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!
Thank you so much for this page, its great help
I have a question about the wide pass, i know that you say on this page that it covers Kamakura, but i would like to make sure of that by asking, because i´ve seen in other pages the map of the cities that covers and i only see Yokohama in there.
I want the pass because i´d like to go to Nikko and Kamakura.
I´d like to choose other spot to cover on the third day…do you have a special recommendation?
Thank you again!!
Hi Rossy,
Kamakura is in the coverage area. Please see the link below. You will find the map but it does not show “Kamakura” in the map. This map does not show all stations. Kamakura is located between Ofuna and Kurihama.
Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi in Mt. Fuji area) is a good choice for all season. Gala Yuzawa is interesting in winter season. Hitachi Seaside Park is very nice spot too.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6900.html
http://en.hitachikaihin.jp/
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7690.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi there,
I will be travelling to Japan in October for 7 days. Will arrive at Kansai Aiport. I plan to stay in Osaka for 3 day. In this 3 days, I will visit Kobe and Nara. After that I will go to Kyoto for 1 day. Next I plan to go to Kanazawa and then Fuji and lastly will be tokyo. I will go back to my country from Haneda Airport. Which pass is suitable for me? Im thinking of taking JR pass or Arch pass. Appreciate your help
Hi Hafizah,
Hokuriku Arch Pass is the best choice. But it does not cover Fuji. And even JR pass is not the best choice to get Fuji. Just add the fare or pass to get Fuji beside Hokuriku Arch Pass. If you want to visit Lake Kawaguchi area, express bus is the best way. If you go to Hakone, Hakone Free Pass is the best choice. Please see the link below to find more info:
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
Hi Takeshi san,
I want to try sitting in a shinkansen when I am Tokyo, so I intend to buy Tokyo Wide Area Pass. I understand that I can use shinkansen to Nikko and Mt Fuji. I just want to clarify a few issues before I buy the Pass.
i) If I arrive in Haneda Airport at 10.05pm, can I still buy the Pass? Can I buy online?
ii) If I buy the pass, can I immediately reserve a seat for the shinkansen to Nikko? Do I need 3 days before to reserve a seat?
iii) I will take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen (from Tokyo or Ueno Station) to Utsunomiya Station and transfer to the JR Nikko Line. Do I need to reserve a seat when I take the JR Nikko Line?
iv)Must I also reserve a seat to Mt Fuji and Kawaguchiko?
Is it difficult to secure a seat to these 2 places during weekends?
Thank you
Alena
Hi Alena san,
1. You cannot purchase it at Haneda. It’s too late. There is no places to purchase this pass on arrival day. You have to purchase it on next day. Please see the link below to find the sale location and service hours.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/tokyowidepass/index.html
You cannot purchase it online either. Some passes are sold online but you still need to exchange even if you purchase it online. You have to exchange on next day. So it’s same.
2. You can book all ticket when you purchase Tokyo Wide Pass.
3. You cannot book a seat on Nikko line. Because Nikko line is a local commute train. It’s same type of train as subway in the cities.
4. When you go to Kawaguchiko, in most of cases, you need to change the train at Otsuki. You can take Limited Express Kaiji or Azusa. These are express trains but not Shinkansen, and you can book a seat by Tokyo Wide Pass. You can book it when you purchase a pass. It’s not hard to book.
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 Takeshi-san for the reply.
Can I can take all types of JR in Tokyo using Tokyo Wide Area Pass?
I read that “Tokyo Wide Pass covers many “NON JR” railway trains. ” Can you please clarify on this? What are the “non JR”?
Thanking you.
Alena
Hi Alena san,
You can take all JR trains in Tokyo. You can find the list of non JR line that is covered by this pass at “Valid trains and lines” in the post above.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Ok. Thank you Takeshi san.
No worries, Alena san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I just want to clarify if I can take this route using the Tokyo Wide Area Pass to Nikko.
