Marunouchi Line Tokyo Metro 東京地下鉄丸ノ内線
Marunouchi Line, Tokyo Subway
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Marunouchi Line: read a guide to the Marunouchi Line of the Tokyo Metro, one of the busiest lines in Tokyo that connects Tokyo Station with Shinjuku Station.
The Marunouchi Line (color-coded "Red") of Tokyo metro runs from Ogikubo Station in Suginami-ku in the west of Tokyo, east through Shinjuku, Marunouchi and then back west, and northwards, to Ikebukuro Station in Toshima-ku.
The back-to-front C-shaped Marunouchi Line also has a short branch line between Nakano-Sakaue Station and Honancho Station. Because the Marunouchi Line goes through the major railway terminal that is Tokyo Station, it is often foreign visitors' first experience of the Tokyo subway.
The Marunouchi Line runs both below and above ground.
History
The Marunouchi Line is the second oldest subway in Tokyo after the Ginza Line. Construction started post-World War II in the 1950's with the first section between Ikebukuro and Ochanomizu Station completed in 1954, with further work on the line to Shin-Koenji finishing a decade later, in 1964. The Shinjuku to Nakano-Sakaue section was completed In the 1990's.
Platform doors were added to all stations in 2009.
The Marunouchi Line has the most frequent trains of all Tokyo's subway lines and its trains are some of the most crowded on the network.
Marunouchi Line Stations
The following is a list of the stations on the Marunouchi Line, with nearby features, attractions, hotels and transfers. Each station title includes the station name in Japanese and the station code.
The station code for Marunouchi line stations starts with an either upper- or lower-case M - upper case for most stations, and lower case for the short branch line from Nakano-sakaue to Honancho.
Ogikubo Station 荻窪駅 M-01
Ogikubo, in Tokyo's Suginami ward, is about 8km west of Shinjuku, and is known for its numerous ramen restaurants. Ogikubo ramen is distinguished by being made using fish bones rather than pork bones for its flavoring. Ogikubo has three department stores near the station.
The Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Ogikubo offers very cheap (about USD50 per night) but comfortable accommodation near Ogikubo Station, and has its own natural hot spa, free WiFi and an on site bar.
Transfer at Ogikubo Station to the JR Chuo (Rapid) Line and Chuo-Sobu Line.
Minami-Asagaya Station 南阿佐ケ谷駅 M-02
Suginami Ward Office is right next to the north side of Minami-Asagaya Station.
Shin-Koenji Station 新高円寺駅 M-03
South of Shin-Koenji station is a branch of the Queens Isetan department store.
Higashi-Koenji Station 東高円寺駅 M-04
Higashi-Koenji Station has a small commercial area north of the station and a small cluster of commercial premises south of it.
Shin-Nakano Station 新中野駅 M-05
Shin-Nakano Station has a broad smattering of stores and restaurants, mainly to its east.
Nakano-sakaue Station 中野坂上駅 M-06
Nakano-sakaue (pronounced "na-ka-no sa-kah-oo-eh") Station has a few shops and restaurants around it. Transfer here to Nakano-sakaue Station on the Toei Oedo Line (E-30). The 3-station branch line of the Marunouchi line comprising Nakano-Shimbashi, Nakano-Fujimicho and Honancho stations starts at Nakano-sakaue Station.
Nakano-Shimbashi Station 中野新橋駅 m-05
Nakano-Shimbashi Station is the first station on the branch of the Marunouchi line that splits off Nakano-sakaue on the main line.
There is a considerable cluster of small shops and restaurants around Nakano-Shimbashi Station. Tokyo Polytechnic University is about 600 meters east, and slightly north.
Nakano-Fujimicho Station 中野富士見町駅 m-04
Nakano-Fujimicho Station is in a residental area with a sprinkling of stores nearby. The section of Route 420 known as "Nakano-dori" goes by the station just to the east.
Nearly all the trains that serve Nakano-Fujimicho Station are 3-car trains that serve only this branch line. However, 6-car trains that leave from here all the way to Ikebukuro include most of the trains that depart up to 8am (some up until 9am), some from about 3pm to 5pm, and the very last train.
Honancho Station 方南町駅 m-03
Honancho is a pleasant, alley-lined neighbor of Suginami ward, flanked north and south by rivers, and quite green. There are several parks, and the Suginami Municipal Museum, about one kilometer to the west of Honancho Station. Honancho Station is the third and last station on the branch of the Marunouchi line that splits off the main line at Nakano-Sakaue Station.
Nishi-Shinjuku Station 西新宿駅 M-07
Nishi-Shinjuku Station is at the north end of the Nishi-Shinjuku skyscraper district with numerous office towers and major hotels, and dominated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Tocho). Transfer here to Tochomae Station on the Toei Oedo Line (E-28), 400 meters to the south, but connected by an underground passage.
Shinjuku Station 新宿駅 M-08
Shinjuku Station is Tokyo's busiest station overall, and Shinjuku is like a city unto itself, offering more in the way of great Shinjuku shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities than any other part of Tokyo..
Transfer at Shinjuku Station to the Toei Shinjuku Line (S-01), the Toei Oedo Line (Shinjuku Station E-27, or Shinjuku-Nishiguchi Station E-01), the Chuo Line (Rapid), the Chuo-Sobu Line, the Yamanote Line, the Shonan-Shinjuku Line, the Saikyo Line, the Keio Line, the Keio New Line, the Odakyu Odawara Line, and the Seibu Shinjuku Line.
Shinjuku-Sanchome Station 新宿三丁目駅 M-09
Shinjuku-Sanchome Station (exits C5 and C8) provides access to the Shinjuku-nichome gay bar area just to the east, and to the Shinjuku shopping outside Shinjuku Station's East Exit, the closest being the Isetan department store, just west.
Transfer at Shinjuku-Sanchome Station to the Fukutoshin Line (F-13) and the Toei Shinjuku Line (S-02).
Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station 新宿御苑前駅 M-10
Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station is next to the broad, beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen Gardens.
Yotsuya-Sanchome Station 四谷三丁目駅 M-11
The Shinjuku Historical Museum is about 10 minutes' walk north-east from Yotsuya-Sanchome Station. The Tokyo Toy Museum is a little north-west. South of the station is the headquarters of the Soka Gakkai and, a little further down, Shinanomachi Station on the Chuo-Sobu Line.
Yotsuya Station 四谷駅 M-12
Yotsuya Station is a large, modern, good-looking station that shares its building with the upmarket Atre Yotsuya shopping, dining, and cafe mall. Yotsuya Station straddles both sides of Route 20 (Shinjuku-dori), with the Yotsuya Exit (west) and Kojimachi Exit (east) on the north side, and the Akasaka Exit on the south side. The Marunouchi Line is served by the Akasaka Exit only - although accessible by walkway from the north side.
The campus of the Catholic Sophia University (Jochi Daigaku, in Japanese), with its St. Ignatius Church, is right next to the Akasaka Exit. Just south of Yotsuya Station is the Akasaka Goyochi estate, home to the grand old Akasaka Palace AKA the Geihinkan (State Guest House), which is usually open to the public (except when being used for state functions).
Transfer at Yotsuya Station to the Chuo Rapid Line & Chuo-Sobu Line, and the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line (N-08).
Akasaka-mitsuke Station 赤坂見附駅 M-13
Akasaka-mitsuke is a pivotal station providing access to the bustling business and recreational area of Akasaka. Akasaka-mitsuke is at the bottom of Route 246 (Aoyama-dori) which takes you to Shibuya, about 4km south-west. The platforms of Akasaka-mitsuke Station are connected to those of Nagatacho Station, 400 meters east, by underground passage, making it possible to change trains from station to station without passing through a ticket wicket.
