The Tokyo Subway: A Friendly Guide to Lines and Transfers

Published October 15, 2026 at 12:15 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Your Key to Getting Around Tokyo

The Tokyo subway can look intimidating at first, with a colorful web of lines crossing a huge city. The good news is that it is one of the cleanest, most punctual and most logical systems in the world, and once you understand a few basic ideas it becomes a wonderful way to explore. Trains arrive frequently, signs are clear, and stations are filled with English guidance.

This guide introduces the lines, the two companies that run them, the color and letter codes that help you navigate, and the practical points about tickets and transfers. By the end, you should feel ready to follow your route confidently, whether you are heading to a famous temple, a shopping district or a quiet neighborhood coffee shop.

Two Operators, Thirteen Lines

Tokyo's subway is run by two organizations. Tokyo Metro operates nine lines, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation operates four lines under the name Toei Subway. Together they form a network of well over two hundred stations, and they are designed to feel like one system with a unified look and color scheme.

The Tokyo Metro lines are the Ginza, Marunouchi, Hibiya, Tozai, Chiyoda, Yurakucho, Hanzomon, Namboku and Fukutoshin lines. The four Toei lines are the Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku and Oedo lines. Each line has its own color and its own letter, such as G for Ginza, M for Marunouchi, H for Hibiya, T for Tozai, C for Chiyoda, Y for Yurakucho, Z for Hanzomon, N for Namboku and F for Fukutoshin. The Toei lines use A for Asakusa, I for Mita, S for Shinjuku and E for Oedo.

Stations also carry numbers. A station might appear on signs as a letter followed by a number, which tells you which line you are on and the order of the stop. This is especially handy if station names written in Japanese feel unfamiliar, because you can simply follow the letter and number on the map to your destination.

A Short Tour of the Lines

The Ginza Line, colored orange, is the oldest. It opened on 30 December 1927 between Ueno and Asakusa, and it was the first underground subway line in Japan. Today it runs between Shibuya and Asakusa, passing Ginza, Shimbashi and Ueno. The Marunouchi Line, colored red, runs between Ogikubo and Ikebukuro and passes Shinjuku, Tokyo Station and Ginza, making it a useful route for city-center sights.

The silver Hibiya Line runs from Naka-Meguro to Kita-Senju via Ginza and Ueno, and it also connects to the Tobu railway network. The sky blue Tozai Line crosses the city from Nakano toward Nishi-Funabashi and passes through stations such as Takadanobaba. The green Chiyoda Line runs from Yoyogi-Uehara to Ayase and links up with suburban lines, while the gold Yurakucho Line runs between Wakoshi and Shin-Kiba.

The purple Hanzomon Line connects Shibuya with Oshiage, near Tokyo Skytree, and stops at Omotesando. The emerald Namboku Line runs from Meguro to Akabane-Iwabuchi, and the brown Fukutoshin Line links Shibuya with Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and beyond. The Toei lines add connections of their own, with the Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku and Oedo lines serving many neighborhoods that the Metro lines do not reach.

Tickets, Cards and Transfers

The easiest way to ride is with a rechargeable IC card such as Suica or Pasmo. You tap in at the gate, tap out when you finish, and the correct fare is deducted automatically. These cards work across most train lines in the Tokyo area, including the subways, and they can also be used in many shops and vending machines. If you prefer paper tickets, ticket machines offer English menus.

Because two companies operate the network, a ticket for a single ride between Metro and Toei lines normally requires a special transfer ticket, which costs a little less than buying two separate fares. If you use an IC card, the system handles this for you, which is another reason the card is so convenient. Visitors also have the option of a one-day pass that covers all Metro and Toei lines, which can be a great value if you plan to ride many times in a day, so check the current options on the official Tokyo Metro site.

It helps to remember that the subway is separate from the JR network, which includes the circular Yamanote Line. A rail pass for tourists on JR lines does not cover the subways, so you will still need an IC card or a subway ticket. Many suburban railways also run through trains directly into the subway lines, so a train may continue onto another company's tracks, and the destination shown on the front of the train will tell you where it is headed.

Riding Smoothly and Planning Day One

Subway etiquette is simple and mostly about consideration. Stand in line at the marked spots on the platform and let passengers exit before you board. Keep your phone on silent, avoid phone calls and keep your voice low. Offer priority seats to people who need them, and if you have a backpack, hold it in front of you or place it on the rack in a crowded car.

The busiest times are the weekday morning and evening commutes, when trains can be very full. If you can, plan your sightseeing outside those hours to enjoy a more relaxed ride. Services run from early morning until around midnight, but the exact last train depends on the line and station, so check your route in a navigation app before a late evening.

Large stations can be vast, with multiple levels and many exits. Look at the exit signs and choose the one nearest your destination, because it can save a lot of walking above ground. Station maps and staff are there to help, and most larger stations post signs in English, Chinese and Korean alongside Japanese. Do not hesitate to ask the attendant if you are unsure.

For a first day, pick a handful of attractions along one or two lines. The Ginza Line is a great choice because it links Asakusa, Ueno, Ginza and Shibuya, which together give you a taste of old Tokyo, museums, upscale shopping and youth culture. You can spend the morning at Senso-ji, take lunch near Ueno Park and finish the day among the neon of Shibuya.

Another easy plan uses the Marunouchi Line to reach Tokyo Station, the Imperial Palace gardens and Ginza, followed by a ride to Shinjuku for the evening. Linking sights by line number or color keeps decisions simple, and the repetition helps you learn how the system works. Within a day or two, most visitors find that transfers feel natural.

Quick Takeaways

Tokyo has thirteen subway lines run by two operators, Tokyo Metro and Toei, and each line is identified by a color and a letter. A rechargeable IC card makes riding easy, transfers between operators are straightforward, and good manners keep the rides pleasant for everyone. Start with a few connected sights, use the letter and number system, and you will be moving around the city like a local.

Trains and stations can feel busy, but a calm approach pays off. Take your time reading the signs, ask staff if needed and enjoy the people-watching on board. The subway is more than transportation, because it gives a glimpse into everyday life in one of the world's great cities.