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

Tokyo springRail pass for visitors
2015.11.08
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. Roza says:
    December 1, 2016 at 5:52 am

    Hi,

    We are staying in Tokyo (travelling from Narita airport) and we want to go to Hakone and Mt. Fuji (if time allows maybe Nikko ). Do you thinks is worth getting this pass? Also if it is ok to ask do you know what is the best way to go from Hakone to Mt Fuji cause we try to combine them within one day?
    Thank you very much for your help.

  2. Ravi says:
    November 29, 2016 at 12:30 am

    Hello Takeshi san,

    I am staying at Tokyo and want to utilize the JR east tokyo wide pass for 3 days. Starting 17th Dec the Gala Yuzawa is open, so that is one spot, I need your advice on two other places where i can make a day trip and return back to Tokyo.
    I also want to ask if we need to use the same ticket for 3 days or i will get 3 seperate tickets for 3 days.
    I have already been to Hakone and Nikko.

  3. Marianne says:
    November 11, 2016 at 5:48 am

    Hi,

    If we’re using the pass for Shibuya to Narita, can we use NEX? Or is it limited to other train lines? Thank you

  4. Ayda says:
    November 10, 2016 at 8:53 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    We are a family of 5 and are planning to go to
    1. Disneyland
    2. Gala Yuzawa
    3. Mount Fuji
    Is it worth to take buy the Tokyo Wide Pass?

  5. Nuj says:
    November 4, 2016 at 12:44 am

    Hi Takeshi

    It’s me, Nuj. I’m planning a trip to Shizuoka early March 2017. Here is the first draft
    Day 1: Haneda Airport – Atami (via Shinagawa)
    Atami – Ito – IzuKogen – Omuroyama (by bus)
    Day 2 : Atami – East Izu (Kawazu & Shimoda)
    Day 3 : Atami – Shizuoka – Nihondaira
    Day 4 : Shizuoka – Lake Tanuki
    Day 5 : Lake Tanuki – Tokyo (by bus)

    May I have your advice on
    1. Should I buy Tokyo Wide Pass? From my research, the pass is not valid on Tokaido line. This means I need to buy separate tickets for Day 3&4, doesn’t it?
    2. Does the pass cover transportation charges from Atami down to Kawazu and Shimoda? Or do I need to pay any extra fare and how much?
    3. Is it possible to take Super View Odoriko at Shinagawa station?

    Thank you for your help.
    Nuj

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      November 4, 2016 at 6:50 am

      Hi Nuj,

      How are you?

      1,2. You understand correctly. This pass does not cover anything at all after you leave Atami on day 3. It covers Izukyu line to Kawazu and Shimoda. But total fare will be less than Tokyo wide pass price. In my rough estimation, total fare for this 2 days is around 8000 to 8500 yen. Single fare is cheaper.

      3. Super View Odoriko can be taken in Shinagawa. But some of them leave from Shinjuku/Ikebukuro.
      http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/e_lex_tokaido_d/02.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Nuj says:
        November 5, 2016 at 12:03 am

        Hello there,

        Thank you for your prompt response.

        Re your advice, I should print out routes and timetables of each trip and show them to JR officer at Shinagawa station in order not to miss anything. Also I plan to make reservations of those Shinkansen and Ltd Exp train to assure I will have a seat during the peak time of Kawazu sakura.

        Bye for now,
        Nuj

        • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
          November 5, 2016 at 8:19 am

          No problem, Nuj.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Nuj says:
            November 13, 2016 at 11:59 pm

            Dear Takeshi

            Sorry to bother you again.
            I have to revise my plan due to the availability of accommodations. Here is the revised one.

