The Tokyo Metro Hanzōmon Line forms the backbone of a through-running network shared with Tokyu and Tobu Railway. It opened on 1 August 1978 between Shibuya and Aoyama-itchōme, operating through services with the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line at the Shibuya end from the outset; through trains today run out to Chūō-Rinkan.
The line was progressively extended eastward. On 19 March 2003 the extension to Oshiage opened, and through-running began onto the Tobu Isesaki Line and Tobu Nikko Line. This created a continuous three-operator through-running corridor spanning from Chūō-Rinkan, through central Tokyo, to Tōbu-Dōbutsu-Kōen and Minami-Kurihashi.
Service pattern
Through trains connect Chūō-Rinkan (Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line) with Kuki (Tobu Isesaki Line) and Minami-Kurihashi (Tobu Nikko Line) via the Hanzōmon Line and the Tobu Skytree Line. Some trains start or end their runs at Tōbu-Dōbutsu-Kōen.
Timeline
1978On 1 August 1978 the first section of the Hanzōmon Line opened between Shibuya and Aoyama-itchōme, with through-running to the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line operating from the outset.
2003On 19 March 2003 the Hanzōmon Line extended from Suitengumae to Oshiage, enabling through-running with the Tobu Isesaki Line (now partly branded the Tobu Skytree Line) and the Tobu Nikko Line, creating the three-operator corridor.
