There are many deals available in Tokyo. Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass is one of these deals. In this post, I would like to show you how to use this pass and compare with subway deals.
Price and validity
Price is 760 yen for one day. Child rate is 380 yen which applies to 6 to 11 years old. Child who is 5 years old or younger is free of charge.
One day means from the first train to the last train. Most of JR trains start to run around 5:00 am to 00:30.
e.g.
If you purchase this pass on April 27, you still can take the train after 00:00 on April 28.
But even if you purchase this pass at 0:01 on April 28, you cannot use this ticket for the first train on April 28.
This pass can allow you to take only local or rapid train. If you want to take Shinkansen, only base fare will be covered by this pass. But you have to pay express surcharge. But in this area, only Tokyo-Ueno and Tokyo-Shinagawa are covered. Even if you take local train, it takes around 10 minutes. There is no reason to take Shinkansen in the area of this pass.
How to purchase and use
You can purchase at Midori no Madoguchi (reservation window), View Plaza (JR East’s travel center) and reservation ticket vending machine. When you purchase it, you can choose the date when you want to use. The ticket can be purchased one month prior to the date to use. But it is quite easy to purchase. It is no problem to purchase on the spot.
Coverage area
Please see the map below.
Green solid lines are covered by this pass. Tokyo, Akihabara, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Shinagawa are covered. Even though Harajuku is not shown in the map above, it is in coverage area. And Ginza can be accessed from Yurakucho by walk. Yurakucho is not shown in the map above either. But it is covered and only one station away from Tokyo.
So these following “Big Names” in Tokyo cannot be accessed by this pass.
- Asakusa
- Tsukiji market
- Tokyo Skytree
- Odaiba
- Tokyo Disney land and Sea
- Ghibli museum
In the spots above, Odaiba, TDL and Ghibli cannot be accessed by the subway either. So if you intend to visit Asakusa, Skytree and Tsukiji in same day, subway pass is the best and only choice. However if you don’t visit these spots or visit one of these places, this deal, Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokyo Tokunai Pass) may be a right choice.
If you will use JR pass, JR East Pass or Tokyo Wide Pass, these passes cover this area. Tokyo Tokunai Pass is not required.
Compare with subway deals
Tokyo Subway Ticket is sold at 800 yen for 24 hours. 48 hours and 72 hours are also available and price per day is getting cheaper:
Tokyo Subway Ticket (Tokyo Metro official site)
Actually Tokyo subway system covers more than JR train in Tokyo.
And also Tokyo Subway Ticket offers 24 hours period.
e.g.
If you start using Tokyo Subway Ticket at 17:00 on 24th March, it is valid until 16:58 on 25th March.
Meanwhile Tokyo Tokunai Pass is valid for one day. It is valid from midnight to midnight. It doesn’t matter what time you start using it.
Tokyo Subway Ticket is affordable and convenient. However Tokyo Subway has many lines and it makes you confused.
I understand that we can go almost anywhere in Tokyo by subway but it is very hard to find the best and the fastest route. There are some places in Tokyo where you cannot access by JR trains in Tokyo. But JR trains network is very simple, faster than subway and go directly. If you intend to visit the places on Yamanote line, such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, Akihabara, Yurakucho (Ginza), Tokyo Tokunai Pass is much easier to use.
Check your itinerary and if you can get the place where you want to go by JR trains, Tokyo Tokunai Pass is better deal.
How much we need to take trains to get worth
The following table shows you the fare for major stations.
| station | Tokyo | Shinjuku | Shinagawa | Akihabara | Ueno | Ikebukuro |
| Tokyo | – | 200 | 170 | 140 | 160 | 200 |
| Shinjuku | 200 | – | 200 | 170 | 200 | 160 |
| Shinagawa | 170 | 200 | – | 170 | 200 | 260 |
| Akihabara | 140 | 170 | 170 | – | 140 | 200 |
| Ueno | 160 | 200 | 200 | 140 | – | 170 |
| Ikebukuro | 200 | 160 | 260 | 200 | 170 | – |
As you see, fares in Tokyo is quite reasonable. If you use this deal, you have to make 4 to 5 trips. Otherwise single ticket is cheaper.
Trip to outside of coverage area
If you add fare, you can make a trip to outside of coverage area.
e.g.
To Tokyo Disney Land and Sea
Maihama where is the gateway station to Tokyo Disney Land and Sea is just one station away from border station, Kasairinkaikoen station. The additional fare is 140 yen one way. If you stay in Shinjuku, regular fare for Shinjuku – Maihama is 390 yen. At this point, total fare is 780 yen and it is much cheaper than Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokyo Tokunai Pass) at 750 yen + additional fares 280 yen. But if you make some more trips after/before visiting Tokyo Disney Land, pass may be cheaper.
