Tokyo Wide Pass user guide. Perfect choice for trip to Nikko, Fuji, Gala Yuzawa and Odaiba

Tokyo springRail pass for visitors
The view of Rainbow Bridge from Odaiba (C) Mike Luk / JNTO
The view of Rainbow Bridge from Odaiba (C) Mike Luk / JNTO

Tokyo Wide Pass is currently sold as Kanto Area Pass. This pass will be remodeled and will be sold as Tokyo Wide Pass on December 1, 2015. It covers Tokyo and surrounding area, such as Mt. Fuji, Izu peninsula, or Nikko. Echigo-Yuzawa will be covered by Tokyo Wide Pass but it is not by Kanto Area Pass.

Tokyo Wide Pass will be sold at the higher price on December 1st, 2015 but the coverage ares will be bigger. I would like to show you about this pass and also I talk about the difference between Tokyo Wide Pass and Kanto Area Pass.

Prices and valid period

Validity periodAdult
12 years and older
Child
6 to 11 years old
3 consecutive
days
10,180 yen5,090 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.
*This pass will be available from December 1st, 2015. But you can order this pass online in advance at JR East official site.

Tokyo Wide Pass is sold at 10,000 yen. Previous version of this pass, Kanto Area Pass is sold at 8,300 yen. The validity period is 3 consecutive days that is same as Kanto Area Pass. So the price higher than Kanto Area Pass but the coverage area is a bit bigger and more trains are covered by Tokyo Wide Pass.

Coverage Area

Toshogu is the highlight in Nikko. (C) Yasufumi Nishi /  JNTO
Toshogu is the highlight in Nikko. (C) Yasufumi Nishi / JNTO

This pass covers all JR lines in Kanto area, such as Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Yamanashi, Gumma, Ibaragi and Tochigi. And the pass also cover some places in Shizuoka and Nagano prefectures, such as Izu peninsula and Karuizawa. Please check this map to see the details.

Mostly the coverage area is not much different from Kanto Area Pass coverage area. This pass covers the following major spots in the area.

  • Nikko
  • Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi), Fuji-Q Land
  • Odawara (Gate station to Hakone)
  • Izu peninsula (Atami, Ito, Shimoda)
  • Katsuta (Gate station to Hitachi Seaside Park)
  • Karuizawa
  • Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi (Gate station to Kusatsu)
  • Kamakura
  • Kawagoe
  • Yokohama

And also two more great addition in the coverage of Tokyo Wide Pass.

  • Echigo-Yuzawa, Gala Yuzawa
  • Odaiba, Tokyo Waterfront Area

JR East official site – Tokyo Wide Pass

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 Tokyo Wide Pass covers many “NON JR” railway trains. The following railways are NON JR companies but those are covered by Tokyo Wide Pass.

  • Tokyo Monorail (Haneda-Airport – Hamamatsucho)
  • Izu Kyuko Line (Ito – Izukyu-Shimoda)
  • Fuji Kyuko Railway (Otsuki – Kawaguchiko)
  • Joshin Dentetsu Line (Takasaki – Shimonita)
  • Saitama New Urban Transit Line (Omiya – the Railway Museum)
  • Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit Rinkai Line (Osaki – Shin-Kiba)
  • 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 huge benefit of this deal. Japan Rail Pass (a.k.a. JR Pass) covers only Tokyo Monorail. JR East Pass covers many railways on this list but JR East Pass does not cover Fujikyu Railway, Joshin Dentetsu Line and Saitama New Urban Transite Line. Especially Fujikyu Railway is a big benefit. You can get Lake Kawaguchi without any extra by this pass.

Fuji Kyuko Railway

Joshin Dentesu is not very well known. But it gives you access to one of World Heritaga Site, Tomioka Silk Mill from Takasaki.
How to access to the newest World Heritage Tomioka Silk Mill

When you go to Nikko, Tokyo Wide Pass covers limited express train to Nikko from Shinjuku directly. JR East Pass covers this train trip but Japan Rail Pass does not. This is one of the benefits of this rail pass too.
How to access to Nikko from Tokyo. There are three ways from Tokyo, Shinjuku and Asakusa.

