How to use JR Pass in downtown Tokyo. Try to maximize using JR Pass

yamanote line e235Tips for Japan Rail Pass
Yamanote line is the busiest train service in Japan.
Yamanote line is the busiest train service in Japan.

JR Pass and other JR deals, such as JR East Pass Nagano Niigata, JR East Pass Tohoku, Tokyo Wide Pass, Hokuriku Arch Pass and JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass covers JR local trains in downtown Tokyo. But you may not be able to find which train JR lines is. You may not be able to find where you can get in downtown Tokyo by JR lines.

In this post, I focus on JR trains in downtown Tokyo and will tell you where you can get without any extra charge. You will find how much you can use JR Pass in Tokyo in this post.

Explaination in the movie

I uploaded same content as this post in YouTube. You can watch it below if you like:

Overview Japan Railways local lines in downtown Tokyo

First of all, make sure how many lines JR has in downtown Tokyo. Please see the map below. I show you only JR lines that you need to take in Tokyo. This map does not show you all stations and lines. Only major lines and stations are shown in this map.

JR train network in downtown Tokyo (Click to view large)

They have five lines in Tokyo. All five lines are very busy commute line. Weekdays’ timetable is different from the weekend. But it is not much different. The traveller cannot notice that. The trains are operated every 3-5 minutes in peak hours and 5 to 10 minutes in non peak hours. Usually the train is started to operate around 6:00am and the last one is around 0:30am. So you don’t need to check the timetable. You can take the train anytime.

And each lines have different line color. This color is shown on the platform and train. This coloring let the passenger find the right train easier. The summary of these lines are the following:

Yamanote line (line color Yellow Green)

It is a loop line and connecting most of major downtown cores, like Tokyo, Yurakucho (Ginza), Shinagawa, Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno and Akihabara. This is the busiest line in Japan. The train comes every 2 to 3 minutes in peak hours and every 4 minutes even in daytime. Most of sightseeing spots are located inside or along Yamanote line. You may take this train many times.

Chuo-Sobu line (line color Yellow)

Sobu line has Yellow color.

This line connects Chiba with Mitaka via Akihabara and Shinjuku. The trains go through downtown Tokyo east and west. There are Ryogoku (the nearest station to “Kokugikan” Sumo tournament arena), Akaihabara, and Tokyo dome along this line. But if you go to Chiba, take Yokosuka-Sobu Rapid train. This is way faster than Sobu line train.

Chuo line Rapid (line color Orange)

Chuo line has orange color (left) and Keihin Tohoku line has sky blue color (right).

This line connects Tokyo with Takao via Shinjuku and Hachoiji. The train comes every 2.5 minutes in peak hours and every 4 minutes in non peak hours. It is as busy as Yamanote line. This train goes on same route between Tokyo and Kanda as Yamanote line and between Ochanomizu and Mitaka as Sobu line. But Chuo line train is operated as rapid service. It stop at only Kanda, Ochanomizu, Yotsuyabetween Tokyo and Shinjuku except early morning and late night.

Keihin Tohoku line (line color Sky Blue)

This line goes from Omiya (Saitama) to Ofuna (near Kamakura) via Yokohama. The train runs every 5-10 minutes. This line runs with Yamanote line between Tabata station and Shinagawa. But this lines’ train skip several station in daytime on this section. The trains stop at Ueno, Aihabara, Tokyo, Hamamatsucho and Tamachi. If you travel on this section, Keihin Tohoku line is faster than Yamanote line. Be careful that the trains do not stop at Yurakucho and Shinbashi.

This train take you to Yokohama. But this is not good idea to take this train to outside of downtown Tokyo. This train is not fast train service. You should better take Yokosuka-Sobu Rapid train or Tokaido Rapid train. These rapid trains a sort of commute trans. You don’t need to pay any express surcharge. You can take with a basic fare only. Please see the details at Rapid train service network in Greater Tokyo.

Most of trains goes on Negishi line from Yokohama to Ofuna. There are several popular spots in Yokohama waterfront area, such as Minato Mirai, China town, Yamashita park. You may take this train from Yokohama to the west.

Keiyo line (line color Wine Red)

This line goes along Tokyo bay area.

This line connects Tokyo with Soga (Chiba). Tokyo Disney Land and Tokyo Disney Sea are located at Maihama station on Keiyo line. Tokyo station of this line is located at basement 4th floor. It is very deep underground. You need to spend at least 20 minutes to change the train to Keiyo line train from other trains, like Shinkansen, Yamanote line, Narita Express, Chuo line.

Which spots you cannot go by Japan Railway trains?

