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’m planning to go to Odawara. Is it possible to use the JR Kanto Area Pass for shinkansen Hikari from Shinagawa to Odawara?
Regards
txh
Hi txh,
Actually no. Because Tokaido Shinkansen is not under JR East.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, then how about the LTD. EXP ODORIKO 105?
I checked through hyperdia, and from Shinagawa, there’s the LTD. EXP ODORIKO 105 to Odawara.
Would it be possible with the usage of the JR Kanto Pass?
Thanks
txh
Hi txh’
Yes, you can.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, I would like to travel from Tokyo to Katsuta (Ibaraki prefecture) to visit Hitachi Seaside Park. Does Kanto pass cover this area? Thank you!
Hi LKY,
Yes, it does.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thank you very much for your reply. I would also like to find out about travelling from Tokyo to Odawara using Kanto pass. Can the Kanto pass be used for Limited Express Odoriko trains?
Thank you again.
LKY
Yes, you can, LKY.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi/JP Rail,
From Tokyo to Sakaiminato (Shigeru Mizuki – Gegege no Kitaro creator is born) I can take the Ltd Express Sunrise Izumo. According to Hyperdia, I’ll arrive the next morning. If I want to return to Tokyo the same day around 4pm. The journey takes longer. It goes from Sakaiminato to Yonago to Okayama then Tokyo. From Okayama to Tokyo, it be the Shinkasen Nozomi. May I know if I can use the JR Pass for Shinkasen Nozomi?
Or can I can the Ltd Express Sunrise Izumo back to Tokyo? If so, what time is it?
Thanks.
An Qi
Hi An Qi,
Nozomi is not covered by JR Pass. Only Hikari, Sakura and Kodama can be used by JR Pass.
Regarding Sunrise Izumo, please see the following link:
https://jprail.com/trains/sunrise-izumo.html
If you will take Nobi Nobi seat that is covered by JR Pass fully, it is very popular and sometimes sold out. Especially JR Pass user cannot reserve after get a pass. So you have to have a back up plan in case that you cannot make it.
If you are okay to re-arrange your schedule when you cannot make Sunrise Izumo, you can go for it. But if you are not comfortable with this issue, take Shinkansen to Okayama and transfer to Limited Express Yakumo to get Yonago.
https://jprail.com/trains/limited-express-yakumo.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi/JP Rail,
Does JR Pass cover Shinkansen Hayate from Sendai to Hachinoe? With JR Pass, the Reserved Seat is included and do I reserve on the spot?
Thanks.
An Qi
Hi An Qi,
Yes, it’s covered. You can reserve on the spot or maybe you can use Shinkansen reservation.
I recommend you to read the following post:
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-reserve-seat.html
https://jprail.com/validity-of-japan-rail-pass
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takesahi/JP Rail,
Thanks for your prompt reply.
I plan to stay in Japan for about 10 days. Upon arrival by air, I’ll go to Mt Fuji. Stay overnight at Mt. Fuji and go to Nikko. From there, I’ll follow your sample itineray – 7 Day Tohoku JP Rail. Nikko to Zao, Yamadera, Sendai/Matsushima, Oirase – last stop and back to Tokyo.
From Tokyo to Tottori for Shigeru Mizuki’s Yokai 🙂 sightseeing for a day.
Back to Tokyo and stay for 3 days.
If I buy the JP Rail 7 days or 14 days, then I don’t have to buy the 3 day Kanto Pass, right? Is that what you’re saying? Or should I buy both because of Mt Fuji (Kawaguchi)?
Thanks for your advise & travel tips.
An Qi
Hi An Qi,
I think JR Pass 14 days is the best choice for you. Of course if you have JR Pass, you don’t need to buy Kanto Area Pass. You have to pay extra fro Fuji Kyuko from Otuski to Kawaguchiko. But it does not make sense to purchase Kanto Area Pass for access to Kawaguchiko at 7000 yen. Basic fare is 1100 yen for one way.
As long as you have 14 days pass, all part of your trip will be covered.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi/JP Rail,
I’m planning to go to Tokyo. I like to visit Nikko, Fuji, Sendai (from Sendai go to Zao Hotspring, Matsushima and Oirase) and Tottori.
After reading your website, I know I can buy a JR Kanto Pass (3 day pass – 8000 Yen) to cover Nikko & Fuji.
Plus the JR Rail 7 day pass (or 5 day) can cover Sendai and Nikko too. What about from Tokyo to Tottori? Can I use the same JR Rail from Tokyo to Tottori? By overnight Izumo train.
Please advise. Thanks.
An Qi
Hi An Qi,
How many days are you going to stay in Japan?
As long as you have JR Pass, you can go almost anywhere. Of course you can go to Tottori too. Only place where JR Pass does not cover is Mt. Fuji. It covers some part of the trip to Kawaguchiko. Please see the following link:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-to-go-to-mt-fuji.html
Regarding Overnight train Izumo, if you can get Nobi Nobi seat, JR Pass fully cover it. Please see the following link to get the details:
https://jprail.com/trains/sunrise-izumo.html
If you travel more than 8 days, JR Pass 14 days may be the best choice. If you let me know more details about your itinerary, I can tell you some more.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
Both of us plan to take the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line from ikebukuro to Ginza.
