Overview
The Nagoya Municipal Subway (名古屋市営地下鉄), operated by the Nagoya City Transportation Bureau, is a rapid transit system serving Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture. The system consists of six lines with a total route length of 93.3 km and serves 87 stations, approximately 90 percent of which are located underground. As a visitor, you can ride the subway end-to-end by purchasing tickets or a rechargeable smart card (Manaca) at station ticket vending machines. Simply enter the station at your boarding point, touch your card or insert your ticket at the automated gates, travel on the line of your choice, and exit by tapping your card or inserting your ticket again at your destination station. The subway, along with suburban railways, buses, and other transit, forms an extensive network of 47 lines across Greater Nagoya, with the subway accounting for approximately 38 percent of the region's total rail ridership.
The network
Subway lines
The Nagoya Municipal Subway comprises six lines, each identified by colour and serving distinct parts of the city.
- Higashiyama Line (yellow): runs west to east from Takabata to Fujigaoka, with 22 stations. This is the busiest line, connecting Nagoya Station to the Sakae commercial district.
- Meijo Line (purple): a loop line with 28 stations serving Kanayama, Sakae, and Ozone, connecting to all other subway lines.
- Meiko Line (purple and white striped): runs from Kanayama to Nagoyako (Nagoya Port), with 7 stations. Meiko Line services partially interline with the Meijo Line, and the operations of both are combined.
- Tsurumai Line (blue): 20 stations running from Kami Otai to Akaike (in nearby Nisshin municipality). Through service operates onto the Meitetsu Inuyama and Meitetsu Toyota lines beyond the subway endpoints.
- Sakura-dori Line (Sakuradōri Line, 桜通線, red): 21 stations from Taiko-dori (one stop west of Nagoya Station) to Tokushige in the southeast.
- Kamiiida Line (Kamiida Line, 上飯田線, pink): 2 stations (Kamiiida and Heian-dori). This line is essentially an extension of the Meitetsu Komaki Line, with through service connecting to that private railway.
Suburban and regional rail
The subway is closely integrated with JR Central services, including the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, at Nagoya Station. The Higashiyama Line (Line 1) and Sakura-dori Line (Line 6) connect directly via underground passageways to the JR Tōkaidō Main Line platforms and the Shinkansen concourse. Additional JR connections at other stations include the Chūō Main Line (at Nagoya, Kanayama, Tsurumai, Chikusa, and Ōzone), Kansai Main Line (at Nagoya and Hatta), and Takayama Main Line (at Nagoya). The Meitetsu and Kintetsu private railways operate parallel services and connect to the subway at major interchange stations such as Nagoya and Kanayama.
Trams, buses, and ferries
City buses operate on a flat fare of 210 yen across Nagoya, with main terminals at Nagoya Station, Sakae (Oasis 21), and major subway stations. The Aonami Line (あおなみ線) provides light-rail access south to the port area and ferry terminal. The sightseeing bus, Me~guru, offers hop-on-hop-off service at major attractions. The Taiheiyo Ferry (太平洋フェリー) operates overnight car ferries from the Nagoya Ferry Terminal to Sendai (21 hours 40 minutes) and Tomakomai in Hokkaido (40 hours).
Tickets & fares
Single fares and ticket vending
You can purchase individual tickets at ticket vending machines in all stations. Subway fares are distance-based, ranging from approximately 210 yen (one zone) to 340 yen (five zones) for adults, with child fares typically half the adult fare. City bus rides are a flat 210 yen per journey.
Manaca smart card
Since February 2011, the Manaca rechargeable smart card has been the primary ticketing method on the Nagoya subway. A new Manaca card costs 2,000 yen, which includes a 500 yen deposit; the remaining 1,500 yen is usable fare credit. Manaca works on the Nagoya subway, city buses, the Me~guru sightseeing bus, Meitetsu lines, the Aonami Line, the Yutorito Line, and JR Chubu TOICA areas. A 90-minute transfer discount of 80 yen (adult) or 40 yen (child) applies when you transfer between modes within the time window. Manaca also earns Mileage Points on fares. You can purchase and recharge Manaca at ticket machines at Nagoya, Kanayama, Fujigaoka, Nonami, and Akaike stations, and at other designated locations.
