JR East Pass Nagano Niigata user guide. Flex 5-day pass in 14 days period to cover Nagano, Niigata, Tokyo and surrounding area.

matsumoto castle naganoRail pass for visitors
2016.03.06
Zenko-ji temple in Nagano (left) and Yuzawa Onsen in Niigata (right) (C) Nagano Prefecture / JNTO
Zenko-ji temple in Nagano (left) and Yuzawa Onsen in Niigata (right) (C) Nagano Prefecture / JNTO

There are two kinds of JR East Pass, Nagano Niigata and Tohoku. In this post, I would like to explain about JR East Pass Nagano Niigata in this post.

Prices and valid period

Validity periodPurchase outside Japan
or online		Purchase inside Japan
Adult
12 years and older		18,000 yen18,000 yen
Child
6 to 11 years old		9,000 yen9,000 yen

*Child who is 5 years old and younger is free but you have to share the seat with child. If you want to have a seat for child too, you have to purchase child pass for even younger than 5 years old.

This pass is valid for a consecutive 5 days only.

One day means midnight to midnight, technically 0:00 to 23:59. Even if you start using the pass at 23:00. you will spend one full day for just one hour. So try to start in the morning. It does not make sense to start to use in the evening.

How to buy JR East Pass Nagano Niigata

You may buy it online at ACP Rail. ACP Rail is the official retailer of JR East:

JR East Pass online purchasing at ACP Rail

Coverage Area

Matsumoto castle is one of four castles which have the original tower.
Matsumoto castle is one of four castles which have the original tower.

This pass covers all JR trains in Kanto area, such as Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Yamanashi, Gumma, Ibaragi and Tochigi, and Niigata and Nagano area. And the pass also cover some places in Shizuoka, such as Izu peninsula.

This pass covers the following major spots in the area.

  • Nikko
  • Odawara (Gate station to Hakone)
  • Izu peninsula (Atami, Ito, Shimoda)
  • Katsuta (Gate station to Hitachi Seaside Park)
  • Karuizawa
  • Kusatsu
  • Kamakura
  • Kawagoe
  • Echigo-Yuzawa, Gala Yuzawa
  • Niigata
  • Nagano
  • Hakuba
  • Shinano-Omachi
  • Matsumoto
  • Niigata

This deal does not cover any places in Tohoku region, such as Sendai, Akita, Aomori. Those places are covered by another new JR East Pass “Tohoku”.

Nikko to Echigo-Yuzawa/Gala-Yuzawa on the list above are covered by Tokyo Wide Pass as well. You may compare this pass and Tokyo Wide Pass if you visit these places only.

JR East official site – Tokyo Wide Pass

I will tell you the coverage railways at next chapter.

Valid trains and lines

JR deals covers basically JR trains only. Non JR railway’s train and subway are not covered. But JR East Pass Nagano Niigata covers many “NON JR” railway trains. The following railways are NON JR companies but these are covered by JR East Pass Nagano Niigata.

  • Tokyo Monorail (Haneda-Airport – Hamamatsucho)
  • Izu Kyuko Line (Ito – Izukyu-Shimoda)
  • Hokuetsu Express Line (Muikamachi – Saigata)
  • Echigo Tokimeki Railway (Arai – Naoetsu)
  • Limited Express Nikko, Spacia Nikko, Kinugawa, and Spacia Kinugawa (Shinjuku – Tobu-Nikko / Kinugawa-Onsen)
  • Tobu Railway local trains and rapid trains (Shimo-imaichi – Tobu-Nikko/Kinugawa-Onsen)

Those covered trains are the benefit of this deal. Japan Rail Pass (a.k.a. JR Pass) covers only Tokyo Monorail. However other JR deal, Tokyo Wide Pass covers more.

When you go to Nikko, JR East Pass Nagano Niigata covers the direct limited express train from Shinjuku to Nikko or Kinugawa-Onsen but Japan Rail Pass does not. This is one of the benefits of this rail pass. Please see the post below to learn about this train:

Nikko access guide. Three routes from Tokyo, Shinjuku and Asakusa.
This posts explains you about the access route to Nikko from Tokyo. There are several ways from some places in Tokyo. You can find the best route for you in this post.
jprail.com
2014.07.21

However this deal does not cover Fujikyu Railway to get Kawaguchiko from Otsuki. Tokyo Wide Pass covers this railway. It gives you the access to get Lake Kawaguchi without any extra charge. If you want to get Lake Kawaguchi by this deal, you need to pay extra for Otsuki to Kawaguchiko on Fuji Kyuko line.

Tokaido Shinkansen
The segment of Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Atami is in the coverage area of this pass. But this pass does not cover this Shinkansen line because this does not belong to JR East but JR Central.

JR East Pass Nagano Niigata does not cover Tokaido Shinkansen. Even if you want to use this Shinkansen in JR East area, like Tokyo to Atami or Tokyo to Odawara, this pass does not cover at all because Tokaido Shinkansen is not operated by JR East but JR Central. When you want to get Odawara (Hakone) or Atami, your choice is a rapid train or the Limited Express Odoriko. These trains are covered by JR East Pass Nagano Niigata.

No express surcharge! Fast, economical and convenient! Rapid service network in Greater Tokyo
Japan Railway operate Rapid trains throughout Japan. Especially lots of Rapid trains are operated in urban area, suc...
jprail.com
2011.04.16
The limited express Odoriko and Saphir Odoriko train ride guide. The express trains which run between Tokyo, Yokohama, Izu and Atami
This post shows you the riding guide of the limited express Odoriko and Super View Odoriko which run between Tokyo, Yokohama, Izu and Atami.
jprail.com
2010.11.15

Compare single fare and JR East Pass Nagano Niigata

When you think about purchasing this deal, you have to make sure that you can get the worth of this pass or not. I show you some sample fares.
*All rates are based on the base fare andthe reserved seat limited express supplement in the regular season.

Trip to Nikko or Kinugawa-Onsen from Shinjuku or Ikebukuro by direct limited express train, Nikko or Kinugawa

Total fare is 4,000 yen for one way to either Nikko or Kinugawa-Onsen.

Trip to Nikko from Tokyo by Shinkansen and local train

If you stay at east side of Tokyo, like Shinagawa, Tokyo, Ueno, this route may be faster than direct express from Shinjuku.
Total fare is 5,580 yen for one way.

Trip to Otsuki from Shinjuku by Limited Epxress Azusa or Kaiji

Total fares are 2,770 yen from Shinjuku for one way.

Trip to Matsumoto from Shinjuku by Limited Epxress Azusa or Kaiji

Total fares are 6,900 yen from Shinjuku for one way.

Trip to Gala Yuzawa from Tokyo by Shinkansen

Total fare is 6,870 yen for one way.

Trip to Odawara, Atami or Izukyu-Shimoda from Tokyo by limited express train, Odoriko or Super View Odoriko

Total fare is 2,940 yen to Odawara for one way by Odoriko and 3,190 yen for one way by Super View Odoriko.
Total fare is 3,800 yen to Atami for one way by Odoriko and 4,180 yen for one way by Super View Odoriko.
Total fare is 6,260 yen to Izukyu-Shimoda for one way by Odoriko and 6,640 yen for one way by Super View Odoriko.

Trip to Karuizawa from Tokyo by Shinkansen

Total fare is 5,910 yen for one way.

Trip to Nagano from Tokyo by Shinkansen

Total fare is 8,200 yen for one way.

Trip to Niigata from Tokyo by Shinkansen

Total fare is 10,570 yen for one way.

Trip between Narita Airport and Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku or Yokohama

Total fares are 3,020 yen for Tokyo, 3,190 yen for Shinagawa or Shinjuku, and 4,290 yen for Yokohama.

Trip between Haneda Airport and Hamamatsucho by Tokyo Monorail

Single fare is 490 yen for one way.

Fares in downtown Tokyo

You can take any local trains, like Yamanote line, Chuo line, Keiyo line by this pass. But the fares in downtown Tokyo is quite reasonable. If you take a local train from Tokyo to Shinjuku, the fare is 200 yen. When you calculate the fares and compare this pass and single fare, you can ignore the fares in downtown Tokyo. It does not help to get worth very much.

Compare JR East Pass Nagano Niigata and Tokyo Wide Pass

I have compared these two deals in this post above. Because Tokyo Wide Pass is cheaper but shorter valid period and a bit smaller coverage area. Now I would like to compare these two passes by the trains and the areas.

