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. Richmond says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Its me again Richmond.

    Would like to ask if the tokyo wide pass covers the chuo line both the local and rapid service? What if i take the JR Chuo Line local service from Ryogoku to Mitaka, then from mitaka we trasnsfer to the Rapid Service and take the train bound for Otsuki and drop at Otsuki.

    Will this be covered by the pass?

    Thanks,

    Richmond

    • Hi Richmond,

      All trips are covered by Tokyo Wide Pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Richmond says:

        Thanks for the quick response Takeshi-san,

        For the rapid service, are we going to need to reserve a day in advance for the seats?

        Btw, Just wanna ask your idea because i want to go to Chureito pagoda as early as possible, this is because they said fuji-san will have better visibility in the early morning. Does this applies during autumn season? 🙂

        Thanks,

        Richmond

  2. Melanie says:

    Hi Takeshi

    Thank you so much for your prompt reply. I am really glad for your help.

    Melanie

  3. Alena says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,
    I am thinking of using my Tokyo Wide Pass to go to Kawagoe from JR Shinjuku before I leave for Haneda Airport. There are a few options to take from JR Shinjuku. However, I am not very sure which train is covered . Can you please confirm?
    -Tobu Tojo Line Semi-Exp; Tobu Tojo Line Exp.
    -LTD. EXP NARITA EXPRESS 12
    Thanks
    Alena

    • Hi Alena san,

      Tobu Tojo line is not covered. Tobu is not JR. Please see the link below and find the route by JR. Only JR route is covered.
      http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6505.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Alena says:

        Thanks Takeshi-san. Looks like I might forgo Kawagoe as there are not many JR trains going there.

        Regards,
        Alena

      • Melanie says:

        Hi Takeshi

        I have a quick Q. As i am unsure about the train timings between Gala Yuzawa, Echigo Yuzuwa and Karuizawa, just wondering if I should incorporate these three places in a single day- 31 Dec. Will it be very rush where by I should just stick to only wandering around Gala and Echigo?

        7.30: From Tokyo
        9 to 1: Gala Yuzawa
        12 to 4: Echigo Yuzawa
        4 to 7: Karuizawa
        8p.m: Back to Tokyo

        As this is the last day of the year, will places in Karuizawa be closed making a time worthy to give it a skip.

        Thank you.

        Melanie

        • Hi Melanie,

          It’s not feasible. Most of stores in Karuizawa will be closed early because of New Years Eve. And also it takes more than one hour to get Karuizawa from Yuzawa. I recommend you to skip Karuizawa.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Michille says:

            Hi Takeshi,
            Good day!
            I’m seeking your advice for the best and economical way for our transportation on our stay in Japan for 9 days early next year. Our itinerary would be From Haneda go directly to Echigo-yuzawa for 2 nights and to Fujikawaguchiko for 1 night then we’ll proceed to Tokyo where will be staying for our 5 nights at Shinagawa. The destination in Tokyo are the famous tourist spots and a day trip to Disneyland.

            Thank you and help is highly appreciated.

            Bregards,
            Michille

          • Melanie says:

            Hi Takeshi

            Thank you for your reply.

            1) As I am unsure if Karuizawa will be opened on 30 Dec, so I am wondering if its worthy to head to Karuizawa for the rest of the afternoon after the morning Tsukiji trip; forego my initial afternoon- evening plans?

            My initial plan (30 Dec) was:
            Morning: Tsukiji
            Afternoon: Odawara Castle
            Evening; Ito for an onsen experience

            2) If I were to keep my initial plan of (30 Dec) and to explore Karuizawa morning -early afternoon of 31 Dec. Will the shops be all closed as well?

            2) Can I also please check with you if Gala Yuzawa -Echigo Yuzawa will be better to travel to on 31 Dec or 1 Jan (Will all the shops be closed in Echigo-Yuzawa as well?)

            Once again, thank you for your time.
            Really appreciate your help. 🙂

            Melanie

            • Hi Melanie,

              1. Most of stores anywhere in Japan will open in the morning of 31 Dec.

              2. Gala Yuzawa is ski slope and I’m sure it’s open. Echigo Yuzawa is onsen town and that means tourist spots. I think many stores will open but I’m not sure actually.

