How to use JR Pass in downtown Tokyo. Try to maximize using JR Pass

yamanote line e235Tips for Japan Rail Pass
Yamanote line is the busiest train service in Japan.
Yamanote line is the busiest train service in Japan.

JR Pass and other JR deals, such as JR East Pass Nagano Niigata, JR East Pass Tohoku, Tokyo Wide Pass, Hokuriku Arch Pass and JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass covers JR local trains in downtown Tokyo. But you may not be able to find which train JR lines is. You may not be able to find where you can get in downtown Tokyo by JR lines.

In this post, I focus on JR trains in downtown Tokyo and will tell you where you can get without any extra charge. You will find how much you can use JR Pass in Tokyo in this post.

Explaination in the movie

I uploaded same content as this post in YouTube. You can watch it below if you like:

Overview Japan Railways local lines in downtown Tokyo

First of all, make sure how many lines JR has in downtown Tokyo. Please see the map below. I show you only JR lines that you need to take in Tokyo. This map does not show you all stations and lines. Only major lines and stations are shown in this map.

JR train network in downtown Tokyo (Click to view large)

They have five lines in Tokyo. All five lines are very busy commute line. Weekdays’ timetable is different from the weekend. But it is not much different. The traveller cannot notice that. The trains are operated every 3-5 minutes in peak hours and 5 to 10 minutes in non peak hours. Usually the train is started to operate around 6:00am and the last one is around 0:30am. So you don’t need to check the timetable. You can take the train anytime.

And each lines have different line color. This color is shown on the platform and train. This coloring let the passenger find the right train easier. The summary of these lines are the following:

Yamanote line (line color Yellow Green)

It is a loop line and connecting most of major downtown cores, like Tokyo, Yurakucho (Ginza), Shinagawa, Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno and Akihabara. This is the busiest line in Japan. The train comes every 2 to 3 minutes in peak hours and every 4 minutes even in daytime. Most of sightseeing spots are located inside or along Yamanote line. You may take this train many times.

Chuo-Sobu line (line color Yellow)

Sobu line has Yellow color.

This line connects Chiba with Mitaka via Akihabara and Shinjuku. The trains go through downtown Tokyo east and west. There are Ryogoku (the nearest station to “Kokugikan” Sumo tournament arena), Akaihabara, and Tokyo dome along this line. But if you go to Chiba, take Yokosuka-Sobu Rapid train. This is way faster than Sobu line train.

Chuo line Rapid (line color Orange)

Chuo line has orange color (left) and Keihin Tohoku line has sky blue color (right).

This line connects Tokyo with Takao via Shinjuku and Hachoiji. The train comes every 2.5 minutes in peak hours and every 4 minutes in non peak hours. It is as busy as Yamanote line. This train goes on same route between Tokyo and Kanda as Yamanote line and between Ochanomizu and Mitaka as Sobu line. But Chuo line train is operated as rapid service. It stop at only Kanda, Ochanomizu, Yotsuyabetween Tokyo and Shinjuku except early morning and late night.

Keihin Tohoku line (line color Sky Blue)

This line goes from Omiya (Saitama) to Ofuna (near Kamakura) via Yokohama. The train runs every 5-10 minutes. This line runs with Yamanote line between Tabata station and Shinagawa. But this lines’ train skip several station in daytime on this section. The trains stop at Ueno, Aihabara, Tokyo, Hamamatsucho and Tamachi. If you travel on this section, Keihin Tohoku line is faster than Yamanote line. Be careful that the trains do not stop at Yurakucho and Shinbashi.

This train take you to Yokohama. But this is not good idea to take this train to outside of downtown Tokyo. This train is not fast train service. You should better take Yokosuka-Sobu Rapid train or Tokaido Rapid train. These rapid trains a sort of commute trans. You don’t need to pay any express surcharge. You can take with a basic fare only. Please see the details at Rapid train service network in Greater Tokyo.

Most of trains goes on Negishi line from Yokohama to Ofuna. There are several popular spots in Yokohama waterfront area, such as Minato Mirai, China town, Yamashita park. You may take this train from Yokohama to the west.

Keiyo line (line color Wine Red)

This line goes along Tokyo bay area.

