This is one of the deals by JR East. This pass suits a traveler who travel in Tokyo, surrounding area (Kanto region) and Tohoku region. Tohoku offers lots of hot springs, very famous summer festival and lots of nature. In this post, I would like to explain you how to use JR East Pass Tohoku.
- Prices and valid period
- Coverage Area
- Valid trains and lines
- Compare single fare and JR East Pass Tohoku
- Trip to Nikko or Kinugawa-Onsen from Shinjuku or Ikebukuro by direct limited express train, Nikko or Kinugawa
- Trip to Nikko from Tokyo by Shinkansen and local train
- Trip to Otsuki from Shinjuku by Limited Express Azusa or Kaiji
- Trip to Matsumoto from Shinjuku by Limited Epxress Azusa or Kaiji
- Trip to Gala Yuzawa from Tokyo by the Joetsu Shinkansen
- Trip to Odawara, Atami or Izukyu-Shimoda from Tokyo by the limited express Odoriko or Super View Odoriko
- Trip to Karuizawa from Tokyo by the Hokuriku Shinkansen
- Trip to Sendai from Tokyo by the Tohoku Shinkansen
- Trip to Akita from Tokyo by the Akita Shinkansen
- Trip to Aomori/Shin-Aomori from Tokyo by the Tohoku Shinkansen
- Trip between Narita Airport and Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku or Yokohama
- Trip between Haneda Airport and Hamamatsucho by Tokyo Monorail
- Fares in downtown Tokyo
- Assessment
Prices and valid period
JR East Pass Tohoku FLEX 5-day pass
| Validity period | Purchase outside Japan or online | Purchase inside Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Adult 12 years and older | 20,000 yen | 20,000 yen |
| Child 6 to 11 years old | 10,000 yen | 10,000 yen |
- Child who is 5 years old and younger is free but you have to share the seat with child. If you want to have a seat for child too, you have to purchase child pass for even younger than 5 years old.
- Green seat pass is not available.
This pass is FLEX type pass. You can pick any 5 days to use in 14 days period. When you exchange/purchase this pass, you can pick the date when you start using this pass. That is the first day of 14 days period. The first day is not the date when you exchange/purchase this pass.
One day means midnight to midnight, technically 0:00 to 23:59. Even if you start using the pass at 23:00. you will spend one full day for just one hour. So try to start in the morning. It does not make sense to start to use in the evening.
Coverage Area
This pass covers all JR trains in Kanto area, such as Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Yamanashi, Gumma, Ibaragi and Tochigi, and whole part of Tohoku region. And the pass also cover some places in Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, such as Izu peninsula.
This pass covers the following major spots in the area.
- Nikko
- Odawara (Gateway to Hakone)
- Izu peninsula (Atami, Ito, Kawazu, Shimoda)
- Katsuta (Gateway to Hitachi Seaside Park)
- Karuizawa
- Kusatsu
- Kamakura
- Kawagoe
- Echigo-Yuzawa, Gala Yuzawa
- Aomori
- Hirosaki
- Akita
- Kakunodate
- Sendai
- Matsushima
- Aizu-Wakamatsu
- Yamagata
- Hiraizumi
This deal does not cover most part of places in Niigata and Nagano prefectures, such as Nagano, Matsumoto, Hakuba, Shinano-Omachi and Niigata. Those places are covered by another pass, JR East Pass Nagano Niigata. However you can access to Gala-Yuzawa, Karuizawa and Kobuchizawa by this pass even though those places are located in Niigata and Nagano prefectures.
I will tell you the coverage railways at next chapter.
Valid trains and lines
JR deals covers basically JR trains only. Non JR railway’s train and subway are not covered. But JR East Pass Tohoku covers many “NON JR” railway trains. The following railways are NON JR companies but those are covered by this pass.
- Tokyo Monorail (Haneda airport – Hamamatsucho)
- Izu Kyuko Line (Ito – Izukyu-Shimoda)
- Aoimori Railway (Aomori – Metoki)
- IGR Iwate Galaxy Railway (Morioka – Metoki)
- Sendai Airport Transit (Natori – Sendai airport)
- Limited Express Nikko, Spacia Nikko, Kinugawa, and Spacia Kinugawa (Shinjuku – Tobu-Nikko / Kinugawa-Onsen)
- Tobu Railway local trains and rapid trains (Shimo-imaichi – Tobu-Nikko/Kinugawa-Onsen)
Those covered trains are the benefit of this deal. JR Pass covers only Tokyo Monorail.