To Ghibli museum
Mitaka is two stations away from border station, Nishiogikubo. Additional fare is 160 yen one way. If you go to Mitaka from Ueno or Shinagawa, one way regular fare is 390 yen. It is same thing as trip to Tokyo Disney Land. If you intend to use the pass before/after visiting Ghibli museum, this deal may be cheaper than total fares.
My itinerary
When I used this deal, I use the following segments.
Akihabara – Kinshicho 160 yen
Kinshicho – Akihabara 160 yen
Akihabara – Shinjuku 170 yen
Shinjuku – Shinagawa 200 yen
Shinagawa – Tokyo 170 yen
Tokyo – Akihabara 140 yen
Total 900 yen
I had several reasons to use this deal.
- Hotel was closed to JR Akihabara station.
- I need the direct transfer between Tokyo and Akihabara.
- Subway do not have direct line on this section.There is no subway station in Shinagawa.
Tokyo Skytree was only outside of coverage area. Even though I took Tokyo Metro Hanzoumon line and paid 170 yen one way, this deal was the best option for me.
Comments
Hi Takeshi
I will stay close to Kita matsudo station which is about two stations away from Kanamachi. If I buy this pass, how to get through the barrier in kita matsudo?. Should I just buy Kita matsudo to kanamachi, get out there, and reboard onward to destinations within coverage area? Is it possible to just stay on the train by paying in advance the excess fee? I know this is possible on the way back.
Hi Azi,
You can purchase this pass in coverage area only. And you cannot purchase it in advance. So you have to get off the train and exit at Kanamachi anyway. But on the way back to Kita-Matsudo, you don’t need to exit. Just show your pass at Kita-Matsudo and station staff will tell you how much you need to pay. I think it costs around a few hundred yen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi!
Does tokunai pass allow travel on chuo line orange rapid from shinjuku to Tokyo station?
Also, I’ll be going to maihama using tokunai, how do I pay additional 140?
Thank you I love your posts really helpful
Hi Nicky,
You can take Chuo line by this pass.
When you go to Maihama, you can show your pass to station staff at the ticket gate. They ask you to pay additional fare and you can pay it on the spot.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you as always, great help!
No problem, Nicholas.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Will the Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokyo Tokunai Pass) include Suidobashi Station (Tokyo Dome), Ryogoku Station (Sumo) and Ueno Station (museum and zoo)?
I have worked out that this pass should get us to everywhere we want to go (minus Tokyo Skytree and Disneyland) so for these trips that are outside of the area should we just get individual tickets?
Thank you!
Hi Stephanie san,
Yes. This deal covers Suidobashi, Ueno and Ryogoku. It suits your plan.
As you think, single ticket is okay for Skytree and Disney.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san
I am travelling to Tokyo during 24/12-27/12.
Basically I am staying Setagaya area . The nearest station is Sakurashimmachi Station.
I will be likely going place like Shibuya, Harajuku , Shinjuku on the same day 24/12
2nd day 25/12 – tsuji market , Ginza , Akihabara Tokyo tower etc
3rd day 26/12 – Ghibli museum then free and easy .
I am planning get 3 days Tokyo Metro Pass . I see that the place I am staying will pass through Tokyu-Den-entoshi Line most of the time . Does it cover under the pass ? Any more value pass for me to get ?
Thanks for your advice
Hi Christina san,
Subway pass is the best choice for you but it does not cover any Tokyu line. So you need to pay a single fare to get Shibuya whenever you go to downtown Tokyo. Single fare is 160 yen. And some of Tokyu Denentoshi line trains go through Tokyo Metro Hanzomon line. You may not need to transfer to subway train at Shibuya. Please find subway route network at the link below:
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/subwaymap/pdf/routemap_en.pdf
Hanzomon line is purple line in the map.
This pass does not cover JR lines either. For example, Shinjuku is a few stations away from Shibuya by Yamanote line train. It’s indicated by black and white dot line. This is not covered by this pass. You have to use only subway line.
And Ghibli museum is not located on subway line. You have to take JR Chuo line at Shijuku. If you intend to spend most of time at Ghibli museum on day 3, you don’t need subway pass.
You may use Suica or Pasmo to take JR trains and Tokyu railway train.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html
http://www.pasmo.co.jp/en/
Those cards do not give you any discount or unlimited travel. But those make your trip be easier.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
I’ll be staying near Shinjuku station and am planning to visit Ghibli museum followed by Shiro-Hige (Setagaya-Daita station). Then making my way back to Shinjuku.
Would it make sense to buy the one-day Tokunai pass since I would have to top up for each location?
Thank you in advance!