This line connects Tokyo with Soga (Chiba). Tokyo Disney Land and Tokyo Disney Sea are located at Maihama station on Keiyo line. Tokyo station of this line is located at basement 4th floor. It is very deep underground. You need to spend at least 20 minutes to change the train to Keiyo line train from other trains, like Shinkansen, Yamanote line, Narita Express, Chuo line.

Which spots you cannot go by Japan Railway trains?

Please see the map above again. I put most of popular spots in Tokyo in the map. As I mentioned to you, most of spots are located along Yamanote line, like Akihabara, Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku and Ueno park. Imperial Palace is a bit away from Tokyo station. But it is still within walking distance (appx 10-15 mintes from Tokyo station). Tokyo Tower can be accessed from Hamamatsucho station on Yamanote line and Keihin Tohoku line. It is 15 minutes walk away. But these following spots are not accessible from Japan Railways’ stations:

Asakusa

The station that has very similar name, “Asakusabashi” is on Chuo-Sobu line. But this station is not located in Asakusa. You have to take Subway. Please see the post below to find the detailed information:

Roppongi

Roppongi is located in south part of downtown Tokyo. It is not accessible by JR. Take Tokyo Metro Hibiya line from Yurakucho station to Roppongi. You also can take Hibiya line to Roppongi from Ebisu. The fare is around 200 yen and take 10-15 minutes.

National Diet

It is near Roppongi and not accessible by JR either.

Tsukiji Outer Market

You can walk from Shimbashi statin. But it is 20 minutes away. I recommend you to take Toei subway Oedo line. The market is located just above Oedo line Tuskiji Market station. You can take Oedo line from Shinjuku. The fare is around 250 yen and take 20 minutes. If you access from Tokyo station, take Yamanote line or Keihin Tohoku line to Hamamatsucho and transfer to Daimon station on Toei subway Oedo line. Daimon and Hamamatsucho are same location. The fare is around 200 yen for subway and take 20 mintues altogether.

Odaiba

Some of JR Saikyo line train go through Rinkai line.

This waterfront is located in the manmade island. You cannot get there by JR. You have to take Yurikamome (automated train service) or Rinkai line. Please find the detailed information in the post below:

Should I purchase Tokyo subway pass?

As you have seen, you may have to take subway even if you use JR Pass. The single fare is not expensive. But you can buy 24 hours pass at 800 yen for Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines.

Please find the information about Tokyo Subway Ticket in the link below:

You may find the information abou the trian network in Tokyo in the link below:

Hope you have a good trip in downtown Tokyo

Comments

  1. Rachael Cockrill says:

    I am travelling to Tokyo November 14-29th,flying into HND.

    We are going to Kyoto from Tokyo for 3 nights 23-26th

    Is it worth getting a rail pass?

  2. Li says:

    Hi Sir,

    May I would like to visit Ueno from Kyoto what Railway should I take please.?Thank you.

  3. Esraa says:

    Hi Takeshi

    Thank you for all your great advice!

    I could use your help, whether my itinerary needs a 7 day JR Rail Pass

    Itinerary (August 31-September 8):
    Tokyo 4 nights
    Fujikawaguchi 1 night
    Kyoto 2 nights
    Tokyo 2 nights

    Can you please advise if it’s worth getting a 7 day JR Pass or will single tickets or daily subway passes will be fine?

    Thank you
    Kind Regards,
    Esraa

  4. Lee Yun says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    Thanks for your advice.

    Can I know Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass is it cover Kyoto subway or Kyoto area?

    Thanks

    Cheers,
    Lee Yun

    • Hi Lee Yun,

      This pass does not cover any subway. And also you can get off at the station on the route to Kanazawa only, like Kyoto station. Arashiyama can be accessed by JR train but this pass does not cover it.
      Please see the route map at official site.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  5. Lee yun says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Lee Yun again, my plan has been change. Could you help to advise the cheapest transport for my trip.

    Day 1 Arrive Haneda Airport > stay at Nakano
    Day 2 Tokyo
    Day 3 Tokyo to Kawaguchiko
    Day 4 Kawaguchiko > Takayama or Nagoya
    Day 5 Takayama > Shirakawa > Takayama
    Day 6 Takayama > Kyoto
    Day 7 Kyoto
    Day 8 Kyoto > Osaka
    Day 9 Osaka > Itami airport

    Thanks in advance for your suggestions

    Cheers
    Lee Yun

    • Hi Lee Yun,

      Basically the combination of deals and single ticket is not much different from previous plan.
      Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass is core option for your trip day 4 to 8. Single ticket is your chocie for Tokyo-Kawaguchiko-Nagoya.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  6. Annie says:

    Hi Takeshi

    I am visiting Japan next month. I’ll be spending 4 nights in Tokyo then travelling to Kyoto for 3 nights. From here I’ll go to Kinosaki for a night then to Osaka for a night then onto Koyosan and then Hiroshima for 2 nights, before heading to Fukuoaka for a night then taking a flight. Most of my travel will be in the Kansai region but as I have the trips out to Kinosaki and Koyosan am struggling to find a pass to cover it all. I’m also not sure how much ‘local’ travrl is included in the JR pass. Any advice?

    Thank you!

  7. Derek says:

    Hi Takeshi

    Need some advise.

    I am in Japan for 13 days. Originally I was going to buy a 14day JR pass, but now I’m thinking maybe a 7 day pass will be okay?

    Here is my itinerary

    13th-15th Aug arrive in Tokyo staying in Toyosu
    15th-17th Staying in Shinjuku
    17th-19th Kyoto
    19th-23rd Osaka
    23rd-25th Shibuya

    The ticket price between 7 days and 14 days pass is about NZ$200.

    Do you think it is worth me getting a 14day pass or will I save more money buying the 7 day pass as I’m really only away from Tokyo for 7 days?

    Thanks for your help

  8. Linda says:

    Hi,
    I will be visiting japan for 2 weeks. I will arrive at narita airport, will stay in tokyo for around 1 week, then travel to osaka, kyoto and hiroshima and finally back tokyo and leave from narita airport. In tokyo i will visit shibuya, akihabara, harajuku, fuji lakes and caves. Would you recommend to buy the jrpass for 2 weeks?
    Thanks,
    Linda

  9. Sylvia Teoh says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I would like to seek your advise on whether is it worthed to get Japan Rail Pass during my 9 days trip to Japan. On the first day 7th Nov, I will reach Narita and will spend 1 night in Tokyo and the next day 8th Nov, I will make a trip to Osaka and stay there for 4 nights until 12th Nov. During that period, I will be doing a day trip to visit Kyoto from Osaka. On the 12th Nov, I will return to Tokyo and stay for another 3 nights until 15th Nov before heading back home from Haneda airport. But during my 4 days in Tokyo, I plan to visit Disneyland and Mount Fuji. Can you advise me is it more worthed to get a rail pass? Look forward to hear from you. Cheers!

    Regards,
    Sylvia

  10. Tracy says:

    Hi,

    I will be arriving at Narita airport and will be staying at Hotel Lumiere Kasai and will be going to Disney for 4 days. I also will be going to Asakusa for 1 day. I will also go to Uneo Zoo and Harajuku.

    I was looking into getting the JR east pass but it says its only good for 5 days of travel and I will be in Tokyo for 10 days.

    Which pass should I get?

    Thanks
    Tracy

    • Hi Tracy,

      Actually you don’t need any passes. JR East pass is way more expensive than even single fare. So you may need the following deals:

      For arrival and departure day
      I don’t know the exact location of your hotel. But I guess it’s located near subway Metro Kasai station. There is no direct bus and train. The best way is the following:
      Narita > (Narita Express) > Tokyo > (walk) > Otemachi > (subway Tozai line) Kasai
      But I’m not sure Kasai is the nearest station. Please ask your hotel about access. If this is correct, you can use NEX Tokyo Round trip ticket.
      http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/nex_round.html
      But you have to pay extra for subway. The fare is not much, around 200 yen.

      Tokyo Disney Resort
      I think shuttle bus is available. Please ask your hotel.

      Exploring Tokyo
      Metro 1 day open ticket is okay.
      http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/1day/index.html

      That’s all you need. Your total cost is way less than half of JR East pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

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