The JR Kanto Pass allows unlimited travel on all JR (national rail) trains in Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto area. This includes tourist hotspots such as Mount Fuji, Nikko and Yokohama. It is valid for 3 days and can be started from Narita or Haneda airport in Tokyo.
What does it cost?
3 day pass: Adults 8,300 yen (about $66/€60), Children 4,200 yen (about $33/€30)
When can I use it?
Anytime.
Is it worth it?
To make this pass worthwhile, you will need to use the Shinkansen or Limited Express trains for more than one day. Just using this pass to get to places nearby to Tokyo such as Yokohama is not really worth it, as it will only save a bit of time. Therefore if you don’t mind traveling a lot every day (which is actually quite nice on the Shinkansen!) then this is a good pass for you. It could be used to do many day trips from Tokyo, while staying in a cheap hostel there.
If you want to travel in a wider area, try the JR East Pass.
What are the rules?
- For use only in Kanto.
- Must be used on 3 consecutive days.
- You cannot use on non-JR (national rail) trains,
- Only available to people with Tourist Visas,
- When riding a Shinkansen train with the Japan Rail Pass, you need to reserve seats. This can be done at the Shinkansen ticket office of any JR station with Shinkansen services.
- The pass cannot be used on the super fast Hayabusa, Komachi or Tokaido Shinkansen trains, plus ‘Liner’ commuter trains or highway buses.
Where can I buy it?
The JR Kanto Area Pass can be purchased at major train stations in Kanto, such as Shinjuku, Tokyo and Ueno stations. It can also be purchased at Narita or Haneda airport.
How do I use it?
You need to book any seats on Shinkansen or Limited Express trains, which you can do in JR Ticket Office or JR Travel Service Center in a major train station or airport.
Once you have your ticket, just show it to the station staff at the ticket gates with your pass and they will let you in. They will sometimes stamp the pass. For normal trains just show your pass.
Links
JR Kanto Area Pass official site
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