Fukuoka is located in the north of Japan's southernmost island, Kyushu, and has 1.2 million inhabitants. In 1973, the city decided to build a metro system. While all city tram lines were closed in the late 1970s, construction of the metro began in 1975.
Until 2005, the Fukuoka subway network (17.8 km, 19 stations, all underground except Kaizuka and Meinohama) consisted of two lines that share an 8.5 km total stretch between Meinohama and Nakasu-Kawabata (originally built as part of Line 1 only) ... Some trains run west from Meinohama on commuter rail lines (JR-Chikuhi line, 44 km, interval 15-20 minutes).