Tokyo Wide Pass user guide. Perfect choice for trip to Nikko, Fuji, Gala Yuzawa and Odaiba

Tokyo springRail pass for visitors
The view of Rainbow Bridge from Odaiba (C) Mike Luk / JNTO
The view of Rainbow Bridge from Odaiba (C) Mike Luk / JNTO

Tokyo Wide Pass is currently sold as Kanto Area Pass. This pass will be remodeled and will be sold as Tokyo Wide Pass on December 1, 2015. It covers Tokyo and surrounding area, such as Mt. Fuji, Izu peninsula, or Nikko. Echigo-Yuzawa will be covered by Tokyo Wide Pass but it is not by Kanto Area Pass.

Tokyo Wide Pass will be sold at the higher price on December 1st, 2015 but the coverage ares will be bigger. I would like to show you about this pass and also I talk about the difference between Tokyo Wide Pass and Kanto Area Pass.

Prices and valid period

Validity periodAdult
12 years and older
Child
6 to 11 years old
3 consecutive
days
10,180 yen5,090 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 will be available from December 1st, 2015. But you can order this pass online in advance at JR East official site.

Tokyo Wide Pass is sold at 10,000 yen. Previous version of this pass, Kanto Area Pass is sold at 8,300 yen. The validity period is 3 consecutive days that is same as Kanto Area Pass. So the price higher than Kanto Area Pass but the coverage area is a bit bigger and more trains are covered by Tokyo Wide Pass.

Coverage Area

Toshogu is the highlight in Nikko. (C) Yasufumi Nishi /  JNTO
Toshogu is the highlight in Nikko. (C) Yasufumi Nishi / JNTO

This pass covers 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.

Mostly the coverage area is not much different from Kanto Area Pass coverage area. This pass covers the following major spots in the area.

  • Nikko
  • Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi), Fuji-Q Land
  • Odawara (Gate station to Hakone)
  • Izu peninsula (Atami, Ito, Shimoda)
  • Katsuta (Gate station to Hitachi Seaside Park)
  • Karuizawa
  • Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi (Gate station to Kusatsu)
  • Kamakura
  • Kawagoe
  • Yokohama

And also two more great addition in the coverage of Tokyo Wide Pass.

  • Echigo-Yuzawa, Gala Yuzawa
  • Odaiba, Tokyo Waterfront Area

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 Tokyo Wide Pass covers many “NON JR” railway trains. The following railways are NON JR companies but those are covered by Tokyo Wide Pass.

  • Tokyo Monorail (Haneda-Airport – Hamamatsucho)
  • Izu Kyuko Line (Ito – Izukyu-Shimoda)
  • Fuji Kyuko Railway (Otsuki – Kawaguchiko)
  • Joshin Dentetsu Line (Takasaki – Shimonita)
  • Saitama New Urban Transit Line (Omiya – the Railway Museum)
  • Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit Rinkai Line (Osaki – Shin-Kiba)
  • 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 huge benefit of this deal. Japan Rail Pass (a.k.a. JR Pass) covers only Tokyo Monorail. JR East Pass covers many railways on this list but JR East Pass does not cover Fujikyu Railway, Joshin Dentetsu Line and Saitama New Urban Transite Line. Especially Fujikyu Railway is a big benefit. You can get Lake Kawaguchi without any extra by this pass.

Fuji Kyuko Railway

Joshin Dentesu is not very well known. But it gives you access to one of World Heritaga Site, Tomioka Silk Mill from Takasaki.
How to access to the newest World Heritage Tomioka Silk Mill

When you go to Nikko, Tokyo Wide Pass covers limited express train to Nikko from Shinjuku directly. JR East Pass covers this train trip but Japan Rail Pass does not. This is one of the benefits of this rail pass too.
How to access to Nikko from Tokyo. There are three ways from Tokyo, Shinjuku and Asakusa.

Most of trains on this list has been covered by Kanto Area Pass. But at this time, Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit Rinkai Line is added on Tokyo Wide Pass. This line is not JR company but trains run through JR Saikyo line. It connects Kawagoe, Omiya, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo-Teleport (Odaiba) and Shin-Kiba. You can access to Odaiba from Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Shibuya directly. Shin-Kiba is only two stations away from Maihama that is the gateway station of Tokyo Disney Resort. Please find more information about Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit Rinkai Line at the official site.

Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit Rinkai Line

Both Tokyo Wide Pass does not cover Tokaido Shinkansen. Even if you want to use this Shinkansen in JR East area, like Tokyo to Atami or 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 rapid train or Limited Express Odoriko. These trains are covered by Tokyo Wide Pass.
No express surcharge! Fast, economical and convenient! Rapid service network in Greater Tokyo
Access to Izu and Atami from Tokyo/Yokohama. Limited Express Odoriko / Super View Odoriko

Compare single fare and Tokyo Wide Pass

When you think about purchasing this deal, you need to know this is paid off in your trip or not. I show you some sample.
*All rates are based on base fare and reserved seat limited express supplement in 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. You have to use the pass more to get the worth of this deal.

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. Tokyo Wide Pass is cheaper than only this round trip cost.

Trip to Lake Kawaguchi from Tokyo or Shinjuku by Limited Epxress to Otsuki and Fuji Kyuko railway

Total fares are 4,080 yen from Tokyo and 3,910 yen from Shinjuku for one way. It is not enough to get the worth by only this round trip.

Trip to Gala Yuzawa from Tokyo by Shinkansen

Total fare is 6,870 yen for one way. You can get the worth of this deal easily by only this trip.

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.
If you visit Shimoda, this pass is cheaper.

Trip to Karuizawa from Tokyo by Shinkansen

Total fare is 5,910 yen for one way. You can get the worth of this deal easily by only this trip.

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.

Trip to Tokyo-Teleport (Odaiba) from Shinjuku

Single fare is 500 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.

Assessment

This deal will be sold at 10,000 yen that is 1,700 yen higher than previous version, Kanto Area Pass. But it can take you Gala Yuzawa and Odaiba. In my opinion, it is a great addition. It gives you a great deal. I still recommend you this deal. You can use this pass for access to/from airport and visit two places, you can get more than 10,000 yen value easily.

Comments

  1. Monica Rodriguez says:

    Dear Shimomura-san,

    First of all congratulations of your web site. I find it really useful in order to make our itinerary in Japa because of so many options. But at leasest I think we have found the correct regional pass which suits us. If you were so kind to check we will really appreciate your help.

    We travel from 2.05-18.05 to Japan. We land on the 03.05.2020 and we want to have a the tokyo wide pass for the first 3 days, to travel from Narita to our Hotel and do two trips in the next days (Kamakura and Nikko) but I have realised that we can´t buy the pass out of Japan. Am I right? So we decided to make our trips up the 04-06. That´s confusing, because other regional pass are able to buy out of Japan, but not this one.

    Our Hotel from 03-07 is in Shinjuku

    we travel fom 07.07-13 to Kyoto with the Shinkansen, and we would like to see Kyoto (3 days) and the region (Himeji, Osaka and Nara) with Kasai Area pass. We plan to vistit Kyoto with the bus.

    13-15 Tokyo (Asakusa) , Suica Card

    15-16 Overnight in Hakone (Hakone Pass for two days)

    16-18 Tokyo Shinjuku and return to Europe. We plan to see Tokyo and no further trips out the city.
    Suica Card.

    So my questions are:
    Am I right that the JR Pass for a week or two weeks doesn´t worth in this case for us, and it´s better to take the regionas pass: Tokyo Wide Area. Kasai area Pass and Hakone Pass? For the trips we are plan to do? We also want a Suica Card for transportation in Tokyo and maybe also Kyoto.

    Can I book a ticket in the Shinkansen, even I don´t have any rail pass already.?
    How can I book my reservations in this case to Kyoto and Region and return, or to Nikko, Kamakura?

    Many thanks in advance for checking or Itinerary. Your coments are very appreciate in order to by the JP Rail pass or not and to book the train reservations

    With Best Regards
    Mónica Rodríguez

    • Hi Monica san,

      You may use 7-day JR Pass for 7th to 13th. You don’t need Kansai area pass because you have JR Pass when you are in Kyoto. But JR pass does not cover all part of Kyoto. Please see the link below:
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-in-kyoto.html

      You may use Suica to take subway, non JR railway and city bus. But one day city bus pass is sold at 600 yen. You can get the worth of city bus pass by only 3 rides of the bus. One day bus pass may be better choice than using Suica to take a bus.

      You can get Himeji, Nara and Osaka by JR pass from Kyoto. That’s why you don’t need Kansai area pass.

      Tokyo Wide Pass is a good choice. It’s not sold outside Japan. But even if you buy it, you still need to exchange the pass. When you arrive in Narita airport, you can exchange JR Pass right away. You will start using it when you leave Tokyo for Kyoto but you can exchange it in advance. When you exchange it, you can pick a date when you want to start using it. At same time, you can buy Tokyo Wide Pass and Suica. Welcome Suica is available for foreign travelers only. It is recommended:
      https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/welcomesuica/

      So you will use Tokyo Wide Pass, Suica, JR Pass and Hakone Free Pass. You may need to add a few local deals, such as Kyoto city bus pass. But these four passes cover most part of your trip.

