With Japan's famously efficient public transportation systems and its down-to-the-minute punctuality, it's no wonder why it's the number one way for many visitors to travel throughout Japan. While the Japan Rail Pass allows foreign visitors to travel across the whole of the Japanese peninsula, a variety of special tourist discount passes are geared towards travellers who desire a richer and deeper sampling a particular region or city.

These special discount passes focus on single cities to a handful of close-knit prefectures and offer unlimited use of select transportation modes within a particular area. From local trains, express trains, monorails, streetcars, cable cars, buses, and boats, these passes eliminate the need to buy multiple fares throughout the day and come in a variety of different validity periods. Some passes also collaborate with local businesses, shops, and popular tourist sites within a region the pass covers, and can be used for discounts at participating locations.

While there are several different types of special discount passes out there for tourists, here are some of the more popular options: 

• Greater Tokyo Pass
• JR Kansai Area Pass and JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass
• Kansai Thru Pass
• Hakone Freepass
• Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass
• Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass
• Quick Tips and More Discount Passes

Greater Tokyo Pass

The Greater Tokyo Pass is a good option if you’re planning to visit both Tokyo and iconic tourist spots in nearby prefectures of Kanagawa (神奈川県), Saitama (埼玉県), and Chiba (千葉県). The pass utilizes a network of private railways and bus lines and offers unlimited travel for 3 consecutive days at a fixed price of 7,200 yen for adults, and 3,600 yen for children (11 and under).

The pass covers most of the major tourist spots in Tokyo, like the giant red lantern at Sensō-ji (浅草寺) in Asakusa, and the temple mountain scenery of Mt. Takao (高尾山, Takao-san); and outwards to the Great Buddha of Kamakura (鎌倉大仏, Kamakura daibutsu) in Kanagawa Prefecture, or the ornately carved shrine of Nikko Toshogu Shrine in Tochigi Prefecture (栃木県)*. (Tochigi Prefecture is not one of the three prefectures included in the pass, though the lines covered under the Greater Tokyo Pass do extend into the fourth prefecture.)

If you’re planning on keeping your travels within the confines of Tokyo, it would be advisable to get a rechargeable IC card such as PASMO or Suica instead, as travels within the city would likely not reach the Greater Tokyo Pass’s average daily cost of 2,400 yen (for an adult).

The Greater Tokyo Pass Coverage

The 13 private railways covered by the Greater Tokyo Pass includes the Tokyo Metro Lines, the Toei Subway Lines, Odakyu Line, Tobu Line, Keikyū Line, Keiō Line, Seibu Line, Sotetsu Line, Keisei Line, Tōkyū Line, Yokohama Municipal Subways, Minato-Mirai Line and Yurikamome Line. A map of the railway and bus lines can be found at the Greater Tokyo Pass website.

JR lines are not covered under this pass. If you’re planning on catching one of the limited express trains, you’ll be required to pay an additional ticket surcharge for seat reservations.

Where to Buy the Greater Tokyo Pass

Passes can be purchased at many of the tourist information centres and offices located within major train stations throughout Tokyo, at ticket vending machines, and Haneda and Narita Airport terminals. Be ready to show your passport, as you’ll need proof that you’re an international traveller on a tourist visa to get the pass. Many of the staff at these counters are English-speaking, but you can also conveniently purchase your pass online via Voyagin. You'll be issued a confirmation QR code which you can present at one of the designated counters to exchange for a pass.

How to Use Your Greater Tokyo Pass

The Greater Tokyo Pass is a paper pass that works similarly to the Japan Rail Pass; enter and exit through the manned station gates so that staff can check your pass’s validity. It does not work on automatic train ticket machines.

Alternatives to the Greater Tokyo Pass

In addition to the Greater Tokyo Pass, there are several other discount transportation passes available to help you get around the Tokyo area on a budget.