            Day 1: Shinagawa – Shizuoka
            Day 2: Shizuoka – Fujinomiya
            Day3: Fujinomiya – Mishima – Atami
            Day 4: Atami – Ito – Izukogen – Kawazu – Atami
            Day 5: Atami – Tokyo

            JR Central offer a 3-day pass – Mt.Fuji – Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass Mini at Jpy4,500, which sounds interesting. Questions are
            1. Does it cover JR Tokaido lines from Shinagawa to Atami?
            2. Can I use it on Ltd.Exp.Fujikawa from Shizuoka to Fujinomiya?

            Regards,
            Nuj

  6. Haze says:
    October 16, 2016 at 8:33 am

    Hi Takeshi-san

    sorry to trouble you again. I haven’t confirm my itinerary but i’m thinking of doing this. i’ll be flying in to narita late december for a week & spending xmas in japan.

    day 1: 2.50pm touch down NRT & head straight to Kawagoe, staying near Matoba Station

    day 2: planning to use the Tokyo Wide Pass, to leave Matoba before 7am to reach Kawaguchiko Station by 9.30am. Spending 1 night there.
    Matoba > Komagawa > Hachioji > Otsuki > Kawaguchiko

    day 3: check out time is at 10am so i plan to head to Yokohama before returning to Matoba at night.
    Kawaguchiko > Otsuki > Hachioji > Yokohama
    Yokohama > Omiya > Kawagoe > Matoba

    day 4: day trip to Nikko.
    I have done some research but I’m not sure if December is a good time to visit Nikko?
    I am planning to take a bus to see Lake Chuzenji & Senjogahara Marsh first, then head back to central nikko if there’s time, to have a good walk to see some temples (I’m not really a temple person anyway) & Shinkyo Bridge. I will probably get Tobu Bus Free Passes to get around on the buses.

    I read that taking a bus from Narita to Kawagoe is 3300 yen. So i thought it makes more sense for me to start my Tokyo Wide Pass on day 2. Am i right?

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      October 16, 2016 at 4:13 pm

      Hi Haze san,

      That is a good idea to start using Tokyo Wide pass on day 2. Tokyo Wide Pass covers all part of trips and good to go.
      Nikko is always nice. You may see some snow there in winter time. If Nikko has snow, the view of temples are gorgeous.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Dennis says:
    October 12, 2016 at 3:56 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I am visiting Tokyo soon and intend to visit the outlying area. I will be staying around Shinjuku and intend to use this as a base to travel out. I have 5 full days and thinking of making day trip to Hakone and Fuji 5 Lakes, Nikko and Kamakura. Is this achievable? What would be the most economical way to travel to these places of interest? I am confused by the available passes. Please advice.

    Thanks.

    Dennis

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      October 12, 2016 at 12:48 pm

      Hi Dennis,

      It’s feasible. You may use Hakone Free Pass for trip to Hakone.
      http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/

      And you can use Tokyo Wide Pass for Fuji 5 lakes, Nikko and Kamakura. NEX Tokyo Round trip ticket is recommended if you arrive in Narita.
      http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/nex_round.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Dennis says:
        October 12, 2016 at 9:22 pm

        Hi Takeshi,

        Thank you.

        For Hakone Free Pass, if I purchase the 2 days pass with departing station from Shinjuku I understand that I am only allowed to do 1 round trip between Shinjuku Station to Odawara Station. I intend to do 2-day visit to Hakone from Shinjuku and I can only do 1 round trip with this pass, what other option do I have?

        Is 1 full day for each location at Fuji 5 Lakes, Nikko and Kamakura sufficient? Tokyo Wide Pass is good for travel between Shinjuku Station and the respective location. It does not seems to cover local trains and buses. Do I have other options?

        I would also like to know which place of interest is good for viewing snow with nice scenery.

        My planned visit to Tokyo is late Dec. For ease of travel in and out of Tokyo I am looking for accommodation within 1 km of Shinjuku Granbell Hotel. Is NEX Tokyo Round trip ticket economical for transfer to and from Narita?

        Thanks again.

