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Nagoya Municipal Subway

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The Nagoya Municipal Subway is a fast way to travel through Nagoya, Japan.

Nagoya Subway Network
Nagoya Subway Network

This large system helps many people move around the city every day. It consists of six different lines that cover 93.3 km of track. There are 87 stations in the whole network. Most of these stations, about 90 percent, are located deep underground. The subway is a very important part of the local transport. It works with many other trains to help millions of people travel.

Nagoya Subway Logo (black)
Nagoya Subway Logo (black)

Different lines use different ways to get power for the trains. The Higashiyama and Meijo lines use a system called third rail electrification. This means a special metal rail on the ground provides electricity. These lines also use standard gauge track. Other lines in the system use overhead lines for power. These are wires that hang above the tracks to give energy to the trains. These newer lines use a different type of track called narrow gauge. This variety helps the system grow and connect to other railways.

Subway Nagoya Dome-mae Yada Station Tickets East 190511
Subway Nagoya Dome-mae Yada Station Tickets East 190511

Nagoya's need for a subway began a long time ago. After World War I, the city's population grew very fast. By 1934, the city had more than one million people. At that time, people used street trams to get around. However, the trams became much too crowded for everyone. In 1936, the city announced its first plan for a subway. This plan was put on hold because of high costs and war.

TBCN Kakunai Line
TBCN Kakunai Line

After the war, leaders worked hard to rebuild the city. They made a new plan in January 1946 to help Nagoya grow. Construction finally began in August 1954 on a small section. The first part of the subway opened on November 15, 1957. It ran between Nagoya and Sakaemachi, which is now called Sakae.

Yanagibashi Station plan (1952)
Yanagibashi Station plan (1952)

Back then, an adult ticket cost only 15 yen. The city even gave a free test ticket to every household. Over many years, new lines like the Tsurumai Line opened to help more people.

Today, the subway is a busy part of daily life. About 3 million people use rail lines in the Greater Nagoya area every day. The subway handles about 38 percent of all those riders. Travelers can use a smart card called Manaca to pay for trips.

Tokai-dori Sta 20200910-02
Tokai-dori Sta 20200910-02

This card was introduced in 2012 to replace an older system. The subway also connects to big trains like the Shinkansen. This makes it easy to travel from Nagoya to other parts of Japan. Even the stations have friendly mascots, like Hatchii, to greet passengers.

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🖼️ Images & Media (15)
File:Nagoya Subway Logo (black).svg
Nagoya Subway Logo (black).svg
File:Nagoya Subway Network.png
Nagoya Subway Network.png
File:TBCN Kakunai Line.JPG
TBCN Kakunai Line.JPG
File:Yanagibashi_Station_plan_(1952).JPG
Yanagibashi_Station_plan_(1952).JPG
File:Nagoya Subway Logo (Higashiyama Line).svg
Nagoya Subway Logo (Higashiyama Line).svg
File:Nagoya Subway Logo (Meijo & Meiko Line).svg
Nagoya Subway Logo (Meijo & Meiko Line).svg
File:Nagoya Subway Logo (Tsurumai Line).svg
Nagoya Subway Logo (Tsurumai Line).svg
File:Nagoya Subway Logo (Sakura-dori Line).svg
Nagoya Subway Logo (Sakura-dori Line).svg
File:Nagoya Subway Logo (Kamiiida Line).svg
Nagoya Subway Logo (Kamiiida Line).svg
File:MT-Kami Iida Station-Running in board.JPG
MT-Kami Iida Station-Running in board.JPG
File:BN-Akaike Station-Running in board.JPG
BN-Akaike Station-Running in board.JPG
File:MT-Kami Otai Station-Running in board 2.JPG
MT-Kami Otai Station-Running in board 2.JPG

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