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. Jack d says:

    i went to tokyo couple times, besides yokohama,Nikko, Gala Yuzawa, what other sides trip is must or worth to visit using jr wide tokyo pass

    thank you

    Jack

  2. MJ says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I will be in Japan this March and I’m planning a visit to Kawazu using TWP. Could you confirm if I can use TWP for this? Thank you.

    Regards,
    MJ

  3. Kat says:

    Hello Takeshi,
    Could you please confirm if the JR Tokyo Wide Pass covers for the following trips (date of trip last week of Feb2018):
    1. Keisei Line Limited Express: Narita to Shinjuku
    2. JR Limited Express: Shinjuku to Otsuki and vice versa
    3. Fujikyu railway: Otsuki to Kawaguchiko and vice versa
    4. . Fujikyu railway: Kawaguchiko to Shimo-Yoshida and vice versa
    4. Joetsu Shinkansen: Tokyo to Gala Yuzawa and back
    Also, from my understanding, these trips do not require a seat reservation prior to the trip. Could you confirm?
    Thank you very much! Appreciate your help.
    Regards,
    Kat

    • Hi Kat,

      I think you mixed up Keisei line with Narita Express. Keisei line runs between Narita and Ueno and it’s not JR. Keisei is not covered by this pass. But Narita Express is JR train and it is covered. This train runs between Narita and Shinjuku.
      https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/narita-express.html

      Please make sure which train you will take. If you take Narita Express, it’s covered.

      All other trips are covered. Reservation is required to take Narita Express. It’s not required for other trains. But it is recommended for Shinjuku-Otsuki and Tokyo-Gala Yuzawa.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. Angta says:

    Hi Takeshi, I am currently in Japan and just bought TWP. I already reserved a seat for gala yuzawa, yet I couldnt book the reserved for the return trip since it is full already. My question is can I still board the shinkansen with no reserved seat ( at risk of standing) or am I not allowed to board at all.

    Second question, how to use TWP to go to kawaguchiko Lake?

    Thank you

  5. CAHao MD says:

    Hi Takeshi! Thank you for this thread. Is the below itinerary feasible in your opinion?
    TWP DAY 1 Echigo Yuzawa
    TWP DAY 2 Lake Kawaguchiko
    TWP DAY 3 Narita
    Are any trains/buses in this travel plan that will not be covered by the TWP? Thank you!

  6. djaffar says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    i want to ask about JR lines that stop on JR Narita Station. From the map i can see that
    -Narita Line,
    -Joban Line (Rapid Service) Narita Line
    -Ueno-Tokyo Line
    -Yokosuka Line Sobu Line (Rapid Service)
    has a stop on JR Narita Station
    are they all covered by tokyo wide pass?

  7. Djaffar says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    Me again
    Just want to make sure if i am going to Gotemba premium outlet fron Narita terminal 2
    Hyperdia suggests to use

    Narita express to shinagawa St.
    Jr tokaido Line for atami to kozu St.
    Jr Gotemba for Numazu to Gotemba St.
    Free shuttle to Gotemba premium outlet

    N’EX is covered in Tokyo wide Pass
    Jr tokaido (non reserved seat) is covered too (this section is owned By Jr East, isnt it?)
    Jr Gotemba not covered

    Also this Jr tokaido is different from tokaido shinkansen right? Jr tokaido Line is on the platform 12 if i check the shinagawa station map.. anyway, why this Line shows option for seat class in Hyperdia?

    For kozu station, i cant find the station map/layout so i Dont have a picture how Will i transfer from one platform to another. Any insight, Takeshi?

    Thank you brother

  8. djaffar says:

    hello Takeshi,
    sorry for asking you again since you are such a guru for me
    1) where can i find the list of JR EAST line included in TWP?
    how to differs from JR central laid on Tokyo area and another JR not included in TWP? is it true that JR east only consist of 13 lines like mentioned in https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/downloads/pdf/routemap_e.pdf (lower right corner page 1) or
    2) how about JR lines mentioned in this map https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/info/map_a4ol.pdf ? are they included in TWP? i am a bit confused about it

  9. djaffar says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    i need your explanation please
    i want to go to Fuji Q from Narita Airport and intended to use Tokyo Wide Pass
    1)is it true if i take narita express i dont need to stop in Shinjuku station? in other words, i just go with narita express until otsuki station because narita express covered this area?
    then i can choose fujikyu line to go to fuji Q highland?

    2)since i can find an explanation on fujiQ website about how far the fuji Q station to fuji Q entrance, shall i go there by walking or bus?

    3) this link https://www.fujiq.jp/sp/qr-wari.html from fuji Q highland give some coupons but which i one is right. this coupons valid for Regular holiday・定休日 :11/7,12/5,12/12,1/9,1/16,1/23 or other than date mentioned ?

    Thanks for your explanations

  10. Jean says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    May I know if the Tokyo Wide Pass covers the below route?

    From Nikko JR to Utsunomiya (45 mins)
    Take JR Nikko Line for Utsunomiya

    From Utsunomiya to Tokyo station
    Take Shinkansen Yamabiko 152

    Thank you in advance!

    Jean

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