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

yamanote line e235Tips for Japan Rail Pass
2012.01.02
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:

How to get to Asakusa. Does the JR Pass cover Asakusa?
Asakusa is one of the big tourist places in Tokyo. Asakusa is also the terminal station of Tobu Railway for Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen. This post shows you how to get Asakusa. You also find how to use JR Pass and other JR deals to get Asakusa.
jprail.com
2020.07.25

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:

Odaiba access guide. How much can we use JR Pass or other JR deals to get to Odaiba?
Odaiba is one of most popular tourist places in Tokyo. There are lots of entertainment and shopping complex in Tokyo Bay harbour area. You may find how to get Odaiba in this post.
jprail.com
2019.12.18

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:

Tokyo Subway Ticket is most useful deal for sightseeing in downtown Tokyo.
Tokyo Subway Ticket gives you unlimited ride of all subway lines in downtown Tokyo. This post gives you the detailed information of this pass.
jprail.com
2012.01.16

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

Guide to take trains in Tokyo. How to choose the best deal and the best route by the train.
There are so many train lines and subway lines in downtown Tokyo. It is hard to find the route and the coverage of many deals. This guide shows you the train system, how to find the route and how to choose the deals.
jprail.com
2016.01.24

Hope you have a good trip in downtown Tokyo

Comments

  1. mira says:
    March 25, 2015 at 5:54 am

    hi,,i want to travel from tokyo-kyoto-osaka-tokyo…is jr pass worth it?and can u explain about the suica card..what can i use it for?

  2. Max-Arly says:
    March 24, 2015 at 7:30 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    Thanks a lot for all those useful informations. However I’m still kinda confuse about what would be the best option for me for transportation.

    Here is my itineray:

    I will arrive in Tokyo 17th of June then go to,

    Nagoya 18th-19th
    Osaka 20th-22th
    Kyoto 23th-25th then,
    back to Tokyo until July 16th.

    I want to be able to move freely in those city and most importantly in Tokyo. (Be able visit the main attractions)

    Is a 21 days JR Pass is a good option?

    Please let me know,

    Max-Arly

  3. Eevon says:
    March 24, 2015 at 2:13 am

    Hi, i have been doing some research about the train system as i will be going to Japan in June. Here is my plan on how to use the JR pass 7 days/1 way ticket, can you help me check if i have the right information ?

    11 June – Touched down Narita (I will buy Narita Express to Shinjuku 1 way here)

    12 June – Tokyo (Will probably visit Hakone but i think don’t think JR Pass cover the train line to Hakone ?)

    13 June – To Kyoto via Hikari Shinkansen (Here i will start using my JR Pass DAY 1)

    14 June – Kyoto (Kyoto 1 or 2 day pass. JR Pass does not cover right ?)

    15 June – Kyoto back to Tokyo (Here i will use my JR Pass DAY 3)

    16 June – Disney (Does the JR Pass cover JR Chuo Line, JR Keiyo Line/JR Musashino Line to Disney ? This i am not sure, i go from Shinjuku)

    17 June – Disney

    18 June – Mount Fuji (I go from Shinjuku, does the JR Pass cover JR Chuo line again to Otsuki Station ?)

    19 June – To Narita Airport (Here, i will use my JR Pass DAY 7)

    Thanks a million……

  4. Johnny says:
    March 22, 2015 at 11:12 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    My girlfriend and I will be coming to Tokyo on 15th May with the following itinerary:-

    Tokyo 15th – 18th
    Mount Fuji 19th
    Kyoto 20th – 23rd
    Osaka 24th

    We plan to stay in Daiwa Roynet Hotel in Osaki. My plan was to take the Narita NEX to Shinagawa on the 15th, get off there and take the train to Osaki and walk to the hotel.

    16 – 18th we would be exploring most of the well known places in Tokyo (Shinjuku, Shibuya. Akusaka, Ginza, Harajuka etc)

    19th we plan to take a day trip using the JR Chuo from Shinjuku to Otsuki then onto Kawaguchiko via another train (which I think the JR pass does not cover), then take a bus to the ‘shibazakura’ festival then make our way back to Osaki.

    20th we head out to Shinagawa and take the shinkansen to Kyoto.
    21st – 22nd we plan to do Kyoto and Nara tours (I don’t think the JR pass covers the transport)
    23rd we head to Osaka
    24th we fly out

    I was planning to use the 7 day JR pass from day 1 when we land and use it on the NEX. This will take us to 21st May where we are already in Kyoto. I had plan to buy a one way single ticket from Kyoto to Osaka.

