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. Melissa says:
    January 4, 2016 at 5:20 am

    Dear Takeshi,
    I’ll visit japan on April 2nd to 10th 2016.So the effective day I’ll spend only 6 days.I would like visit Osaka as my departure day on 2-3 of April.Kyoto 4-6 of April , tokyo 7-10th of April,will go to Tokyo by Willer Express for over night on 6th april.
    My questions :
    1. how many days should I stay in Osaka and Kyoto.I like photography.3days 2 nights in Osaka or 3days 2 nights in Kyoto,which one is worth it for take picture during Sakura blossom?
    2. what transportation/pass ticket suit to us (2women)if I visit Osaka,Kyoto,Nara and Tokyo (beside Willer Express).I’ll visit Hakone and Mt Fuji on the second day in Tokyo.I’ll visit Odaiba too.

  2. Rachel says:
    January 4, 2016 at 3:53 am

    Hi. Can i purchase the Tokyo Wide pass online even if I am unsure of departure times?
    Can I use if from TWP1 Narita to Tokyo NEX then Tokyo to Echigo yuzawa
    2nd day we will stay at Yuzawa
    TW3 return from Echigo Yuzawa to Tokyo then to use Keiyo line to Maihama station Disneyland?
    Also do you have instructions on how to platform from arriving in Tokyo Station from NEX to echigo yuzawa and back from echigo yuzawa arriving at Tokyo station to get to Keiyo line? I appreciate any information! THANK YOU!

  3. Linda Witjaksono says:
    January 2, 2016 at 6:40 pm

    Hi Takeshi..
    Happy New Year.. 🙂

    We decide to buy ‘Tokyo Wide Pass’ on arrival in Narita.
    • On Saturday, Jan 16th 2016. We (3 Adults and a 11 years Child) will use the ‘Tokyo Wide Pass’ for Narita Express to Kawaguchiko Lake via Shinjuku-Otsuki Station anda spend night there.
    • On Sunday morning we will move to Echigo Yuzawa and overnight in a hotel near the Gala Yuzawa Station.
    • If we can catch the earliest train at Shinjuku station, we want to visit Nikko on Monday morning and back to Tokyo in the evening, stay in hotel at Kuramae, Taito, where we will stay for the next 4 nights.

    • For the next 4 days we plan to spend the days around Tokyo, like : Ueno, Asakusa, Akihabara, Ginza, Shibuya, Harajuku, Yoyogi and Shinjuku, and also visit Disney Sea and Odaiba.
    • On Friday, 22th Jan 2016 , we’ll leaving for Narita Airport.

    What I want to ask you are :
    1. Is it right to choose the ‘TWP’ for the first 3 days, or we’d better change the itinerary so the schedule isn’t too tight?

    2. Since there’re only twice limited express trains from Shinjuku to Nikko, in case we miss the train on Monday Morning, then we’ll make One Day Trip to Yokohama, is ‘TWP’ cover this trip?

    3. Is ‘TWP’ cover the Yamanote Line?

    4. Besides Tokunai Pass, what kind of other Daily Pass we should better take, which cover the city trip in last 4 days, remembering the Disney Sea, Odaiba and the hotel area where we’ll stay are out of Yamanote Line.
    Is it worth and better if we use Suica Card?

    Thankyou Takeshi, can’t wait to hear from you.. 🙂

  4. Ajeng says:
    January 1, 2016 at 1:43 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Will this pass covered the train from Shinjuku to Otsuki Station say for the trip to Mt. Fuji? Also will it covered the bus trip in fujigoko area?

    Thanks,
    Ajeng

  5. Jep says:
    December 29, 2015 at 8:18 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    What’s the best possible route/train that I could take if I were to go to Gotemba as part of this wide pass?

  6. Alena says:
    December 21, 2015 at 11:36 pm

    Hi,

    I am planning to go to do 5days in GALA Yuzawa and Tokyo. The Tokyo Wide Pass is for 3 Days. Any suggestions how I can have something similar for 5 days instead?

  7. Truc says:
    December 20, 2015 at 11:12 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Does Tokyo Wide Pass cover subway (metro)? If I am intending to make far trips (Gala Yuzawa, Hakone…) in the morning and then sight seeing around Tokyo at night, should I purchase another subway pass? I’ll be staying in Ekoda and it seems that there is no JR line to get to it directly? (The nearest is ikebukuro, right?)
    Please help me to figure this as I have a chance to purchase cheap subway pass before entering Tokyo.

  8. rommel says:
    December 13, 2015 at 10:22 pm

    hello takeshi,

    can i use JR Tokyo wide pass from Narita Airport 2 going to Oshiage station. i have booked an apartment near Oshiage station for my stay in Japan. please advise.

    thank you.

  9. Zaidah says:
    December 13, 2015 at 7:47 am

    Hi Takeshi

    My itinerary looks something like this

    D1 Narita to Roppongi area
    Tokyo tower – Suica

    D2: disneyland -Suica

    D3: harajuku, shinjuku- Suica

    D4: tokyo mosque tokyo bay cruise -Suica

    D5: mt fuji area – Tokyo wide Pass 1

    D6: Gala yuzuwa TWP2

    D7: Naspa garden TWP3

    D8: Roppongi to Narita- Suica

    I intend to get Suica&TWP adults and Nexopen & TWP for kids.
    What do think?
    Thanks!

  10. Linda Witjaksono says:
    December 12, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    Hi Takeshi,
    On Saturday morning, January 16th 2016, we’re going to Kawaguchiko Lake from Narita Terminal 2 . Is still there direct route from Narita to Kawaguchiko Station using the Narita Express on Saturday/Sunday/ Holiday, so we don’t need transit at Shinjuku Station to Otsuki. If so, will ‘Tokyo Wide Pass’ cover the direct route?
    Thank you,
    Linda W.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      December 13, 2015 at 12:27 am

      Hi Linda,

      There is no direct train to Lake Kawaguchi from Narita. It runs in spring to autumn season only. You need to transfer at Shinjuku.
      But you may use Tokyo Wide Pass anyway.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

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