The yellow striped Higashiyama Subway (Photo: PPF)

Higashiyama Subway

Getting down in Nagoya

The yellow striped Higashiyama Subway (Photo: PPF)
Chris Glenn   - 3 min read

Of Nagoya’s four subway systems, the Higashiyama Line is the city’s oldest, having opened in November of 1957 and connecting Nagoya Station with Fushimi and Sakae stations, a total of two and a half kilometers of track. Over the next decade, the line was extended to reach 21 stations, and then in 1982, the line was extended to it’s full 20.6 Kilometers reaching to it’s 22nd stop at Takabata in the city’s western suburbs.

Officially known as the Nagoya City rapid railway Line 1, the Higashiyama Line’s representative colour is yellow. Each station is further identified by the letter H followed by a number. In order, the 22 stations are;

H01 Takabata

H02 Hatta

H03 Iwatsuka

H04 Nakamura Koen

H05 Nakamura Nisseki

H06 Honjin

H07 Kamejima

H08 Nagoya

H09 Fushimi

H10Sakae

H11 Shin Sakae Machi

H12 Chikusa

H13 Imaike

H14 Ikeshita

H15 Kakuozan

H16 Motoyama

H17 Higashiyama Koen

H18 Hoshigaoka

H19 Issha

H20 Kamiyashiro

H21 Hongo

H22 Fujigaoka

Traveling directly east west and under the central business district of Nagoya city means that the Higashiyama line enjoys a higher number of riders than the other three subway lines, claiming some 200,334 passengers every day. One car per train on the Higashiyama Line is designated as a “Women Only” car during the weekday peak morning and evening rush hours in an effort to prevent cases of sexual assault on the crowded trains.

The double tracked line provides for added safety, and the rolling stock is stored at depots at either end of the lines, at Takabata and Fujigaoka. Fares range from 200 to 260 Yen. All stations accept the prepaid magnetic Manacca cards, and tickets are readily available. The Higashiyama Line provides announcements in Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese and Portuguese on arrival at Nagoya and line end, Fujigaoka stations.

Three types of rolling stock are currently in use on the 1,435mm Standard Gauge lines. The aluminum alloy bodied 5000 series, introduced in 1980, are slowly being phased out in favor of its sister unit, the 5050 series of stainless steel bodied cars, and in turn, the more modern N1000 series, of which four sets of 24 vehicles have been in service since 2008. All trains operate at a maximum 65 kilometers per hour and are fitted with brake by wire regenerative air brake systems, and ATC driver-cabin based railway signaling safety systems. Power is supplied via a third rail, delivering 600 Volts DC.

The Higashiyama line may be Nagoya’s oldest and busiest, but is one of the most easy to ride and comfortable subway systems. We’re sure you’ll be experiencing the Higashiyama Line on your visit to Nagoya.

Chris Glenn

Chris Glenn @chris.glenn

Chris Glenn is an Australian born radio DJ, TV presenter, helicopter pilot, and advertising copywriter. A follower of samurai culture , he is a member of the Japan Armor and Weapons Research and Preservation Society, has black-belt in Kendo, 2nd black-belt in Chanbara sword fighting disciplines, ...