shiraito falls clear water

Ultimate Guide | JR Tokyo Wide Pass 2024

Jr Tokyo Wide Pass is an excellent option for non-Japanese passport holders who want to travel Tokyo region on a budget and with ease. Its cost-effectiveness, convenience, and coverage of not only major tourist spots but also lesser-known destinations make it a great choice for anyone planning to travel to the Kanto region.

 

Exploring Japan by train is an experience that every traveler should have on their bucket list. With its efficient railway system and breathtaking scenery, traveling by train is undoubtedly one of the best ways to explore Japan.

jr tokyo wide pass

Jr Tokyo Wide Pass is a cost-effective and convenient way to explore Tokyo and its suburb. It is a special discount ticket that allows unlimited travel on JR East lines in the Kanto region, including Tokyo and the surrounding prefectures such as Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, and Chiba. This pass is valid for three consecutive days and comes with a choice of either a reserved or non-reserved seat. The Jr Tokyo Wide Pass also covers some non-JR trains and buses, making it easier to reach destinations not accessible by JR trains.

JR Tokyo wide pass price?

The biggest advantage of using the Jr Tokyo Wide Pass is its price.  It costs ¥ 15,000 for adults and ¥ 7,500 for children. It is a highly cost-effective option for travelers who wish to explore the Tokyo region on a tight budget.

Adult (12 years  old and above)

¥ 15, 000

Child (6-11 years old)

¥ 7, 500

Is tokyo wide pass worth it?

Yes! The cost of a round-trip ticket from Ueno to Niigata on the JR Joetsu Shinkansen alone is ¥ 13,960. So if you’re planning to travel to Niigata and back, or visit other places within the Kanto region, the Jr Tokyo Wide Pass is an excellent option to save money.

 

Apart from the price, another reason why you should consider getting the Jr Tokyo Wide Pass is its convenience. With this pass, you won’t need to buy individual train tickets every time you travel. You can insert your pass at the ticket gate and hop on to any JR East train without worrying about the fare. You can also reserve seats for free, so you don’t need to line up and buy a separate ticket for a reserved seat.

Jr Tokyo Wide Pass covers not only major tourist spots but also lesser-known destinations. If you want to feel the old Japan and you are near Tokyo, you may consider visiting Koedo in Kawagoe, Saitama. Kawagoe is one hour away from Tokyo, and 30 mins from Ikebukuro via the Tobu Tojo line. 


時の鐘 (Toki no kane or Bell Tower) is a symbol of Koedo in Kawagoe, Saitama. This wooden bell tower chimes four times a day to tell time since Edo period. The original tower was destroyed in the Great Kawagoe Fire, the current tower is a reconstruction of the original one. 

toki no kane (時の鐘)
This wooden bell tower chimes four times a day to tell time since Edo period.

How to buy JR Tokyo wide pass?

There are three options to purchase the pass:

  1. Purchase online: You can purchase the JR Tokyo Wide Pass online through authorized websites such as the JR East website or through authorized travel agencies. To purchase online, you will need to provide your personal information, including your name, passport number, and date of birth. After payment, you will receive a voucher that you can exchange for the actual pass when you arrive in Japan.

    Steps to purchase JR Tokyo wide pass online.

    Step 1:  Visit this site: JR East Japan Railway Company
    Step 2: Click the “Purchase a pass” Button.
    Step 3:  Select a pass to purchase. This time you choose “JR Tokyo Wide Pass”.
    Step 4:  Click “Buy your pass”.
    Step 5:  Confirm and click “purchase this pass”.
    Step 6: Enter the purchase information. Click “Next”.
    Step 7: Select the pass pick-up location. Click “Next”.
    Step 8: Check reservation details and pay.

  2. Purchase at a JR East station: You can also purchase the pass in person at a JR East station in Japan. Look for the JR East Travel Service Center or Midori no Madoguchi, which are usually located near the ticket gates of major stations. You will need to show your passport and fill out a form with your personal information. Payment can be made in cash or by credit card.
    For more info. Visit JR website
  3. Purchase at Narita or Haneda airports: If you are arriving at Narita or Haneda airports, you can purchase the JR Tokyo Wide Pass at the JR East Travel Service Center or the JR Ticket Office. Simply present your passport and fill out a form with your personal information. Payment can be made in cash or by credit card.

Which Railway can I ride?