When you go to Nikko, JR East Pass Tohoku covers the limited express train to Nikko from Shinjuku directly but JR Pass does not. This is one of the benefits of this rail pass too. Please see the post below to find more information about the access to Nikko from Shinjuku:
JR East Pass Tohoku does not cover the Tokaido Shinkansen. Even if you want to use this Shinkansen in JR East area, like Tokyo to Atami or Tokyo to Odawara, this pass does not cover at all because the Tokaido Shinkansen is not operated by JR East but JR Central. When you want to get Odawara (Hakone) or Atami, your choice is rapid train or Limited Express Odoriko. These trains are covered by JR East Pass Tohoku.
Compare single fare and JR East Pass Tohoku
I will show you some sample rates. If total fares in your plan reach 20,000 yen, you can get the worth of this pass.
*All rates are based on base fare and reserved seat limited express supplement in regular season. The rate is varied by the season.
Trip to Nikko or Kinugawa-Onsen from Shinjuku or Ikebukuro by direct limited express train, Nikko or Kinugawa
Total fare is around 4,000 yen for one way to either Nikko or Kinugawa-Onsen.
Trip to Nikko from Tokyo by Shinkansen and local train
If you stay at east side of Tokyo, like Shinagawa, Tokyo, Ueno, this route may be faster than direct express from Shinjuku.
Total fare is around 6,000 yen for one way.
Trip to Otsuki from Shinjuku by Limited Express Azusa or Kaiji
Total fares are around 3,000 yen from Shinjuku for one way.
Trip to Matsumoto from Shinjuku by Limited Epxress Azusa or Kaiji
Total fares are around 7,000 yen from Shinjuku for one way.
Trip to Gala Yuzawa from Tokyo by the Joetsu Shinkansen
Total fare is around 7,000 yen for one way.
Trip to Odawara, Atami or Izukyu-Shimoda from Tokyo by the limited express Odoriko or Super View Odoriko
One way fare and the limited express seat fee are around 3,000 yen to Odawara ,around 4,000 yen to Atami, 6,500 yen to Izukyu-Shimoda.
Trip to Karuizawa from Tokyo by the Hokuriku Shinkansen
Total fare is around 6,000 yen for one way.
Trip to Sendai from Tokyo by the Tohoku Shinkansen
Total fare is around 11,500 yen for one way.
Trip to Akita from Tokyo by the Akita Shinkansen
Total fare is about 18,000 yen for one way.
Trip to Aomori/Shin-Aomori from Tokyo by the Tohoku Shinkansen
Total fare is around 17,500 yen for one way.
Trip between Narita Airport and Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku or Yokohama
Total fares are 3,000 to 4,500 yen to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku and Yokohama by Narita Express.
Trip between Haneda Airport and Hamamatsucho by Tokyo Monorail
Single fare is around 500 yen for one way.
Fares in downtown Tokyo
You can take any local trains, like Yamanote line, Chuo line, Keiyo line by this pass. But the fares in downtown Tokyo is quite reasonable. If you take a local train from Tokyo to Shinjuku, the fare is 200 yen. When you calculate the fares and compare this pass and single fare, you can ignore the fares in downtown Tokyo. It does not help to get worth very much.
Assessment
If you are sure that you will travel in Tokyo, surrounding Tokyo and Tohoku region only, you may pick up this deal. This pass does not cover western part of JR East area, such as Niigata and Nagano. And of course Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Kobe, Nara, Takayama, Kanzawa, Hiroshima, Kyushu and Hokkaido either. JR Pass covers all part of Japan. JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass covers same area as this pass plus southern Hokkaido, such as Hakodate, Otaru, Sapporo. Please make sure where you will visit before you decide to buy the pass. You can find the link below to find the information of JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass and JR Pass:
Please try to find the best deal for your trip and save your cost.
Comments
Hi Takeshi-San,
My family and I would like to explore Tohoku region and enjoy Hanami around this region from April 19th to April 25th.
1. I’d like to get your advise on how to map out the trip. We fly into Tokyo early in the morning of Apr 19th, and fly out of Tokyo in the evening of Apr 25th
2. The places I’d like to visit are: Yamagata, Akita, Aomori/Hirosaki but if you think there are certain areas that are must-see in Tohoku? During the visit, I’d like to experience a traditional Japanese onsen, thus would appreciate any recommendation along the way.
3) I think the JR EAST PASS (flexible 5 day pass) is the best value to travel around these areas, which day should I start using it?
4) Does this pass cover NEX express to Tokyo?
Appreciate the help!!
Hi Chi San,
1. You may get somewhere in Tohoku on arrival day. But at this point, that’s all I can say. You haven’t made the detailed plan yet and you may add some more places.