• JR Tokyo Wide Pass (3-Day Pass)
• Tokyo 1-Day Ticket (1-Day Pass)
• Keisei Skyliner & Tokyo Subway Ticket (1, 2, or 3-Day Pass)

JR Kansai Area Pass and JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass

The JR Kansai Area Pass focuses on the Kansai region, including the big cities of Osaka (大阪), Kyoto (京都), Nara (奈良), and Kobe (神戸). Running solely on the Japan Rail and bus systems, it allows unlimited travel on the local and rapid JR trains and buses within a portion of the Kansai region. All transportation except for the “Haruka” Kansai Airport Express train, limited express trains, and the Shinkansen bullet trains are covered under the JR Kansai Area Pass. The JR Kansai Area Pass has 4 different day passes, starting from 2,300 yen for 1 day; 4,600 yen for 2 days; 5,600 yen for 3 days; and 6,600 yen for 4 days. There is a 50% discount for children between the ages of 6 – 11, and children 5 and under are free.

The Kansai WIDE Area Pass covers the same area that the JR Kansai Area Pass does, but includes rides on the limited express trains and Shinkansen bullet trains in the unreserved seating section, and extends its coverage further into the Kansai region. Unlike the regular Area Pass, the Kansai WIDE Pass is only available as a 5 consecutive day pass and costs 9,200 yen per adult, and 4,600 for children.

Both passes also come with two additional one-day vouchers that allow users unlimited use of the Kyoto Subway and Keihan Kyoto Sightseeing Pass for one day. Vouchers must be exchanged for a ticket during the validity of your pass at a designated JR office. 

The JR Kansai Area Pass and WIDE Area Pass Coverage

The regular Area Pass covers the main cities of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe, and expands into areas of Himeji (姫路), Wakayama (和歌山), Shiga (滋賀), Tsuruga (敦賀), and Iga-Ueno (伊賀上野). The castle town of Hikone (彦根)  borders Lake Biwa (琵琶湖), Japan’s largest lake, and is a pleasant day trip from Kyoto. If you’re into UNESCO World Heritage sites, the towering ivory castle of Himeji Castle (姫路城) will surely not disappoint, especially during the cherry blossom season, and is an easy one-hour trip from Osaka or Kyoto. 

If you’re looking for a bit more coverage, the JR Kansai WIDE Pass covers everything a regular Kansai Area Pass does, while also allowing you to reach places like Okayama (岡山) and it’s top rated Korakuen Japanese Garden (後楽園), the artsy island of Naoshima (直島), the willow-lined canals of Kinosaki Onsen (城崎温泉), and the 100-year-old pilgrimage trails of the Kumano region (熊野). The Kansai WIDE Pass allows travellers to ride the limited express trains and Shinkansen in the unreserved seating section. If you want to reserve a seat, you’ll be required to pay an additional surcharge on top of the base fee.

To take advantage of the cost-saving benefits of the pass, it is best to combine your inner-city travels with day trips outside of the major cities. With the exception of Osaka, many of the larger city networks utilize private railways and buses rather than the JR Rail lines, so a rechargeable IC card such as ICOCA or Suica, or an individual city day pass would be more cost-effective if you want to focus your exploration within the depths of the big cities.

Where to Buy the JR Kansai Area Pass and WIDE Area Pass

Visit a JR-WEST Ticket Office (みどりの窓口, midori-no-madoguchi) in Japan to purchase a pass in person. The cost is slightly higher than if purchased online, and require that you fill out an application and bring your passport as proof of your short-term visa status before you can be issued a pass. 

Purchasing you passes online will help you save money compared to buying them in person and can be done completely in English. Order the JR Kansai Area Pass or the JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass from Voyagin and you should receive it within 3-5 working days. You'll be issued a voucher sent to your home address (or your hotel in Japan, whichever you prefer), which you'll exchange at one of the designated counters when you arrive in Japan. For a visual how-to guide, the West JR website has some how-to videos to help you exchange your voucher.