              Cheers,

              Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. Melanie says:

    Hi Takeshi

    I have some questions about the JR Tokyo wide pass. Just wondering if it is worthy to purchase for my trip 30 Dec to 2 Jan. I will be based fully by a Tokyo subway station (I will need to take the subway to go to a JR Station)

    30 Dec: Activate JR TW Pass @ 11.00a.m for trip to Odawara Castle via Odoriko Line
    (https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/Common/timetable/e_lex_tokaido_d/02.html)
    from Tokyo (Return Trip back to Base)
    – Just wondering if the Odawara Castle will be open on 30 Dec
    (I am kind of confused as some webpages says closure from 29th and other says from 31 Dec.
    – Will I be better off using Tokaido Line instead?
    – Will it be better if I go where else along the JR TW Pass area. Would appreciate your suggestions.

    31 Dec: Day trip Echigo Yuzawa for sightseeing (Return Trip back to Base)
    – I do not plan to ski but only to experience snow. Just wondering will gala yuzawa be a better stop than Echigo Yuzawa.

    1 Jan: Not using much. Just wandering within Tokyo using Yama. Line/ Tokyo Subway?

    2 Jan: 9a.m off to Narita airport
    – Will this trip be covered within the 3 days as I plan to purchase this pass @ Haneda Airport around 7.30a.m

    Thank you for your time. I am abit nervous about it as this is my first solo trip, I am sorry for the tons of questions.
    Would really appreciate for your inputs.

    Melanie

    • Hi Melanie,

      1. Odawara castle is open. It’s closed on 31 Dec and 1 Jan only.

      2. Gala Yuzawa is better place to see the snow.

      3. This pass does not cover subway. If you want to take subway, you need to pay for subway beside the pass.

      4. Your pass will be expired at 23:59 on Jan 1. It does not count from 11:00. Time does not matter.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Melanie says:

        Hi Takeshi
        Thank you for your reply. Can i please further clarify on:

        1. JR TW Pass usage starts on the same day of purchase or does it start when it is first used.

        2. As i wish to visit the sake muesum next to echigo yuzawa and also make ny way to gala yuzawa. Which should i go first by the shinkasen and how do I get to the other (do we take the shinkasen for 1 stop)

        Thank you.

        • Hi Melanie,

          1. You can pick the date when you purchase. You don’t need to start using it when you purchase.

          2. You have to take Shinkansen to get Gala Yuzawa. Only Shinkansen trains run between Echigo-Yuzawa and Gala Yuzawa. You can visit whichever you like.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  5. Jun says:

    Hi Takashi-san,

    My family (wife and 2 children) and I are travelling to Nikko from Tamachi Tokyo for 3 days from 23 – 25 September as part of a 3 week stay in Japan.
    We are then travelling to Kyoto to Kanazawa back to Tokyo from 30 September – 6 October using a 7 Day JR Pass.
    Have you advice on what would be the most cost effecient way to get to Nikko and travelling in Nikko?
    My thought is to buy Nikko Passes then purchase Limited Express SPACIA tickets from Asakusa. I have one question with this choice – Does the Nikko pass include the return fare via the ‘Rapid’ train?
    Kind regards, Jun

  6. Charlene says:

    Dear Takeshi,

    Thank you for your quick reply! I have some questions which I hope you can help me with.

    For the Tokyo Wide Pass, I will use the first day of the pass to get to Hitachi seaside park. For the second day, I will be at Nikko. I will stay at Kinugawa Onsen. Will the pass cover the train journey from Nikko station to Kinugawa Onsen station? For the third day, I am not sure if I can use the Tokyo Wide Pass for exploring Nikko, since I will be taking the local buses most of the time.

    I will spend 4 days in total at Nikko and I plan to go to Tobu World Square. Since my first 2 days in Nikko are covered by the Tokyo Wide Pass, may I know if i should purchase the 2 day Nikko Pass plus the Kinugawa Theme Park Pass for the last 2 days in Nikko?

    Hope it’s not too confusing! Thank you.

    Charlene

    • Hi Charlene,

      You can take local train on Tobu line among Tobu-Nikko, Kinugawa-Onsen and Shimo-Imaichi. So your trip in Nikko will be covered by this pass. But as you guess, this pass does not cover local bus at all.
      I don’t think you need to have any other passes. You can purchase local bus pass in Nikko. Please see the link below:
      http://www.tobu-bus.com/en/nikko/

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Charlene says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Apologies for the multiple comments. I am planning to take up the Tokyo Wide Pass. Here is my planned route according to Hyperdia. May I know if the pass covers the route fully?

    > 23 Oct, Sun [Ueno]
    Take the Ltd Express Hitachi 3 train to Katsuta station from Ueno station.