Most of trains on this list has been covered by Kanto Area Pass. But at this time, Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit Rinkai Line is added on Tokyo Wide Pass. This line is not JR company but trains run through JR Saikyo line. It connects Kawagoe, Omiya, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo-Teleport (Odaiba) and Shin-Kiba. You can access to Odaiba from Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Shibuya directly. Shin-Kiba is only two stations away from Maihama that is the gateway station of Tokyo Disney Resort. Please find more information about Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit Rinkai Line at the official site.

Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit Rinkai Line

Both Tokyo Wide Pass does not cover Tokaido Shinkansen. Even if you want to use this Shinkansen in JR East area, like Tokyo to Atami or Odawara, this pass does not cover at all because 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 Tokyo Wide Pass.
No express surcharge! Fast, economical and convenient! Rapid service network in Greater Tokyo
Access to Izu and Atami from Tokyo/Yokohama. Limited Express Odoriko / Super View Odoriko

Compare single fare and Tokyo Wide Pass

When you think about purchasing this deal, you need to know this is paid off in your trip or not. I show you some sample.
*All rates are based on base fare and reserved seat limited express supplement in regular season.

Trip to Nikko or Kinugawa-Onsen from Shinjuku or Ikebukuro by direct limited express train, Nikko or Kinugawa

Total fare is 4,000 yen for one way to either Nikko or Kinugawa-Onsen. You have to use the pass more to get the worth of this deal.

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 5,580 yen for one way. Tokyo Wide Pass is cheaper than only this round trip cost.

Trip to Lake Kawaguchi from Tokyo or Shinjuku by Limited Epxress to Otsuki and Fuji Kyuko railway

Total fares are 4,080 yen from Tokyo and 3,910 yen from Shinjuku for one way. It is not enough to get the worth by only this round trip.

Trip to Gala Yuzawa from Tokyo by Shinkansen

Total fare is 6,870 yen for one way. You can get the worth of this deal easily by only this trip.

Trip to Odawara, Atami or Izukyu-Shimoda from Tokyo by limited express train, Odoriko or Super View Odoriko

Total fare is 2,940 yen to Odawara for one way by Odoriko and 3,190 yen for one way by Super View Odoriko.
Total fare is 3,800 yen to Atami for one way by Odoriko and 4,180 yen for one way by Super View Odoriko.
Total fare is 6,260 yen to Izukyu-Shimoda for one way by Odoriko and 6,640 yen for one way by Super View Odoriko.
If you visit Shimoda, this pass is cheaper.

Trip to Karuizawa from Tokyo by Shinkansen

Total fare is 5,910 yen for one way. You can get the worth of this deal easily by only this trip.

Trip between Narita Airport and Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku or Yokohama

Total fares are 3,020 yen for Tokyo, 3,190 yen for Shinagawa or Shinjuku, and 4,290 yen for Yokohama.

Trip between Haneda Airport and Hamamatsucho by Tokyo Monorail

Single fare is 490 yen for one way.

Trip to Tokyo-Teleport (Odaiba) from Shinjuku

Single fare is 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

This deal will be sold at 10,000 yen that is 1,700 yen higher than previous version, Kanto Area Pass. But it can take you Gala Yuzawa and Odaiba. In my opinion, it is a great addition. It gives you a great deal. I still recommend you this deal. You can use this pass for access to/from airport and visit two places, you can get more than 10,000 yen value easily.

Comments

  1. YY says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I am planning to go to Kawaguchiko from Narita Airport. May i know if the below route is covered under the Tokyo Wide Pass?
    From Narita Airport Terminal 1 –> Shinjuku JR
    Take Ltd. Exp Narita Express 10

    From Shinjuku JR –> Otsuki
    Take Ltd. Exp Kaiji 105

    From Otsuki –> Kawaguchiko
    Take Fujisan Express 7

    Will there be any additional charges for seat reservation?

    Thank you!

    • Hi YY,

      All trips are covered. But if you want to reserve your seat on the observation car of Fujisan Express, you need to pay another 200 yen. Regular seat is covered fully.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. Winnie says:

    Hello Takeshi!

    I’m planning a trip from Tokyo to Kusatsu and noticed that there was a Limited Express Kusatsu line available. Would you happen to know if this is covered by the JR Tokyo Wide Pass?

