In this guide
Make the map smaller
Tokyo Metro’s map uses line colours, letters and station numbers. Use those identifiers to follow one journey at a time. You do not need to memorise the entire network before making your first trip.
Write down your starting station, the line you need and the station where you will leave it. If your journey includes a different operator, check that part too; Tokyo Metro is one part of Tokyo’s rail network.
Match the direction before boarding
At the platform, compare the destination shown on the signs with your planned route. A line name alone is not enough, because trains travel in different directions and some services terminate sooner than others.
If you are unsure, step out of the flow of passengers and check the platform display or ask station staff. Taking a minute to confirm is usually simpler than correcting a wrong-direction journey later.
Plan the transfer and the exit
Use Tokyo Metro’s official station pages to inspect the station layout. A transfer can involve a walk, and the best street exit may be on the opposite side from the one you first see.
Save the exit number alongside the restaurant or hotel address. If stairs are a concern or you have luggage, look for an elevator route in the station information rather than assuming every exit has one.
Recheck the journey home
An evening return trip needs its own route search. Enter the date and approximate time you expect to leave, including enough time to get from dinner to the platform.
For the final services of the night, check the complete connection to your destination. Keep your hotel address saved separately so that you can explain where you need to go if your original plan changes.
Quick questions
Does one subway map show every train in Tokyo?
Sources & updates
Official references reviewed 15 September 2026. The planning suggestions are editorial advice. Check the operator or venue for current hours, services and availability.
