Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi) can be accessed bvy this pass ©Akira Okada/©JNTO
Are you going to stay in Tokyo for several days? Do you have any plans to go outside of Tokyo, like Mt. Fuji, Izu peninsula, or Nikko when you stay in Tokyo? If so, this newest rail pass, Kanto Area Pass should be suitable for you!
This brand new pass has been started to sell from JR East in December, 2011. The price is only 8,000 yen for unlimited train trip in 3 consecutive days. I will show where you can go by this pass and compare this Kanto Area Pass, JR Pass and JR East Pass.
*As of December 1, 2015, Kanto Area Pass will be sold as Tokyo Wide Pass. Price, coverage and valid trains will be changed. Please find the detailed information of newer version, Tokyo Wide Pass at the post, Tokyo Wide Pass is newer version of Kanto Area Pass. Nikko, Fuji, Gala Yuzawa and Odaiba are covered by this pass.
Area
This pass cover all JR lines in Kanto area, such as Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Yamanashi, Gumma, Ibaragi and Tochigi. And the pass also cover some places in Shizuoka and Nagano prefectures, such as Izu peninsula and Karuizawa. Please check this map to see the details.
I compare Kanto Area Pass, JR East Pass, and Japan Rail Pass. Please see the table below.
| Area | Kanto Area Pass | JR East Pass | Japan Rail Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Y | Y | Y |
| Yokohama | Y | Y | Y |
| Nikko | Y | Y | Y |
| Kamakura | Y | Y | Y |
| Kawaguchiko (Mt. Fuji) | Y | N | N |
| Atami (Izu peninsula) | Y | Y | Y |
| Shimoda (Izu peninsula) | Y | Y | N |
| Sendai | N | Y | Y |
| Niigata | N | Y | Y |
| Nagano | N | Y | Y |
| Hokkaido | N | N | Y |
| Kyoto | N | N | Y |
| Osaka | N | N | Y |
| Hiroshima | N | N | Y |
| Kyushu | N | N | Y |
The Kanto Are Pass is only pass that cover Kawaguchiko in Mt. Fuji. This is the biggest advantage of this pass.
Prices and valid period
Kanto Area Pass is sold at 8,300 yen for adult and 4,200 yen for child (6-12yrs). The pass is valid for 3 consecutive days. So this pass is obviously for the tourist who stay for the short time or using this pass with other long term passes, such as Japan Rail Pass.
Spend first (or last) 3 days in Tokyo. Use 7 days Japan Rail Pass for travelling in all Japan, such as Hokkaido, Kyoto, Kyushu. Use this pass to travel to Mt. Fuji, Nikko or Izu when you stay in Tokyo.
Please refer JR East Kanto Area Pass page. It says the round trip to Kawaguchiko in Mt. Fuji from Narita Airport is 14,240 yen. The round trip to Nikko from Haneda airport is 11,800 yen. So if you have multiple travel, like Nikko and Mt. Fuji from Tokyo, this pass gives you a great deal. And this page show you where you can purchase this pass.
Validity
I think this chapter is very important too. You need to know which train you can take by pass before you purchase. I compare Kanto Area Pass, Japan Rail Pass and JR East Pass again.
