What is the difference between the Tokyo subway and JR lines?
The Tokyo subway is operated by two separate companies, Tokyo Metro and Toei, while JR East runs above-ground and some underground lines such as the Yamanote loop. All of them accept the same IC cards, but they are separate fare systems for the purpose of tickets and passes.
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How it works
A journey that changes between a subway operator and JR, or between Tokyo Metro and Toei, is usually charged as separate fares unless a specific combined ticket or pass covers both. An IC card handles the calculation automatically, deducting the correct combined amount at each tap.
Commonly mixed up with
Tokyo Metro and Toei are both called subway and are often assumed to be one company. They are separate operators with separate fare tables, though many passes cover both.
What is the difference between the Tokyo subway and JR lines?
| Knowledge, Tokyo | Travel and visit |
|---|---|
| Short answer | The Tokyo subway is operated by two separate companies, Tokyo Metro and Toei, while JR East runs above-ground and some underground lines such as the Yamanote loop. All of them accept the same IC cards, but they are separate fare systems for the purpose of tickets and passes. |
| How it works | A journey that changes between a subway operator and JR, or between Tokyo Metro and Toei, is usually charged as separate fares unless a specific combined ticket or pass covers both. An IC card handles the calculation automatically, deducting the correct combined amount at each tap. |
| Commonly mixed up with | Tokyo Metro and Toei are both called subway and are often assumed to be one company. They are separate operators with separate fare tables, though many passes cover both. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- Are Tokyo Metro and Toei the same company?
- No, they are separate operators, though both run subway lines.
- Does the Yamanote line count as a subway?
- No, the Yamanote line is an above-ground JR line, not a subway line.
- Can one IC card use all these networks?
- Yes, a single IC card works across JR, Tokyo Metro and Toei.
- Are there passes covering multiple operators?
- Some day passes cover Tokyo Metro and Toei together, and others add JR.
- Where can I check which line I need?
- Tokyo Metro publishes a combined map showing all operators.
Sources
More in this track
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- What are Suica and Pasmo, and how do they work?
- Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it for travel around Tokyo?
- When is typhoon season in Tokyo and what does it mean for travel?
- What is the weather like in Tokyo through the year?
- What entry requirements apply for a short tourist visit to Japan?
- Which areas do visitors stay in when they come to Tokyo?
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