Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokyo Tokunai Pass), good choice for sightseeing in Tokyo.

Rail pass for residents
Yamanote line is the busiest train service in Japan.
2014.06.02
JR's Yamanote line (left) and Tokyo Metro (right)
JR’s Yamanote line (left) and Tokyo Metro (right)

There are many deals available in Tokyo. Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass is one of these deals. In this post, I would like to show you how to use this pass and compare with subway deals.

Price and validity

Price is 760 yen for one day. Child rate is 380 yen which applies to 6 to 11 years old. Child who is 5 years old or younger is free of charge.

One day means from the first train to the last train. Most of JR trains start to run around 5:00 am to 00:30.

e.g.
If you purchase this pass on April 27, you still can take the train after 00:00 on April 28.
But even if you purchase this pass at 0:01 on April 28, you cannot use this ticket for the first train on April 28.

This pass can allow you to take only local or rapid train. If you want to take Shinkansen, only base fare will be covered by this pass. But you have to pay express surcharge. But in this area, only Tokyo-Ueno and Tokyo-Shinagawa are covered. Even if you take local train, it takes around 10 minutes. There is no reason to take Shinkansen in the area of this pass.

How to purchase and use

You can put the ticket in the automatic ticket gate. Don' t forget to pick it up!
You can put the ticket in the automatic ticket gate. Don’ t forget to pick it up!

You can purchase at Midori no Madoguchi (reservation window), View Plaza (JR East’s travel center) and reservation ticket vending machine. When you purchase it, you can choose the date when you want to use. The ticket can be purchased one month prior to the date to use. But it is quite easy to purchase. It is no problem to purchase on the spot.

Coverage area

Please see the map below.

Coverage area map (Click to enlarge)
Coverage area map (Click to enlarge)

Green solid lines are covered by this pass. Tokyo, Akihabara, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Shinagawa are covered. Even though Harajuku is not shown in the map above, it is in coverage area. And Ginza can be accessed from Yurakucho by walk. Yurakucho is not shown in the map above either. But it is covered and only one station away from Tokyo.

So these following “Big Names” in Tokyo cannot be accessed by this pass.

In the spots above, Odaiba, TDL and Ghibli cannot be accessed by the subway either. So if you intend to visit Asakusa, Skytree and Tsukiji in same day, subway pass is the best and only choice. However if you don’t visit these spots or visit one of these places, this deal, Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokyo Tokunai Pass) may be a right choice.

If you will use JR pass, JR East Pass or Tokyo Wide Pass, these passes cover this area. Tokyo Tokunai Pass is not required.

Compare with subway deals

Tokyo Subway Ticket is sold at 800 yen for 24 hours. 48 hours and 72 hours are also available and price per day is getting cheaper:

Tokyo Subway Ticket (Tokyo Metro official site)

Actually Tokyo subway system covers more than JR train in Tokyo.

Guide to take trains in Tokyo. How to choose the best deal and the best route by train to get the major spots?

And also Tokyo Subway Ticket offers 24 hours period.

e.g.
If you start using Tokyo Subway Ticket at 17:00 on 24th March, it is valid until 16:58 on 25th March.

Meanwhile Tokyo Tokunai Pass is valid for one day. It is valid from midnight to midnight. It doesn’t matter what time you start using it.

Tokyo Subway Ticket is affordable and convenient. However Tokyo Subway has many lines and it makes you confused.

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I understand that we can go almost anywhere in Tokyo by subway but it is very hard to find the best and the fastest route. There are some places in Tokyo where you cannot access by JR trains in Tokyo. But JR trains network is very simple, faster than subway and go directly. If you intend to visit the places on Yamanote line, such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, Akihabara, Yurakucho (Ginza), Tokyo Tokunai Pass is much easier to use.

Check your itinerary and if you can get the place where you want to go by JR trains, Tokyo Tokunai Pass is better deal.

How much we need to take trains to get worth

The following table shows you the fare for major stations.

stationTokyoShinjukuShinagawaAkihabaraUenoIkebukuro
Tokyo–200170140160200
Shinjuku200–200170200160
Shinagawa170200–170200260
Akihabara140170170–140200
Ueno160200200140–170
Ikebukuro200160260200170–

As you see, fares in Tokyo is quite reasonable. If you use this deal, you have to make 4 to 5 trips. Otherwise single ticket is cheaper.