| Trains | Kanto Area Pass | JR East Pass | Japan Rail Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local trains | Y | Y | Y |
| Green class | N | Y (Green pass) | Y (Green pass) |
| Limited express | Y | Y | Y |
| Tohoku Shinkansen | Tokyo-Kuroiso | Y | Y |
| Tohoku Shinkansen Hayabusa | Add fare | Add fare | Y |
| Tohoku Shinkansen Hayabusa Gran class | Add fare | Add fare | Add fare |
| Joetsu Shinkansen | Tokyo-Jomo Kogen | Y | Y |
| Nagano Shinkansen | Tokyo-Sakudaira | Y | Y |
| Tokaido Shinkansen (Tokyo-Kyoto/Osaka) | N | N | Y |
| Sanyo Shinkansen (Shin Osaka-Hakata) | N | N | Y |
| Kyushu Shinkansen (Shin Osaka-Hakata) | N | N | Y |
| Tokyo Monorail (Haneda-Hamamatsucho) | Y | Y | Y |
| Izu Kyuko line (Ito-Shimoda) | Y | Y | N |
| Tobu line (to Nikko) | N | Y | N |
| Fuji Kyuko line (to Kawaguchiko) | Y | N | N |
| Hokuetsu Kyuko line (Echigo Yuzawa-Naoetsu) | N | Y | N |
Both Kanto Area Pass and JR East Pass do not cover Tokaido Shinkansen. Even if you want to use this Shinkansen in JR East area, like to Atami, you still need to pay full fare because Tokaido Shinkansen is not operated by JR East but JR Central.
When you go to Nikko, JR East Pass cover limited express train Nikko that is operated between Shinjuku and Nikko directly. But both Japan Rail Pass and Kanto Area Pass do not cover this train. You need to take Tohoku Shinkansen to Utsunomiya and take local train to Nikko.
Refer this post: How to access to Nikko. Learn about how to get Nikko by Japan Rail Pass with no extra charge.
When you go to Kawaguchiko, Kanto Area Pass cover local train only on Fuji Kyuko line. Fuji Kyuko operate some express trains. But you need to pay additional charge to take these trains.
Refer this post: Japan Railways is the best way to access Mt. Fuji? How much can we use Japan Rail Pass to go to Mt. Fuji?
Conclusion
In my opinion, JR East pass is not useful so much. But Kanto Area Pass is very convenient because of great addition, such as Fuji Kyuko and Izu Kyuko.
Comments
Hi,
I am visiting japan and planning to visit Disneyland, Mt. Fuji, and Gala Yuzawa. I will be staying in tokyo and I am considering which rail passes I should buy. I have considered the 3-day Kanto pass but am unsure if this pass will help me get to my three destinations. Please help!
Thank you!
Hi Jessica,
Only Gala Yuzawa is not in the area of Kansai area pass. But the pass cover to Jomo-Kogen. You need to pay some extra. It will cost around 1500 to 2000 yen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello Takeshi,
Is Narita Express to Tokyo/Shinjuku covered by the JR East Kanto pass?
Regards,
Gary
Hi Gary,
Yes, it does.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
First of all, i would like to thank you for such an amazing website! Very helpful! anyway,
I would like to ask if its better to buy suica and nex card for the whole trip to tokyo instead of the kanto area pass? Here’s my itinerary:
Day 1 – osaka to kyoto: kansai thru pass
Day 2 – osaka to nara, then osaka flight to tokyo: kansai thru pass; suica and nex
Day 3 – tokyo to mt fuji
Day 4 – tokyo to nikko
Day 5 – tokyo to yokohama, kamakura
Day 6 – shibuya, harajuku, night flight haneda to hk
Thank you so much! More power!
Kat
Hi Kat,
Thank you for your comment about my site.
I think Kanto Area Pass is better than Suica and N’ex. Suica e-money is not enough to cover the trip to Mt. Fuji and Nikko if you want to use JR lines. My suggestion is the following:
Day2-4 Kanto Area Pass
Day5-6 Suica and Monorail
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-monorail/index.html
You can use Suica of Suica and Monorail for the trip to Yokohama, Kamakura, Shibura, Harajuku and to Hamamatsucho to catch the monorail to Haneda. Of course monorail is included in Suica and Monorail.
And also I’m wondering if you arrive/depart from Kansai airport. If so, JR West Kansai area pass may be better than Kansai Thru Pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I plan to travel 3 days in Tokyo and stay at a hotel near Tokyo station.
This is my itinerary.
Day 1 : pick up my family at Narita Airport and go to Disneyland.
Day 2 : go to Mt.Fuji (Kawaguchiko area)
Day 3 : Sightseeing in Shibuya and Shinjuku area and go to Hiroshima
I have two choices.