Alternatives for JR Kansai Area Pass and WIDE Area Pass

There are a couple of additional types of discount transportation passes available for the Kansai area issued by private companies.

• Kintetsu Rail Pass (1, 2 or 5-Day Pass)
• Kansai Thru Pass (2 or 3-Day Pass)

Kansai Thru Pass

The Kansai Thru Pass offers unlimited travel on non-JR trains, subways and buses, and a good option if you're planning on staying close to Kyoto and Osaka, while also travelling into Kobe, Nara, Asuka, Koyasan, Himeji and Wakayama. The Kansai Thru Pass has 2 day passes, starting at 4,300 yen for 2 days; 5,300 yen for 3 days; and a 50% discount for children between the ages of 6 – 12. The passes can be used on non-consecutive days during its period of validity, and come in a ticket form that can be inserted into an automatic ticket gate.  

Cities like Kyoto and Osaka run on non-JR railways, so the Kansai Thru Pass is a better option if you want to spend more within the cities. That being said, the pass proves its economy when inner-city travel is combined with day trips to places like Himeji, Shin-Kobe, and Wakayama that are also covered by the pass.

The Kansai Thru Pass Coverage

The Kansai Through Pass includes unlimited access to a long list of private railways, buses, and cable cars, as well as most unlimited express trains excluding for the Nankai Railway and Kintetsu Railways (which require an additional seating fee). The pass can also be used for discounts at many participating businesses and tourist spots, such as open-air museums, onsens, kimono rentals, and many shops and restaurants.

Where to Buy the Kansai Thru Pass

For convenience and a slight discount, the Kansai Thru Pass can be purchased online in English. To purchase your pass in person, visit a tourist information centre at Namba Station (難波駅), Osaka Station (大阪駅), Hankyu Umeda Station (阪急梅田駅), or Kansai International Airport (関西国際空港) or the bus information centre in front of the Kyoto station (京都駅). Electronic stores like Bic Camera (ビックカメラ) also carry the pass. The Surutto website has a full list of where to purchase your pass if you're in the Kansai area. They require that you fill out an application and bring your passport as proof of your short-term visa status before you can be issued a pass. 

Alternatives for Kansai Thru Pass

• Kintetsu Rail Pass (1, 2 or 5-Day Pass)
• JR Kansai Area Pass (1, 2, 3 or 4-Day Pass)
• JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass (5-Day Pass)

Hakone Freepass

The Hakone Freepass offers unlimited access to Odakyu operated buses, trains, cable cars, ropeways, and sightseeing cruises within one of Japan's prime hot spring locations of Hakone (箱根). The 2-day and 3-day consecutive passes are one of a few that are also available to residents of Japan, and include discounts to various tourist attractions, onsen hot springs, museums, restaurants, and historical sites. Here's a brief itinerary for a day or weekend along the Odakyu line to Hakone.

Odawara Station (小田原駅) acts as the entry station to all of Hakone's transportation systems that are covered under the pass. Options for a round trip fare from any station along the Odakyu line to Odawara station can be included in your pass fare. Fees will vary depending on the departure station, and there are no on-and-off privileges during the round-trip. If you’re looking for a one-way ticket, ask at the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Counters for a specific rate. 

Hakone Freepass Coverage

The Hakone Freepass gives unlimited access to 8 different types of transportation in the area, including the Hakone Tozan train, bus, and cable car; the Hakone Ropeway, Hakone Sightseeing cruise, Odakyu Hakone Highway bus, Tokai Bus Orange Shuttle, and the Kanko Shisetsu-Meguri sightseeing bus. Limited trains are not included, and rides on the Odakyu limited express “Romancecar” require an additional surcharge for seat reservation. 

