Sendai Subway — Map, Lines, Route, Hours, Tickets

The Sendai Metro, with two fully operational lines – the Namboku Line and the Tozai Line, covers an extensive 28.21 km. Operating weekdays from 5:30am to midnight, fares vary according to the number of stations travelled, ranging from 200 yen to 360 yen. There are a number of card options to suit different users, and the metro even provides a direct link to the airport.

The system is also known as the subway. It serves around 159,000 passengers a day. Unfortunately, no information on fares is available. The system does not operate 24 hours a day and has no air conditioning. However, walking between platforms is allowed and the trains are not driverless.

There are no screen doors on the platforms. Operating hours are from 5:47 to 00:11 from Monday to Sunday. The fare is 840 yen.

Sendai Metro Map

Map of Sendai Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Sendai Metro map in PDF format.

About Sendai City

Overview:

Recognised as one of Japan’s most important cities, Sendai became the capital of the Miyagi District in 1889. It currently has a population of over one million.

Sendai was once revered as one of Japan’s greenest cities, boasting an array of trees, plants, forests and gardens. However, the bombings of World War II resulted in the destruction of most of the green spaces.

In 2011, the city was hit by a catastrophic magnitude 9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami, causing widespread damage and loss. Despite these disasters, Sendai has shown remarkable resilience, emerging as the economic powerhouse of the Tohoku region and one of Japan’s top tourist destinations.

The Metro System:

The genesis of Sendai’s metro system was necessitated by a period of economic boom triggered by a flourishing automobile industry.

During this period, companies in the city centre were mainly involved in manufacturing and marketing a range of vehicles for other companies, taxi services and bus lines.

This positive economic environment, which fostered the city’s growth, also resulted in high levels of traffic on Sendai’s roads. In addition, an increase in building construction added to the city’s congestion.

As a result, in 1978 the Sendai District applied to the Land Transport Council of the Ministry of Transport for permission to build a rail system to alleviate the traffic problem. The proposal was approved in 1981, and construction of the Sendai Metro began.

The Nippon Public Corporation of Railway Construction undertook the construction, which began in 1987 with a single line – the Namboku Line (also known as the Green Line).

Lines and Stations

The Sendai metro system now has two functional lines with a total length of 28.21 km.

The lines serve the busiest and most commercially active areas of Sendai, stretching from the north to the south of the city. The lines originate at Izumo-Chuo Station and Yamiyaga Station, which is close to the famous Tohoku Zoo Park.

In addition, the lines allow convenient transfers from other modes of transport, providing easy access to various areas of the city.

Namboku Line

The Namboku Line, first opened in 1987 and also known as the Green Line, is 14.38 km long and has 27 stations. Most of these stations are underground and serve areas between Izumo-Chuo in the north and Tomisawa in the south, with the entire journey taking around 28 minutes.

Tozai Line

The Tozai Line opened to the public in December 2015, with a total of 13 stations that can be identified by the colour blue. This line, which is 13.83 km long, crosses the centre of Sendai from the south-western to the south-eastern part of the city and takes about 20 to 22 minutes. It has one station that connects to the Namboku Line and another that connects to the Railway of Japan.

Operating Hours

The Sendai Metro runs from 5:30am to midnight, Monday to Sunday. On Fridays, however, the last train departs 10 minutes later than usual. Passengers can easily check the metro timetable at any station on either line, at customer service offices or at ticket machines.

Ticketing and Pricing

Sendai Metro’s fares vary based on the number of stations or distance travelled. The base fare for an adult is 200 yen (~1.76 USD), with children under 10 and individuals with physical and/or mental disabilities being eligible for a 50% discount. The fare structure is as follows:

1 station (1 – 3 km): 200 yen (~1.76 USD).
2 stations (4 – 6 km): 250 yen (~2.21 USD).
3 stations (7 – 9 km): 300 yen (~2.65 USD).
4 stations (10 – 12 km): 330 yen (~2.91 USD).
5 stations (12 – 16 km): 360 yen (~3.18 USD).

Ticket Types

Tickets can be purchased from ticket vending machines, with various options such as Icsa cards, day tickets, regular tickets and passes available to suit different passenger needs.

Icsa: These pre-paid cards are accepted on both lines of the Sendai Subway and the surface public transport system, including the Railway of Japan. Prices for Icsa cards depend on the user’s profile (e.g. adult, child) and intended travel distance.
One-day ticket: This ticket is valid for 24 hours and allows unlimited travel for any distance on the Sendai Metro. It costs 840 yen (~7.41 USD) for adults and half the price for children. There are also weekend and holiday versions of the one-day ticket, which cost 620 yen (~$5.47) for adults and 310 yen (~$2.74) for children.
Regular ticket: This ticket is valid for a single trip on the Sendai Metro and also allows travel on the bus system to downtown Japan and Sendai Airport. The ticket can also be used on Miyagi Traffic Bus and Sendai Municipal Bus services. However, it is only valid for one journey.
Sendai Whole Pass: This card allows unlimited travel on the Sendai Metro for one day and can also be used on bus systems connected to the metro. It has limited use on Miyagi Traffic services and cannot be used on certain routes within the Miyagi Traffic network.
Skip Cards and Skip/Joy Cards: These prepaid cards are useful for regular commuters on Sendai Metro, allowing the user to save money by not having to purchase a ticket every day. Skip Cards and Skip/Joy Cards can be purchased from ticket vending machines, customer service offices or ticket counters at bus terminals. Both types of card can be used to travel on the Miyagi bus route.
Skip Cards range in price from 1000 yen (~US$8.87) to 5000 yen (~US$44.34) and require a minimum balance of 200 yen (~US$1.77) to be valid for use.

