11 Discount Train Passes for Tokyo and Surrounding Areas: Travel Freely With Just One Ticket!
When visiting the Tokyo area, the sheer number of transportation options can be overwhelming. In this article, we'll introduce a selection of train passes that can help you get around Tokyo or the surrounding area while saving money and avoiding the hassle of constant ticket buying. Without further ado, here are 11 passes worth knowing about!
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Passes for Getting Around Tokyo
Tokyo Subway 24-hour Ticket / Tokyo Metro & Toei Subway
The Tokyo Subway 24-hour Ticket can be purchased by anyone with a foreign passport and is probably the most convenient transportation ticket for foreigners visiting Tokyo. Ticket holders can enjoy unlimited rides on all 13 lines of Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway within 24 hours from the first use.
Although the ticket does not include JR East lines, it does cover Toei Subway’s Oedo Line, a loop line with stops in many of the same areas as the JR Yamanote Line, including Ueno-okachimachi Station (Ameya Yokocho), Akabanebashi Station (Tokyo Tower), Shinjuku Nishiguchi Station, Roppongi Station, Asakusa Station, and Kokuritsu-Kyogijo Station, the nearest access point to the new National Stadium (completed in November 2019) built for the Tokyo Olympics. Moreover, the Toei Mita Line brings you to Shiba Park, where you can get a good view of the Tokyo Tower; Suidobashi (Tokyo Dome), and Jimbocho, an ancient book street with 130 years of history.
There are also two-day tickets and three-day tickets (for 48 or 72 consecutive hours of use). Choose one that suits your own itinerary to travel around Tokyo more efficiently!
Triangle Ticket / Tokyu Railways
The "triangle" area that this ticket refers to lies between Shibuya Station, Jiyugaoka Station, and Futako-Tamagawa Station and is filled with fashionable clothing stores, cafés, and a variety of shops. If you want to experience the charm of Tokyo's pop culture, you might want to get the inexpensive Triangle Ticket from Tokyu Railway.
On the day of purchase, you can travel freely along the three lines that form the triangle (the Toyoko Line between Shibuya Station and Jiyugaoka Station, the Denen-toshi Line between Shibuya Station and Futako-Tamagawa Station, and the Oimachi Line between Jiyugaoka Station and Futako-Tamagawa Station). Besides these three major stations, you can also get on and off at any station within the triangle area, including cultural hotspots like Nakameguro, Daikanyama, and Sangenjaya.
Tokyu Line One-day Open Ticket / Tokyu Railways
Many tourists visiting Tokyo will also take some time to travel south and visit Yokohama. There are many ways to get from Tokyo to Yokohama, depending on the discount coupon you may have or the station you are at. If you are mainly focusing on traveling around downtown Tokyo, but also want to take a quick half-day trip to Yokohama, you should purchase the Tokyu Line One-day Open Ticket from Tokyu Railways.
This ticket allows for unlimited rides on the day of purchase, covering 8 railway lines: The Toyoko Line, Meguro Line, Ikegami Line, Tokyu Tamagawa Line, Setagaya Line, Denen-toshi Line, Oimachi Line, and Kodomonokuni Line.
In the morning, why not start your day by exploring character-filled shops in places like Shibuya, Daikanyama, Jiyugaoka, and Nakameguro, or enjoy the beautiful golden Ginkgo Avenue at Hiyoshi Station during the autumn. In the afternoon, you can depart from any station on the Toyoko Line for a direct ride to Yokohama to enjoy the night view of the harbor.
Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokunai Pass) / JR Lines
For heavy users of JR lines, the Tokunai Pass is definitely a must-have! Its vast scope of use covers nearly the entire Tokyo area, ranging from the northernmost Akabane Station to Kamata and Kasai Rinkai Park in the south. Whether you are planning for a leisurely stroll in Ebisu, shopping in Shibuya or Shinjuku, tasting Korean food in Shin Okubo, or visiting the zoo in Ueno, you can enjoy a day of unlimited rides on local and rapid trains (excluding reserved seats) within the 23 wards of Tokyo for just 760 yen. Take a relaxing trip around the Yamanote Line with ease and do whatever your heart desires.
Nonbiri Holiday Suica Pass / JR Lines
For tourists who want to visit the suburbs of Tokyo, be sure to consider the one-day Nonbiri Holiday Suica Pass newly issued by JR East in 2019. You can take unlimited rides on non-reserved seats of local and rapid JR trains, the Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit (Rinkai Line), and the Tokyo Monorail Line.
This pass is a bit pricier than the other options in this article, so it is probably not your best bet if your goal is just to get around the Tokyo Metro area. However, if your day includes travel within the city center and a trip to a destination in the suburbs, this pass can be a great money-saving option. It's recommended that you research the standard fare for your planned itinerary and compare it to the price of this pass before you buy.
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Yurikamome Line One-day Pass / Yurikamome Line
The Yurikamome Line, running from Shimbashi Station to Toyosu Station, is one of the frequently used transportation routes for tourists traveling from the center of Tokyo to Odaiba.