Where to Buy the Hakone Freepass

The Hakone Freepass can be purchased at major Odakyu railway stations and ticket counters, at select Hakone Tozan Train stations, such as the Hakone-Yumoto Station (箱根湯本駅), as well as the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Counters located within Odawara station and west exit of Shinjuku Station (新宿駅). The Hakone Freepass from Tokyo can also be purchased online, which gets you a voucher delivered to your home address. To exchange your voucher, visit the Odakyu Shinjuku counter or the Odakyu Tourist Information Center at Odawara Station to receive your pass.

*Until just recently, travellers were able to purchase passes through station ticketing vending machines, however, based on Odakyu website in June 2020, this option is no longer available (until further notice). 

Alternatives to the Hakone Freepass

• Hakone-Kamakura Pass (3-Day Pass)
• Fuji Hakone Pass (3-Day Pass)

Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass

The Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass is another pass option run by Odakyu Railways, and offers the cheapest option for visitors in Tokyo to see the ocean town of Enoshima (江の島) and the Giant Buddha of Kamakura (鎌倉大仏)  in one day. Available to both residents and foreign travellers, the pass also includes discounts for various tourist attractions, including aquariums, caves, shrines, art museums, and local restaurants. For more sights along the Odakyu line, we put together a brief itinerary for a day to Enoshima here.

Fujisawa Station (藤沢駅) acts as the entry station connecting the Enoden Line to Enoshima and the Odakyu line to Kamakura Station (鎌倉駅). Options for a round trip fare from any station along the Odakyu line to Fujisawa station can be included in your pass fare. Fees will vary depending on the departure station, and there are no on-and-off privileges during the round-trip. If you’re looking for a one-way ticket, ask at the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Counters for a specific rate. 

Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass Coverage

The Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass gives unlimited access to the Odakyu Line running between Fujisawa Station and Katase-Enoshima Station (片瀬江ノ島駅) and the Enoden Line. Limited trains are not included under the pass, and rides on the Odakyu limited express “Romancecar” require an additional surcharge for seat reservation. 

Where to Buy the Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass

You can purchase your pass at the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center located near the west exit of Shinjuku Station, and is also available at automatic ticket machines in major Odakyu Railway stations. The Odakyu website has step-by-step guide on how to purchase your pass at designated counters and automatic ticket machines.

Alternatives to the Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass

• Hakone-Kamakura Pass (3-Day Pass)
• Enoshima 1-Day Passport (1-Day Pass)

Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass

The Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass offers unlimited travel on all Hiroshima Electric Railway Hiroden streetcars that run throughout the city, many local and highways buses, and two ferries to Miyajima island (宮島). There are 3-day and 4-day passes, and three coverage areas depending on how much ground you want to cover.

The Small Area Pass covers Hiroshima City and Miyajima at 1,500 yen for a 2-day pass and 4,500 yen for a 4-day pass; the Middle Area Pass covers Western and Northern Hiroshima Prefecture and the Iwakuni area at 2,500 yen for a 3-day pass; and the Wide Area Pass covers all of Hiroshima Prefecture and Iwakuni area at 3,500 yen for a 3-day pass and 6,500 yen for a 4-day pass.

The pass also comes with a free "Fun Pass Hiroshima" coupon and guide book of participating businesses and tourist spots in Hiroshima and Iwakuni, and can be used for discounts to museums, castles, ropeways, restaurants, and other sightseeing facilities.

The 4-day option also includes a round-trip ride on the Airport Limousine Bus for travellers coming to and from the Hiroshima Airport (広島空港). If you're only planning a one-way ride to or from the airport, purchasing a separate one-way ticket at the Hiroshima Airport for 1,370 yen for adults and 690 yen for children will end up being a more cost-effective choice, unless you plan to pack your fourth day in Hiroshima with other travel before heading to the airport.

Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass Coverage

The Small Area Pass is a convenient option if you plan on staying within the city of Hiroshima, and includes the unlimited use of the Hiroshima Electric Railway streetcars, 6 local bus routes, and the ferries to Miyajima Island. See the famous floating torii gate of