Planned Expansion Projects

As traffic on the national highway to Izumi Chuo increases, there are plans to build a metro line along a similar route to ease congestion.

As for the Tozai Line, due to the number of schools, universities and residential buildings being built along its route, plans are underway to modify several of its stations to improve passenger comfort. For example, Yagiyama Zoo Park station offers a private parking system called Park and Ride, which facilitates travel from homes to stations and from stations to the nearest bus stop.

As a result, there are plans to extend the route of this system and to carry out maintenance and modernisation initiatives. These include providing panoramic views during journeys and linking the Sendai International Centre with the campus of Tohoku University, one of the region’s most prestigious universities, at International Centre station. There are also plans to build a car park at International Center Station.

Regulations

Passengers should keep a safe distance from the doors until they open automatically when the train arrives at a station.
Boarding passengers should wait for others to disembark before boarding.
Running on the station premises is prohibited.
It is strictly forbidden to lean against the train’s automatic doors.
It is forbidden to obstruct the train doors with any objects.
Smoking is strictly forbidden on trains and in stations.

Travel Tips

If possible, please give up your seat to the elderly, pregnant women, the disabled or anyone else who may need it more urgently.
This will help ensure a pleasant journey for everyone.
When boarding the train, please keep your mobile phone switched off or on silent mode, especially if you are seated near seats reserved for passengers with reduced mobility.
Avoid talking on the phone on the train.
Do not eat or drink on trains or at stations.
When you get off the train and arrive at your destination, look for signs pointing to exits, escalators and lifts. Station maps on the walls can help you decide which direction to go and which train to board.
To leave the station, you must validate the same ticket you used to board the train at the automatic doors at the entrance.
Take care when using escalators. Hold on to the handrails to avoid falling or other mishaps.
If you have a problem, such as getting off at the wrong station or not having enough money on your ticket, pass or card, go to the customer service offices near the automatic doors at the entrances.
In the event of an emergency or natural disaster, remain calm and follow the instructions of Metro staff to evacuate the train or station safely.

Airport Connection

Fortunately, the Sendai Metro offers a direct connection to Sendai Airport, making it much easier for passengers to get to the airport.

Travellers can board the train at any station on the Namboku Line (Green Line), but must make sure they get off at Sendai Station. From this station, they must transfer to the airport access line. The journey takes approximately 17 minutes and terminates at Natori Station, which is located within the Sendai Airport complex. Similarly, passengers arriving by air can use this route to reach the city without having to leave the airport facilities.

Nagamachi Station, also on the Namboku Line, is another transfer point to Sendai Airport. If you are closer to Nagamachi station than Sendai station, you can easily board the train there.

Other Connections

The Sendai subway also provides access to the Japan Railway. Take a train from any station on the Namboku Line and get off at Kita-Sendai. From here, take the Senzan Line to Yamagata Station on the Japan Railway. Senseki station also connects to this line.

The Sendai subway also provides access to the Tohoku line, as it has a transfer station with the Sengoku line. Sendai Station connects both lines. From here, passengers can catch a train to Matsushima Station (the origin of the Tohoku line).

Nearby Attractions

The Aoba Castle:

Aoba Castle is an important historical symbol for Japan. It was built to protect the brave soldiers who defended the city of Sendai.

Perched atop Mount Aoba, the over 400-year-old castle was badly damaged during the Second World War. In 1970, the government decided to rebuild it, although some parts of the castle that survived the war remain untouched.

Although the castle has been almost completely rebuilt, some of the original architectural elements, such as walls and stone sculptures, have been preserved. Today, the castle is a public park with free admission, offering breathtaking views of the city and the Pacific Ocean.

Reaching Aoba Castle via Metro:

Getting to Aoba Castle by subway is fairly easy. The first option is to take a Sendai Municipal Bus Line bus from outside Sendai Station (a transfer station for lines 1 and 2). The bus will take you to the castle in about 22 minutes. Alternatively, you can get off at International Center Station and walk to the castle. It is a relatively short walk and should take you no more than 20 minutes.

Osaki Hachimangu Shrine:

The Osaki Hachimangu Shrine is one of the most popular tourist attractions, due to its importance to the city’s residents and its stunning architectural beauty. The shrine is the only building from the Azuchi-Momoyama era to be designated a national treasure.

The shrine honours historical figures such as Emperors Ojin and Chuai and Empress Jingu. The townspeople believe that these iconic figures will protect them from harm, help them achieve great feats and help pregnant women give birth successfully. Admission to the shrine is completely free.

Reaching the Shrine via Metro:

Travellers can board the train from either line of the Sendai subway, but should get off at the Sendai transfer station. From outside this station, you can take a bus on the Sendai Municipal Bus Line, which will take you to the shrine in about 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can transfer from this station to the Senzan Line, which passes through Tohokufukushidai-Mae station and arrives at Osaki Hachiman Shrine station near the shrine.

Interesting Facts

The Sendai Metro was temporarily closed due to extensive damage caused by the 2011 earthquake. It reopened to the public in December that year, but only the Namboku line was operational. The Tozai line was not opened until 2015.
The Namboku Line has installed a new mechanism that controls the acceleration and braking of its trains to prevent sudden movements and reduce peak power consumption. This mechanism, known as “fuzzy logic”, has proved highly effective, especially during peak hours, as it also acts as a substitute for human drivers.
The Sendai Metro is considered the best way to get around the city. Each station has posters with information about places and addresses. These posters are translated into English for the convenience of foreign travellers who do not speak Japanese. Sendai, Kotodai Koen and Hirosedori stations are located in downtown areas, and passengers can find interesting sights near these stations.