DestinationJR East Pass
Niigata and Nagano		Tokyo Wide Pass
JR trains in
downtown Tokyo		YesYes
Narita airportYesYes
NikkoYesYes
KaruizawaYesYes
Gala YuzawaYesYes
KusatsuYesYes
KamakuraYesYes
YokohamaYesYes
NiigataYesNo
NaganoYesNo
MatsumotoYesNo
HakubaYesNo
Shinano-OmachiYesNo
Nozawa-OnsenYesNo
Joetsu-MyokoYesNo
Katsuta
nearest station to
Hitachi Seaside Park		YesYes
Tobu railway of Shinjuku to Nikko
or Kinugawa-Onsen		YesYes
Fuji Kyuko railway
to Lake Kawaguchi		NoYes
Izu Kyuko railway
to Ito, Shimoda		YesYes
Tokyo Monorail
to/from Haneda airport		YesYes
Tokyo Rinkai line
to Odaiba		NoYes
Hokuetsu Express lineYesNo
Echigo Tokimeki Railway

 

YesNo

Both passes do not cover the subway, non JR trains other than the companies on the list above. And both pass do not cover outside Kanto and JR East area, such as Hokkaido, Tohoku region, Toyama, Kanazawa, Takayama, Shirakawago, Nagano, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Hiroshima, Shikoku and Kyushu. But you can access to Takayama, Shin-Hotaka, Kamikochi from Matsumoto by bus. And also you can access to Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route from either Shinano-Omachi or Nagano. But the pass does not cover any transportation on Alpine Route and any bus services to Takayama, Kamikochi and Shin-Hotaka.

Assessment

Tokyo Wide pass is sold at 10,000 yen for 3 days. JR East Pass Nagano Niigata is sold at 17,000 yen for any 5 days in 14 days period. JR East Pass Nagano Niigata gives you 2 more days and a bit wider coverage area than Tokyo Wide Pass. If you visit Niigata or/and Nagano area, this pass will be recommended. Otherwise Tokyo Wide Pass is enough for you. If you want to have bigger coverage area, consider to use JR pass or Hokuriku Arch Pass.

Where and How to buy JR Pass: JR Pass user guide, how to use Japan Rail Pass to its maximum.
This posts give you all information about JR pass. You can find much more information than the official Japan Rail Pass site.
jprail.com
2020.07.08
Hokuriku Arch Pass user guide. Clarify valid trains, coverage area and compare single fare and pass
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Osaka are covered by this deal. (C) ©Sue Ann Simon (upper left), Osaka Government Tourism Bu...
jprail.com
2015.12.26

I hope you have found that this deal suits your trip plan or not. Enjoy your trip.

Comments

  1. Wong Hang Kit says:
    August 28, 2018 at 10:06 pm

    Hi
    I am planning a trip using JR East Nagano & Niigata Pass
    (1st day pass) On 27th March 2019, from Haneda International Terminal to Shin-Yokohama
    (2nd day pass) On 31st March 2019, from Shin-Yokohama to Nagano
    (3rd day pass) On 5th March 2019, from Nagano to Niigata
    (4th day pass) on 9th March 2019, from Niigata to Shinagawa
    For the 5th day pass, I will use it for Tokyo Subway.
    Is my itineraries okay ?
    Thank you

  2. Janice says:
    June 18, 2018 at 5:48 pm

    Hi, which pass is most suitable for me on an itinerary like this? And which days do I use the pass on?

    1. Haneda Airport to Nagano
    2. Nagano to Snow Monkey Park
    3. Nagano to Tateyama Alpine Route
    4. Nagano to Karuizawa
    5. Nagano to Kanazawa
    6. Nagano to Matsumoto
    7. Matsumoto to Norikura Highland
    8. Matsumoto to Kamikochi
    9. Matsumoto City
    10. Matsumoto to Tokyo
    11. Tokyo
    12. Tokyo to Haneda Airport

    Thank you very much!!

  3. Janice says:
    June 18, 2018 at 5:33 pm

    Hi, can I use the Jr east niigata and nagano pass for the hokuriku shinkansen from toyama to nagano?

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      June 18, 2018 at 8:12 pm

      Hi Janice,

      No. Toyama is not in coverage area. If you take this route, the pass covers the segment from Joetsu-Myoko to Nagano only. You have to add about 5000 yen for Toyama to Joetsu-Myoko.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. Alice says:
    June 14, 2018 at 6:24 pm

    Hi Lucie,
    I’m planning travel to Japan in Mid November 2018.
    Should I buy JR east pass for Nagano & Niigata (5 days) as per my itinerary below :
    a) 19 Nov18 – Narita T2 to Yudanaka Station (1 night stay High Quality Aibiya)
    b) 20 Nov18 – Visit Snow Monkey Park (1 night stay High Quality Aibiya)
    c) 21 Nov18 – Ydanaka Station to Niigata (1 night stay Juraka Stay Niigate)
    d) 22 Nov18 – Niigata to Echigo-Yuzawa Station (1 night stay Yuzawa Grand Hotel)
    e) 23 Nov18 – Echigo-Yuzawa Station back to Tokyo
    f) 24 Nov18 – Day trip to Nikko
    g) 25 Nov18 – Tokyo Area & back to Narita T2 night flight

    Based on my above itinerary, it’s worth to buy JR East pass or should I reduce my visit area?

