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

Tokyo springRail pass for visitors
2015.11.08
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. Sara says:
    December 12, 2015 at 7:08 pm

    Hi, we planned our trip as follows:
    Day 1 – arrived from osaka early morning. Then Tokyo to yuzawa
    Day 4 – yuzawa to tokyo ( staying at shibuya)
    Day 5 – gotemba
    Day 6 – disneyland
    Day 7 – tokyo surroundings
    Day 8 – to haneda

    Sould i buy tokyo wide pass and for which day? What abt suica?

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      December 13, 2015 at 12:11 am

      Hi Sara,

      Actually I recommend you to use JR pass 7 days for the first 7 days. If you use Tokyo Wide Pass, you have to purchase single ticket from Kansai airport to Tokyo. It costs more than 15000 yen by Shinkansen and limited express from Kansai airport.

      Even if you purchase JR pass 7 days, it does not give you a big saving. But it makes your trip be much easier. You can use JR pass in Tokyo and get Gotemba as well even though its’ very convenient.
      https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html

      You have to add single fare to get Haneda. But Haneda is very closed to downtown Tokyo. JR Pass is the best choice in my opinion.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Sara says:
        December 13, 2015 at 5:12 am

        Thank you so much for the information takeshi. If i buy the jr pass means it will cover my transportation expenses from osaka to tokyo too?

        • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
          December 13, 2015 at 10:50 am

          Hi Sara.

          Exactly. You can take Limited Express Haruka from KIX to Shin-Osaka. And then you can take Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo. These trains are covered by JR Pass. You cannot take the fastest train, “Nozomi” on Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Tokyo. But the second fastest train “Hikari” is covered. It runs almost twice an hour. It’s completely no problem to trip to Tokyo by this train.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • sara says:
            December 13, 2015 at 4:08 pm

            Hi Takeshi, I have tried to order the JR Pass online twice by using my 2 visa credit cards but there were a statement :
            Error – The exception has been logged with Id 6oe019e8m
            Error – The exception has been logged with Id 6oe014d1d
            Please advise.

            • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
              December 13, 2015 at 10:29 pm

              Hi Sara,

              I have no idea about credit card issue.
              But which pass did you try to get it? I recommend you to use JR Pass. You cannot purchase it at JR East online. If you google “JR Pass online”, you can find some dealers. Any JR companies, like JR East, JR West, do not sell JR pass online. You have to have this following pass.
              http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/index.html

              You also find the official dealers in this link above.

              Cheers,

              Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. Ching says:
    December 12, 2015 at 12:21 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    I’m staying at Shinjuku area and thinking to buy Tokyo Wide Pass (10,000 yen) to cover 3 days itinerary as below.

    Day 1 Shinjuku – Mt Fuji day trip – return to Shinjuku
    Day 2 Shinjuku – Hakone day trip – return to Shinjuku
    Day 3 Disneyland or Odaiba?

    1. Is it worth to use Tokyo Wide Pass for above 3 days?

    2. Should I plan just 1 day to cover both Mt Fuji and Hakone or it would be a better plan to have a separate day visit to Mt Fuji and Hakone?

    3. My 2 days Shinjuku to/return trip to Mt Fuji and Hakone will be covered under Tokyo Wide Pass right?

    4. For Day 3 (last day of Pass), should I use it to Disneyland or Odaiba for better savings? How much is the train fares from Shinjuku to Disneyland and Shinjuku to Odaiba?

    Many thanks for your advice.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      December 12, 2015 at 12:32 am

      Hi Ching,

      You can use this pass for your 3 days trip. But it does not give you a big saving. You can find the fare comparison in the link above.
      But I don’t mention about Hakone in the post above. Because you need to add Hakone Free Pass anyway. Any JR deals do not cover the core part of Hakone.
      https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html

      And this pass does not cover Shinkansen from Tokyo to Odawara. You need to take Limited Express Odoriko or rapid train to get Odawara. After arriving Odawara, you have to add either single fare or Hakone Free Pass.

      Trip to Odaiba is 500 yen as I mentioned in the post above. Disney is 390 yen one way. It does not help a big amount anyway.

      Overall this pass will be cheaper than single fare but not big saving.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. JOANNE says:
    December 8, 2015 at 8:15 am

    Dear Takeshi,

    I am still a little bit confused about this pass.

    My plan roughly will be

    day 1 Tokyo – Echigo Yuzawa – Tokyo
    day 2 Tokyo – Kawaguchiko
    day 3 Tokyo – Karuizawa – Tokyo

    Can I use this pass for itinerary above? or do you have better suggestion? Thank you!

  4. TS says:
    November 26, 2015 at 12:46 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    Can the JR Tokyo Wide Pass be purchased online by foreign tourists in advance? I am not able to find the link to do so.
    If possible, we would like to make pass purchase and seat reservations before our arrival in Tokyo.

    Thank you.