    Should I buy a 7 day pass for the above? Or is it better to buy single tickets like example below?

    – 1 way ticket NEX to Shinagawa
    – daily subway tickets for days in Tokyo
    – Return ticket to Otsuki
    – 1 way shinkansen ticket to Kyoto
    – 1 way shinkansen ticket to Osaka
    – 1 way ticket rail from Osaka to Kansai Airport

    Thanks so much for advice.

  5. James says:
    March 10, 2015 at 9:38 am

    Hi there thanks for the informative guide but I do have a few questions!

    Me and my girlfriend will be in Tokyo for
    About a week, but the only places we were gonna visit outside of Tokyo was a day trip to the Zao Fox Village in The mountains near Shiroishi. We were planning on visiting lots of things tokyo has to offer such as Akihabara, Harajuku, Ueno, Meiji Shrine, and other things in Tokyo. Would the JR Rail pass be worth it for a trip like this? Or would regular transportation prices suffice? Thanks!

  6. Geneve Guigue says:
    March 5, 2015 at 11:54 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    We will be going to Japan this may 01-08 2015, Here is our itenirary
    Day1-arrival to haneda explore tokyo
    Day 2,3,4= tokyo
    Day 5-7- osaka, kyoto,namba,kobe
    Day-8 tokyo then exit to narita airport at around 6pm

    From what i understand the JRP will be covering only my day 1 to day 7 fare, any suggestion what fare ticket should we get?
    And the amount of days we will spend in osaka and kyote area will be enough?
    Lastly, where do you recommend osaka or kyoto area?
    Thank you so much, Hope you reply my inquiry. 🙂

  7. maurice vandervaere says:
    March 5, 2015 at 7:32 am

    hi i am in japan from a monday night at 6 pm to friday morning i was to visit osaka and kyoto buy train but most of my time will be in tokyo i come into narita airport and leave narita airport
    so i need to take the train from the aiprot so for my train travel is it beter to get the 7 day japan rail pass i was thinking about geting up at 5 am one morning taking a train from tokyo to kyoto then kyoto to osaka then osaka to tokyo get back to tokyo around 11 be and have all the other days in tokyo what do u sugest for the cheaper option jr rail or not

  8. Tktje says:
    February 27, 2015 at 7:28 am

    I was wondering if I should get the Japan Rail Pass and if it will cover everything (if not where should i stop over)? Thank you in advance 🙂

    I am planning to stay at Kyoto for 4 nights)
    Day 7- Tokyo -> Kyoto (early morning departure to arrive in Kyoto early)
    Day 8 – Kyoto
    Day 9 – Kyoto -> Osaka -> Kyoto
    Day 10 – Kyoto ->Nara -> Kyoto-> Himeji (I read that I would need to go back to Kyoto if I want to go to Himeji since they don’t have direct connection to Himeji from Nara)
    Day 11 – Kyoto -> Miyajima/Hiromshima -> Tokyo

    If you have any advice for stay or stop over, please let me know.

  9. Nicholas says:
    February 24, 2015 at 12:20 am

    Hi there!!

    I need your advice on what train passes i should buy!

    Heres my itinerary.

    29-Oct Thursday TOKYO Touchdown at NRT: 0740
    Shinjuku + Harajuku
    30-Oct Friday TOKYO Disneyland
    31-Oct Saturday TOKYO
    1-Nov Sunday TOKYO
    2-Nov Monday TOKYO
    3-Nov Tuesday TOKYO
    4-Nov Wednesday TOKYO – HAKONE leave morning
    5-Nov Thursday HAKONE
    6-Nov Friday HAKONE
    7-Nov Saturday HAKONE – KYOTO leave evening
    8-Nov Sunday KYOTO Nara day trip
    9-Nov Monday KYOTO
    10-Nov Tuesday KYOTO – OSAKA leave kyoto night
    11-Nov Wednesday OSAKA
    12-Nov Thursday OSAKA
    13-Nov Friday OSAKA
    14-Nov Saturday OSAKA – KANSAI Airport

  10. clarice says:
    February 21, 2015 at 5:42 am

    Hi Takeshi,,

    Please let me know if 7 day JR pass is cheaper than single tickets for the below itinerary,

    We will be staying in Japan for 7days,

    TOKYO- OSAKA- KYOTO-NARA- TOKYO- HAKONE- TOKYO

    Of course we want to visit most tourist spots in Tokyo.

    Please let me know which ticket to purchase.

    Thank you.

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