2. Kakunodate is must-see. Kitakami is very beautiful too.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3601.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5077.html
Nyuto Onsen is amazing. You may combine this place with Kakunodate.
http://ryokan.glocal-promotion.com/#story
3. It’s the right choice. But I cannot say how you can use this deal. Because you haven’t made the detailed plan yet.
4. Yes.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san ,
Can i just check with you the following regarding JR East Pass Tohoku ?
1) From what you type , this pass should cover my trip from Ueno to Haneda right ? cos Yamanote Line is covered from Ueno to Hamamatsucho then Tokyo monorail from there to Haneda ?
2) It will also cover Nartia Express ( N’ex) to tokyo station right ?
Thanks
Hi Ced san,
Yes. Both are covered.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I was wondering how to figure out the Green Car cost for the Hayabusa. I will have the Tohoku Rail pass. The ordinary car fare is covered by the pass. Is there an upcharge for the Green Car or does the pass does not cover Green Car at all.
Hi John,
JR East Pass does not cover Green car fee at all. The pass cover base fare only and you need to pay full seat fare for Green seat.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi there! My 3rd time here for my 3rd trip to japan!
Can I check if this JR east tohoku pass will be better for my travels or a 7-14 days jr pass or a combination? Itinerary:
8-9 jan: tokyo
10 Jan: yokohama (day trip)
11-12 jan: tokyo
13 Jan: mt Fuji/kawaguchiko (day)
14 Jan: zao onsen ski resort (yamagata)
15 Jan: Yamadera and sendai
16 Jan: sendai
17 Jan: matsushima bay (day)
18 Jan: Shiroishizao/zao Fox village (day)
19 Jan: Geibikei and Tokyo
20 Jan: mt nokogiri-yama (day)
21-22 jan: tokyo
Please advise if possible, thanks!
Hi Chow Xue Hua,
JR East Pass Tohoku is the best choice. You may use 5 days coverage for the following trips:
14 Jan: zao onsen ski resort (yamagata)
15 Jan: Yamadera and sendai
18 Jan: Shiroishizao/zao Fox village (day)
19 Jan: Geibikei and Tokyo
20 Jan: mt nokogiri-yama (day)
You may use single fare ticket for Matsushima.
There are some deals available for Yokohama.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/yokohama-and-kamakura-access-guide-find-the-right-deal-and-route-from-your-place-to-stay.html
Express bus is okay for access to Lake Kawaguchi.
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/detail/id/1
Tokyo subway ticket is the best for Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
You are truly my life saver!! I can tell already that this is going to save me a lot of money~ Thank you thank you again!!
No worries, Xue Hua.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
Our family, 5 of us including 2 kids ( 8 & 10) are taking our first trip to Japan. I have spent the last 3 weeks trying to plan out our itinerary and map our travels on trains and in between cities…it’s been ok until….I started looking into which passes to use, when each pass works, which train lines, etc. Oh my goodness….there is so much information.
I would like to know if it would be possible for you to take a look at my intinerary below and give me some suggestions on my “pass” choices. I have looked into JR Kansai wide vs. Kansai thru pass vs. 7 day JR pass for Tokyo to Osaka and Niigata, Suica pass for Tokyo…I’m pretty confused.
If you have any thoughts, it would be so helpful!!!
Thank you very very very much
Cherlene
Nov 9 – land in Haneda and train to Ichikawa-shi, Chiba
Nov 10 & 11 – train to Disney Sea on both days
Nov 12 – check out and shinkasen Kujo Station in Osaka
Nov 13 – Shinkasen from Osaka to Nara for deer park, kasuga temple and todaiji temple and back to Osaka
Nov 14 – Shinkasen from Osaka to Kyoto – nijo castle, Arashiyama, monkey park, shinkasen back to Osaka
Nov 15 – Shinkasen from Osaka to Kyoto – fushimi shrine, kiyomizu-dera temple and shinkasen back to Osaka
Nov 16 – Osaka Aquarium, Tempozan Ferris wheel, Floating garden – shinkasen from Osaka to Otsuka Station on JR Yamanote Line, Tokyo
Nov 17 – Shinkasen from Otsuka to Niigata station for Koi breeding farm day tourand shinkasen back to Otsuka station
Nov 18 – Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo Nature and Science Museum and Akihabara district
Nov 19 – Tokyo Imperial Palace, Ginza, Roppongi, Harajuku
Nov 20 – Otsuka station to Nokogiriyama Park and Nohon-ji Temple – not sure how to do this…hahahaha
Nov 21 – check out of airbnb, keep luggage in station locker and walk around Tokyo free time until time to go. Arrive at Haneda at 5pm for departure
Hi Cherlene,
You can use JR Pass 7 days for Nov 12 to Nov 18. But you should go to Nokogiriyama on Nov 18. Because only this place is outside Tokyo after Nov 19. You can use Subway pass for downtown Tokyo. But Nokogiriyama is far away from Tokyo. Please see the link below:
http://www.mt-nokogiri.co.jp/pc/p130000.php
JR pass covers most part of your trip from Nov 12 to 18. But it does not cover subway, city bus and non JR trains. Please see the train network info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
You are FAST with your response. Thank you for your suggestion on the 7 day JR pass and the link to your other site.
