The first metro line from Asia was opened in 1927 in Tokyo, connecting Ueno to Asakusa. It was the project of a visionary businessman called Noritsugu Hayakawa, known in Japan as “the father of the subway", who after visiting London during 1910s, was inspired by the London Underground and established in Tokyo the Tokyo Underground Railway Company.

So, the Ginza line’s Asakusa Station is one of the oldest metro stations from Tokyo (and from Asia) and fortunately its architecture still reflects the style of the old times: as you can see in this photo, this is one of the most beautiful metro station entrances, designed to match the architectural look of the neighboring Senso-ji Temple (same as the nearby kōban).

Asakusa Station, Tokyo

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Story of a Haiku, Matsuo Basho’s frog