Getting Around: The Clever Way

Japan has one of the best public transportation systems in the world: modern, developed, comfortable, and efficient. However, traveling in Japan and around Tokyo on Shinkansen (bullet train), Japan Rail (JR) trains, or by bus is very expensive, especially when you have more than just one destination.

Luckily, there are many travel passes available that can help to make your holiday in Japan a lot cheaper, and sometimes easier. The passes below can be purchased at travel service centers at main train stations in Tokyo, or some can even be bought online. Travel passes really are the smart way to get around Japan!

R EAST PASS
Unlimited travel on all JR East Shinkansen and limited express trains for five consecutive days. Can be used on any five days within the 14-day validity period from the date of issue. Only visitors to Japan are eligible.

¥22,000; www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass

JR KANTO AREA PASS

Three days of unlimited travel on JR East Shinkansen and limited express trains in the Kanto region. Only valid on consecutive days. Passport is needed to purchase.

¥8,300; www.jreast.co.jp/e/kantoareapass/

JAPAN RAIL PASS

Can be used on all JR trains — including Shinkansen — as well as buses and ferries during the validity period (7,14 or 21 consecutive days after exchange). Only visitors to Japan are eligible; cannot be purchased within Japan.

¥29,110–59,350; www.japanrailpass.net

TOKYO TOUR TICKET (TOKYO FURII KIPPU) 

This one-day ticket allows unlimited travel on local and rapid JR East trains within Tokyo, all Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines, Toei buses, the Nippori-Toneri Liner and the Tokyo Toei Streetcar Arakawa Line.

¥1,590; www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/tokyo_free.html

TOKYO METRO ONE-DAY OPEN TICKET

Valid for a day’s travel on all Tokyo Metro lines.

¥710; www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/1day/

COMMON ONE-DAY TICKET FOR TOKYO METRO & TOEI SUBWAY

One-day travel on all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines. 

¥1,000; www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/1day/

TOEI ONE-DAY ECONOMY PASS

Unlimited use on the Toei subway lines, Toei buses, Toei Streetcar (Toden) Arakawa Line and the Nippori-Toneri Liner for one day.

¥700; www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/tickets/value.html

RINKAI LINE ONE-DAY TICKET 

Unlimited one-day travel on the Rinkai line.

¥700; www.twr.co.jp/lg/en/fare.html

TOEI BUS ONE-DAY ECONOMY PASS

Valid for one-day unlimited use of Toei buses around Tokyo.

¥500; www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/services/bus_ticket.html 

METRO & GRUTT PASS 2014

Combines two Tokyo Metro One-day Open Tickets and the Tokyo Museum Grutt Pass 2014 to provide discounted entry to 78 points of interest around Tokyo. Valid for two months from the date of initial use.

¥2,800; www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/other/

YURIKAMOME ONE-DAY PASS

One-day unlimited travel on the Yurikamome line. 

¥820; www.yurikamome.co.jp/en/fare_ticket/other_ticket/

MT. TAKAO TICKET

A one-day round-trip ticket from any station on the Keio or Keio Inokashira lines to Takaosanguchi Station, as well as a one-way or round-trip ticket for the Takaosan Cable Car or Lift.

20% discount; www.keio.co.jp/english/riding/discount.html