The JR Tokyo Wide Pass gives you unlimited access to Shinkansen bullet trains operating within the applicable area for three consecutive days as well as regular trains on all JR East lines and most private railway lines in eastern Japan.

This is perfect for travelers eyeing places like Nikko, Karuizawa, or Izu which are slightly farther away from central Tokyo.

To help you get the most value out of this fantastic train pass, we'll be sharing helpful information in this article about where and how to get your hands on one, scenic hotspots and must-try activities along the way, the nearest train stations to these attractions, how to transfer trains, the best seasonal destinations covered by the pass, and much more. Your journey starts right now!

This is a travel pass offered by East Japan Railway Company (commonly known as JR East) to those holding a non-Japanese passport. It costs 15,000 yen per adult (aged 12 and above) or 7,500 yen per child (aged between 6 to 11). It covers Tokyo City and the prefectures of Gunma, Tochigi, Saitama, Ibaraki, Yamanashi, Kanagawa, and Chiba.

Once activated, the pass is valid for three consecutive days. It allows its holder to take unlimited rides on JR Shinkansen bullet trains, limited express trains, and regular trains, where you can reserve seats if you like or take any of the free seats available.

The pass also gives access to all trains running on JR East lines and some private railways in other cities and prefectures. This is a dream pass you should consider if you're planning to travel to any of the destinations mentioned above. You'll appreciate the value and convenience it offers for your trip.

JR Tokyo Wide Pass price
・Adults (12 and above): 15,000 yen
・Children (6 to 11): 7,500 yen

*The Tobu Railway Line between Shimo-Imaichi and Tobu-Nikko/Kinugawa-Onsen offers local and rapid train services. However, limited express trains starting and ending at Tobu Railway stations cannot be used. The JR Tokyo Wide Area Pass is valid for travel on Tobu Railway only if either the departure or destination station is a JR line station.

・Method 1: Purchase online from the JR East online train reservation page, then collect the pass from the ticketing counter you selected after arriving in Japan. Don't forget to bring along your passport!

How to buy a JR pass online: https://www.eki-net.com/top/tr/guide/reserve/pass.html

・Method 2: Purchase directly from sales counters in the areas covered by the JR Tokyo Wide Pass using your passport. If you have a biometric passport, you can also purchase the pass from a reserved seat ticket vending machine. This allows the machine to verify relevant information accurately and quickly dispense the pass.

How to use a reserved seat ticket vending machine to buy the pass / Vending machine locations:
https://www.jreast.co.jp/tc/downloads/pdf/passport_operation_tc.pdf

Sales counters for direct purchase or collection of the pass:

Traveling to Nikko by train from Tokyo takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. The most famous place of interest here is the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, one of the Shrines and Temples of Nikko, a UNESCO world heritage site.

This is the main shrine to the many Toshogu shrines in Japan. Some of the must-see artifacts on display here are the carvings on the interior decor, such as the peaceful nemuri-neko (sleeping cat), and depictions of ancient Chinese tales like the three wise monkeys, Xu You the ear washer, and the seven sages of the bamboo groove.

As for Lake Chuzenji located deeper in the Okunikko area, many local tourists come over during mid-October to admire a truly unbelievable sight of fiery maple leaves spread all around the waters.

Kegon Falls is also located here, and it's known as one of Japan's top three waterfalls. The thundering sound of the mighty stream falling directly downward creates a scene that is both intimidating and awe-inspiring at the same time. Definitely worth a visit!

Kairakuen is a Japanese-style garden in Ibaraki Prefecture's Mito City that has a great reputation among local nature lovers and is known as one of Japan's top three gardens alongside Kenrokuen in Ishikawa Prefecture's Kanazawa City and Korakuen in Okayama Prefecture's Okayama City.

A vast swath of Kairakuen is covered with plum trees that showcase their amazing blossoms between late February to early March every year. When the trees are in full bloom together, this part of the garden is a wondrous sight to behold.

As for Hitachi Seaside Park, this is a 200-hectare wide garden that has captivated flower admirers from the world over. No matter which season you happen to find yourself in this floral wonderland, the area is going to be carpeted with a thick layer of delicate petals that will delight your senses.

The colors can get especially vibrant and vivid during the pollination season between spring to summer when the scenery is further enhanced by flamboyant butterflies fluttering to and fro colorful blooms. No wonder people from all over the world flock here every year!

Seasonal Highlights
・Spring: Narcissus, tulips, poppies, etc.
・Summer: Lavenders, zinnias, daisies, sunflowers, etc.
・Autumn: Pampas grass, kochia scoparia grass, cosmos, oxeye daisies, etc.
・Winter: Marigolds, autumnal leaves, plum blossoms, wintersweets, etc.

The iconic sight of Mount Fuji is practically synonymous with the country of Japan itself, and hiking up this beautiful mountain in summer or touring the five lakes district around it is but a couple of the more popular activities visitors are encouraged to try during their visit.

If you enjoy getting in touch with nature, stop by the 5th station along the Fuji Subaru line, which will take you about halfway up the mountain. This is also the starting point for Mount Fuji hiking trails.

Popular attractions in the area include the famous Lake Kawaguchi, which comes equipped with an incredible view of Mount Fuji in the distance. You could also bathe in a hot spring or climb aboard the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway and head to Tenjozan Park.

If you're visiting from mid-April to late May, try to catch sight of the Shibazakura Festival and be amazed by the incredible view of a field of shibazakura flowers stretching for as far as the eye can see, with Mount Fuji looming proudly over them in the background.

Fancy the idea of screaming at the top of your lungs on Japan's most well-known mountain? Then you'll enjoy the exciting Fuji-Q Highland amusement park at the foot of Mount Fuji, along with other shopping and entertainment facilities such as Gotemba Premium Outlets. Whether you're into thrill rides or chill vibes, Mount Fuji has them all and more!

The farthest you can go using the JR Tokyo Wide Pass is the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture. Located right next to the sea, the area is naturally endowed with an abundance of beautiful sceneries.

You'll also find quite a number of hot spring resorts along the coastline, and legend has it that feudal shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa was rather fond of bathing in the hot springs of Atami himself, so this is your opportunity to feel like a shogun for a day!

Sakura season also comes slightly earlier than usual in the town of Kawazu, with flowers starting to bloom in late February and coming into full bloom by around mid-March.

The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival held during this period allows visitors to stroll along pavements decorated with blooming sakura trees, and as you would expect, the event draws large crowds of flower admirers every year.

Since it only takes about 2 to 3 hours to come to Izu from Tokyo by Shinkansen bullet train, it's the perfect distance for a short but relaxing day trip from the city for flowers, hot springs, beaches, nature, and more. The fact that it offers new sights and experiences every season is just the cherry on top!

Also known as Japan's summer retreat, Karuizawa's climate is cooler and milder compared to Tokyo, and it only takes about an hour to get here from Tokyo via Shinkansen.

The area's prime location, fantastic views, and well-equipped facilities have understandably earned it a good reputation among both local and international tourists, and that's also why some have chosen to purchase property here for future use as vacation villas.

Since it's comfortably sunny in Karuizawa during summer, going on a bicycle tour around the area is one of the best things you could do during a trip here.

Once you've enjoyed the caress of a pleasant breeze and absorbed all the healing phytoncides given off by the plants in the forest, you can drop by the Old Karuizawa Ginza Shopping Street to check out the shops and their goods, among which fruit jams deserve a special mention for the sheer quantity of jams available alone. That also means it'll be easy to find the one that suits your palate most, so remember to put it on your shopping list!

About a 15-minute train ride from the station is the Hoshino Resort, where you can find accommodations, hot springs, forests, and a full array of relaxation facilities for the nature lover to enjoy.

One of the must-see attractions in Karuizawa is Kumoba Pond, which is less than 10 minutes away by train. The unforgettable views it offers all year round include vibrant greenery during summer and warm hues during autumn, all reflected against the near mirror-like waters of the pond for double the delight.

You'll find the Karuizawa Prince Shopping Outlet in the vicinity, designed to satisfy both the value hunter and luxury fan. Karuizawa's not all about cooling down during summer too. In winter, plenty of ski resorts open their doors for business and offer a completely different type of experience from what Karuizawa is best known for. And difference is good, right?

Echigo-Yuzawa is such an enjoyable ski area that it's a special addition to the JR Tokyo Wide Pass area during the winter season so as to allow as many people access to the area as possible.

The largest ski resort here is Gala Yuzawa, and it has plenty of slopes of differing difficulties for you to either practice the basics or challenge yourself at your own pace.

The resort rents out gear, clothing, shoes, and visors for skiing and conducts classes for beginners, so everyone is welcome here! It takes about 75 minutes to travel here from Tokyo.

If your next visit to Japan falls between November to May, definitely consider dropping by to try out some snow sports here.

(*Gala Yuzawa Station is only open in winter and spring.)

Fans of Japanese rice will be happy to know that you can buy the famous Niigata premium koshihikari rice directly from shops inside Echigo-Yuzawa Station itself, along with other local specialties and souvenirs.

Another place of interest to look out for is the Echigo Sake Museum, a bar with over a hundred types of alcoholic beverages for you to sample at leisure.

Here's a quick list of trains and ticket prices you can expect to pay without a JR Tokyo Wide Pass for you to see at a glance just how much you'll be saving by getting this incredible pass!

*Unless otherwise indicated as reserved seating-only, all prices indicated are one-way adult free seating fares.
*The railway lines, trip durations, and ticket fares indicated here are for reference only and subject to change depending on actual conditions, train timing, and seat type.

