Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokunai Pass) Guide

Rail pass for residents
Yamanote line is the busiest train service in Japan.
2014.06.02
JR's Yamanote line (left) and Tokyo Metro (right)
JR’s Yamanote line (left) and Tokyo Metro (right)

There are many transportation deals available in Tokyo, and the Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass is one of the most popular options.
In this post, I will explain how to use this pass, compare it with subway passes, and help you decide which one is best for your trip.

Price and Validity

  • Adult fare: 760 yen (one day)
  • Child fare: 380 yen (ages 6–11)
  • Children aged 5 and under: Free of charge

A “one day” pass is valid from the first train of the day until the last train around midnight.
Most JR trains in Tokyo start running around 5:00 a.m. and stop around 12:30 a.m. the following day.

Example:

  • If you purchase the pass on April 27, you can still use it on trains that depart after midnight, up until the last train early on April 28.
  • However, if you buy the pass at 0:01 a.m. on April 28, you cannot use it for trains that departed earlier that same morning.

Important note:

  • This pass is only valid on local and rapid JR trains.
  • If you ride a Shinkansen, only the base fare is covered—you must pay the limited express surcharge separately.
  • Since the distances within central Tokyo are short (e.g., Tokyo–Ueno or Tokyo–Shinagawa are about 10 minutes by local train), there is no practical reason to take a Shinkansen in this area.

How to Purchase and Use

The pass can be purchased at JR EAST reserved seat ticket vending machines in the usage area.

To use it, simply insert the ticket into the automatic ticket gate, then retrieve it after passing through.

Coverage Area

The map below shows the coverage area.
The green solid lines represent routes where the pass is valid.

Coverage area map (Click to enlarge)
Coverage area map (Click to enlarge)

Major stations covered include:

  • Tokyo
  • Akihabara
  • Ueno
  • Ikebukuro
  • Shinjuku
  • Shibuya
  • Shinagawa

Notes:

  • Harajuku is included, even though it may not be labeled on some maps.
  • Yurakucho is also included and is just one stop from Tokyo Station, making Ginza easily accessible on foot.

Popular spots NOT covered by this pass:

Tip:

  • Odaiba, Tokyo Disney Resort, and the Ghibli Museum are not accessible by subway passes either.
  • If you plan to visit Asakusa, Skytree, and Tsukiji all on the same day, a subway pass is your best (and only) option.
  • However, if you don’t plan to visit these spots, or only plan to visit one of them, the Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokyo Tokunai Pass) may be a better deal.

Important:
If you already have a Japan Rail Pass, JR East Pass, or Tokyo Wide Pass, this pass is unnecessary—those passes already cover this area.

Comparison with Subway Passes

a0002_000705_m

The Tokyo Subway Ticket is another popular option:

  • 24-hour pass: 800 yen
  • 48-hour(1,200 yen) and 72-hour (1,500 yen) passes are also available, with lower per-day costs.

The subway network covers more areas than JR trains, especially for tourist attractions.

Key difference in validity:

  • Tokyo Subway Ticket: Valid for 24 hours from first use.
    • Example: Start at 17:00 on March 24 → valid until 16:59 on March 25.
  • Tokyo Tokunai Pass: Valid only from midnight to midnight on the same calendar day.

Pros and Cons

  • Tokyo Subway Ticket
    • ✅ Great coverage, can reach almost anywhere
    • ❌ Complicated network with many lines—may be confusing for first-time visitors
  • Tokyo Tokunai Pass
    • ✅ Simple, fast, and direct routes, especially along the Yamanote Line
    • ❌ Limited coverage (JR lines only)

If your itinerary mostly includes Yamanote Line stations like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, Akihabara, or Ginza, the Tokyo Tokunai Pass is easier and more convenient.
If you need to visit places only accessible by subway, choose the Tokyo Subway Ticket instead.

How Much Travel You Need to Make It Worthwhile

Below are sample one-way fares between major stations (in yen):

stationTokyoShinjukuShinagawaAkihabaraUenoIkebukuro
Tokyo–200170140160200
Shinjuku200–200170200160
Shinagawa170200–170200260
Akihabara140170170–140200
Ueno160200200140–170
Ikebukuro200160260200170–

As you can see, JR fares in Tokyo are quite reasonable.
To make the pass worthwhile, you generally need to take 4–5 one-way trips in a single day.
If you only plan a couple of rides, buying single tickets will be cheaper.

Trips Outside the Coverage Area

You can travel beyond the coverage area by paying additional fares.

Example: Tokyo Disney Resort

  • Maihama Station (gateway to Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea) is one stop beyond the coverage area boundary (Kasairinkaikoen Station).
  • Additional fare: 140 yen one-way.
  • Regular fare Shinjuku → Maihama: 390 yen one-way.
    • Total round trip: 780 yen
    • This may be cheaper than combining the pass (760 yen) with additional fares unless you plan extra JR trips before or after visiting Disney.

Example: Ghibli Museum (Mitaka)

  • Mitaka Station is two stops beyond the boundary (Nishi-Ogikubo Station).
  • Additional fare: 160 yen one-way.
  • From Ueno or Shinagawa to Mitaka: 390 yen one-way.
    • Same logic as above: If you will make many other JR trips that day, the pass may still be worthwhile.

My Itinerary Example

When I used this pass, I traveled the following segments:

RouteFare (yen)
Akihabara → Kinshicho160
Kinshicho → Akihabara160
Akihabara → Shinjuku170
Shinjuku → Shinagawa200
Shinagawa → Tokyo170
Tokyo → Akihabara140
Total900

Why I chose this pass:

  1. My hotel was near JR Akihabara Station.
  2. I needed direct transfers between Tokyo and Akihabara.
  3. Shinagawa does not have a subway station, so JR was the best option.
  4. The Tokyo Skytree was my only destination outside the coverage area.
    • Even though I paid 170 yen one-way on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, the total savings still made the pass the best choice.

Summary

  • The Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass is best for travelers whose itineraries focus on central Tokyo and Yamanote Line stations.
  • If you plan to visit places like Asakusa, Tsukiji, or Tokyo Skytree, consider a Tokyo Subway Ticket instead.
  • To make the pass worthwhile, aim for 4–5 rides per day or more.
  • For day trips slightly outside central Tokyo (like Disneyland or Mitaka), the pass can still be useful if you plan extra JR travel before or after.

Comments

  1. azi says:
    March 15, 2016 at 10:10 am

    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.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      March 15, 2016 at 2:27 pm

      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

  2. Nicky says:
    March 6, 2016 at 3:16 pm

    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

  3. Stephanie Godfrey says:
    February 4, 2016 at 9:12 pm

    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!

  4. Christina says:
    December 16, 2015 at 7:43 pm

    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

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      December 16, 2015 at 9:25 pm

      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

  5. Sheila says:
    December 8, 2015 at 12:27 am

    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!

  6. nuncio says:
    December 6, 2015 at 4:08 am

    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~!

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      December 6, 2015 at 10:10 am

      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

  7. Hong says:
    November 25, 2015 at 3:55 am

    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.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      November 25, 2015 at 12:41 pm

      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

  8. hazel says:
    November 10, 2015 at 4:23 pm

    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

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      November 10, 2015 at 5:23 pm

      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

  9. Jennifer Yap says:
    November 10, 2015 at 8:53 am

    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.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      November 10, 2015 at 4:20 pm

      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

  10. Cecilia Campaner says:
    November 5, 2015 at 9:01 am

    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

12345…8
Copied title and URL