Sapporo Municipal Subway (札幌市営地下鉄 (Sapporo-shiei-chikatetsu))

The Sapporo Municipal Subway is a mostly underground rubber-tyred rapid transit system in Japan. Operated by the Sapporo City Transportation Bureau, it is the only subway system on the island of Hokkaido. Since its opening in 1971, the subway system has played an important role in facilitating the movement of residents and visitors across Sapporo's urban landscape. Consisting of three main lines—the Namboku Line, the Tozai Line, and the Toho Line—the Sapporo Municipal Subway extends its reach to major areas, providing a convenient means of transportation for daily commuters and tourists. All three lines connect with the JR Hokkaido main lines at Odori Station and at Sapporo Station. At Odori and Susukino stations, it connects with the streetcar (tram) above. The total length of the system is 48 km (30 mi) with 46 stations. All lines of the subway use rubber-tyred trains that travel on two flat roll ways guided by a central rail.

Operator
Operation start16 December 1971
Total Lines3 Metro Lines
Total Station46 Active Stations
Metro City/CountrySapporo Japan
Official Webhttp://www.jametro.or.jp/en/japan/sapporo.html

Metro linesStationsTerminal stations
▣ Namboku Line16Asabu ⇄ Makomanai
▣ Tōzai Line19Miyanosawa ⇄ Shin-Sapporo
▣ Tōhō Line14Sakaemachi ⇄ Fukuzumi

  • The Sapporo Municipal Subway in Sapporo, Japan began operation in 1971 with the opening of the Namboku Line (North-South Line). Later, the Tozai Line (East-West Line) began operating in 1976.
  • The Sapporo Municipal Subway has two main lines, the Namboku Line (Green Line) and the Tozai Line (Blue Line), which serve different parts of the city.
  • The Green Line runs approximately 14 kilometers, connecting the northern and southern areas of Sapporo with major stations including Makomanai and Asabu.
  • The Blue Line extends for approximately 20.4 kilometers, connecting the eastern and western parts of the city with major stations such as Shin-Sapporo and Odori.
  • Odori Station serves as an important transfer point between the Namboku and Tozai Lines, providing convenient connections for passengers.
  • The Sapporo Municipal Subway is integrated with the city's above-ground transportation, allowing seamless transfer between subway lines and other modes of transit.
  • The subway provides access to popular tourist destinations in Sapporo, such as the Sapporo Beer Museum, Hokkaido University, and the Sapporo Clock Tower.
  • The subway system uses a smart card system, which enables passengers to easily pay their fares without the need for traditional paper tickets.
  • The Sapporo Municipal Subway plays an important role in enhancing urban mobility, providing a quick and reliable means of transportation for residents and visitors living in the city's diverse neighborhoods.