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. Jo says:

    Thank you so much for your help on this. Have a good day ahead.

  2. Jo says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    I will be Tokyo for 10 days In Nov.

    Day 1 – Arrive at Haneda. Sighseeing in Tokyo. Stay in Asakusa
    Day 2 – Day Trip to Hakone
    Day 3 – Day Trip to Fuji Five Lake
    Day 4 – Day Trip to Karuizawa
    Day 5-7 – Check out and travel to Nikko. Stay 2 nights in Nikko
    Day 8-10 – Travel back to Tokyo and stay in Tokyo. Flying back by Narita.

    I would like to check which pass is the most suitable for the trip especially for the 1st 7 days?

  3. Yoana Petrova says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Could ypu please help me with deciding which pass is the best to be purchased for the below trip:
    Day 1- Arrival at Haneda airport and travel to Shinjuku. Sightseeing in Tokyo
    Day 2- All day sightseeing in Tokyo
    Day 3 – Return day trip to Nikko
    Day 4- Tokyo all-day
    Day 5- Travel from Shinjuku to Hakone. Overnight in Hakone
    Day 6- Morning in Hakone. Afternoon travel from Hakone to Yokohama.

    Is it best to purchase separate tickets for all of the journeys or would a pass be better?

    Thank you in advance.

    • Hi Yoana,

      You have left the comment at the post of Greater Tokyo Pass as well. I approved this comment only because Tokyo Wide Pass slightly better choice. But you have to change your plan if you use Tokyo Wide Pass. Even if you use Greater Tokyo Pass, you have to change the trip plan as well. Because these passes offers three consecutive days unlimited ride. You have to use the pass for Shinjuku – Nikko round trip, Shinjuku to Odawara (on the way to Hakone), Odawara to Yokohama. So you have to switch day 3 and day 4. You have to visit Nikko on day 4. Otherwise you cannot use either passes.

      Greater Tokyo Pass allows you to ride the local bus in Nikko area. But you have to go to Asakusa to take Tobu railway to get Nikko. You can take the metro to get Asakusa from Shinjuku by this pass. But you have to change trains. Tokyo Wide Pass does not cover the local bus in Nikko but you can get Nikko from Shinjuku directly.

      You can get Yokohama from Odawara directly by Tokyo Wide Pass. If you use Greater Tokyo Pass, you have to change trains at least twice.

      For Haneda to Shinjuku and sightseeing in Tokyo, you can use the deal in the link below:
      https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/airport_bus/index.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. Md. Hakim says:

    Hello, I intend to go to Echigo Yuzawa Station and stay ard the area for 2 days and then to Mount Fuji Station for another day. I will be bringing three luggages around with 5 people. Can I check will there be a lot of walking with luggage from Echigo Yuzawa Station to Mount Fuji Station?

  5. Kelly says:

    Hi Takeshi!

    Thank you so much for your detailed information. I am planning to go to Kawazu from Tokyo on a weekday and I am considering to buy a Tokyo Wide Pass but I am confused about some of the information.
    Will the JR Tokyo Wide Pass cover the entire expense of my trip from Tokyo to Kawazu, or will I need to pay an additional fee because the train from Ito to Kawazu is on the Izukyuko line?
    Thank you so much for your knowledge!

  6. Tai says:

    Hi Takeshi san,

    Good day. Glad to see there is someone knowledgeable to answer visitors interested to visit Japan.
    I am planning my 1st trip to Tokyo. I wish to ask, is it worth for me to apply Tokyo wide pass if I wish to visit below places which I will be mostly staying in shinjuku:
    1. Mt Fuji
    2. Disneyland
    3. Odaiba
    Also I will reach Tokyo by Haneda airport, which will be using JR monorail too.
    Thanks

    • Hi Tai san,

      You may be able to get the worth of it. I cannot guarantee it at this point. Because in your trip, the trip to Fuji is a big trip. It costs about 8,000 yen for the round trip. In Tokyo, the train fare is not much big. The total fare in Tokyo may not be more than 2,000 yen. This pass is valid for 3 days only. So you may not be able to cover all train trips by this pass.

      If you want to get the convenience, you can go for this. If you expect a big saving, it does not help you.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Brian says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    I am planning on buying the Tokyo Wide Pass and understand the pass doesn’t cover Nagano Station. What would the additional cost be to Nagano Station? Where do I pay? Can I use the Kagayaki?
    Thanks,
    Brian

    • Hi Brian,

      You have to pay for Saku-Daira to Nagano. The extra fare is around 3,300 to 3,500 yen which include a base fare and reserved seat fee. It’s varied by the season and the seats.

      You can take Kagayaki. But when you book a seat, show your Tokyo Wide Pass and tell the staff at the window that you want to get Nagano and okay with paying extra. You can get same seat all the way to Nagano. And you can get a ticket for trip to Nagano.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. dessy says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    You stated that Tokyo Wide Pass covers only on Yamanote line, Chuo line, Keiyo line, when on website TWP covers JR EAST LINES, is that mean TWP can’t cover JR Saikyo Line, JR Shonan etc? Can you please explain what’s included on JR East Line?

    Thank you in advance

    • Hi Dessy san,

      I think I said “You can take any local trains, like Yamanote line, Chuo line, Keiyo line by this pass.” Shonan-Shinjuku line, Saikyo line and other local lines are covered. It’s too many to list up and I mentioned Yamanote line, Chuo ike and Keiyou line only.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  9. dessy says:

    Hello Takeshi-san,
    Is tokyo wide pass available to purchase before our arrival in Japan through travel agent or offical web of JR EAST? And can we buy this pass for someone else in advance (also non-japanese passport) if we show the copy of passport?

    • Hi Dessy,

      Basically you have to purchase it in Japan. And also you have to buy it by yourself because JR do not take a copy of passport. They need to see the actual one.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  10. Terry says:

    Hi Takeshi!
    We will be going to Tokyo for 4 days.
    Day 1 -Arrival 6am at Narita airport Terminal 2. Plan to go straight to Kawaguchiko area, stay there overnight. Will stroll around Kawaguchiko, visit Oshino Hakkai, Gotemba or Fuji Q highland
    Day 2- to Chureito Pagoda & some museum nearby Kawaguchiko & cruise at Kawaguchiko then will go to Tokyo in the afternoon. Stay at Hotel near Oji station.
    Nikko daytour if possible or just around Tokyo area or Odaiba
    Day 3- Nikko daytour then around Tokyo
    Day 4- check out at hotel near Oji station then will leave luggage for the meantime & stroll around nearby areas prior to night flight.
    1. Is the Tokyo wide pass worth it?
    2. Will this pass cover the same as Mt Fuji pass ( red,green line , sightseeing bus) or just the rail?
    3. How do we go to Kawaguchiko area from Narita airport using this pass? How many transfers?
    4. Is Narita express to Tokyo covered? Do we need to reserve seat?
    5. Can we avail this pass at a cheaper rate in our country home ( Philippines) than in Japan?

    Thanks a lot!

Copied title and URL