    From TS

  5. Jayne says:
    November 23, 2015 at 9:28 am

    Hi Takeshi-San,

    I read your posts on Tokyo Wide Pass and Hypermedia website. I tried using Hyperdia but I think the website doesn’t allow me to uncheck certain options which are excluded if I use Tokyo Wide Pass. Hence, I would really appreciate it if you could advise the type of train pass/ticket to use for my itinerary in late Dec 2015 below:

    Day 1 : Narita Airport to Shinagawa Station

    Day 3 : Shinagawa Station to Echigo Yuzawa Station (Ski Resort)

    Day 5 : Echigo Yuzawa Station to Kawaguchiko Station (Mt Fuji sightseeing)

    Day 7 : Kawaguchiko Station to Shinagawa Station

    Day 10 : Shinagawa Station to Narita Airport

    Thanks in advance for your help!

  6. TS says:
    November 19, 2015 at 12:11 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    Need you kind advice. We are planning our trip this Dec and will be staying at Shinjuku. We plan day trips as follows:
    Day 1 – Mt Fuji & Hakone . We booked one-day tour with local agent with an option to disband at Odawara station.
    Day 2 – Kamakura – Great Buddha & Hase Temple
    Yokohama – Cup Noodles Museum & Chinatown
    Day 3 – Gala Yuzawa
    Day 4 – Asakusa- Sensoji temple & Tokyo Skytree
    Odaiba- Teleport Station area
    Appreciate your advice to
    a) Does the Tokyo Wide Pass cover all above areas?
    b) If so, which is better option? To cover day 1-3 or day 2-4?
    c) How to travel from Odawara station to Shinjuku with the pass & its approximate travelling time?
    Thank you very much.
    From TS

  7. Sita says:
    November 16, 2015 at 6:08 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    So glad, I found this info! We plan to visit Japan from 26-31 Dec for experiencing winter in Japan. On Dec 27-28, we will go to Gala Yuzawa. The remaining days after will be spent by strolling around Tokyo. If we used the wide pass from Dec 27-29 (as I understand, the pass is only valid for 3 days), what will be the cheapest way to go around Tokyo afterwards? Is Tokyo 3 day subway pass is a good option? Huge thanks in advance for your guidance 🙂

  8. WY says:
    November 14, 2015 at 8:23 am

    Hi Takeshi

    I intend to visit Fuji Shibazakura Festival and Ashikaga Flower Park (or Hitachi Seaside Park at Ibaraki) on two consecutive days. I would be heading back to Haneda Airport on Day 3. Am staying near Tokyo Station. Would it be feasible for me to get this Tokyo Wide Area pass or stick to Suica instead?

    Thanks in advance!

  9. Kunnikar Kanatharana says:
    November 11, 2015 at 7:28 pm

    Dear Takeshi,

    If my itinerary is like this, should I buy
    1. Keisei Skyliner & 1 day metro (for day 1 &2)
    2. Tokyo Wide Pass (for day 3, 5-7)
    3. Tokyo metro+Toei line – 1 day open ticket (for day 4)

    Day 1: (Sat)
    – Arrive at Narita (around 7 p.m.)
    – Check in hotel near Ueno area

    Day 2: (Sun)
    – Sightseeing north & central Tokyo (e.g. Asakusa, Ameyoko, Tsukiji fish market, Ginza, etc.)

    Day 3: (Mon)
    – One day trip to Kawasaki (Doraemon museum), Yokohama, Kamakura

    Day 4: (Tue)
    – Sightseeing west & south Tokyo (e.g. Harajuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo Tower, etc.)

    Day 5: (Wed)
    – Travel to Mt.Fuji, check in hotel near Lake Kawaguchiko
    – Sightseeing around Lake Kawaguchiko (Kachi Ropeway)

    Day 6: (Thu)
    – Sightseeing Oshino Hakkai, around Lake Yamanakako, and back to Lake Kawaguchiko

    Day 7: (Fri)
    – Check out and travel back to Tokyo
    – Depart at Narita airport

    Thank you in advance for your kind advice.
    Best Regards,
    Kunnikar

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      November 11, 2015 at 9:00 pm

      Hi Kunnikar,

      You may purchase a single ticket for day 3 because Tokyo Wide Pass covers three consecutive days. You have to use for day 5 to 7 even though you don’t need a pass on day 6.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Kunnikar Kanatharana says:
        November 12, 2015 at 10:51 pm

        Dear Takeshi,

        Thank you for your advice.
        Then, what would be the best choice for Day 2 and 4?
        -buy 1 day open ticket for Tokyo metro?
        -buy normal ticket for each individual trip to Kawasaki, Yokohama, and Kamakura?

        Many thanks,
        Kunnikar

  10. suria says:
    November 10, 2015 at 5:25 pm

    hi,

    if my itinerary like this, is suitable for me to take this pass?

    day 1: arrived at yokohama, sight seeing around the place. check in

    day 2:
    – Doraemon museum
    – Sight-seeing at Southern Tokyo
    – Odaiba/Asakusa

    day 3:
    – Giblin Studio
    – Sight-seeing at central Tokyo

    day 4:
    – Tsukiji market
    – Sight-seeing Northern Tokyo
    – Central Tokyo

    day 5
    – Check out
    – Sightseeing at Central Tokyo
    – Head to Haneda Airport

    if i’m using the wide pass starting on day 2, is it worth?? or not?
    since i’m not using the JR Pass, so what do you think?

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