        Dennis

        • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
          October 12, 2016 at 10:30 pm

          Hi Dennis,

          If you want to have 2 x day trips to Hakone, you should purchase 2 days pass and single ticket for Odawara to Shinjuku and Shinjuku to Odawara. Please see the rate table at the link below:
          http://www.odakyu.jp/english/romancecar/charges/

          If you take an ordinary train, that is sort of commute train, only base fare is required. If you want to take limited express train, “Romancecar”, you need to pay limited express surcharge too. You can find the info about Romancecar in the link above.

          Tokyo Wide Pass is only pass to cover Fuji, Nikko and Kamakura. As you know, it does not cover local trains and buses but you can get these places by this pass. There is no other better choices even though you need to add single fare to take local transportation.

          I think Fuji is the best spot to see snow scenery. You will see the snow at the summit of Fuji. But if you want to see the snow on the ground, you may not be able to see at all of Fuji, Nikko and Kamakura. Fuji and Nikko have snow sometimes and no chance in Kamakura. If you really want to see the snow, Gala Yuzawa is most recommended place in the coverage area of Tokyo Wide Pass. But it’s ski slope and scenery is just “Ski Slope”.

          Regarding NEX Tokyo round trip ticket, Narita Express is only train that connects Narita and Shinjuku directly. I believe this is most convenient. But if you want to save your cost, there are some other deals but those are not direct. You have choose economical or convenient. You cannot get the both at same time. Please see the links below to find other deals and compare.
          http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/airport_bus/index.html#anc02
          https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. RICHMOND says:
    October 3, 2016 at 5:17 pm

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    few days from now and we will be in Tokyo. I am already finalizing my itinerary, and I just wanna ask your help if the following train trips are covered by the Tokyo Wide Pass.

    (WITH RESERVATION)
    Sunday, October 16, 2016
    TIME DESTINATION
    8:30 – 9:38 Shinjuku to Otsuki via Ltd Exp Azusa 7
    16:00 – 18:04 Kawaguchiko to Shinjuku via Holiday Rapid Mt. Fuji 2

    Monday, October 17, 2016
    7:58 – 8:59 Ueno to Karuizawa via Hokuriku Shinkansen Hakutaka 553
    11:58 – 12:17 Karuizawa to Takasaki via Hokuriku Shinkansen Asama 614
    12:31 – 13:00 Takasaki to Echigo Yuzawa via Joetsu Shinkansen Toki 319
    15:08 – 15:22 Echigo Yuzawa to Tokyo via Joetsu Shinkansen Max Toki 326

    Tuesday, October 18, 2016

    8:00 – 8:58 Tokyo to Narita International Airport Terminal 2 via Narita Express 9

    (WITHOUT RESERVATION)
    * Local train of the Fujikyo Railway
    * Tokyo to Odaiba to Toyo via Yurikamome Line
    * other JR Lines ( Yamanote Line, Chuo/Sobu Line (rapid and local)

    Also, do you recommend reserving seats this early via eki-net.com? My plan is to reserve the seats now, then just pick it up at Ueno by October 15. However, is it possible to reserve now even though the TWP will just be purchased by Oct 14 or 15?

    thanks,

    Richmond-san

  9. Azura says:
    September 26, 2016 at 4:49 am

    I will be travelling to tokyo in december. May i know when is the jr wide pass for 3 days can be used to gala yuzawa.
    Is it true that the route only open from 24/12?
    Other website is still not updated yet

  10. Richmond says:
    September 25, 2016 at 12:29 am

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    One question. We are planning to take an early trip to Otsuki. As per google and Hyperdia, our arrival in Otsuki is 8:28am and the trip from Fujikyo Railway bound fo Kawaguchiko (local train only) will be at 8:31. If we take the local train using the tokyo wide pass, there is more seat fee right? But do we still need to get our tickets in the counter to board the train? Coz i am just worried the 3minutes might not be enough for us to transfer from JR otsuki to Fujikyo Otsuki.

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