Great Labyrinth of Tokyo
Tokyo Metropolitan Railway Route Map
Tokyo subway stations are composed of many railway facilities and underpass, creating massive dungeons. Here, we will introduce such subway labyrinth.
Shinjuku Station
Massive labyrinth in Shinjuku of Tokyo.
Shinjuku station won the world’s number ones in three categories - numbers of users, trains, and exits. There are about 200 exits.
However, the exact number cannot be counted because some exits are shared with entrances for buildings, and many underpasses are constructed all over.
Overground Simplified Map
Underground Simplified Map
Solid model
Tokyo Station
Massive labyrinth is located in Chiyoda of Tokyo. Tokyo station is bigger in terms of area, but it is built simpler compared to Shinjuku station.
Simplified map
Solid model
Shibuya Station
It is the massive labyrinth located in Shibuya of Tokyo. It was not used to be such complicated maze before, but the opening of Fukutoshin line transformed the station into gigantic labyrinth.
Shinjuku station was known to have complicated maze and create confusion for users, so Shibuya station was planned to be simple at first. However, the land issue caused the station to be twisted in direction of north and south, causing it to be intricate.
Simplified map
Solid model
Other labyrinths
Otemachi Station
This station can be accessed by underpass connected from Tokyo station in direction from Marunouchi, so some people actually think this is part of Tokyo station.
If Tokyo station and Otemachi station were to be combined, it would be as complicated as Shinjuku station.
Ikebukuro Station
There is lesser chance of getting lost in Ikebukuro station when compared to Tokyo or Shinjuku station because there is a main connected passageway east to west.
You do not have to spend extra 5 minutes to get to the opposite exits like Tokyo or Shinjuku station. For Tokyo locals, the station is relatively easy to access, but outsiders of Tokyo or people from country side can get lost eve in Ikeburo station.
Akasakamitsuke / Nagatacho Station
It is treated as the same station as Nagatacho station, so they are connected inside the ticket gate.
It is not necessary to go through the ticket gates to transfer, but you will have to walk distance of one station in labyrinth.
Tameike Sanno / Parliament House Dojo station
This station is located beside 赤坂見附/永田町駅, and it has similar level of complexity. This station boasts its large size but only has one passage, so it is much less likely to get lost during transfer.