    Thank you.

  5. Layteng says:
    May 28, 2018 at 11:15 pm

    Hi,
    Can i check if this pass can be used from Narita airport to Disney? What is the route to take? Tks

  6. Grace says:
    May 9, 2018 at 5:00 am

    Hi Takeshi

    Can I get to Shima Onsen using this pass ? I think the train route is Tokyo – Takasaki – Nakanojo ?

    Many thanks
    Grace

  7. Karen Wong says:
    March 22, 2018 at 10:40 pm

    Dear Takeshi San,
    Thank you for taking the time and effort to provide so much valuable info on this site. I would like to seek your advice on whether i should buy the JR East Niigata Nagano Pass.
    We are a group of 4 adults. We’ll fly in to Narita and then travel to Matsumoto. Altogether we have 10 days to visit the Central Alps and Kanazawa and we are thinking of renting a car from either Matsumoto or Takayama. Then we’ll go back to Tokyo where we’ll spend about 5 days. Below are my questions, if you don’t mind:
    1. Does the pass cover the ride from Narita to Tokyo?
    2. Can i use the pass to travel to Matsumoto?
    3. We plan to do the Tateyama Alpine Route. Does the pass cover the ride from Matsumoto to Shinano Omachi and the bus ride to Ogizawa?
    4. Back in Tokyo, we plan to make a day trip to Nikko.
    5. Will it be worthwhile buying the pass? Or should we travel by bus from Shinjuku to Matsumoto and vice versa, and rent a car in Matsumoto?
    Thank you very much.

    Cheers,
    Karen

  8. Amit Nautiyal says:
    February 3, 2018 at 11:36 pm

    Dear Takeshi ,
    We are family of four (children age 4Y and 8Y) arriving Narita T1 on 10th Feb @ 1530 hrs until 17th Feb 1700 hrs .
    I have been trying to read through information on internet however it is very confusing .
    1) Should I buy JR east pass for Nagano (5 days flexi)?
    2) Are JR pass seats are unreserved ? Will i need to buy tickets on top of having JR(E) pass if we want to travel on reserved seats ?
    3) Based on below itinerary , will it be cheaper to buy single unreserved NEX , shinkansen tickets on travel day instead of JR E pass?
    4) We are planning to use SUICA card to travel within Tokyo & suburbs

    Requesting your assistance to suggest good/most economical transportation method for 1 week stay / travel to n fro Tokyo station .

    Detailed itinerary as follows ;
    10 Feb – Travel from Narita T1 to Tokyo station (we are staying at hotel within 400 meters)
    11 Feb – Visit Mt Fuji or Miura Komatsugaike parkfrom Tokyo station for day trip
    12 Feb – Travel to Yuzawa by joetsu shinkansen
    13-15 – at Yuzawa
    15 Feb – Travel to Tokyo station by joetsu shinkansen
    16 Feb – Travel to Disney Sea from Tokyo station
    17 Feb – Travel from Tokyo station to Narita T1

    Cheers/Amit

  9. David says:
    January 27, 2018 at 10:27 am

    Takeshi,
    Thank you for all the valuable info on this site. It’s amazing. I have two questions if you don’t mind:
    I have lived in Tokyo and Nagano-shi and plan on buying the JR East Pass Niigata/Nagano for an upcoming trip (early July) to visit both areas again. I feel the pass will be worthwhile for an 11 day trip including both Tokyo and Nagano-shi. I have spent time in the Soba/Ski areas around Nagano (Togakushi, Hakuba) but would like to visit someplace new on this trip with the use of the JR East Pass. If you could recommend one place, city or rural, in the JR East Pass Nagano area, what would it be?
    Also, do the 5 days of use for the pass need to be consecutive or can they be split up (for example, 2 days in a row and then 3 days in a row a few days later)?

    Thanks again for this website!
    David

  10. Lucie says:
    January 8, 2018 at 6:09 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thanks for detailed explanation. I am planning my trip from Narita to Shinjuku by NEX, Tokyo downtown, then Shinjuku-Kawagoe, Shinjuku-Yokohama, Shinjuku to Echigo-Yuzawa and back to Haneda airport. Is the whole itinerary covered by JR Pass Nagano-Niigata?
    I am considering from Tokyo downtown to Matsumoto as well and then get on the bus to Takayama-Shirakawago, is it possible if I make this trip within 1 day and back to Tokyo in the evening?

    Thank you

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