With the Yurikamome Line One-day Pass, you can take unlimited rides, getting on and off as you wish! This ticket can be used to visit Odaiba, which is famous for its spectacular night scenery and view of the bay. You can also experience different sides of Tokyo while shopping at malls like Diver City Tokyo and Palette Town, relaxing at the famous hot spring theme park Oedo Onsen Monogatari, or exploring the futuristic Ariake area.
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Passes for the Surrounding Area
Hakone Freepass / Odakyu Railway
If you want to travel to and around Hakone freely, be sure to get a Hakone Freepass, which consists of (1) a round-trip ticket departing from Shinjuku Station, Shin-Yurigaoka Station or other stations on the Odakyu Line to Odawara, and (2) unlimited rides on any of 8 transportation networks in Hakone, including Hakone local buses, Hakone Tozan Railway, Hakone Tozan Cable Car, and Hakone Ropeway.
Besides having your transportation expenses covered, you can also take the pirate sightseeing cruise for free at the popular tourist destination Lake Ashi, as well as enjoy discounted admission and perks at local partner hot springs, art galleries, scenic spots, and monuments, as well as entertainment, dining, and shopping facilities within the Gora area. For longer trips, a three-day ticket is also available.
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Kawagoe Discount Pass Premium / Tobu Tojo Line
Koedo Kawagoe, full of Edo period culture and atmosphere, has recently become a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo's suburbs. The quaint streetscape and delicious Japanese cuisine are not only popular among Japanese tourists, but have also attracted many foreign travelers.
Anyone thinking of visiting Kawagoe should take advantage of this great discount ticket! The one-day Kawagoe Discount Pass Premium includes (1) a round-trip ticket between Ikebukuro Station and Kawagoe Station or Kawagoeshi Station and (2) unlimited rides on local Tobu bus routes in designated areas including the convenient Tobu Koedo Loop Bus. With this ticket, you can also enjoy discounts when shopping or dining at selected local shops in Kawagoe (see the official website below for details).
If you want to roam around Kawagoe without taking a bus, you might want to choose the basic Kawagoe Discount Pass instead.
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Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass / Odakyu Railway & Enoden
Speaking of the Tokyo outskirts, other popular destinations are Enoshima, with its beautiful scenery near the sea, and Kamakura, with its numerous historical shrines and temples. However, there are so many local transportation tickets that people often find it hard to choose. If you plan on departing from Shinjuku for a day trip to both places, we recommend the Enoshima-Kamakura Free Pass that can cover the two major attractions at the same time!
This pass includes (1) a round-trip ticket from any station on the Odakyu Line to Fujisawa Station, (2) unlimited rides from Fujisawa Station to Katase Enoshima Station on the Odakyu Enoshima Line, (3) unlimited rides on the whole Enoden Line, and (4) perks and discounts at participating establishments within the free zone (see the official website for details). Whether you are traveling alone or with friends and family, you can let the view of the azure blue sea heal your body and soul!
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Tokyu Line Minatomirai Pass / Tokyu Railways
If you want to explore Yokohama with ease, you have to know about the Minatomirai Pass! This ticket includes (1) a round trip from any Tokyu station in Tokyo to Yokohama Station and (2) unlimited rides on the Minatomirai Line for a day.
Unlike the Tokyu Line One-day Open Ticket introduced above, this ticket only offers a single round trip on the Tokyu Line, rather than allowing you to get on and off multiple times. However, you can enjoy unlimited rides on the local Minatomirai Line once you arrive in Yokohama.
If you would like to travel from Yokohama Station all the way to the Minatomirai area, we recommended the Minatomirai Pass. Here you can go for a leisurely stroll, admire the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, and even buy yourself some treats at the shopping center before enjoying dinner at Japan's largest Chinatown. If your itinerary is mainly centered on downtown Tokyo, and you would just like a brief visit to Yokohama to enjoy the beautiful port view, the Tokyu Line One-day Open Ticket is the better option.
Yokohama Chinatown Trip Gourmet Ticket / Tokyu Railways
Are you a foodie looking forward to all the delicious food you'll try during your trip? If you are visiting Yokohama, then the Yokohama Chinatown Trip Gourmet Ticket from Tokyu Railways is a great deal! It covers (1) unlimited rides on the Tokyu Line for a day, (2) unlimited rides on the Minatomirai Line for a day, and (3) meal vouchers for participating restaurants in Yokohama's famous Chinatown. Not only can you get on and off at Shibuya and Jiyugaoka along the Tokyu Line to hunt for desserts, you can also head to Yokohama Chinatown. With more than 150 years of history, this area is considered in Japan to be the best place for Chinese cuisine. Experience for yourself the lively Chinese atmosphere and savor Japanese-Chinese fusion dishes.
Conclusion
This article covered the best discount tickets for traveling in Tokyo and the surrounding areas. Pick the one that suits your trip best and make good use of it to save money while you explore!
If you're also traveling in the Kansai region (i.e. the Osaka-Kyoto area), we have articles for that area as well! Here are 9 discount ticket deals in the Kansai area, as well as 10 transit passes focused on Kyoto.
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The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
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