Day passes and discount tickets
Several pass options offer value for visitors:
- Subway 24-Hour Ticket: 760 yen (adult) or 380 yen (child). Provides unlimited subway rides on all six lines for 24 hours.
- City Bus & Subway 1-Day Ticket: 870 yen (adult) or 430 yen (child). Unlimited city bus and subway rides for one day, and includes discounts on the Me~guru sightseeing bus and participating tourist facilities.
- City Bus Only 1-Day Ticket: 620 yen (adult) or 310 yen (child). Unlimited city bus rides.
- Weekend Eco Ticket (Donichi Eco Kippu): 620 yen (adult) or 310 yen (child). Valid on weekends, public holidays, and the 8th of each month. Provides unlimited city bus and subway rides for one day. Note: cannot be used on the elevated section of the Yutorito Line, Meitetsu buses, or the Aonami Line.
- Me~guru Sightseeing Bus One-Day Pass: 500 yen (adult) or 250 yen (child). Operates Tuesday through Sunday and includes discounts at tourist facilities.
Passes are sold at subway station ticket counters, city buses, designated information centres (such as Oasis 21 i Center and Kanayama Tourist Information Center), and Manaca machines at select stations. Fares and prices are approximate and subject to change.
From the airport
Chubu Centrair International Airport
Japan's third major international gateway, Chubu Centrair International Airport (中部国際空港), sits on an artificial island approximately 30 minutes south of central Nagoya. The most convenient public-transport option is the Meitetsu Airport Line.
The fastest trains are the all-reserved μSKY trains, which depart for Nagoya every 30 minutes and take 28 minutes at a cost of 1,230 yen. Slower Limited Express trains offer first-class (reserved) and ordinary-class (non-reserved) seating and take 37 minutes for the same journey, with a standard fare of 870 yen. Note that Japan Rail Passes are not valid on the Meitetsu, though you can exchange your rail pass voucher at the airport or at Nagoya Station.
Buses run hourly from Centrair Airport to the Meitetsu Bus Terminal, taking approximately 1 hour 20 minutes at a cost of 1,200 yen. Some buses also stop at major hotels including the Nagoya Tokyu, Nagoya Kanko, and Hilton Nagoya. For large groups, Tsubame Airport Limousine offers private van service (seats 6–9 passengers); costs depend on destination but trips to Nagoya Station area run approximately 12,000 yen. A taxi to Nagoya Station costs 15,000–16,000 yen.
Nagoya Airport (Komaki)
Nagoya Airport (also known as Komaki Airport), located north of the city, handles regional domestic flights by Fuji Dream Airline from destinations including Aomori, Iwate, Niigata, Kochi, Fukuoka, Kitakyushu, Kumamoto, and Yamagata. Shuttle buses connect to Nagoya Station in 30 minutes for 700 yen.
Etiquette & customs
When using the Nagoya Metro, observe standard Japanese rail etiquette. Queue in an orderly line when boarding, and avoid eating or drinking on trains except in designated areas. Priority seating (reserved for elderly passengers, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and those with small children) should be vacated if a priority passenger boards. On escalators, stand on the left side to allow others to pass on the right. During rush hours, trains are crowded; remain patient and be mindful of personal space. Do not talk loudly on trains, and silence your mobile phone or use silent mode. When exiting trains, step aside to allow passengers to disembark before boarding. These customs contribute to a smooth, respectful transit experience for all riders.
Survival terms
- 地下鉄 (Chikatetsu): Subway/metro
- 切符 (Kippu): Ticket
- 線 (Sen): Line
- 入口 (Iriguchi): Entrance
- 出口 (Deguchi): Exit
- 乗り換え (Norikawe): Transfer
- 一区間 (Ikku-kan): Single fare/one zone
- 一日乗車券 (Ichinichi jōsha-ken): Day pass
Purchase a Manaca smart card at any major station to streamline your travel across Nagoya's integrated transit network.