    If not, the alternative was to take the Shinkansen Hakutaka or MAX Toki to Takasaki, then the JR Agatsuma Line to Naganohara Kusatsu. Would this trip be covered?

    Any help would be much appreciated!

  3. Teo Bee Lian says:

    Hi Takeshi!
    I’m going to Japan on 8-17March, my itinerary as below:

    Day 1 -2– Osaka
    Arrival at haneda 7 AM, straight to Osaka

    Day 3-4 – Stay in Kyoto

    Day 5 – Tokyo City
    (Asakusa Kannon Temple,Asakusa)

    Day 6 – Tokyo
    Tsukiji Fish Market,Shibuya,Harajuku

    Day 7 – Tokyo

    Day 8 – Gala Yuzawa Resort

    Day 9 – Tokyo Disneyland

    Day 10 – Flight home at 5:55 PM – Narita Airport

    Please advise should I Plan the Gala Yuzawa Resort on(DAY6) 2nd Day in Tokyo or (Day8) to buy (Tokyo Wide Pass 3day) pass in the last 3 day stay in Tokyo.

  4. Megan says:

    Dear Takeshi,I am going by bus from Narita airport to Nikko station hotel . I will stay 5 nights in Nikko. If I buy the Tokyo wide pass two days later it will cover most Nikko area and takes me back to shinjuku jr station ?

    • Hi Megan,

      Yes, you can. But if you purchase a regular ticket, it costs around 4000 yen. If you don’t intend to use this pass for other than Nikko to Shinjuku, this pass is too much. You should have another trips to outside Tokyo. You can take a local train in downtown Tokyo but it’s impossible to get the worth by short ride in downtown Tokyo.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  5. Alfian says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    Im planning to visit Tokyo on 1Oct. Can I use the tokyo wide pass to travel up to Niigata, stopping at Niigata station? (1day city trip)

    Understand the Joetsu shinkansen will take me up there? Or the coverage is only to Gala Yuzawa during winter/spring seasons?

    My intention is to make use of the shinkansen ride from Tokyo to its end point that is the, Hokuriku, Joetsu, Tohoku lines will take me. Please advise.

  6. Yudi says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    I want to visit Fukuroda Fall Ibaraki, can i use JR east pass NaganoNigata or Tokyo Wide pass to Fukuroda (Suigun Line)?

    • Hi Yudi,

      You can access there from Mito by JR East Pass. But you cannot access there from Koriyama by this pass because Koriyama is outside coverage area. Tokyo wide pass does not cover whole part of Suigun line.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Tak says:

    Hi, Takeshi
    I have question, Tokyo wide pass cover at JR Shimizu station (S-Pluse Dream plaza), JR Iriyamase station (sakura and Mt.Fuji view) and JR Mishima station (skywalk).
    Thank you.

    • Hi Tak,

      Unfortunately all stations are outside coverage area of Tokyo Wide Pass.
      If you look for the deal which cover these places and Tokyo area, there is no deals available.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Tak says:

        One more question, If I use Tokyo wide pass it cover at Atami station right? Can I pay surcharge fee just from Atami station to Iriyamase station?
        Thank you so much.

        • Hi Tak,

          Yes, you can. But even if you use Tokyo Wide Pass for Tokyo-Atami return, you cannot get the worth of this pass. Regular ticket is better choice. Please refer the chapter, “Compare single fare and Tokyo Wide Pass” in the post above.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Benard says:

    Hello,

    Just wondering about the validity period of this pass since it says ‘3 consecutive days’ and not 72 hours. Does this mean that if I buy this pass on the 19th and start using at 1400 H, it will only last until the 21st and not 22nd at 1400H?

  9. Yudi says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    Can i use tokyo wide pass from kobuchizawa station to Narai-juku? (Chuo Line)
    Thanks

  10. Tiny says:

    Hello, Takeshi

    I’ve already have JR Tokyo Wide Pass and I would like to go to Kawaguchiko by ‘Fujisan express’ (Fujisan 3)
    I know this pass cover Fujikyu railway ticket but i’m not sure for the ‘Fujisan 3’ the limited express train that recommend to reserve by https://express-reserve.fujikyu.co.jp/customer/

    Is the JR Tokyo Wide Pass cover for limited express train to kawagochiko?

    Thank you,
    Tiny

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