Japan’s first, and only true loop line subway system with a distance of 26.4 kilometers is the Nagoya Municipal Subway Meijo Line.
This is actually the second loop completed after Tokyo’s Oedo Line, however the Oedo line features a switchback, used for relocating engines, which technically disqualifies it as a true loop track. The Meijo line is shorter than the Yamanote Loop circumnavigating Tokyo, but longer than the Osaka Loop Line, both operated by JR. The line features 28 stations and takes 48 minutes to travel a complete loop. The loop runs from Kanayama just south of the station, through the city center, via Sakae, the western suburbs of Ozone, to Nagoya University, and back to Kaneyama.
Officially termed the “Nagoya City rapid Railway Line 2”, the Meijo Line took its name from the first and last characters for Nagoya Castle, becoming Mei (the other reading of the kanji Na, from Nagoya) and Jo, or castle. The line, colored purple on subway maps, first opened between Sakae and City hall in 1965. Extensions were completed in 1971. In 1974, the line commenced operating between Aratama Bashi and Kanayama, with the entire loop being finished in 2004. Another offshoot of the original line between Kanayama and Nagoya Port was nicknamed the Meiko Line.
The entire route is double tracked at 1435 millimeter standard gauge. 36 sets of 2000 series rolling stocktotaling 216 stainless steel cars, or six cars per trainset with a capacity for 620 passengers travel at a maximum speed of 65 kilometers per hour. The 600 volt current is fed by a third rail.
Stations along the purple line are identified with the letter “M” and a station number. Stations run in order:
M01 Kaneyama
M02 Higashi Betsuin
M03 Kamimaezu
M04 Yabacho
M05 Sakae
M06 Hisaya Odori
M07 Shiyakusho (City Hall)
M08 Meijo Koen
M09 Kurokawa
M10 Shiga Hondori
M11 Heian Dori
M12 Ozone
M13 Nagoya Dome Mae Yada
M14 Sunadabashi
M15 Chayagasaka
M16 Jiyugaoka
M17 Motoyama
M18 Nagoya Daigaku (University)
M19 Yagoto Nisseki
M20 Yagoto
M21 Sogo rehabiri Center
M22 Mizuho Undojo Higashi
M23 Aratama Bashi
M24 Myoon Dori
M25 Horita
M26 Temma-Cho
M27 Jingu-Nishi
M28 Nishi takakura
M01 Kaneyama.
The six kilometer long offshoot Meiko line running between Kaneyama and Nagoya Ko (Nagoya Port) features purple with a white stripe and seven stops. The identifying letter is “E”. Stations include:
E01 Kaneyama
E02 Hibino
E03 Rokuban-Cho
E04 Tokai-Dori
E05 Minato Kuyakusho
E06 Tsukiji Guchi
E07 Nagoya-ko
An estimated 197,082 people ride the line daily. Fares run between 200 and 260 Yen. The Meijo Line is listed as the world’s 15th longest subway tunnel, and third longest in Japan.
The ease of access to many of Nagoya’s major tourist attractions and shopping areas via the Meijo Liine will make it an important line to look up, and a simple one to help you enjoy all that Nagoya has to offer.
