Nagoya transport: subway, Meitetsu, JR, and Chubu day trips
Nagoya transit is simpler than Tokyo or Osaka: 6 subway lines, Meitetsu, JR, Aonami Line, IC cards, and the Meieki-Sakae twin core.
Nagoya’s public transport is simpler than Tokyo or Osaka. The subway covers the urban core, while Meitetsu and JR handle surrounding cities. The main idea is the twin core: Meieki for transport and Sakae for shopping.
Six subway lines
| Line | Direction | Main stations | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higashiyama Line | East-west | Nagoya, Fushimi, Sakae, Chikusa, Fujigaoka | Most important |
| Meijo Line | Loop | Sakae, Yabacho, Kanayama, Nagoyajo | Circular route |
| Tsurumai Line | East-west | Kami-Otai, Marunouchi, Tsurumai, Akaike | Through to Meitetsu Toyota Line |
| Sakuradori Line | East-west | Nagoya, Marunouchi, Sakurayama, Tokushige | Deep at Meieki |
| Meiko Line | North-south | Kanayama, Nagoyako | Port and aquarium |
| Kamiiida Line | Short link | Kamiiida, Heian-dori | Through to Meitetsu Komaki Line |
Fares are ¥210-340, and manaca, ICOCA, Suica, and other IC cards work. The weekend Donichi Eco Ticket costs ¥620, while the weekday one-day subway and bus pass costs ¥760. Nagoya Station to Sakae is 5 minutes and ¥210.
Meitetsu
Meitetsu is the main private railway for Aichi and Gifu. From Meitetsu Nagoya Station, Chubu Centrair Airport takes 28 minutes by μSKY and costs ¥890 plus ¥360 for the reserved-seat surcharge. Inuyama is 30 minutes and ¥590, Toyohashi 50 minutes and ¥1,140, and Meitetsu Gifu 30 minutes and ¥570.
Meitetsu Nagoya Station is only 3-5 minutes from JR Nagoya Station, but the platform layout is unusual. Four tracks serve many directions, so check train type and destination carefully before boarding.
JR Central
JR is most useful for the shinkansen and longer regional trips. Tokyo is 1 hour 34 minutes by Nozomi for about ¥11,300, and Shin-Osaka is 49 minutes for about ¥6,680. Nagano is about 3 hours by Shinano limited express, and Takayama about 2 hours 20 minutes by Hida.
Kanayama is the secondary interchange for JR, Meitetsu, and subway lines. It is 3-5 minutes from Nagoya Station and is useful for Atsuta Shrine, Nagoya Port, and Meitetsu transfers.
Buses and Aonami Line
Nagoya city buses fill gaps beyond the subway, but visitors do not need them often. Atsuta Shrine is easier by Meijo Line to Atsuta Jingu Nishi, while Nagoya Port is handled by the Meiko Line.
The Aonami Line runs from Nagoya Station to Kinjofuto in 24 minutes for ¥350. It is the route for SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, Legoland Japan, and Port Messe Nagoya.
IC cards
Nagoya’s local IC card is manaca, but ICOCA, Suica, PASMO, and other major cards are interoperable. Subway, city bus, Meitetsu, JR conventional lines, and Aonami Line all accept IC cards.
The shinkansen requires separate tickets or EX reservation handling. If you are mixing IC cards with shinkansen travel, watch the transfer-gate instructions at Nagoya Station.