Does kanto area pass includeTokyo Metro Marunouchi Line?
Or we need to pay the fare separately?
Thank you.
Hi Goh,
Kanto Area Pass does not cover any subway line. If you want to save your money, take Yamanote line from Ikebukuro to Yurakucho. Ginza is only 5 minutes walk from Yurakucho.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi
We are going to Tokyo fm 23/4-1/5 and will stay in same hotel near Disneyland. i suppose limousine bus to the hotel will be the best option us. Will spend 2 or 3 days in Disneyland.. Still exploring whether able to go to Hakone and Nikko on a 1 day trip each (between Friday to Mon) as it is a golden week in Japan as I read that it is not advisable to travel out of Tokyo during this period as all tourist attractions will be very crowded and also that we may have difficulties in getting around with the transport. Read about the romancecar and would like to try it..Do you have any advise on this ie shall we just drop the plan of going to Hakone (& Nikko) and just venture around Tokyo only?
If in your opinion, the situation is not as bad as we thought ie can go Hakone and/or Nikko, what pass do you suggest us to buy? We are traveling with 2 kids (1.5 years old & 5.5 years old) so the furthest places we intend to go will be Hakone and Nikko only. Btw, do I need to buy child ticket for my 5.5 years old girl as she has not celebrated her 6th birthday yet. Thanks in advance.
Hi Liew,
I have never been to Nikko and Hakone in GW. So I checked several Japanese forum. They said it is so crowded. I think you will not be able to book limited express trains for Nikko and Hakone. It is usually sold out one month before.
If you can book it after you arrive in Japan, you can go ahead. But if you cannot make it, you have to take local train. But it is too much for your kids. My daughter is 4 years old. She always complain when she is on board more than one hour. 🙂
Anyway the choice is yours. But in my opinion, I don’t recommend to get there. Popular spots in Tokyo will be crowded as well. But it will be better than Hakone and Nikko.
Under 6 years old, it is free. You don’t need to purchase the ticket.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for your recommendation on Kanto Area Pass. I’d like to ask do you mean this pass only cover Fuji Kyuko Line from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko but not Fuji Kyuko Limited Express trains?
And if I plan to use this pass at the end of my trip in Tokyo, does it cover JR from Hammamatsucho to Haneda airport? (Instead of airport to city?)
Thanks alot.
Hi Junni,
Yes. When you take Limited Express (Fujisan Tokkyu) or Rapid Fuji Tozan Densha on Fuji Kyuko line, you have to pay surcharge.
This pass cover Tokyo Momorail too. You don’t need to pay for the monorail with this pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
Which train that I can ride to Kawagoe by using Kanto area pass??
By Tobu:
Kawagoe Station, Kawagoe-shi Station and Ikebukuro Station are connected by frequent trains along the Tobu Tojo Line
By Seibu
Hon-Kawagoe Station and Seibu Shinjuku Station are connected by frequent trains along the Seibu Shinjuku Line
By JR
Kawagoe Station and Shinjuku Station are also connected by frequent direct rapid trains via Omiya along the JR Saikyo/Kawagoe Line.
Is it free for children under 6 to board on any JR/local subways in Japan (Tokyo,Osaka) with accompanying adult?
Thank you,
yul
Hi Yul,
Only JR is covered by Kanto Area Pass.
Children under 6 years old is free.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
I’ll arrive Narita Ap on 25 Dec & would like to purchase JR Kanto Pass. How to use this pass (which lines to take):
Day 1
1) From Narita Ap -> Shin-Yokohama (Hotel @ Shin-Yokohama)
2) From Shin-Yokohama -> Kawazu Seven Waterfalls -> Yokohama
3) Yokohama -> Shin-Yokohama
Day 2
1) From Shin-Yokohama -> Kawaguchiko -> Shin-Yokohama
Day3
1) From Shin-Yokohama -> Tokyo Station -> Karuizawa -> Tokyo Station
Would like to know any route above if I can reserve seat prior taking the trains (including secure the return tickets to final destination in a day) & any route above does not covered by the JR Kanto Pass.
Also, my friend will meet me @ Shin-Yokohama from Tokyo area on 25 Dec before going to Kawazu with me. How he can use JR Kanto Pass to reach Shin-Yokohama from Tokyo Area? He stays near Suitengumae Station.
Can I purchase JR Kanto Pass few days in advance before I activate it?
Thanks.
Hi Soo,
Regarding reservation, you can book it at the following site:
http://jreast-shinkansen-reservation.eki-net.com/pc/english/common/menu/menu.aspx
You can book all trains what you will get on. But you have to pick upyour tickets by 9:00 p.m. (21:00, Japan Standard Time) the day. You can find the detailed info at FAQ at the above site.
When you purchase Kanto Area Pass, you can choose the starting date. So you can purchase it in advance. Kanto Area Pass is sold at the major stations in Kanto area. You can find the sales location at the following site:
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/kantoareapass/index.html
All trips will be covered by Kanto Area Pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail