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

yamanote line e235Tips for Japan Rail Pass
2012.01.02
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:

How to get to Asakusa. Does the JR Pass cover Asakusa?
Asakusa is one of the big tourist places in Tokyo. Asakusa is also the terminal station of Tobu Railway for Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen. This post shows you how to get Asakusa. You also find how to use JR Pass and other JR deals to get Asakusa.
jprail.com
2020.07.25

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:

Odaiba access guide. How much can we use JR Pass or other JR deals to get to Odaiba?
Odaiba is one of most popular tourist places in Tokyo. There are lots of entertainment and shopping complex in Tokyo Bay harbour area. You may find how to get Odaiba in this post.
jprail.com
2019.12.18

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:

Tokyo Subway Ticket is most useful deal for sightseeing in downtown Tokyo.
Tokyo Subway Ticket gives you unlimited ride of all subway lines in downtown Tokyo. This post gives you the detailed information of this pass.
jprail.com
2012.01.16

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

Guide to take trains in Tokyo. How to choose the best deal and the best route by the train.
There are so many train lines and subway lines in downtown Tokyo. It is hard to find the route and the coverage of many deals. This guide shows you the train system, how to find the route and how to choose the deals.
jprail.com
2016.01.24

Hope you have a good trip in downtown Tokyo

Comments

  1. Maina says:
    November 25, 2015 at 3:20 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    We are planning to visit Japan on this Dec 25 – Jan 4’16. We will be traveling with 3 kids (12yo, 11yo and 7yo). Please kindly help to advise which kind of tickets should we purchase?

    Our trip itinerary will be as follows :
    day 1 : arrive Narita airport at 16:00
    day 2-5 : getting around Tokyo
    day 6 : Kyoto
    day 7 : getting around Kyoto
    day 8 : Osaka
    day 9-10 : getting around Osaka
    day 11 : Fly home from Narita airport

    Please help.. Many thanks in advance..

    Regards,
    Maina

  2. Martin says:
    November 19, 2015 at 5:39 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    We are planning on visiting Tokyo on December 26-31, 2015.
    Go around Tokyo and take a side trip to Mt. Fuji.

    Should I get a 3day JR Tokyo Wide pass + Nex pass
    or
    get a 7day JR pass

    Thanks in advance!

  3. Annie v says:
    November 15, 2015 at 2:34 pm

    Hi Takeshi,
    Thanks for all the information provided above.

    I am in Japan for 20 days, visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Nagano.

    The first 5 days will be in Tokyo which could mean that I could purchase the :

    14 day JR pass for everything after Tokyo
    +
    5 days of subway for my time in Tokyo

    Would this be the cheapest option and the best for zipping around Tokyo?

    Cheers!!

  4. Laurence Goh says:
    November 7, 2015 at 10:35 pm

    It is possible for me to visit the many places of interest in Tokyo without buying the 7 day Japan Rail Pass and using only the Subways and then take a on way ticket on the bullet train Shinkansen to Osaka and in Osaka to only use the subways there?

    The 7 day JP pass is quite expensive at S$330 per person. There are 5 of us and hence it will cost us about S$1,650

    Thanks!

    Laurence

  5. Laurence Goh says:
    November 7, 2015 at 10:31 pm

    Hi!
    I will be in Tokyo for 6 nights and in Osaka for 5 nights
    In Tokyo I will be going to Shibuya, Shinjuku, Hanajuku, Ginza, Marunouchi, Tokyo Skytree, Roppongo Kagurasaka, Ameyoko market, City Park, Mt Fuji, Disneyland
    In Osaka I will be going to Universal Studio, Osaka Castle Dotonburi Street
    Hep 5 Ferris Wheel
    Umeda Sky Bulding, Floating Observatory
    Snoopy Town, Osaka Aquarium, Osaka Water Bus’Shinsaibashi Shopping Area, Tenjimbashi, Amerikamura, Kuromauchi Market.
    I intend to take the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka after checking out from hotel in Tokyo.
    Do you think I need to buy the 7 days JR Pass or can I make use of only the Subway IC Cards Suica or Pasmo when I am in Tokyo and then take a one way ticket to Osaka on the bullet train Shinkansen ? I will fly out of Japan from Osaka.
    Thanks!

  6. Elson Eng says:
    November 2, 2015 at 3:58 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I already bought my 21days JR pass, I just want to know should I make all the train/bus from HyperDia provided “seat reserve” …..should I provide the exactly date and time?

    If I late or change the train/time , what should I do? (reserve the seat again?)…what type of seat should I book/reserve?

    Can you please help me out ….many thanks.

    Cheers
    Elson

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      November 2, 2015 at 12:50 pm

      Hi Elson,

      If you have purchased ordinary JR Pass, you may take reserved ordinary seat. It assigns train#, car# and seat#. If you want to have flexibility, take non reserved car. But your seat is not secured.

      If you miss your train, you may have to book again otherwise take non reserved seat. Both reserved and non reserved are covered by JR pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Neal says:
    October 22, 2015 at 4:35 am

    Hi am commuting to Odaiba from Narita Airport on Tuesday 3rd November. I am buying a JR pass for 7 days and assuming i can use it on the N’EX. Can i buy a weekly pass on the Monorail that operates near the Grand Pacific in Daiba to travel into Tokyo or to a large Train station close to Tokyo that i can catch Shinkansen to say Mt Fuji and Takayama

  8. sabrina says:
    October 18, 2015 at 11:39 pm

    We will visit Tokyo next year March 2016. Plaese advise is we need to buy JR Pass.
    Day 1 ;Arrive Haneda (10.35pm)
    Day 2 : Walk around Tokyo (tourist sports)
    Day 3: Disneyland
    Day 4 : Mount Fuji
    Day 5: Kyoto
    Day 6 : Kyoto to Haneda Airport (How to us JR pass direct from Kyoto to airport)

    May i know which location more convenience to stay we plan take home stay which we have 2 kid 6yrs and 4yrs.
    We need to buy Subway day card if we want to go Asakusa

  9. Realm says:
    October 17, 2015 at 3:05 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thanks for the info you wrote here
    I and my husband will go to Tokya next week for a 4 day, 3 night stay.
    We plan to go to hakone either the 2nd or 3rd day for a whole day.

    What kind of ticket would you recommend we purchase given the period of stay I mentioned? We would like to maximize all tourist spots in tokyo too 😉

    Thanks for your help!!

  10. Amelia says:
    October 1, 2015 at 7:36 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    We are planning to visit Japan this yr with our 2 kids aged 7 and 2. Below is our itinerary for 12 days, please advise whether we should get the 14 or 7 days pass?

    Day 1 – Arrive in the morning at Narita airport. Take train to Kyoto
    Day 2 – Kyoto
    Day 3 – Nara
    Day 4 – Osaka
    Day 5 – 10 Tokyo
    Day 11 – Hakone
    Day 12 – Fly out from Narita Airport.

    Could you please advise us which line should we take to Hakone from Shinjuku? Can we use our JR pass to go to Hakone? Also, can we use the JR pass to go to Disney sea from Shinjuku?

    Many thanks in advance.

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