Do you recommend the Suica prepaid pass for my arrival day and transit to Disney Sea for 2 days…as well as my last 5 days in Tokyo?
Thank you!
Cherlene
Hi Cherlene,
You can use Suica to get Ichikawa. But I’m not sure how you visit Disneyland from Ichikawa. I think there are some bus but I’m not sure you can use Suica for the bus.
You also can use Suica for the last 5 days in Tokyo. But if you visit several places in one day, subway pass may be cheaper. Please see the link below to find some more info.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi , like to check , understand the JR east pass is separated now , so say if i am doing a 14 days in Japan and plan to cover Tohoku and maybe the alpine route in Nagano area , it will be best for me to get the 14 days JR pass instead of the 2 JR east pass rite ? ( fly in and out from tokyo )
Hi Ced,
You can use 14 days JR Pass. Or JR East pass Tohoku and Hokuriku Arch Pass is cheaper than 14 days JR Pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/tokyo-osaka-hokuriku-arch-pass-user-guide-clarify-valid-trains-coverage-area-and-compare-single-fare-and-pass.html
Hokuriku Arch Pass covers Toyama and you can go through alpine route from Toyama to Nagano. JR East Pass Niigata and Nagano does not cover Toyama.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi takeshi ,
7 day pass – 29000 yen
14 days pass – 46300 yen
jr east – tohoku – 19000 yen
Hokuriku Arch pass : 24000 yen
if i get the jr east + arch pass = 43000 yen
so it’s better for me to get the 14 day pass ? cos difference of about 3500 yen but it covers all my 14 days ?
Also JR pass will cover all of JR east + Hokuriku Arch pass right ?
also even Hokuriku Arch pass don’t cover the alpine route ? i will still need to get the option pass at 9000 yen right ?
http://www.jrtateyama.com/e/
Hi Ced,
If you don’t care about the cost difference, you can go for JR Pass. You have to purchase Tateyama Kurobe option ticket anyway. Both passes do not cover this route. As you think, JR pass covers all 14 days. It’s more convenient.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I am trying to understand the 5 days period of use. Is that five consecutive days? Or any five days within the 14-day period? Thank you!
Hi Nadia,
You can pick any 5 days in 14 days period. You don’t need to use in consecutive days.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you!
No problem, Nadia.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
I would like to ask if i want to go to mount Fuji area with this pass, this that possible?
Thank you so much in advance
Hi JJ,
You can get Otsuki but you need to pay Fuji Kyuko railway from Otsuki to Lake Kawaguchi.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks a lot 😉
No problem, JJ.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
I will be going to the Hitachi Seaside Park from Ueno. I would like to ask if Limited express hitachi and Limited express tokiwa are included in the JR East Pass?
Thank you!
Cheers,
Gigi
Yes. It’s covered, Gigi.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your reply! Sorry may I ask one more question – is Tsugaru Railway covered by JR East Pass?
Thank you!
Cheers,
Gigi
Hi Gigi,
No, it’s not covered.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
Thank you so much for your help. Regarding the use of JR East Pass (Tohoku area), which train(s) can only be taken with reservations? For example, are Hayabusa and Komachi reservation-only? Is it possible to get standing tickets free of charge instead, with the use of JR East pass?
Thank you so much!
Cheers,
Gigi
Hi Gigi,
Reservation is required to take Hayabusa and Komachi. You cannot take these trains without reservation. When you check the timetable at hyperdia, if only reserved seat is shown at “seat fee”, you need to have reserved seat. Otherwise you cannot take it.
Reserved seat fee is included in JR East Pass. So try to make a booking for all trains.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
Does JR East pass – Tohoku cover otsuki and Fujikyu railway to kawaguchiko?
Hi Tanya,
No, it doesn’t unfortunately.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks. But I can go to Otsuki by this pass,right?
Regards,
Tanya
Hi Tanya,
Yes. It covers the trip to Otsuki but does not cover Fuji kyuko between Otsuki and Lake Kawaguchi.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com