Subway in Japan

Last updated July 2026

Yes, there is Subway in Japan. Subway has operated in Japan since 1974 — one of the earliest US chains to enter the Japanese market — and remains present in major cities across the country. If you're looking for a customizable sandwich while traveling, Subway is one of the more reliable options to track down.

Subway Locations in Japan

Subway has hundreds of locations across Japan, concentrated in major cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. One of the notable things about Subway Japan is its placement — many locations are inside train stations, underground shopping malls, and office building food courts rather than standalone storefronts. This makes them convenient to stumble across when you're already in transit.

In Tokyo, Subway locations tend to cluster around major stations and business districts like Marunouchi and Shinjuku. Coverage is solid in the major urban areas but thinner in smaller cities and rural areas.

Subway Japan Menu

The core Subway menu translates well to Japan — the Italian BMT, Tuna, and BLT are all available, along with chicken options. Japan locations also offer Teriyaki Chicken, which is a natural fit given Japan's love of teriyaki flavoring, and rotate through seasonal and Japan-exclusive items throughout the year.

Bread choices, vegetables, and sauces are largely similar to the US version. The build-your-own format — choose bread, protein, toppings, and sauce — is the same process you'd go through at any Subway, which makes ordering in Japan surprisingly easy even without Japanese language skills.

Ordering at Subway in Japan Without Japanese

Subway's point-and-choose ordering format is one of its biggest advantages for non-Japanese speakers. You can point at what you want at each step, and staff in tourist-heavy areas are generally used to English speakers. The menu includes photos, so even if you can't read the Japanese text, you can see what you're getting.

• Point to your bread choice first — options are displayed at the counter
• Point to your protein, then nod or point at toppings as they're offered
• Sauces are usually displayed or offered verbally — hold up fingers or nod/shake your head
• Payment by cash, credit card, and IC card (Suica, Pasmo) is accepted at most locations

Subway Japan vs. US Subway

• Format — Identical build-your-own ordering process; the experience will feel familiar
• Menu — Core items are the same; Japan adds Teriyaki Chicken and rotating Japan-exclusive items
• Location type — More likely to be inside a train station or mall than a standalone storefront
• Size — Japan locations are often smaller and may have limited seating; many are takeaway-focused
• Price — Similar to or slightly above US pricing at current exchange rates