    > 24 Oct, Mon [Nikko]
    From Shinjuku station, take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line (Via Takasaki Line) for KAGOHARA. Take the SHINKANSEN YAMABIKO 45 to UTSUNOMIYA. Lastly, take the JR Nikko Line for NIKKO.

    Many thanks!

  8. Charlene says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I am planning to go to Hitachi Seaside Park and Nikko. Are both places covered by the Tokyo Wide Pass? Thank you.

    • Hi Charlene,

      Mostly these places are covered. Only local transportation from Katsuta to Hitachi seaside park is not covered by this pass. But you can get Katsuta that is the nearest JR station by this pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  9. Richmond says:

    Hi Takashi-san,

    We are visiting Tokyo this October. We are planning to buy the Tokyo Wide Pass. Just a few question:

    1. We are visiting Tokyo from October 13-18. For 13-15, we will use the Seikei Skyliner with 3 day subway pass. Then for Oct 16-18 , we will use the tokyo wide pass. Question: Can we purchase our Tokyo Wide Pass by October 15 and then reserve our seats for our itinerary for 16-18? Lets say: we need to leave 7am tokyo station by NEX going to airport by Oct 18, can we reserve now our seats even if it is still October 15? 🙂
    2. I know that the tokyo wide pass covers both the Hokuriku Shinkansen ( bound to Karuizawa ) and the Joetsu Shinkansen ( bound to Echigo Yuzawa ). Is it possible to transfer line? For ex, we take the Hokuriku Line to Karuizawa early in the morning then by 12pm maybe, we leave Karuizawa up to Otachi then change line to Joetsu Line going to Echigo Yuzawa. Is this possible to visit in a day? We dont plan to visit all the attractions per area though. Just a simple visit, the important thing is we see it. 🙂

    Thank you so much 🙂

    • Hi Richmond dan,

      1. Yes, you can.
      So you can purchase Tokyo Wide Pass when you arrive in Narita before taking Keisei Skyliner. Both Keisei and JR stations are same place.
      Once you purchase Tokyo Wide Pass, you can book it even though you don’t use it yet. I have done same thing when I use JR pass. I have never had any problems.

      2. Yes, you can. The transfer point of Hokuriku Shinkansen and Joetsu Shinkansen is Takasaki. You can change two Shinkansen lines there.
      My trip is always crazy. Your trip is much easier than my trip.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Richmond says:

        Hi Takeshi-san,

        Thank you so much for your reply. 🙂 Sorry, that should be Takasaki.

        So, i think it would be better if we finalize our itinerary beforehand so that when we purchase the twp on October 15, we can immediately reserve our seats for our Oct 16-18 itinerary. Right? 🙂

        By the way, what happens if we missed our trip? For example, we are reserved on the 7am trip of Narita Express 5 and we missed it, what is our remedy? 🙂

        Thank you again.

        Richmond-san

        • Hi Richmond san,

          You can book all ticket on Oct 15 when you purchase Tokyo Wide Pass.
          If you miss the train, just return your ticket to reservation window and get another one. There is no penalty.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Richmond says:

        Hi Takeshi-san,

        Thank you for your response.

        I am now finalizing my itinerary so i would like to ask the following questions:
        1. The Hokuriku Shinkansen has Hakutaka and Asama. Whats the difference between these two? Because i have just noticed that they stop at the same stations so i wondered whats the difference between the two.
        2. For the JR Chuo Line going to Otsuki, does the Azusa train covers the pass? 🙂 We’re planning to visit Lake Kawaguchiko and Chureito Pagoda in a single day, is this possible? Im planning to have this route: From Shinjuku to Otsuki, we take the Fujikyu Railways bound for Kawaguchiko but we will drop at Shimoyoshida station and visit Chureito Pagoda. Then after which, we go back to Shimoyoshida to take the train to Kawaguchiko and have some tour there. Then after that, we go back to Otsuki to take the express azusa express train back to Shinjuku. Is this possible? And our route is fully covered by the tokyp wide pass right? 🙂

        Thank you,

        Richmond-san

  10. Rudy Anwar says:

    We are planning to go to japan. Our itineraries are below :
    Day 1 : Yokohama-Mt Fuji-Yokohama
    Day 2 : Yokohama-Karuizawa-Yokohama
    Day3 : Yokohama-Nikko-Yokohama

    Is it covered by Tokyo Wide Pass ? Thank you.

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