Trip to outside of coverage area

If you add fare, you can make a trip to outside of coverage area.

e.g.
To Tokyo Disney Land and Sea
Maihama where is the gateway station to Tokyo Disney Land and Sea is just one station away from border station, Kasairinkaikoen station. The additional fare is 140 yen one way. If you stay in Shinjuku, regular fare for Shinjuku – Maihama is 390 yen. At this point, total fare is 780 yen and it is much cheaper than Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokyo Tokunai Pass) at 750 yen + additional fares 280 yen. But if you make some more trips after/before visiting Tokyo Disney Land, pass may be cheaper.

To Ghibli museum
Mitaka is two stations away from border station, Nishiogikubo. Additional fare is 160 yen one way. If you go to Mitaka from Ueno or Shinagawa, one way regular fare is 390 yen. It is same thing as trip to Tokyo Disney Land. If you intend to use the pass before/after visiting Ghibli museum, this deal may be cheaper than total fares.

My itinerary

When I used this deal, I use the following segments.

Akihabara – Kinshicho 160 yen
Kinshicho – Akihabara 160 yen
Akihabara – Shinjuku 170 yen
Shinjuku – Shinagawa 200 yen
Shinagawa – Tokyo 170 yen
Tokyo – Akihabara 140 yen
Total 900 yen

I had several reasons to use this deal.

  1. Hotel was closed to JR Akihabara station.
  2. I need the direct transfer between Tokyo and Akihabara.
  3. Subway do not have direct line on this section.There is no subway station in Shinagawa.

Tokyo Skytree was only outside of coverage area. Even though I took Tokyo Metro Hanzoumon line and paid 170 yen one way, this deal was the best option for me.

Comments

  1. Nora says:
    November 1, 2015 at 8:28 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    I’m planning to use this takunai pass from Ueno to Showa Kinen Goen. Up to my understanding, this pass does not cover up to Showa Kinen Goen. Can you advise where should I transfer the other train so that I can maximize the usage of this pass? Thanks

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      November 1, 2015 at 11:55 am

      Hi Nora,

      If you use this pass, you have to pay extra for Nishi-Ogikubo to Nishi-Tachikawa or Tachikawa. Actually single ticket from Ueno to Nishi-Tachikawa is cheaper than Tokunai pass + extra fare. If you want to take JR trains after this trip, Tokunai pass and extra is okay. Otherwise purchase single ticket is simply cheaper.

      You can take JR Yamanote line to Kanda. And transfer to Chuo line rapid to Tachikawa. If you want to get off at Nishi-Tachikawa, transfer to Chuo line local at Tachikawa again.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. Peter says:
    October 25, 2015 at 3:02 am

    Hi,

    I have used this pass before, but not for trips outside the area.

    I have a day planned where I will make at least two JR trips inside the area, totalling Y380, and also a return JR trip to from Ryogoku to Ofuna which is Y920 each way.

    Without the pass the total would be Y2220.

    Am I correct that if I used the pass at Ryogoku, when I got to Ofuna I would need to pay Y550 for the additional distance?

    And when I return can I use the pass in the wickets at Ofuna and pay the additional in Ryogoku?

    This would be a total cost for the day of only Y1850 instead of Y2200 and give me the chance to make extra JR trips if I have spare time.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      October 25, 2015 at 9:03 am

      Hi Peter,

      You are right. If you use this pass, you need to add 550 yen x 2 = 1100 yen on top of this pass. Total cost is 1850 yen. It’c cheaper than regular fare.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Alim says:
    October 5, 2015 at 11:57 pm

    Hi Takeshi, I will be traveling to Tokyo for only 3 days and will arrived at Haneda airport. Which pass would you recommend me to get. As I will only be travelling and sightseeing the areas within the Yamanote line. Thanks

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      October 6, 2015 at 12:09 am

      Hi Alim,

      I think this deal, Tokunai pass is the best. But you have to pay single fare from Haneda to Hamamatsucho or Shinagawa. This deal does not cover Haneda and you cannot purchase it at Haneda either.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

