Everything you need to know about the JR Tokyo Wide Pass

What is the JR Tokyo Wide Pass?

The JR Tokyo Wide Pass is a rail pass exclusively available to non-Japanese passport holders, offering unlimited travel on JR trains (including shinkansen and limited express trains) and select non-JR trains within the Kanto Region surrounding Tokyo for three consecutive days.

How much does it cost?

Where can it be used?

Unlimited use of:

• JR East: Local, rapid, express, limited express, and shinkansen trains operated by JR East within the Kanto Region, as well as portions of Nagano, Niigata, Yamanashi, and Shizuoka Prefectures.
• Non-JR:
  • Fujikyu Railway to the Fuji Five Lakes
  • Izukyu Railway on the Izu Peninsula
  • Direct JR/Tobu limited express trains between Shinjuku, Nikko, and Kinugawa
  • Tobu Railway between Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen
  • Joshin Railway to the Tomioka Silk Mill in Gunma Prefecture
  • Tokyo Monorail to Haneda Airport
  • Saitama New Shuttle between Omiya and the Railway Museum
  • Rinkai Line in central Tokyo

Important Information

• The pass is not valid on the Tokaido Shinkansen (not operated by JR East). A supplement fee is required for Hayabusa and Komachi trains on the Tohoku Shinkansen and when utilizing the observation car on Fujikyu Railway limited express trains.
• Free seat reservations are available (see “How to reserve seats”).
• The pass is valid for three consecutive calendar days (midnight to midnight) – you can select the start date when purchasing.
• Only non-Japanese passport holders, including foreign residents of Japan, can use the JR Tokyo Wide Pass.
• Children under 6 years old who do not require seat reservations do not need a pass.
• A separate fee is applicable if you wish to use the Green Car or GranClass.
• During the ski season, pass holders can enjoy discounted lift tickets, ski rentals, and onsen admission at the Gala Yuzawa resort.

Where to buy

The JR Tokyo Wide Pass is sold at select major stations in the Tokyo area, including Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station, Shinjuku Station, Shibuya Station, Yokohama Station, and Mito Station.

It can also be purchased via online and offline travel agents, or on the official JR East website, but the actual pass must be picked up at a station in Japan before use.

How to reserve seats

Free seat reservations can be made at seat reservation ticket machines and JR ticket offices. Online seat reservations are also available on the JR East Train Reservation website; however, physical seat reservation tickets must be collected at a designated ticket machine or office before use.

How to use

Insert only your rail pass into the automatic ticket gate. 

Make sure to pick up your rail pass after passing through the gate. The rail pass cannot be reissued even if it is lost or stolen etc.

Value

The JR Tokyo Wide Pass can offer excellent value, particularly for travellers planning multiple side trips from Tokyo to popular destinations such as Nikko, the Fuji Five Lakes, the Izu Peninsula, Karuizawa, or the onsen towns of Gunma Prefecture.

Sample Usage/Itineraries

Here are some round trip fares for popular side trips that you could take with the JR Tokyo Wide Pass:

• To Nikko: 3,000 yen (Tobu Railway), 10,500 yen (Shinkansen)
• To the Fuji Five Lakes: 4,500 yen (bus), 7,500 yen (limited express train)
• To Shimoda: 12,000 yen (limited express train)
• To Kusatsu Onsen: 12,000 yen (limited express train)
• To Karuizawa: 11,500 yen (Shinkansen)
• To Kamakura: 2,000 yen

The best way to get value from this pass is to visit at least 2 of the locations listed via Shinkansen or Limited Express train, as these are the highest cost journeys.

You would likely then only need to use the pass for journeys on local trains to cover the cost of the pass and effectively travel for free for your remaining journeys.