Transfer at Akasaka-mitsuke Station to the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line (at Akasaka-mitsuke) and, by way of the connected adjacent Nagacho Station, to the Tokyo Metro Namboku (N-07), Yurakucho (Y-16) and Hanzomon (Z-04) lines.
Kokkai-Gijido-mae Station 国会議事堂前駅 M-14
"Kokkai-Gijido-mae" means "in front of the National Diet Building." This station is in the heart of Tokyo's national political district, Nagatacho, with the Prime Minister's residence, the Cabinet Office, several ministry headquarters and the American Embassy also very nearby.
Transfer at Kokkai-Gijido-mae Station to the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line (C-07). The adjoining Tameike-Sanno Station is directly connected by walkway to the platforms of Kokkai-Gijido-mae Station, enabling transfer to the two lines served by Tameike-Sanno Station: the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line (G-06) and the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line (N-06) without going through any ticket wickets.
Kasumigaseki Station 霞ケ関駅 M-15
Kasumigaseki, at the southern edge of the Imperial Palace Tokyo (Kokyo), is "bureaucracy central," home to government ministries, courts, police-related and the patent office. Just east is Hibiya Park. Nearby is the executive-class ANA InterContinental Tokyo Hotel in the Ark Hills complex, with Michelin-star restaurants, a shopping arcade, and the full range of facilities for guests, including those with physical challenges. The five-star Hotel Okura Tokyo is a little further east, extending classic hospitality and every convenience to discerning guests in elegant surrounds.
Transfer at Kasumigaseki to the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line (H-06) and the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line (C-08).
Ginza Station 銀座駅 M-16
Ginza with its department stores, brand boutiques and art dealers means luxury Ginza shopping. The Marunouchi Line Ginza Station is very close, too, to the Yurakucho district, with its after-dark underground vibe.
Transfer at Ginza Station to the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line (G-09) and the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line (H-08). Ginza Station is connected to the following stations by underground passageway, allowing easy transfer between them:
Ginza-itchome Station (Y-19) on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line
Higashi-Ginza Station (H-09) on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
Higashi-Ginza Station (A-11) on the Toei Asakusa Line
Hibiya Station (C-09) on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line
Hibiya Station (H-07) on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
Hibiya Station (I-08) on the Toei Mita Line
Yurakucho Station (Y18) on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line
Yurakucho Station on the Yamanote Line (over ground)
Yurakucho Station on the Keihin-Tohoku Line (over ground - local trains only)
Tokyo Station 東京駅 M-17
Tokyo Station is Tokyo's and Japan's busiest in terms of numbers of trains. The Marunouchi Line is the only subway line in Tokyo Station proper - although there are several other subway stations within easy walking distance. Tokyo Station is the terminal for six shinkansen lines and also serves seven regular lines.
Otemachi Station 大手町駅 M-18
Otemachi Station is right in the middle of the Marunouchi central business district after which the Marunouchi Line is named. Otemachi Station is served by five subway lines, including the Marunouchi Line (the first line to be built here), making it Tokyo's biggest subway station, or more like a "subway complex," with no less than 40 exits onto street level.
Transfer at Otemachi Station to the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line (C-11), the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line (T-09), the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line (Z-08), and the Toei Mita Line (I-09). Tokyo Station is walking distance from Otemachi Station, either above ground or underground.
Awajicho Station 淡路町駅 M-19
Awajicho Station is in the Kanda-awajicho district of Chiyoda ward, less than 10 minutes walk north-east to the electronics, gaming and anime mecca of Akihabara, across the Kanda River. Jimbocho book town - mainly used books - is just over 10 minutes in the opposite direction, to the east. The Orthodox Holy Resurrection Cathedral is just a few minutes walk north-west from Awajicho Station.
There are no transfers at Awajicho Station, but the station is contiguous to Ogawamachi Station (S-07) on the Toei Shinjuku Line and Shin-Ochanomizu Station (C-12) on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line.
