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
- Coverage Area
- Valid trains and lines
- Compare single fare and Tokyo Wide Pass
- 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 Lake Kawaguchi from Tokyo or Shinjuku by Limited Epxress to Otsuki and Fuji Kyuko railway
- Trip to Gala Yuzawa from Tokyo by Shinkansen
- Trip to Odawara, Atami or Izukyu-Shimoda from Tokyo by limited express train, Odoriko or Super View Odoriko
- Trip to Karuizawa from Tokyo by Shinkansen
- Trip between Narita Airport and Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku or Yokohama
- Trip between Haneda Airport and Hamamatsucho by Tokyo Monorail
- Trip to Tokyo-Teleport (Odaiba) from Shinjuku
- Fares in downtown Tokyo
- Assessment
Prices and valid period
| Validity period | Adult 12 years and older | Child 6 to 11 years old |
|---|---|---|
| 3 consecutive days | 10,180 yen | 5,090 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
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.
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
Hi Takeshi,
We’re planning to spend 3 days in tokyo, fuji, and izu next week. And we’re going to use Tokyo Wide Pass..however, i’d like to ask a few questions
1. it’s written that we need to pay separate tickets for observation car of fujisan exp. And Fuji tozan densha that climbs to fujisan station. Is there any ordinary car (reserved / non reserved) in fujisan exp? Is it fully l covered or we still have to pay express surcharge? And how about an ordinary car on tozan densha that stops at kawaguchi lake, is it also fully covered?
2. On izukyu line, is it okay if I stop at kawazu? Does kawazu also fully covered? Or we must stop at ito/shimoda to be covered. And does odoriko observation car are fully covered?
3. Can we reserve ltd. Exp ticket (fujisan,odoriko, etc) in Shinjuku? A day or two days befora?
I’m sorry that I have so much questions and I thank you for your kindess 🙂
Hi Raith,
1. Fujisan exp is three cars formation. You have to pay additional 100 yen if you take car #1. This is the observation car. You can take car #2 and #3 with no extra.
Fuji tozan densha requires extra 200 yen anyway. Both Fujisan exp and Fuji tozan densha are sort of reserved car. But the seat number is not assigned. The ticket will be sold at same number of the seats.
2. You can make stopover at any stations on even Izu Kyuko line. You can take observation ordinary car by this pass. But it’s very hard to book. Good luck!
3. It’s hard to say. But if you really want to take this train, I recommend you to book as early as possible. You can book for Odoriko at JR East site.
https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx?_ga=1.9278901.1090172892.1443854434
But I don’t think you can pick the seat number on this site.
You cannot book Fuji Kyuko at Shinjuku and any JR site. Fuji Kyuko has online booking site but it’s in Japanese. However you can find availability easily.
https://railway-reserve.fujikyu.co.jp/public/rsrv_pub_receipt.php
If you really want to book it in advance, try to make a call at 0555‐73‐8181. I hope they speak English.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
Thank you very much for your information, it help us so much..
Have a great day 🙂
Regards
No problem, Raith.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi.
I wanted to try and reserve seats on the JR site and upon reading all info looks like once i get the Tokyo Wide Pass when i arrive to NRT i will only be charged that one price. However i did see the only problem i can forsee is missing the times we reserve for.
By the way where do we go for the Pass from NRT TERMINAL 1? I plan to use NEX TO Tokyo Station then to Gala Yuzawa and back to Tokyo Station the to Maihama. Thanks
Hi Rachel,
You can go to JR EAST Travel Service Center – Narita Airport Terminal 1 to purchase/exchange the pass.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/customer_support/service_center.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I’m planning my trip to Tokyo in March, staying in Ikebukuro.
Wanted to check if this map link you’ve posted (http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/tokyowidepass/img/img_area.gif) is the entire rail map that is covered by the JR wide pass?
As I’m planning to hike from Mt Mitsutoge to Kawaguchiko and also make a day trip to Gala Yuzawa, I think the pass can save me a lot of money. But I’d still like your advice if possible.
Thank you so much,
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
This is the coverage map of Tokyo Wide Pass. All lines that are shown on the map are covered.
I believe this deal is the prefect fit to your plan.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
We Will be in Tokyo from 14 April to 21 April (7days), 2 adult and 2 kids (11 and 9)
The kids want to see Ninja at Edo Wonderland, Nikko by Shinkansen on both way. We will join group tour to Mt. Fuji & Hakone (1 full day and return by Shinkansen) and most of our time will be spend around Tokyo.
What is the best/cheap transport ticket for us?
* 7 days JR Pass or Tokyo Wide Pass or JR East Pass?