Hi Sheila san,
Actually single ticket is cheaper. If you use Tokunai pass, you have to pay actual fare between Nishi-Ogikubo and Mitaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
From Shinagawa, I’m going to go to Mitaka (Ghibli Museum) in the morning and then visit Ueno, Akihabara in the afternoon before returning to Shinagawa. Is this pass the best deal?
Also,
a. how/where do I pay the additional fare when I exit Mitaka Stn?
b. how/where do I pay the additional fare when I return from Mitaka?
Thanks for your guide~!
Hi Nuncio,
Actually single ticket is cheaper. Because you have to pay full fare for Nishi-Ogikubo to Mitaka. If you add this fare on top of this pass, it’s higher than total single fare.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi takeshi,
The tokunai pass I suppose it is also covering Jr. Keiyo line to minami funashi right? I am planning to visit lalaport Tokyo bay. Thank you.
Hi Hong,
Minami-Funabashi is not covered by this pass. Tokunai pass covers only Tokyo 23 ward. Minami-Funabashi is in Chiba prefecture and it’s not in Tokyo. Single ticket is better idea.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I could you pls suggest the perfect ticket/passes for me and my friend who is a Japanese resident.
We’re planning to visit kansai region and Kyoto for 2 days and 2 more days in Tokyo.
We’re finding it hard since JR pass is not allowed for Japanese resident.
Thanks
Hi Hazel,
Actually there is no choices for resident. Your friend has to purchase a single ticket. But if you have only one way trip to Tokyo from Kyoto, single ticket is better choice for you as well.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I am travelling with my husband to Japan from 2 Dec – 12 Dec 2015. We will be travelling from Tokyo – Hakone – Kyoto – Nagoya – Asahikawa – Sapporo – Osaka
2 Dec – 4 Dec (2 nights in Tokyo)
4 Dec – 5 Dec (1 night in Hakone)
5 Dec – 7 Dec (2 nights in Kyoto)
7 Dec – 8 Dec (Kyoto – Nagoya domestic flight to Asahikawa)
8 Dec – 9 Dec (Asahikawa – Sapporo)
11 Dec – 12 Dec (Sapporo domestic flight to Osaka)
Base on the above itinerary and below breakdown, is it feasible for me to purchase the Japan Rail Pass?
I did some research on the Shinkansen ticket but I am not sure if there are any other better alternatives.
Tokyo – Hakone via Odakyu (Hakone 23) – 1,780 Yen (not sure if this is the price for 2 or 1 person as it was not stated on the website) – is it possible to purchase 1 ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto and stop over 1 night at Hakone?
Hakone – Kyoto via (SHINKANSEN HIKARI) – 12,080 Yen (x2)
Kyoto – Nagoya via (SHINKANSEN NOZOMI or HIKARI) – 5,800yen (x2)
Asahikawa – Sapporo via (LTD. EXP SUPER KAMUI 22) – 4,810yen (x2)
Thank you in advance for your help.
Hi Jennifer san,
As you calculated, single fare is cheaper than JR Pass. You can take Odakyu from Shinjuku to Hakone, and take JR trains as you plan. I recommend Odakyu limited express Romancecar at 2080 yen (base fare + reserved seat fee).
As long as you use Odakyu, you cannot use one way base fare from Tokyo to Kyoto with stopover Hakobe. Odakyu is different company.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Me and my husband will be travelling to Japan this coming January 2016. Our itinerary is Tokyo – Osaka – Tokyo (and if possible a side trip to Hakone and Kyoto).
We will be staying in Tokyo for 4 days and below is our itinerary
First day
-arrive in Tokyo Narita airport
Second day
-City tour (Meiji Shrine, Shibuya crossing and Shinjuku)
Third day
-Disneyland
Fourth Day
-We will be taking a Mt Fuji and Hakone Day Tour
Fifth day
Will be travelling to Osaka and maybe side trip to Kyoto and Narra,
Tenth Day
In the morning travelling back to Tokyo to catch our flight in the evening to our country.
My question is, would it be better to take the JR pass instead?
Thank you
Hi Cecilia san,
JR Pass 7 days is recommended. You may use this pass for the last 7 days of your trip. JR Pass will start to cover for trip to Disney.
You may use one of the deal from Narita to Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
Some deals are combined with subway deal. But if you need subway deal only, you may get it at subway station.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/compare-many-discount-tickets-and-passes-for-sightseeing-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-right-tickets.html
Hakone Free Pass need to be added on top of JR pass because it covers the trip to Odawara only.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-hakone-from-tokyo-compare-japan-railway-and-odakyu-lines.html
And you may need to add subway or/and bus deal in Kyoto and Osaka. Please see the coverage of JR pass in these cities.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
You may have to add many other deals beside JR Pass. But JR Pass is still your core choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com