      You can book a seat when you exchange JR Pass. That is reason why I recommend you to exchange the pass right after you arrive in Japan.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. Riska Bernade says:

    Hi Takeshi San,

    I believed you are well.

    I am going to Japan in July, and thinking to get Tokyo Wide Pass for my first three days.

    First day arrive early in the morning, stay near airport ( Haneda ) than going to Fujinomiya in the morning

    Second day back to Tokyo

    Third day Nikko or Chureito pagoda

    Is TWP suitable for my itenary? I saw it cover FujiQ, but didn’t see Fujinomiya.

    Looking forward to hear from you, your advice much appreciated.

    Regards,
    Riska Bernade

  3. Connie Chua says:

    Dear Takeshi san,
    I will be visiting Tokyo on the Golden Week for 9 days from 1.5.2020 to 9.5.2020. I hope to do the flower tour around Tokyo. My plan is to tour around Tokyo city for the first five days that is from 1/5 to 5/5/2020. ( 5/5/2020 – visiting Odaiba)
    Then use the 3days JR Wide Pass to visit:
    6/5/2020 – Hitachi Seaside Park
    7/5/2020 – Ashikaga Flower Park
    8/5/2020 – Fuji Shibazakura Festival
    (Doing the flower tour the last three days to avoid the crowd from Golden week)
    9/5/2020 – Departure
    Since the 3 days JR Wide Pass also cover Odaiba and Haneda Airport, how do I maximize the Pass. What pass should I buy? My accommodation is at Shinjuku.

    Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you.
    Connie

    • Hi Connie san,

      Just use Tokyo Wide Pass for 6th, 7th and 8th. Haneda and Odaiba are located in Tokyo and you should pay a regular fare to get these places. The flower parks and Fuji are located outside Tokyo and cost much. Tokyo Wide Pass should be used for these threed days.

      There is no deals to cover for Haneda to Shinjuku and trip to Odaiba. You may pay a regular fare to take Keikyu railway from Haneda to Shinagawa and Yamanote line from Shinagawa to Shinjuku. This is the fastest and most convenient route. And pay a regular fare to take Yamanote line and Rinkai line from Shinjuku to Tokyo Teleport (Odaiba).

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. Manuela says:

    Dear Takeshi san,

    During Golden week we will finally come back to Japan. 26-04-2020 till 09-05-2020. Because of holiday season here in Holland we have no other choice to visit during this busy period with our children. We are breaking our heads over whether to buy a 7 or 14 day JR Pass ! Or to buy a 7 day and combine with a Tokyo Wide pass for 3 consecutive days…

    Our itinerary :

    Day 1 : Narita Airport to Tokyo (1 night)

    Day 2 : Tokyo to Kyoto (3 nights) side trip Arashiyama

    Day 5 : Kyoto to Osaka (2 nights) side trips Nara, Enoshima Island

    Day 7 : Osaka to Kanazawa (2 nights)

    Day 9 : Kanazawa to Tokyo (5 nights) side trips Karuizawa, Kamakura, (maybe Lake Kawakuchiko)

    I know for our 1st week the JR pass is worth it, but for the second week we have to travel from Kanazawa back to Tokyo and would like to explore from Tokyo. Meaning 1 way fare Kanazawa-Tokyo and a few side trips.

    I found the Tokyo wide pass online it seems good value maybe together with a welcome Suica card we can cover a week in Tokyo including those side trips ? wonder if it is a big difference to an actual JR pass

    Hope you understand and have a tip for us I’m trying to calculate all passes but seem confused what’s best.

  5. Mara says:

    Dear Takeshi san,

    I will visit Tokyo for 5 days in mid February and below is the draft itinerary:
    1st day arrive from Narita airport to Shinjuku
    2nd day from shinjuku to Kawazu for a day trip then go to Nebukawa station for hotel nearby
    3rd day from Nebukawa to Odawara and then to Ikebukuro
    4th day tour around Ikebukuro/ Tokyo/Roppongi
    5th day leave Tokyo to Narita airport
    I have queries on the trains to Kawazu, schedules and the costs. Is it worth to buy the Tokyo wide pass (3-day) ? it seems the pass cannot be used in some of the rail lines to Kawazu. And reserved seats need to be booked in advance,it might be difficult if missed the train?
    Would be grateful for your advice.
    Thanks and regards,
    Mara

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