✅ JR EAST Lines

✅ Tokyo Monorail

✅ Izu Kyuko Line

✅Fujikyu Railway Lines

✅Joshin Dentetsu Line

✅Saitama New Urban Transit (Ōmiya – the Railway Museum)

✅Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit Line (Rinkai Line)

 

 

 

Please Note:

  • The JR TOKYO Wide Pass cannot be used to travel on the Tokaido Shinkansen. (This is due to the fact that the Tokaido Shinkansen is operated by a different corporation.)
  • When traveling on Fujikyu Railway, you must purchase a numbered ticket for the Fujisan Express observation car and a seating ticket for the Fuji Tozan Densha. (A separate fare is required).
  • Gala Yuzawa Station is only open in the winter and spring.

For more details about my travel, check my recent Golden Week three days  Itinerary using JR Tokyo wide pass.

Day 1 :  Niigata Prefecture

echigo yuzawa station

✅ Arrived at Echigo Yuzawa Station around 9:00 AM.

10:00 - Go KartYozawa mountain go-cart

Driving a go-kart at Kogen Yuzawa Alpine Botanical Garden was one of the most fun things I did today. ✅

11:00 - Chill at the Park

Play Park

✅ Chill around Yuzawa Kogen Play Park after go cart ride experience.

11:20 - Lunch

13:00- Walked around Echigo Yuzawa station

foot-bath-Near-Echigo-Yuzawa-Station

✅ Explored the area near Echigo Yuzawa station and relaxed at the foot bath.

15:00 -  Kiyotsu Gorge tunnel

Kiyotsu Gorge tunnel
Kiyotsu Gorge tunnel

18:00 - Ponshukan

Ichigo Sake Mueseum

✅ 132 different types of sake for tasting are available at Ponshukan.

Day 2: Shizuoka Prefecture

On day 2, our first destination was the last station in Izu included on our 3-day pass, Izukyu-Shimoda✅

11:00 - Perry Monument

 

11:30 - Lunch at Kurofuneya

happy meal at kurofuneya restaurant
Delicious meal serve at Kurofuneya

 

12:30 - Bamboo Charcoal Vanilla

Bamboo Charcoal Vanilla Flavor soft cream at
Bamboo Charcoal Vanilla Flavor soft cream

 

13:30 -  Izu- Kogen Station

jr tokyo widepass izu-kogen stataio
jr tokyo widepass izu-kogen stataio

 

Explored the place around the station a bit while waiting for the train for Jogazaki Kaigan Station ✅

14:00 - Jogazaki Kaigan Station

izu-national-park

Izu-national-park✅

14:30 - Kadowakicape lighthouse

Kadowaki cape lighthouse
Kadowaki cape lighthouse

 

We walked from Jogazaki Kaigan Station to Kadowakicape lighthouse for about 30minutes. ✅

15:00 - Kadowaki Suspension Bridge

taking selfie at kadowaki suspension bridge
Selfie in front Kadowaki Suspension bridge

Day 3: Nagano Prefecture

taking selfie before going to nagano
taking selfie before going to nagano

 

7:30 - Tokyo to Nagano via Hokuriku Shinkansen ✅

8:50 - Sakudaira Station

 

sakudaira-station
We got off at Sakudaira Station and then changed train to a JR train and headed to Komoro Station ✅

9:20 - Komoro Station

9:30 - Komoro Castle Ruins

komoro-castle-ruins

 This castle was the seat of power in the region for over 300 years. 

10:30 - Go back to Sakudaira station​

sakudaira-station-shiawase-bell
We went outside the station and took a pose at 幸せの鐘(Shiawase no Kane) or Bell of happiness

11:05 - Touch down Karuizawa Station​

karuizawa-station

12:00 - Shiraito Falls​

Selfie at shiraito falls
Taking selfie at Shiraito Falls' delicate stream of water

 

Shiraito Falls gets its name from the thin and delicate streams of water that cascade down from a height of 20 meters. T

13:30 St. Paul Church

St.-Paul-church-karuizawa

The church is said to be one of the most historic buildings in Karuizawa.

14:30 - Kyu-Karuizawa​

Kyu-Karuizawa
The place was crowded with locals and some foreigners.

16:30- Prince Shopping Plaza

Kyu-Karuizawa
The place was crowded with locals and some foreigners.

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