Please see the map above again. I put most of popular spots in Tokyo in the map. As I mentioned to you, most of spots are located along Yamanote line, like Akihabara, Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku and Ueno park. Imperial Palace is a bit away from Tokyo station. But it is still within walking distance (appx 10-15 mintes from Tokyo station). Tokyo Tower can be accessed from Hamamatsucho station on Yamanote line and Keihin Tohoku line. It is 15 minutes walk away. But these following spots are not accessible from Japan Railways’ stations:

Asakusa

The station that has very similar name, “Asakusabashi” is on Chuo-Sobu line. But this station is not located in Asakusa. You have to take Subway. Please see the post below to find the detailed information:

Roppongi

Roppongi is located in south part of downtown Tokyo. It is not accessible by JR. Take Tokyo Metro Hibiya line from Yurakucho station to Roppongi. You also can take Hibiya line to Roppongi from Ebisu. The fare is around 200 yen and take 10-15 minutes.

National Diet

It is near Roppongi and not accessible by JR either.

Tsukiji Outer Market

You can walk from Shimbashi statin. But it is 20 minutes away. I recommend you to take Toei subway Oedo line. The market is located just above Oedo line Tuskiji Market station. You can take Oedo line from Shinjuku. The fare is around 250 yen and take 20 minutes. If you access from Tokyo station, take Yamanote line or Keihin Tohoku line to Hamamatsucho and transfer to Daimon station on Toei subway Oedo line. Daimon and Hamamatsucho are same location. The fare is around 200 yen for subway and take 20 mintues altogether.

Odaiba

Some of JR Saikyo line train go through Rinkai line.

This waterfront is located in the manmade island. You cannot get there by JR. You have to take Yurikamome (automated train service) or Rinkai line. Please find the detailed information in the post below:

Should I purchase Tokyo subway pass?

As you have seen, you may have to take subway even if you use JR Pass. The single fare is not expensive. But you can buy 24 hours pass at 800 yen for Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines.

Please find the information about Tokyo Subway Ticket in the link below:

You may find the information abou the trian network in Tokyo in the link below:

Hope you have a good trip in downtown Tokyo

Comments

  1. Jojo says:

    Hi, I will be vacationing Tokyo Japan next week with my family (2 adult + 1 kid).
    Our sched is like this:
    day 1 – arrive Narita – go Disneyland, stay hotel nearby
    day 2 – go DisneySea (whole day)
    day 3 – shop around Tokyo, Akihabara, etc
    day 4 – go Gala Yuzawa
    day 5 – go Puroland
    day 6 – return home via Narita

    Is the sched good enough? I intend to buy JR EAST PASS (5 day use) + GALA promo so to be able to enjoy discounted rate. Is it a good buy?

    while at it, i would like to know the ff:
    – whats the easiest way to go disneyland upon arrival, but BUS or TRAIN?
    – whats the easiest way to go around Tokyo?
    – how to get to Puroland? the direction in their website is not detailed.
    – does one need to spend whole day in Puroland?

    thanks.

  2. Suraya says:

    Hello,
    This is my first time travelling to Tokyo with the family (2 adults, 2 seniors and 2 children, 5 yr & 8 yr). We are arriving on 9 June and departing for home on 15 June. Travelling on free and easy.
    Here’s what I’ve planned,
    9 June – Arrival in Tokyo
    10 June – Day trip to Tokyo Disneyland
    11 June – Day trip to Mt Fuji & Hakone
    12 June – Tokyo Day Trip, shopping & sightseeing
    13 June – Travel to Kyoto
    14 June – Sightseeing in Kyoto
    15 June – Fly off home by ANA to Singapore

    I am not sure if the above schedule is too packed and tiring for the kids and my parents.
    Could you help to recommend better itinerary?
    Should we purchase Japan Rail for 7 days? I have read too many review and recommendations on Japan Rail that made me confused. Some recommended not to buy 7 days tickets while others have recommended me to purchase Subway Pass, Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway Lines)

    I look forward to hearing from you.

    Suraya

  3. cathy chen says:

    hi Takeshi San;

    My bf and I will go to japan (narita airport via pal) this apr 20-27 and we brought a jr pass. we plan to go to osaka (universal studio) and hokkaido, sapporo (if possible via Jr pass)… can you suggest our travel route? will it cover the JR pass? and what time is the best to travel? we are planning to go back and forth only as we have booked our hotel in hotel sunroute higashi shinjuku already. but if not possible, we plan to stay for one night at sapporo. same thing with osaka, can we do it back and forth ? we would just like to visit universal studio there. what is the day train time and night train time? is night train also covered by JR pass? thanks a lot in advance.. pls help

  4. Widjaja says:

    Hi Takeshi, i will go to japan for 10 days:
    1st day – Narita – shibuya, shibuya – shinjuku – harajuku
    2nd – kawaguchiko
    3rd – Ueno Park – asakusa
    4th – Osaka castle – namba
    5th – universal
    6th – Kyoto – kinkauji – kiyumizudera complex
    7th – osaka – kyoto – arashiyama
    8th – osaka – kyoto – nijo castle – osaka – minoo park
    9th – osaka – tokyo – maihama
    10th – disneyland
    11th – disneysea
    12 – back to Narita

    I bought 7 day jr pass.

    Please suggest which day better for me to start using my JR Pass?

    Should i buy Kyoto bus pass during my visit to kyoto area?

    Thx

  5. Arif says:

    Takashi San;
    I would like to have your assistance in advising me which train pass will be good for us (me and my wife) for the route given below;

    Osaka to Kobe – 1 day tour
    Kobe to Hiroshima – 1 day tour
    Hiroshima to Tokyo – 1 day tour
    Tokyo to Osaka – 1 day tour

    (I am looking at this trip in the month of April’14)

    What will be the price for two passes in US$?

    Thanks, Arif

  6. candice says:

    Hi,

    We will be staying in Japan for 13 days. We are really confused as to which JR PASS we should avail. Should we take the 7day or 14 day pass. Below is our itinerary. We will arrive in osaka by the 25th of March.

    OSAKA-KYOTO ( MARCH 28)
    KYOTO-TOKYO (MARCH 30)
    TOKYO-HAKONE (APRIL 3)
    HAKONE-TOKYO (APRIL 4)
    TOKYO-KYOTO (APRIL 5)
    KYOTO-NARA (APRIL 6)
    NARA-KYOTO (APRIL 6)
    KYOTO-OSAKA(APRIL 7)
    OSAKA-KANSAI AIRPORT (APRIL 7)

    Another quation is that can we use JR PASS in any trains from KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO OSAKA NAMBA? Can we use the pass in Osaka and Tokyo subway trains too?

    Thank you very much for your help.

    Regards,

    Candice

  7. Hadi T says:

    I will visiting Japan on 24 March until 4 March for seighseeing, port of enter to Japan is Osaka, from Osaka I will go to Kyoto, from Kyoto to Fuji Kawaguchiko, after Fuji then to Tokyo.

    Can you help me to give the information how I should travel around ?

    Thank you very Much.

  8. Lee says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I just came across your post and I’ve got one quick question to ask:

    I’m about to visit Tokyo for 8 days (my first time). Do I need to purchase a Japan Rail Pass first in order to use the JR Lines? Can I purchase the ticket on the spot based on the places I wish to visit?

    Appreciate if you can let me know.

    Kind Regards,
    Lee

  9. Morty says:

    Mr. Takeshi,
    I would like to ask about the JR pass.

    We arrive in Tokyo Tuesday morning ( Oct 29) and plan to take the express train into Tokyo
    We will stay at the Grand Prince hotel near the Sinagawa station.

    We plan to sightsee in tokyo until Monday November 4th
    on Monday Nov 4th we plan to goto Matsumoto castle ( and return to tokyo)

    On tuesday Nov 5th we plan to travel to Kobe and stay there until Wednesday Nov 13.
    From Kobe we plan to take day trips to
    Kyoto
    Hiroshima
    nagoya
    himiji castle
    osaka

    with the rest of the time in kobe

    On Wed Nov 13 we return to Tokyo
    On thursday Nov 14 a one day trip to mount Fuji

    Then return to The airport Sunday morning Nov 17.

    I was thinking of Buying a ticket from the airport to tokyo on the express train.
    Then using a subway pass for the first week in Tokyo and then
    using a 2 week JR pass for the rest of the trip.

    Does this make sense.

    -thank you
    morty

    • JPRail says:

      Hi Monty,

      First of all, I recommend you to use Suica & N’ex for Narita-Shinagawa transfer and sightseeing in Tokyo.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/suica-nex-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-tokyo.html
      You can use Suica for any trains, JR trains, subways and other private company’s trains. If 1500 e-money in Suica is not enough, you can add subway pass or you can add some more fund in your Suica. Actually Suica can be used in Kobe, Osaka and Kyoto too. Even if you have JR pass, subways in Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe are not covered by JR Pass. If you have a fund in your Suica, you don’t need to purchase a ticket whenever you go through ticket gate. Just touch your Suica and go through. It’s quite easy.

      You can use 14 days pass for Nov 4 to Nov 17. It will make sense. But I recommend you to drop by Nagoya on the way to Kobe. If you want to go there as day trip, it’s okay. But as probably you know, Nagoya is located in the middle of Tokyo and Kobe. If you go there from Kobe, you will have a luggage free trip.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • morty says:

        Thank you for your reply

        I see that I buy the Suica & N’ex card at the airport. Can I use a United states credit card for that, ow will I need to use Japanese Yen?

        many thanks for your help

        morty

  10. abraham says:

    Konichiwa Mr. Takeshi,

    do you think the 7 days JRP its worth for this itinerary?

    osaka-hiroshima turn around

    osaka-nara

    nara-kyoto

    kyoto-tokyo

    domo arigato!

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