Transportation in Japan can quickly become expensive. Fortunately, more and more discount offers for foreigners have emerged in recent years. In a previous article, we discussed the JR East Pass for traveling throughout northern Honshu. Today, we present the JR Wide Pass, the invaluable pass that will unlock all the possibilities of the Kanto region.
What is the JR Wide Pass?
The JR Wide Pass is a pass that allows unlimited travel for 3 days on Shinkansen and express trains in the Kanto region for just 10,180 yen (approximately €75). All you need to be eligible is a non-Japanese passport (yes, it's exclusively for foreigners!) and to visit one of the JR ticket machines or kiosks located in many train stations or airports.
Kanto, the eastern part of Honshu's main island
If you're wondering, Kanto is the region located in the east of Honshu's main island. It encompasses seven prefectures: Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama, Ibaraki, Gunma, Tochigi, and Kanagawa. This means you can easily reach many must-see tourist destinations such as Yokohama (Kanagawa), Nikko (Tochigi), Mito (Ibaraki), Kusatsu (Gunma), Kawagoe (Saitama), the beaches of Chiba, and the entire Tokyo area. With this pass, you'll have access to all these destinations and more! Not only does the JR Wide Pass cover the entire Kanto region, but it also extends to some neighboring prefectures. Therefore, you'll also be able to travel to dream destinations like Mount Fuji and Karuizawa!
Accessible lines
Here is the list of train lines and companies accessible with this pass:
- – JR EAST lines
- – The entire Tokyo Monorail line
- – The entire Izu-Kyūkō line
- – The entire Fujikyu Railway line
- – The entire Jōshin Dentetsu line
- – Saitama New Urban Transit Line (between Ōmiya and the Railway Museum)
- – The entire Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit (Rinkai) line
- – Regular carriages (reserved seating) of the limited express trains «Nikkō-gō», «Kinugawa-gō» and «SPACIA Kinugawa-gō», which run on lines jointly operated by JR EAST and Tobu Railway
- – Local and express trains operated by Tobu Railway between Shimo-Imaichi, Tobu Nikkō and Kinugawa Onsen
Between Kurihashi and Shimo-Imaichi, only limited express trains operating on lines directly connected to the Tobu Railway network can be used.
(sources: jreast.co.jp)
For more information, please visit the official JR Wide Pass website.https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/fr/pass/tokyowidepass.html)
Continue reading!
[Practical Japan] The JR East Pass is available for foreign residents
