The Tokyo subway system is one of the world’s largest mass transit networks. There is not an official name that represents all of the lines that serve Tokyo, though Tokyo Subway is often used to refer to all lines.
Technically, the Tokyo subway is just one part of the urban rail transit network. The Tokyo subway consists of the Tokyo Metro and the Toei Subway. The East Japan Railway Company (JR East) operates lines, as well as several other railway operators serving Greater Tokyo.
With so many operators running lines in Tokyo, there is no official website listing every line, and there is no official map. Maps are provided by the operators, and they are among the most complex subway maps in the world.
This guide lists all of the network maps issued by the operators, along with independent maps that show all lines.
All maps are the English version of high-resolution maps that can be downloaded. I have left out maps of operators that only show their own lines.
Official Tokyo subway maps
Tokyo Metro
Website: tokyometro.jp
Tokyo Metro has an online searchable map of the Metro lines.
The subway map is also downloadable as a PDF file. This includes Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines in bold, with other lines depicted with thinner lines.
Toei Subway
Website: kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp
Toei Subway uses the same “Tokyo Subway Route Map” as Tokyo Subway. The Toei Subway map shows all of the station names, while the Tokyo Subway has a map that shows numbers for some stations.
The map can be viewed on the Toei Subway map page and as a PDF Map.
JR East
Website: jreast.co.jp
East Japan Railway Company (JR East) operates commuter and long-haul trains throughout the Greater Tokyo area. JR East operates the Yamanote Line, which encircles central Tokyo and is a defining feature on many metro maps. The circle (which is not a circle in real life) forms a foundation upon which transit-style maps are drawn on.
The JR East Tokyo map (above) shows how extensive their network is, though it’s not much use from a passenger’s perspective without the subway lines.
JR East has a system map where their lines are shown in bold, with the subway lines shown as thinner lines.
JR East also publish a full network map, which is labelled as Suica/PASMO Network Map. This map shows areas where Suica/PASMO (the stored-value cards) can be used. This is the most complex rail map of Tokyo.
[Download full resolution map | PDF.]
Visit Tokyo Map
Go Tokyo is the official website of the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau. While this is not a map by one of the railway companies, this is the official Tokyo travel guide so I will place it in this category of official maps. This map has shaded the area inside the Yamanote Line in light green, which helps you find your bearings on the map.
Independent Tokyo Subway Maps
This section includes independent maps from private companies and railway enthusiasts. The maps show all lines in the Greater Tokyo area.
Greater Tokyo Railway Network by Kzaral
[View full map | view on Flickr.]
The Greater Tokyo Railway Network by Kzaral shows every line equally, so it truly shows the entire network.
Tokyo Subway system by UrbanRail.Net
[View full map.]
UrbanRail.Net has a map of all lines on one map, with details of each line.
Tokyo Subway Map by Sergio Mejia
[View full map.]
Tokyo Subway Map by Sergio Mejia was submitted to Transit Maps.
Wow how on earth does anyone plan and undertake their journey
I assume all separate ticketing easy transfers?
It looks scary but it is relatively easy to navigate at the station with clear signage. The ticketing is unified with two competing cards – Suica and PASMA. They basically offer the same thing so it doesn’t matter which one you use. This model gives me hope for Bangkok, because I can’t see Rabbit card giving up its gains to Mangmoom. It might be a case where the Bangkok system will have to live with two cards. As for transfers, it feels more like London with decades of layers of railways built on top of each other.
G’Day All
I would like a copy of a Greater tokyo rail, Metro and Subway map in something like A3.
The SUICA/PASMO one would be good if I could purchse that,. The Greater Tokyo Railway Network map might be another.
If either of these would be suitable, could you advise me how/where to buy it/them?
Regards Julian