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
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:

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.

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.

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

Comments

  1. Annie says:

    Hi, if i’m planning to visit Nagano, Takayama, shirakawago then Tokyo, is it better for me to arrive in Nagoya & travel around then back to Tokyo or arrive in Tokyo and purchase the Nagano Niigata Pass (which doesn’t seem to be available for purchase in Nagano)? Will have to buy bus passes for routes not covered of course.

    Is it possible to fully utilise the pass from Tokyo – Nagano – Tokyo?

    Thanks in advance

  2. Eunice wong says:

    Hello Takeshi-San,

    I am travelling from kanazawa to niigata

    9:21 AM
    KANAZAWA STATION via
    Shinkansen Hokuriku-Shinkansen Hakutaka 558 HakutakaTokyo
    to

    Jōetsumyōkō Station
    Via Shirayuki 3 Limited Express

    To Niigata station

    Is shinkansen hokuriku, and shirayuki limited express covered by JR east (nagano, niigata) pass?

    • Hi Eunice san,

      Shirayuki is covered but the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Joetsumyoko is not covered. This segment is completely outside the coverage area.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Eunice wong says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    Could you please tell me if it’s possible to use the JR East Niigata and Nagano pass to travel from Nagano matsumoto station (shinano line) ?

    I’d be very appreciative of your reply.
    Thank you

  4. Rosanne says:

    I would like to ask about purchasing the JR East Nagano Niigata Rail Pass. My husband and I are visiting Japan this November; from Shinjuku we would like to travel to Karuizawa on 11/9 via Shinkansen; on 11/10 travel to Yokohama; on 11/11, visit Kamakura, return to Yokohama. [On 11/12 we board a cruise.] On 11/15 we are in Niigata; at this point we don’t know if we want to take a day trip. On 11/16, we will be in Tsugara and want to visit Hikone Castle. On 11/17, we will be in Sakaiminato, and want to visit Yushien Koen.

    Do you recommend purchasing this pass for use over this period? We can use this pass on five flexible days during our stay in Japan. If we don’t use the pass on 11/15 in Niigata, can we use the pass from Yokohama to Kamakura on the 11th? Thank you for your time.

  5. Stacey says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    Could you please tell me if it’s possible to use the JR East Niigata and Nagano pass to travel from Ikebukuro Station to Yokohama Station?

    I’d be very appreciative of your reply.
    Thank you
    Stacey

  6. Vic Marta says:

    Dear Takeshi-san, I am still confused whether I should buy the JR East (Niigita-Nagano) or JR East Tohoku pass. I am planning to visit Tateyama (Mount Tate), Kurobe Alpine Route, Kanazawa, Takayama, Shirakawago, Gokayama, Matusumoto, Kurobe Gorge, Toyama and Kiso Valley. I will arrive from Tokyo airport. Which pass I should buy?

    Thank you,
    Vic

  7. Johannes says:

    hi takeshi san,
    i want to ask
    i will arrive at tokyo at 16 april and spent 4 days at tokyo as basehome. i wanna go to gala yuzawa, kawaguchi (shibazakura), and niigata for cherry blossom. which one is cheaper for me?
    1. buy tokyo wide pass and then buy extra ticket for niigata trip?
    2. buy jr east pass niigata nagano pass and then buy extra ticket for kawaguchi trip?
    thanks alot

  8. Siew Chee says:

    Hi,

    I have purchased Niigata and Nagano 5 days pass. I would like to know how can i use the pass to go to Enoshima and Kamakura on a day trip from Shinjuku station. And also how much i need to top up for other fare not included in the pass?

    thanks and regards,
    Siew Chee

    • Hi Siew,

      You have to pay for Enoshima railway only. You can get Kamakura and Fujisawa by this pass. The regular fare for Enoshima railway is 190 to 300 yen by the distance.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Lai Siew Chee says:

        Hi Takeshi San,

        thanks for the prompt reply. May i know is the new Fuji Excursion train covered under this pass as well?

        Thanks and regards,
        Siew Chee

        • Hi Siew Chee san,

          The train goes to Kawaguchiko directly but the pass covers only Shinjuku – Otsuki only. You can add the fare on board to the conductor or when you exit Kawaguchiko station. Just show your pass and they will let you know the extra fare.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  9. Melanie Mercado says:

    Hi Takeshi san,

    I would like to seek your advice on my IT:

    I am going to Tokyo-Iiyama and Iiyama station- Tokyo in just one day but when I checked one way Hokuriku Shinkansen will cost me ¥12,500 and double for roundtrip.

    Is Tokyo – Iiyama and vice verse via Hokuriku Shinkansen covered by JR east Nagano Niigata 5 day pass? This pass will only cost me around ¥17,000 still cheaper instead of buying a single ticket.

    Hope you can help me.

    Thank you very much.

    Melanie

    I am just a bit confused if JR East Nagano Niigata will cover only until Nagano or Iiyama station is included?

    A

  10. Christy says:

    Hi Takeshi san. Thanks for the reply. If I buy the Kansai Thru Pass on the day, would it cost more than if I buy online?

    Also, is it possible to use Suica to travel from Kyoto to Osaka? Just in case I decide to not buy the KTP.

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