Thank you,
Susi
Hi Susi,
Tokyo Wide pass is okay because you will make a trip to outside Tokyo only once that is Nikko. JR Pass is way too expensive.
You may use subway pass when you are in 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
Hello Takeshi san,
Domo arigato for your advice and suggestions; I didn’t know Shimobe Onsen is not covered, I couldn’t find any information online. I would really like to see the Kamakura festival but the train timings are too rush for a day trip. I’ll revise my itinerary to your advice.
Have a great week ahead!
No problem, Mel san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
Would like to seek your clarification and advise:
1) Is the Tokyo Wide Pass valid for travel on the Narita Express (NEX) from Shinjuku station to the Narita Airport?
2) Is the direct Narita Express service from Shinkuku station to Kawaguchiko station in operation and available for travel in April 2016?
If yes, is the Tokyo Wide Pass valid for use to Kawaguchiko station on the direct Narita Express?
Thank you.
Hi Michelle,
1. Yes.
2. It will run on weekend and holidays only. The pass covers this route too.
Narita 09:15 – Kawaguchiko 12:41
Kawaguchiko 14:14 – Narita 17:29
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Great ! Thank you very much for your prompt reply.
No problem, Michelle san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I have plan to use this pass to go to Gala Yuzawa, Hakone (to lake ashi, ropeway), and Yokohama. Is it worth to getting by this Wide Pass? Can you explain to me the route to get there, which is compatible with this pass?
Thanks
Hi Adis,
If you use this pass even getting only Gala Yuzawa, it’s paid off.
You can take Joetsu Shinkansen to get Gala.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-kanto/tokyo/ueno/joetsu-shinkansen.html
Hakone can be accessed from Odawara. But you have to add Hakone Free Pass to get Lake Ashi. After arriving at Odawara, Tokyo Wide Pass does not cover anything.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Ropeway in Hakone is partially closed due to volcano activity.
http://www.hakonenavi.jp/topics/pdf/4730.pdf
Yokohama can be visited by local train from Tokyo.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi-san,
I’m planning to get the NEX Roundtrip ¥4000 and the TWP but I’m not sure how else to utilise TWP on the 2nd day. I can only make day trips as I have to stay in Shinjuku.
I’ve considered other onsens in the areas covered by TWP but most require bus transfers which I’m not confident with. I’ve thought of visiting FujiQ land but read that the snow situation has closed most rides.
30th Jan: Arrive Tokyo (NEX)
1st Feb: Gala Yuzawa (TWP)
2nd Feb: Yunishigawa Onsen (covered by TWP?)
Yunishigawa Kamakura Festival
OR just Kinugawa-onsen?
OR just Kamakura?
3rd Feb: Shimobe Onsen (TWP)
stopover Iwasa Onsen
4th – 5th Feb: Tokyo (Suica)
6th Feb: Gotemba
8th Feb: Return (NEX)
Appreciate your kind advice and suggestions!
Thanks so much,
Mel
Hi Mel san,
1. Gala Yuzawa
Okay, it’s fully covered by Tokyo Wide Pass.
2. Yunishigawa Onsen
It’s outside of coverage area. You can access to Kinugawa Onsen by this pass. Yunishigawa Onsen is 5 stations away from Kinugawa by Yagan railway. Single fare from Kinugawa to Yunishigawa is around 500 yen.
In my opinion, Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura festival is worth visiting.
3. Shimobe Onsen
It’s also outside coverage area. You have to pay extra fare for Kofu – Shimobe Onsen. It’a around 700 yen. I have never been to Shimobe so I cannot comment anything.
If you want to go to Onsen by this pass without any extra, think about visiting Atami, Ito or other places in Izu peninsula. This pass covers these places.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6310.html
And Ishiwa Onsen is located on the way to Kofu. It’s very close to JR station. It’s of course fully covered.
https://goo.gl/maps/kVpMmhYCfr62
http://www.isawa-kankou.org/ (Japanese link only)
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, may I know where can i purchase the two days Lake Kawaguchi sightseeing pass for unlimited ride at 1200 Yen & Toko Toko day pass ticket for Hakone Tozan Train/cablecar at 1540 Yen.
Hi Lawrence,
I have no idea about Lake Kawaguchi sightseeing pass. I have never heard it.
Tokotoko kippu can be purchased at Hakone Tozan Railway’s station, like Odawara, Hakone-Yumoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
We plan to make 3 day trips from Shinjuku to Nikko, Kamakura and Yokohama/Kawagoe. Is it worth getting a Tokyo Wide Pass?
Thanks in advance,
Raymond
Hi Raymond,
Yes. It’s the best choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com