About this map

Comparing the Train Networks of Tokyo and New York
The Tokyo train network

Tokyo has one of the most developed mass transit systems in the world. The Yamanote Line opened in 1925, as a loop line similar to its present form.
While the Ginza Line was the only subway line completed prior to World War II, subway construction progressed rapidly after the war. Last year the Eidan Namboku (line #7) and the Toei Oedo (line #12) Lines opened in their entirety, marking the completion of all twelve planned subway lines.
Tokyo now has two loop lines, the Yamanote Line and the Oedo Line, which service the city above and below ground respectively. As a result, 85% of the districts within the Yamanote Line area fall within 500m of a train station (JR, Toei/Eidan Subway, and Toden Arakawa Lines), making living in the city without relying on a car a viable possibility.

Comparing Tokyo and New York Trains

Tokyo's 23 Wards

Area within
Yamanote Line

New York City

Manhattan
Year service began 1927 (*1) 1939 (*2) 1904 (*3) 1904 (*3)
Number of lines 51 38 41 33
Number of stations 556 171 517 140
Number of stations
with line transfers
107 49 107 39
Hours in service Early morning to late night Some lines 24 hours

*1
Ginza Line - Ueno to Asakusa (2.2km)
*2 Ginza Line - Ueno to Shibuya (12.1km)
*3 City Hall to 145 Street (Subways of the World, Sanseido)
Kms. of Subway Line in Service (as of 2001)

Co.

Line

Year fully opened

Km. in service
Eidan Ginza 1939 14.3km
Eidan Marunouchi 1962 27.4km
Eidan Hibiya 1964 20.3km
Toei Asakusa 1968 18.3km
Eidan Tozai 1969 30.8km
Eidan Chiyoda 1979 24.0km
Eidan Yurakucho 1988 28.3km
Eidan Hanzomon 1990 10.8km
Toei Shinjuku 1991 23.5km
Toei Mita 2000 26.5km
Toei Oedo 2000 40.7km
Eidan Nanboku 2000 21.3km
Total 286.2km
Kms. of Subway Line in Service (as of 1960)

Co.

Km. in service
Eidan 39.5km
Toei 3.1km
Total 42.6km

15%

Map of Area with the Yamanote Line
Minato Ward Map
Map of Area with the Yamanote Line
Minato Ward Map
Roughly 85% of the districts within
the Yamanote Line area fall within 500m of a train station.
Roughly 76% of the Minato Ward area falls within 500m of a train station.

The New York City train network

New York is also a city with a substantial mass transit system. The New York City subway system differs from Tokyo's in that all lines run from the heart of Manhattan out into the suburbs, performing the function of Tokyo's subways and private railways combined. New York City subways are four-track lines, with local and express trains operating on separate tracks.
70% of Manhattan's land area falls within 500m of a train station (subway and trains), and subways run twenty-four hours a day.
Manhattan train map

Manhattan train map1
Manhattan train map2
About 70% of Manhattan falls within 500m of a subway station



Comparing the Bus Networks of Tokyo and New York
Routes

There are a similar number of bus routes operating within Tokyo's Yamanote Line and in Manhattan: 52 and 60, respectively.
35 of those 52 routes run entirely within the bounds of the Yamanote Line, and many of them begin and end at Yamanote Line railroad stations.
Manhattan's bus lines run the entire length of each avenue and major cross street. 42 of the 60 routes run entirely within the Borough of Manhattan.


Buses vs. Trains

Compared to subways and other forms of public transportation, buses have the shortest distances between stops, and are easier to get on and off from and transfer between.
While most Tokyo subway lines link directly with the private railways servicing the suburbs, buses run between Yamanote Line stations, or from stations to universities, hospitals, and other facilities. They have been adapted for short distance routes within central Tokyo.
Subway lines within Manhattan run primarily along the north-south avenues; buses run along both the avenues and the east-west cross streets as well.
Both cities do their utmost to make buses easily accessible (step-free buses in Tokyo and kneeling buses in Manhattan), and environmentally friendly (low polluting vehicles).
Another common characteristic to both cities is that buses can not run on fixed timetables, due to changing traffic conditions. Traffic conditions make Tokyo buses run slower and slower each year, and increased subway service has reduced the number of passengers.