Choice 1 : buy Suica N’EX and JR East Mt.Fuji Round Trip Ticket(total cost 9000 yen)
Choice 2 : buy JR East Kanto Area Pass(total cost 8000 yen)
In your opinion, which one is the best(remembering that SUICA provide 1,500 yen that can be used for private company and Mt. Fuji Round Trip Ticket also cover Fuji-san Tokyu and bus).
Another question, can we use Mt. Fuji Round Trip Ticket in Tokyo area.
Thank you
Best regards,
Bobby
Hi Bobby,
I think Suica+N’ex and Fuji ticket is better. I understand you just want to go to Kawaguchiko. But if you want to climb up to Mt. Fuji, Fuji ticket covers the bus trip there, but Kanto Area Pass does not.
And you don’ travel so much in Tokyo. Suica 1500 yen is enough.
I was not sure you are eligible to purchase this ticket. They mention foreign passport holders. I believe you are eligible, but you should to ask JR East.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, its possible to buy 2. Kanto area tickets in 10 days?
Thanks
M
Hi Markus,
Yes. You can buy it in Japan on the spot.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/canadiandragon/5985473166/in/photostream/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Does Kanto Area Pass include unlimited use on Tokyo’s two subway lines? I looked on the JP website and validity only mentions trains and Tokyo monorail. Thank you.
Hi JJ,
No, it doesn’t. Subway is not under JR groups.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello
I will be staying in Yokohama for 4 days and 3 nights. I’m interested in going to Tokyo (mainly Akihabara) and see as much as possible. I don’t have a definite plan yet. What pass would be the best for this?
Hi Khairul,
You should decide your plan first. Otherwise you cannot compare the price between pass and single fare. See the following page. I may help you.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/index.html
If you move between Tokyo and Yokohama, Kanto pass may be too much.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello! I would like to go to Tokyo in April for 8 days.
I plan to go to Karuizawa and Nikko for 3-4 days, and go to Hakone and Fuji Five Lakes for 2-4 days.
Would I buy the JR East Pass Special+Fuji Hakone Pass OR buy JR East Kanto Pass+Hakone Freepass?
Or neither of above 2 options?
Any other suggestion?
Thanks!
Hi Shuibobo,
If you can finish Nikko and Karuizawa in 3 days, Kanto pass is the best choice. You need to use this pass in 3 consecutive days. And Fuji Hakone pass will be used for your Hakone Fuji trip.
If you Karuizawa and Nikko trip in more than 4 days, JR East pass special will be considerable. As you saw, you don’t need to use this pass in 3 consecutive days. You can pick any 3 days in 10 days. I think you don’t need to use the pass when you stay in Nikko and Karuizawa.
So it depends on your itinerary. But both pass can give you a great deal!
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thanks for the previous reply.
1) With this pass, can I use it to reach the Disneyland, which at the Maihama station? how?
or how far can i reach from Uguisudani (JR) Station using this pass?
2) I saw from the official website, this pass can also reach Karuizawa. I am interested in to travel there also. Between, how can I travel to the Karuizawa ski resort, by train.
Your help is much appreciated!
Thanks!
Hi Olive,
1) Please see the following post:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
2) Take Nagano Shinkansen from Tokyo or Ueno. One of ski slope is only 10 minutes away from the station. (1 min by taxi!)
Takeshi / JP Rail
With the JR Kanto Area Pass, there is a note stated: “On the Fuji Kyuko Line, separate tickets are required for the observation car of the Mt. Fuji Limited Express and to ride the Fuji Tozan Densha that climbs up to Fujisan Station on Mount Fuji.”
What does it actually means?
How much I need to pay additional if using the pass?
Hi Olive,
Kanto area pass cover only basic fare. If you want to take Mt Fuji limited express or Fuji Tozan Densha, you need to pay surcharge. I explain these trains at the following post:
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-to-go-to-mt-fuji.html
Takeshi / JP Rail