    • Ann says:
      October 6, 2015 at 3:29 am

      Dear Takeshi san
      I stay at Toyoko inn in Shinagawa area and I plan to vitsit Kichijoji. Can I use Tokunai Pass to go there?
      Thank you very much.
      Ann

  4. Sue says:
    September 29, 2015 at 1:54 am

    Hi Takeshi
    Trying to get my head around all the trains in Tokyo. Is the metro line and the subway the same train? Looking at buying a Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Toyko Tokunai) 1 day Pass for 750 yen. Can I use that pass on Metro line but not subway?
    Thanks for your help.
    Sue

  5. unie says:
    September 12, 2015 at 6:07 am

    Hye..i need ur help if u dont mind.am going to tokyo very soon.
    Everyday, my journey will start from Seibu Koremasa station(fuchu),becoz am renting a room nearby this station.am really confuse dont know what to do with the transport go get to the places that i want to visit..help me to combine the places easy acsess to each other..from day 2 until day 7..becoz i think its mess up..appreciate ur help.thanks

    DAY 1 (19 october)
    -renting a car to kawaguchiko area, gotemba n mt fuji. This one settle.

    DAY 2 (20 0ct0ber) 
    – whole day visit disneyland tokyo

    DAY 3 (21october)
    Odaiba , kabukicho, tokyo dome

    DAY 4 (22 october) 
    -shinjuku-shibuya-roppongi, roppongi hills and mori tower 
    -tokyo tower

    DAY 5 ( 23 october) 
    – tokyo imperial palace-koishikawa botanical garden-ginza 
    -akihabara electric town

    DAY 6 (24 october) 
    -euno, euno park-asakusa,asakusa shrine-asakusa tourist centre 
    -tokyo sky tree
    -tokyo cami mosque

    DAY 7 (last day-25 october) 
    -check out.-university of tokyo, hongo campus.-takeshita street harajuku 
    -free and easy untill off to airport haneda.

  6. Akmal says:
    August 31, 2015 at 11:47 am

    Hi takeshi, Can i buy tokunai pass at haneda airport? Will be arriving at haneda airport on midnight and heading to TDR on next morning.

  7. Denise says:
    July 5, 2015 at 2:50 pm

    Hi,

    Does the Tokunai pass(unlimited JR pass 1 day) include the JR Narita Express?

    Thank you!

  8. Ana says:
    July 4, 2015 at 4:09 am

    First of all thanks for your recommendations 🙂

    Now, I have a doubt. The map about the coverage area for the Tokunai Pass, does it include all the stations of the JR lines you can use? I understand that the answer is no. I mean that you put the final stations of the diferent lines you can use with this pass, but not the whole stations. Am I right? For exemple, I have my reservation in a hostel located at Nihashi Jujo station (Jr Keihin Tohoku Line), and that line arrives to Akabane (included at the map you share), so I understand that Tokunai Pass allows me to arrive to my hostel. Is that right? Thank you very much.

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      July 4, 2015 at 9:22 am

      Hi Ana,

      The map shows you major stations and the station that is located at the border of coverage area. So you can use any stations in the coverage area. Higashi-Jujo is in coverage area so you can use this pass to get the nearest station to your hostel.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  9. jay says:
    April 2, 2015 at 3:05 pm

    Hi

    I already purchase JR Pass, will be going to tokyo for 3 days, My itinerary
    4/10 – Osaka
    4/11-kyoto

    4/12 -Tokyo disneyland/ Tokyo disneysea
    Shibuya crossing

    4/13
    Imperial palace
    Chidorigafuchi Tokyo
    Asakusa Sensoji Temple
    Tokyo tower/ Skytree
    Ueno Park
    Meguro park
    Oriental Bazaar

    4/14
    Mt fuji

    4/15
    back to Osaka

    Is it better to purchase another pass for tokyo subways? As i know not all station cover by JR Pass
    Thanks

  10. Lydia says:
    February 2, 2015 at 12:38 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Would like to know if possible to purchase the Two-day Ticket for Tokyo Metro & Toei Subway in 7 days advance? Where to purchase besides Haneda Airport?

    Thanks.

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