If you choose to get around in Tokyo by subway you are likely to use the Marunouchi-sen a few times. The line, managed by Tokyo Metoro, connects key areas and major transportation hubs.
In this page we describe a one-day tour along the Marunouchi Line. The article includes a programme suitable for short stays.
The Marunouchi Line (Marunouchi-sen) is managed by the main operator, Tokyo Metoro.
The line describes a semi-circular path through Ikebukuro, Marunouchi and Shinjuku. Beyond Shinjuku the link continues westwards connecting peripheral neighbouhoods.
The Marunouchi Line serves three major railway stations:
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Tokyo Station, the city central station, main station of the national high-speed railway network. The station lies in the centre of Marunouchi, a financial district, very close to Ginza and the Imperial Palace;
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Ikebukuro Station, main station in Toshima, around which is a dense shopping and entertainment;
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Shinjuku Station, the core of the district of Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s most popular entertainment and shopping districts, rich in attractions and sights.
Within the main section, i.e. the loop of the Yamanote Line, the line runs through important neighbourhoods of the city centre, such as:
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Yotsuya, neighbourhood of Shinjuku, where some interesting museums are located;
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Bunkyo, one of the most important areas of the city centre, rich in cultural heritage and sacred sites;
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Akasaka; a neighbourhood of Minato, a prime context where to find reasonably priced mid-range hotels. The area gives easy access to Roppongi, Aoyama, Shibuya and Chiyoda;
Beyond Shinjuku are Ogikubo and Nakano. The two neighbourhoods offer a few sights, usually included in the sightseeing tours by those who have plenty of time and wish to get off the beaten tracks.
Recommended itinerary along the Marunouchi Line
Below is the outline of a programme that suits well the needs of a first-time visitor. We assume you start your journey in Ikebukuro:
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Ikebukuro (shopping district): 1 hour;
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Koishikawa Koraku-En (a historic garden): 1 hour;
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Marunouchi and Ginza (Tokyo’s city centre): 2 hours;
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Shinjuku (Shinjuku-Gyoen Park, shopping malls, Hanazono Shrine, Tokyo Metropolitan Government observation deck, Omoide-Yokocho alley, Kabukicho): 4 hours.
Variants
It is possible to visit many more sites and areas such as:
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Yotsuya (museums): 2 hours;
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Hie-Jinja (a beautiful Shinto shrine): 1 hour;
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Nakano (shopping district, a favourite hangout for manga, anime, cosplay, collectionism buffs): 2-3 hours.
Related articles:
Main article: Tokyo 3-day itinerary
Itineraries along the subway lines (Asakusa, Hibiya, Ginza, Marunouchi, Tozai, Mita, Namboku, Yurakucho, Chiyoda, Shinjuku, Hanzomon, Oedo, Fukutoshin)
