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. david says:
    January 4, 2020 at 2:13 pm

    Hello i plan to go to Choshi, Kimitsu Hachoji and Yokohama. Can i go in these areas with the tokunai pass ?

    Regards

  2. Aleli Salazar says:
    December 27, 2019 at 6:24 pm

    Hi Takeshi
    I’m seeking your help please in working out what passes we should buy where we can save and maximise its value. We are a family of 3 adults and 1 child, staying near Akebonobashi station.

    1) Haneda Intl – Akebonobashi – Tokyo
    2) Odaiba
    3) Asakusa – Ueno-Okachimachi – Shinjuku
    4) Ghibli Museum – Nakano Broadway – Akihabara
    5) Shibuya – Harajuku
    6) Lake Kawaguchiko (we might activate JR pass for this, as we are travelling to Osaka/Kyoto the next day)

    I am overwhelmed with all of passes available and your assistance would be greatly appreciated!

    Many thanks
    Aleli

  3. AKMAL says:
    November 17, 2019 at 11:42 pm

    Hi, appreciate your assistance to advise the most practical pass for my journey below;
    I’ll stay at Ueno by the way.

    Day 1 : NRT – Ueno
    Day 2 : Tokyo city trip
    Day 3 : Tokyo city trip
    Day 4 : Galayuzawa
    Day 5 : Fuji (overnite)
    Day 6 : Fuji (back to Ueno)
    Day 7 : Tokyo City trip. To Disneyland (overnite)
    Day 8 : Disneyland (overnite)
    Day 9 : Disneyland – NRT

    thanks

  4. Nur fatin nazira says:
    October 30, 2019 at 1:40 pm

    Hi Takeshi san!
    Can you advice me which one (Jr pass/Jr tokunai/subway) better for my group trip (10 people)
    Day1 – Arrived haneda airport, i will stay at magome, after check in i will go to shibuya & shinjuku
    Day2 – Harajuku
    Day3 – Gala yuzawa
    Day4 – Mt. Fuji
    Day5 – Tsukiji fish market & Asakusa
    Day6 – Disneyland
    Day7 – Free & easy ( go back haneda airport)
    Thank you for you help.

  5. ERICA says:
    October 13, 2019 at 9:51 am

    Hello,
    My Hotel is located in CHIBA EKI, and I saw that TOKUNAI TOKYO PASS just coved from KOIWA EKI. I intend to use SUICA within areas that it´s not covered by TOKUNAI TOKYO PASS. So, do I have to get off the train at KOIWA once to not be pay twice (TOKUNAI PASS + SUICA)? Or how can I do?

  6. Tonny says:
    June 10, 2019 at 7:22 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    If i want go to mitsui outlet outlet park from ikebukuro, can i use tokunai pass? Thank you

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      June 10, 2019 at 2:55 pm

      Hi Tonny,

      There are several Mitsui outlet park around Tokyo but all these outlet are located outside downtown Tokyo. Tokunai Pass does not cover these places. Regular fare ticket is the best choice.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Helen says:
    April 5, 2019 at 11:24 am

    Takeshi-san,

    We will be in Tokyo for a week but our hotel will be in Disney area (Maihama station). Depending on where we go for the day, we are either buying the Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass or the Tokyo Subway Pass. Please let me know if this is not a good idea.

    My question is, if we have the Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass, do we have to get off at Kasai-Rinkai-Koen station (every time we travel from Tokyo) to purchase the additional fare? Or can I just buy the additional fare (to Maihama) from the origin station without stopping at Kasai-Rinkai-Koen?

    Thank you for your help.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      April 5, 2019 at 4:28 pm

      Hi Helen san,

      If you visit 3 or 4 places a day, you may use either one. Tokyo Subway Ticket covers more than Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass. Please see the link below to find more info:
      https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html

      If you use Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass, you have to exit at Kasai-Rinkai-Koen station. Because you cannot buy it at Maihama. And also you cannot purchase it in advance. You have to buy it at Kasai-Rinkai-Koen station on the day of travel.

      If you use Tokyo Subway Ticket, you can buy it in advance. It is sold at many locations.
      https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/travel/index.html

      But subway does not run in Maihama station. You have to pay a regular fare to take JR train to get Shin-Kiba. And change to subway there.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Helen says:
        April 6, 2019 at 5:33 am

        Takeshi-san,

        Thank you for the valuable info.

        What about on the return trip from Tokyo to Miahama when I already have a Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass or Tokyo Subway Pass? Do I still need to get off at these stations to get to Miahama? Or can I purchase the ticket in advance?

        • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
          April 6, 2019 at 9:32 am

          Hi Helen san,

          If you use Tokyo Subway Ticket, you have to change from subway to JR. So you have to exit the station anyway. You will buy a regular ticket to take JR at Shin-Kiba.

          If you use Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass, you don’t need to exit at Kasai-Rinkai-Koen. You can go to Maihama and when you exit at Maihama station, you may show your pass to the station staff and pay a extra fare there.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Tim says:
    March 13, 2019 at 6:07 am

    Hi,Takeshi
    I will buy Tokyo Subway pass.Dose it cover Yokohama and Narita Airport.Can please confirm it.Thankyou very much.

  9. Benny Gunawan says:
    October 21, 2018 at 9:02 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Can I use Tokunai pass from/to Mikawashima Station?

    Thanks in advanve

  10. Yuvi says:
    October 7, 2018 at 2:58 am

    Hi…Takeshi,
    Can I use Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass with itinerary below:

    1. Shinagawa – nippori – mikawashima
    2. Mikawashima – nippori – ishikawacho
    3. Ishikawacho – oimachi
    4. Nishi nippori – nippori – mikawashima

    Thanks in advance

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      October 7, 2018 at 3:11 am

      Hi Yuvi,

      Ishikawacho is not in Tokyo. It’s in Yokohama. So when you go to Ishikawacho, you have to pay for Kamata to/from Ishikawacho or Ishikawacho to/from Nishi-Oi which is 300- 400 yen extra for one way.

      Other routes are in the coverage area.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

1…5678
Copied title and URL