・Total transport fare for 3 days: 19,330 yen
Amount saved using JR Tokyo Wide Pass: 4,330 yen

Day 1: Take a train from Tokyo Station to Mito Station on the JR Utsunomiya Line (about 1 hour 20 minutes) → Admire plum blossoms in Ibaraki Kairakuen for a day → Back to Tokyo
* Transport fee: 7,780 yen (round trip on a JR Joban Line limited express)

Day 2: Take an Odoriko train from Tokyo Station to Kawazu Station (about 2 hours 31 minutes) → Admire sakura at the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival → Stay overnight in a hotel in Izu Kogen Onsen
* Transport fee: 5,930 yen (Odoriko)

Recommended accommodations in Izu

Day 3: Take a train on the Izu Kyuko Line from Izu Station to Jogasaki-Kaigan Station (about 32 to 38 minutes, 1,880 yen) → Enjoy the scenery at Jogasaki Coast → Take a train on the Izu Kyuko Line from Jogasaki-Kaigan Station and connect to Atami Station on the JR Ito Line, then transfer to the JR Ueno-Tokyo Line to return to Tokyo (about 2 hours and 44 minutes)
* Transport fee: 922 yen (Izu Kyuko Line) + 3,740 yen (return trip)

・Total transport fare for 3 days: 16,540 yen
Amount saved using JR Tokyo Wide Pass: 6,340 yen

Day 1: Take the Fuji Excursion from Shinjuku Station directly to Mt. Fuji Station (around 1 hour 45 minutes) → Hike up Mount Fuji → Stay overnight in a mountain lodge (advanced reservation required)
* Transport fee: 4,000 yen (Fuji Excursion)

Day 2: Be awed by the majestic sunrise on Mount Fuji (known as Goraiko), then descend the mountain → Take a train from Mount Fuji Station on the Fujikyuko Line to Kawaguchiko Station (about 5 minutes) → Sightsee around Lake Kawaguchi → Take the Fuji Excursion from Kawaguchiko Station back to Shinjuku (about 1 hour 55 minutes)
* Transport fee: 230 yen (Fujikyuko Line) + 4,130 yen (Fuji Excursion)

Recommended hotels in Shinjuku

Day 3: Take the JR Limited Express Nikko from Shinjuku Station to Tobu-Nikko Station (about 2 hours) → Tour UNESCO world heritage sites Nikko Toshogu, Rinnoji, and other shrines and temples → Return to Shinjuku
* Transport fee: 8,180 yen (JR Limited Express Nikko round trip)

・Total transport fare for 3 days: 21,280 yen Amount saved using JR Tokyo Wide Pass: 12,160 yen

Day 1: Take a train from Tokyo Station to Karuizawa Station on the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen (about 1 hour 12 minutes) → Rent a bicycle to sightsee therapeutic forests, maple leaves at Kumoba → Stay overnight in a Karuizawa hotel
* Transport fee: 5,490 yen (Hokuriku Shinkansen)

Recommended hotels in Karuizawa

Day 2: Shopping therapy at Old Karuizawa Ginza Shopping Street, Karuizawa Prince Shopping Outlet → Take a train from Karuizawa Station back to Tokyo Station on the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen (about 1 hour 12 minutes)
*Transport fee: 5,490 yen (Hokuriku Shinkansen)

Recommended hotels in Tokyo

Day 3: Take a train from Tokyo Station to Utsunomiya Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen, transfer to Nikko Station on the JR Nikko Line (about 1 hour 49 minutes) → Catch scenic maple leaves at Lake Chuzenji in Okunikko, visit Kegon Falls → Take a train from Nikko Station to Utsunomiya Station on the JR Nikko Line, transfer back to Tokyo Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen (about 2 hours)
* Transport fee: 10,300 yen (round trip on the Tohoku Shinkansen + JR Utsunomiya Line)

・Total transport fare for 3 days: 20,860 yen
Amount saved using JR Tokyo Wide Pass: 5,860 yen

Day 1: Take a train from Tokyo Station to Gala-Yuzawa Station on the JR Joetsu Shinkansen (about 1 hour 15 minutes) → Have fun skiing at Gala Yuzawa Snow Resort → Stay overnight at a hotel in the Joetsu or Yuzawa area
* Transport fee: 6,690 yen (Joetsu Shinkansen)

Recommended hotels in Yuzawa

Day 2: More skiing fun at Gala Yuzawa Snow Resort → Visit Echigo Sake Museum at Echigo-Yuzawa Station → Take a train from Echigo-Yuzawa Station back to Tokyo on the JR Joetsu Shinkansen (about 1 hour 20 minutes)
* Transport fee: 6,690 yen (Joetsu Shinkansen)

Day 3: Take an Odoriko train from Tokyo Station to Atami Station (about 1 hour 20 minutes) → Rest and relax at an onsen in an Atami hot spring resort → Take an Odoriko train back to Tokyo (about 1 hour 20 minutes)
* Transport fee: 7,480 yen (Round trip on the Odoriko)

*Fares, lines, schedules, and other transport-related information are for reference only and subject to change depending on actual conditions. For latest information, always check with the station in-person or contact the East Japan Railway Company.