EBISU(TOKYO) JR Saikyo Line Rapid for KAWAGOE-OMIYA(SAITAMA) SHINKANSEN NASUNO 253- UTSUNOMIYA
I noticed that the shinkansen has different names. Can I take any shinkansen? How do I know which to take?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Alena
Hi Alena san,
You can take any Shinkansen trains. But only Nasuno and Yamabiko stops at Utsunomiya. Other two, Hayate and Hayabusa do not stop at Utsunomiya and you cannot use these trains anyway.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you for your reply Takeshi-san.
Regards,
Alena
No worries, Alena san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san
what times is tokyo wide pass open November 2016
Thank you
Hi Gift san,
I don’t understand what you mean. You can purchase it anytime. It will be sold in November.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san
I just read that the reservation of pass requires at least 3 days in advance. Can I make reservation first before I pick up the pass? Or I can only make reservation at the counter then?
I will be using once I arrived in tokyo and pick up.
Day 1- Narita to Kusatsu
Day 2- Kusatsu to Ito
Day 3- Ito to Hakone
Thank you!
Hi Jas san,
You can book a ticket before purchasing a pass. But if you intend to use JR East reservation site, you cannot book it for day 1. Because JR East reservation site says the following:
“First, remember that reserved tickets must be collected by 9:00 p.m. (21:00, Japan Standard Time) on the day before your train reservation date.”
So you can book a ticket for day 2 and 3 but not day 1. You have to book upon arrival.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will be in Japan for 15days. Flying in from kix. I will be using kintetsu rail pass in Osaka and all the way to Nagoya. From Nagoya I will use shinano and change train heading to sakudaira. I wanted to use the Tokyo wide pass to echigo yuzawa. But it’s only sold in Tokyo.
Anyway I can get it without going to Tokyo? Can I ask my friend who is a foreigner in Tokyo to buy it for me?
Or the only way is to go to Nagano first and buy the jr east pass then head to echigo yuzawa? Thank you
Hi KS,
Basically the passport holder must purchase it by themselves. Your friend cannot purchase it for you. JR East Pass is only the choice for your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I’m from Singapore and planning to travel Japan with my kids.
Arriving at Haneda airport, can we use the Tokyo wide pass on the day of our arrival? We plan to go directly to Yuzawa.
Thank you for your help.
Hi Michelle,
Yes, you can. But JR travel service counter is open from 7:45 to 18:30.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/customer_support/service_center_haneda.html
You have to arrive in Haneda in this business hours.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hi Takeshi,
i have one more question, what train should i take with JReast Pass Nagano Nigata from Sakudaira to Tokyo Teleport and Sakudaira to Tomita Station Tochigi,
Thanks!
Hi Yudi,
For access to Tokyo Teleport, please see the link below. You will find all train network 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
You can take Hokuriku Shinkansen to Takasaki and taking Ryomo line to get Tomita.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hi takeshi,
Please help me find the route if i use JReast Pass Nagano, Nigata area,
1. Sakudaira Station to Railway Museum Saitama
2. Sakudaira Station to Fujiko F Fujio Museum Kawasaki
3. Sakudaira Station to Shinjuku Station
4. Sakudaira Station to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Thanks!
Hi Yudi,
1. Sorry but I have already explained about railway museum at your first inquiry. Please refer it.
2. Take Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tokyo, Tokaido line from Tokyo to Kawasaki and then take Namba line.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3252.html
3. Take Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tokyo, Chuo line from Tokyo to Shinjuku
4. You can get Nagano by this pass. But after that it does not cover anything. You can add Tateyama Kurobe option ticket to Toyama. And you have to add fare from Toyama to Joetsu Myoko to get the coverage area.
http://www.jrtateyama.com/e/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hi takeshi,
if i use JReast Pass Nagano Nigata, What train should i take from Sakudaira Station to Haneda International Terminal and what is the address web to see map that covered by JReast Pass Nagano Nigata axcept http://www.jreast.co.jp because there are several station name are not showing on the web map.
Thank You!
Hi Yudi,
Unfortunately there is no map to show you all stations in coverage area. It’s too many to show.
You can use the following trains:
Saku-Daira (Hokuriku Shinkansen) Tokyo
Tokyo (Yamanote line) Hamamatsucho
Hamamatsucho (Tokyo Monorail) Haneda
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com