Minato Ward Bus Map
Manhattan Bus Map
Minato Ward Bus Map
Manhattan Bus Map
300m radius around bus stops



Comparing Tokyo and New York Airports
Let's compare Tokyo and New York airports in respect to their distance from the heart of the city, number of runways, and volume of passenger traffic.

Distance from the heart of the city

Tokyo's Haneda and Narita airports are located 15 km and 60 km respectively from the heart of the city (Tokyo Station). It takes approximately 40 minutes to reach Haneda by bus and 30 by train. To Narita, it is 80 minutes by bus and 60 by train.
New York's LaGuardia, Newark, and Kennedy airports are located in close proximity -- 10 km, 20 km, and 20 km respectively -- to the heart of the city (Grand Central Station), from which they can be reached in 20, 30, and 40 minutes respectively.


Number of runways

Tokyo's Haneda Airport has 3 runways, and Narita 1 -- a total of 4 runways to meet the air traffic demands of the Tokyo area. LaGuardia Airport has 2 runways, Newark 3, and JFK 4, giving the New York area a total of 9 runways to accommodate its air traffic.

Volume of traffic

New York's 9 airport runways handle roughly 78 million passengers (inbound and outbound) and 2.37 million tons of freight per year. The volume of traffic Tokyo's 4 airport runways handle yearly is not much less 72 million passengers (inbound and outbound) and 2.13 million tons of freight. This indicates that Tokyo airport runways are congested, and that a high percentage of that traffic must consist of large-scale aircraft.

Comparing Tokyo and New York Airports

Tokyo

Narita

Haneda

New York

JFK

Newark

LaGuardia
Distance from heart of city (*1)
(in km)
60 15 20 20 10
Area (in ha.) 1,981 710(*2) 1,271 3,135 2052 820 263
Runways 4 1 3 9 4 3 2
Takeoffs
/ Landings
(in thousands)
Total 337 126 211 1,069 323.6 399.6 345.5
Domestic 214 6.2 208 323.9
International 123 119 3.1 21.6
Passengers
(in thousands)
Total 72,037 25,405 46,631 77,604 30,379 26,626 20,599
Domestic 46,546 791 45,755 55,418 13,328 22,781 19,309
International 25,490 24,614 876 22,186 17,051 3,845 1,290
Freight
(in thousands
of tons)
Total 2,128 1,574 554 2,371 1,478 866 28
Domestic 540 12 527 1,086 357 703 26
International 1,589 1,562 27 1,285 1,121 163 2
Parking
(no. of cars)
13,872 9,144 4,728 40,760 12,000 18,360(*3) 10,400(*4)
Year began operating 1978 1931 1948 1928 1939

*1
"Heart of the city" is defined as Tokyo Station in Tokyo and Grand Central Station in New York.
*2 1,065ha including operational and unoperational portions.
*3 15,000 of which are passenger cars.
*4 10,400 of which are passenger cars.

Plan View Maps of Tokyo and New York City Airports

Narita Airport

Haneda Airport

John F. Kennedy Airport

LaGuardia Airport

Newark Airport





References


Source materials

Routes shown on maps

Tokyo

New York

Trains
Tokyo Metropolitan Subway Map
Published by:
KK. Chikatetsu Travel Service
Under the supervision of the Eidan Subway
September, 2000
MTA New York City Subway
(c)2000 Metropolitan Transportation Authority
May 2000
Buses Tokyo Bus Routes Minkuru Guide
Published by:
Tokyo Metropolitan Transportation Bureau
Automobile Division, Operations Section
Supervised by:
Tokyo Metropolitan Transportation Bureau
Tokyo Metropolitan
January 6, 2000
MTA Manhattan Bus Map
http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/busman.pdf
(c)2000 Metropolitan Transportation Authority
September 2000
Airports Airport Review No.100
International Airport News
May 30, 1997













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