen (3.28 USD) for children.
- People who are staying in Nagoya for a long time can also buy passes that allow unlimited travel for up to six months. The prices for these passes are as follows
- One month: Zone 1 (8390 yen or $74.32) Zone 2 (9370 yen or $83) Zone 3 (10,280 yen or $91.06) Zone 4 (11,100 yen or $98.32) Zone 5 (11,850 yen or $104.97).
- Three months: Zone 1 (23,920 yen or 211.89 USD), Zone 2 (26,710 yen or 236.61 USD), Zone 3 (29,300 yen or 259.55 USD), Zone 4 (31,640 yen or 280.28 USD) and Zone 5 (33,780 yen or 299.23 USD).
- Six months: Zone 1 (45,310 yen or 401.37 USD), Zone 2 (50,600 yen or 448.23 USD), Zone 3 (55,520 yen or 491.81 USD), Zone 4 (59,940 yen or 530.97 USD) and Zone 5 (63,990 yen or 566.84 USD).
- If users do not wish to purchase a zone-based pass, they can also purchase an Unlimited Line Pass. The cost of each pass is 15,000 yen (USD 132.88) for the one-month pass, 42,750 yen (USD 378.69) for the three-month pass and 81,000 yen (USD 717.52) for the six-month pass. In addition to these passes, there are special fares for students based on their current level of education and for people with disabilities. Meanwhile, student organisations and tourist groups can buy group tickets to save money.
- The majority of Nagoya residents have opted to use an integrated payment mechanism: the Manaca Card. This is a contactless card that requires a deposit of 500 yen (4.43 USD) to be issued. This card is personalised as it has a mileage system that allows the user to earn discounts. The Manaca card is also accepted to pay for purchases in various local stores and is also compatible with 9 other similar cards in Japan.
- A special option has been created for tourists, which can only be purchased with a tourist visa or temporary residence certificate. This option is called the SHORYUDO Unlimited One Day Pass, which allows the passenger to use the subway, city hall buses and the Meguru Tourist Bus as many times as he or she wants during the day. This ticket costs 600 yen (5.31 USD).
Bike Stations
Although not fully integrated with the Nagoya Municipal Subway, bicycle parking facilities managed by the Nagoya Metropolitan Government can often be found near subway stations. Parking a regular bicycle costs 100 yen (USD 0.89) for 24 hours, 2000 yen (USD 17.72) for one month, 5500 yen (USD 48.72) for three months and 10750 yen (USD 95.23) for six months. Motorised bicycles are subject to higher parking fees, and reduced rates are available for high school and university students.
Tips in Metro Nagoya
Using the Nagoya Metro system can be quite easy, especially if you follow a few basic tips:
- Research your routes and fares online in advance to save time when using the metro.
- Tickets can be purchased from electronic machines that offer English language options.
- Make sure you understand what type of ticket you need and how much it costs. The Manaca Card can also be purchased from these machines.
- Remember to validate your ticket at a turnstile on exit. If your journey costs more than your ticket, pay the extra charge at a nearby machine.
- Use the Metro maps to navigate around the stations. Stations on the maps are identified by codes consisting of a letter for the line and a number for the station.
- Don’t hesitate to ask metro staff for help. If you don’t speak Japanese, let the staff know in advance.
Fun Facts
Hatchii, the official mascot of the Nagoya subway since 2002, is yellow and dressed like a subway worker. Hatchii’s head is shaped like a
Shachihoko, a mythical Japanese creature.
Google Street View is available for the system’s stations.
Due to Japan’s seismic activity, the metro conducts earthquake drills to prepare passengers for an organised evacuation.
There are also drills for other emergencies such as storms, typhoons or fires.
Some lines have introduced women-only cars, mainly for use during rush hour.
Nearby Attractions
Although Japan is best known for its technological and automotive industries, as well as its successful animation sector, Nagoya is gradually attracting more tourists. Some of the city’s attractions accessible by the Nagoya Municipal Metro include
Nagoya Castle: Built in 1525, this landmark symbolises Nagoya’s pride and preserves traditional Japanese architectural styles. It can be reached by alighting at Shiyakusho station on the Meijo Line.
Nagoya Science Museum: The museum’s modern architecture and the world’s largest planetarium dome make it a popular destination for children and curious adults. To visit, get off at Fushimi Station on the Higashiyama and Tsurumai lines.
Nagoya Port Public Aquarium: Showcasing a variety of marine life, including dolphins, the aquarium is a major attraction at Nagoya Port. To get there, get off at Nagoyako Station on the Meiko Line.