Ochanomizu Station お茶の水駅 M-20
Ochanomizu is famous for its concentration of prestigious universities, and therefore its student culture, with numerous guitar and other musical instrument stores and lots of quick-stop noodle shops. Nearby are a variety of sights for the tourist, mainly of historical significance. Just to the east of the station is the Confucian shrine, the Yushima Seido. The Japan Football Museum is also a short walk away.
Ochanomizu Station on the Marunouchi Line is on the north bank of the Kanda River, across from the JR Ochanomizu Station on the opposite bank.
Hongo-Sanchome Station 本郷三丁目駅 M-21
Hongo-Sanchome Station is in Tokyo's Bunkyo ward. Hongo Kyusuijo Park is a small, serene park a little south of the station that features roses.
Hotel Kizankan offers clean, very well located accommodation just two minutes walk from the station, for reasonable rates.
Hongo-Sanchome Station on the Marunouchi Line is right next to Hongo-Sanchome Station on the Toei Oedo Line (E-08).
Korakuen Station 後楽園駅 M-22
Korakuen is best known for Tokyo Dome and Tokyo Dome City, directly accessible from Exit 2 of Korakuen Station on the Marunouchi Line. Right next door to Tokyo Dome City is the beautiful Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens. The 25-floor Bunkyo Civic Center, with its free 25th floor observation deck, is right next to Korakuen Station.
Transfer at Korakuen Station to the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line (N-11). Kasuga Station on Toei Mita Line (I-12) and the Toei Oedo Line (E-07) is right next door, connected by a passageway.
Myogadani Station 茗荷谷駅 M-23
Myogadani Station is smack in the middle of greenery and learning, with Atomi University and Takushoku University just to the west, the University of Tsukuba, Tokyo Campus, just to the north, Koishikawa Library just to the east, and Koishikawa Botanical Gardens to the north-east. The picturesque streets around Myogadani make for pleasant strolling.
Shin-Otsuka Station 新大塚駅 M-24
Shin-Otsuka Station is on Route 254 in the residential Otsuka neighborhood of Bunkyo ward, Tokyo, with a scattering of stores and restaurants around.
Ikebukuro Station 池袋駅 M-25
Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo's most fun areas in terms of shopping, recreation, entertainment and dining.
Transfer at Ikebukuro Station to the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line (Y-09), the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line (F-09), the JR Yamanote Line, the Saikyo Line, the Shonan-Shinjuku Line, the Seibu Ikebukuro Line, and the Tobu Tojo Main Line.
Marunouchi Line Times
The first Marunouchi Line train leaves Ikebukuro Station at 5 am with the last train at 12.04 am. The first train leaves Ogikubo at 5.01 am with the last train at 11.50 pm.
Subway services are a little less frequent on weekends and public holidays. There are things you can do if you miss the last subway and have to wait until the first train the next morning.
Using the Tokyo Subway
Here are some useful tips for using the Tokyo subway system.
1. First buy a pre-paid travel card, such as a Suica or Pasmo card. They require a refundable 500 yen initial charge, but make subway use infinitely easier than having to buy a paper ticket at a station whenever you ride a train. You only need to touch your card for a second on the sensor at the ticket wicket as you pass through.
2. Identify in advance the number of the exit you will need to take at the destination station and ...
3. having identified that exit, board the car closest to that destination exit. You will save time (and be less likely to get lost) if you can board the car that will stop closest to the destination station exit you will leave from. There are charts for that purpose on the station wall showing the right car for each exit at each station, or you can ask a station attendant. " no deguchi ni oriru no de, dono sha-ryo ni noreba ii desu ka." ("I'm getting off at Exit ??? of ??? Station, so please tell me which number car I should board.")
4. Mind your manners. Don't eat or drink on the train, don't put luggage on the seat beside you, don't talk on your cell phone, and if you're talking to people, talk quietly.
Tokyo Subway
Photo by Liam Burnett-Blue on Unsplash
