Tokyo Metro vs Toei
Tokyo’s subway has two operators — Tokyo Metro (9 lines) and Toei (4 lines). Here’s how transfers, fares, and passes work across both.
Quick links
Tokyo Metro and Toei operate separate subway networks. Tokyo Metro operates 9 lines. Toei operates 4 lines. Different tickets, different passes, different fare systems. A journey using both has a combined fare, with a transfer discount when the journey qualifies.
Best for: Every Tokyo visitor who wants to understand why they’re paying extra at certain transfer stations.
The Two Systems Compared
| Tokyo Metro | Toei Subway | |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. (corporate railway operator) | Bureau of Transportation, Tokyo Metropolitan Govt |
| Lines | 9 lines | 4 lines |
| Stations | 180 | 106 |
| Base fare | ¥180 (IC: ¥178) | Varies by distance; check Toei fare search |
| Day pass | ¥700 (Tokyo Metro 24-hour Ticket: 24 hours from first use) | ¥700 (Toei One-Day Pass: valid service day) |
| Combined day pass | Common One-Day Ticket: ¥1,100 for both subway systems | Same shared ticket |
| Map color scheme | Each line has its own color and letter code | Each line has its own color and letter code |
Pass prices checked October 7, 2026. Tokyo Metro: 1-Day Open Tickets
All 13 Subway Lines
Tokyo Metro — 9 Lines
| Line | Color | Code | Key Stations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ginza | 🟠 Orange | G | Shibuya, Ginza, Asakusa, Ueno |
| Marunouchi | 🔴 Red | M | Shinjuku, Tokyo, Ikebukuro, Ginza |
| Hibiya | ⚫ Gray | H | Roppongi, Ginza, Akihabara, Ueno |
| Tozai | 🔵 Light Blue | T | Nihonbashi, Kudanshita, Nakano |
| Chiyoda | 🟢 Green | C | Omotesando, Meiji-Jingumae, Yoyogi-Uehara |
| Yurakucho | 🟡 Gold | Y | Ikebukuro, Yurakucho, Tsukishima |
| Hanzomon | 🟣 Purple | Z | Shibuya, Omotesando, Otemachi, Oshiage (Skytree) |
| Namboku | 🟢 Teal | N | Roppongi-Itchome, Komagome, Akabane-Iwabuchi |
| Fukutoshin | 🟤 Brown | F | Ikebukuro, Shinjuku-Sanchome, Shibuya |
Toei Subway — 4 Lines
| Line | Color | Code | Key Stations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asakusa | 🩷 Rose | A | Asakusa, Nihonbashi, Shinbashi, Gotanda |
| Mita | 🔵 Blue | I | Otemachi, Hibiya, Mita, Meguro |
| Shinjuku | 🟢 Leaf | S | Shinjuku, Kudanshita, Jimbocho, Motoyawata |
| Oedo | 🩷 Magenta | E | Shinjuku, Roppongi, Tsukijishijo (E18), Ryogoku, Ueno-Okachimachi |
Transfer Costs and Ticket Rules
The Problem
Metro and Toei calculate separate operator fares. A qualifying combined journey receives an adult ¥70 transfer discount. Follow the interchange signs: some connections stay inside the paid area, while others require leaving and re-entering.
The Fix: Transfer Discount
- Suica/Pasmo: The adult ¥70 discount is automatic for a qualifying Metro–Toei journey. At a designated interchange requiring exit and re-entry, use the same IC card and complete the transfer within 60 minutes of exiting. A longer gap ends the fare calculation at the interchange and starts a new journey. This is not permission for free re-entry after any accidental exit.
- Tokyo Subway Ticket: Covers Metro and Toei subway travel while valid, but not JR or private-rail sections. Follow the gate instructions for your paper, PASMO or QR format.
- Magnetic Metro–Toei through-ticket: Use the designated interchange and keep the ticket after passing through its gate. The ticket is valid for its issue day and follows its own interchange rules; the IC 60-minute condition should not be applied to every paper ticket. Ask staff before leaving the paid area if your route or gate is unclear.
Conditions checked 7 October 2026: designated IC interchange list; Metro–Toei through-tickets; current IC-card rules.
Common Transfer Stations (Metro ↔ Toei)
| Station | Metro Line(s) | Toei Line(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Shinjuku | Marunouchi | Shinjuku, Oedo |
| Kudanshita | Tozai, Hanzomon | Shinjuku |
| Otemachi | Marunouchi, Tozai, Chiyoda, Hanzomon | Mita |
| Hibiya | Hibiya, Chiyoda | Mita |
| Ueno-hirokoji / Naka-okachimachi / Ueno-okachimachi: separate named stations | Ginza at Ueno-hirokoji; Hibiya at Naka-okachimachi | Oedo at Ueno-okachimachi |
| Asakusa | Ginza | Asakusa |
Which Pass Should You Get?
| Your situation | Options to compare | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible visitor; compare total covered fares over 24/48/72 hours | Tokyo Subway Ticket (24/48/72h) | ¥1,000 / ¥1,500 / ¥2,000 |
| Metro-only trips whose fares exceed ¥700 within 24 hours | Tokyo Metro 24-hour Ticket | ¥700 |
| Toei trips whose covered fares exceed ¥700 in the valid service day | Toei One-Day Pass | ¥700 |
| Light subway use or a mixed trip with JR/private rail | Suica/Pasmo (pay per ride) | Route-dependent; price each journey |
Ride count alone is not a break-even test. Four separate short Metro journeys at an adult IC fare of ¥178 total ¥712, below the ¥1,000 Tokyo Subway 24-hour Ticket; the Metro-only ¥700 24-hour Ticket would be slightly cheaper still. Compare the actual fares covered by the pass over its validity period, including any qualifying transfer discount. JR, private rail and buses are outside the Tokyo Subway Ticket and do not count toward its savings.
Adult prices and fare example checked 7 October 2026: Tokyo Subway Ticket eligibility and prices; Metro and combined one-day tickets; Tokyo Metro adult IC fares. See our route-based Subway Ticket comparison for longer plans.
Practical Tips
Pro Tips
- Compare route-planner options for your departure time, including transfers and the final station exit
- Oedo Line: Its route combines a central loop-shaped section with the Hikarigaoka branch. Check the train destination and any Tocho-mae change; do not treat it as a continuous Yamanote-style circle.
- Some Oedo Line platforms are deep underground. Allow extra time for lifts, escalators and transfers.
- Rush-hour examples: MLIT’s FY2025 survey records 160% on Tozai Kiba → Monzen-nakacho and 163% on Hibiya Minowa → Iriya, both for 7:50–8:50 AM. These are measured busiest-hour averages for those sections, not every train or the whole line. Official survey, released 28 July 2026.
- Metro and Toei use different station numbering — M for Marunouchi (Metro), E for Oedo (Toei), etc.
- At large stations like Shinjuku or Otemachi, Metro and Toei gates may be hundreds of meters apart even though they share a station name
Network and operator details checked 7 October 2026: Toei Oedo route and station list; Tokyo Metro’s combined map.
For fares and transfer planning, use our Tokyo Subway Ticket guide and station navigation guide.
FAQ
Why does Tokyo have two subway operators?
The networks developed separately. Tokyo Metro’s predecessor, Eidan, was established in 1941; the present Tokyo Metro company was established in 2004. Toei’s first subway section opened in 1960 under the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. They still have separate fares and ticket rules, although some passes cover both. Sources: Tokyo Metro history and Toei subway history.
Is there a map that shows both systems together?
Yes. The official Tokyo Metro + Toei Subway Route Map is available at all stations and on both websites. The lines are color-coded individually. Use the line letter and station number alongside its color; do not infer the operator from a warm/cool palette. Download the official map.
Can I use JR Pass on the subway?
The national Japan Rail Pass does not cover Tokyo Metro or Toei Subway fares. It covers eligible JR services under its own rules and includes specified non-JR exceptions; check the exact pass and route before treating a segment as covered.
Which line is least crowded?
There is no line that guarantees a quiet ride. Crowding depends on the section, direction and time; a busiest-hour survey average is not a prediction for your train. Avoid assuming that Namboku or Fukutoshin will always be quiet, and compare your actual route and departure time. MLIT’s section-based congestion survey explains the measured examples above.
Explore More Tokyo Guides
For neighborhood-specific tips on where to stay and what else to explore nearby:
