<\/p>\n
They’re great for multi-day routes if you\u2019re only interested in eastern and northern parts of the country.<\/p>\n
Table of Contents<\/p>
- 1<\/span> JR East Wide Area Passes<\/a>
- 1.1<\/span> JR East – South Hokkaido Rail Pass<\/a><\/li>
- 1.2<\/span> Hokuriku Arch Pass<\/a><\/li>
- 1.3<\/span> JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass<\/a><\/li>
- 1.4<\/span> JR East Pass (Tohoku Area)<\/a><\/li>
- 1.5<\/span> JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata Area)<\/a><\/li>
- 1.6<\/span> JR East Passes Comparative Table<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 2<\/span> Tokyo Area Passes<\/a>
- 2.1<\/span> JR Tokyo Wide Pass<\/a><\/li>
- 2.2<\/span> Tokyo 1-Day Ticket<\/a><\/li>
- 2.3<\/span> Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokunai Pass)<\/a><\/li>
- 2.4<\/span> Tokyo Area Passes Comparative Table<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n
JR East Wide Area Passes<\/span><\/h2>\n
Wide area passes offered by JR East are designed for travelers covering long distances across eastern Japan. The best <\/strong>JR Pass<\/strong> for your trip<\/strong> depends on the cities and regions you plan on visiting.<\/p>\n
JR East – South Hokkaido Rail Pass<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"kansai](\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/images\/micro\/jr-east-south-hokkaido-rail-pass.png\")
<\/p>\nThe JR East – South Hokkaido Rail Pass<\/a> is your gateway to Japan’s north<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Starting in Tokyo, you can ride up through the Tohoku region, and reach Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido<\/strong>. You’ll see everything from urban life in the capital to hot springs, snowy mountains, and historic port towns.<\/p>\n
The 6 consecutive days pass<\/strong> includes:<\/p>\n
- \n
- JR East train lines in the Kanto and Tohoku regions<\/li>\n
- JR Hokkaido train lines in southern Hokkaido, extending as far as Sapporo<\/li>\n
- Tohoku<\/a> and Hokkaido Shinkansen<\/a> (Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto)<\/li>\n
- Akita Shinkansen<\/a><\/li>\n
- Yamagata Shinkansen<\/a><\/li>\n
- Hokuriku shinkansen<\/a> (between Tokyo and Sakudaira)<\/li>\n
- Joetsu Shinkansen<\/a> (between Tokyo and Gala Yuzawa)<\/li>\n
- Tokyo Monorail<\/a> (Haneda Airport to Tokyo)<\/li>\n
- Narita Express<\/a> (Narita Airport to Tokyo<\/li>\n
- Izu Kyuko Line (Ito to Izukyu-Shimoda)<\/li>\n
- Aoimori Railway and Iwate Galaxy Railway<\/li>\n
- Sendai Airport Transit<\/li>\n
- Joyful trains, including the Pok\u00e9mon with You train<\/a><\/li>\n
- Access to major cities like Tokyo, Sendai, Aomori, Hakodate, Sapporo<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This pass is perfect for travelers covering long distances and combining nature with big cities.<\/p>\n
![\"Buy](\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/jr-east-south-hokkaido-rail-pass-cta.png\")
<\/div>Unlimited travel between Tokyo and Sapporo<\/div><\/div><\/p>\nUnlimited 6-day access to JR East services within the Kanto, Tohoku, and southern Hokkaido regions, including use of Shinkansen and Joyful trains.<\/p>\n
<\/div>Buy your JR East-South Hokkaido Pass<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n
Hokuriku Arch Pass<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Hokuriku](\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/images\/micro\/hokuriku-arch-pass.png\")
<\/p>\nThe Hokuriku Arch Pass<\/a> is a collaboration between JR East and JR West. It allows you to explore a lesser-known but beautiful route connecting Tokyo and Osaka through the coastal Hokuriku region.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll be able to visit traditional cities like Kanazawa, explore the art and crafts of Toyama, and enjoy more flexibility with airport arrivals<\/strong> in Tokyo or Kansai.<\/p>\n
The pass is valid for 7 days<\/strong> and includes:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Unlimited travel on certain JR lines between Osaka and Tokyo<\/li>\n
- Hokuriku Shinkansen (Tokyo to Tsuruga)<\/li>\n
- Access to major cities like Tokyo, Toyama, Kanazawa, Fukui, Kyoto, Osaka and Nara<\/li>\n
- JR lines between Tokyo and Narita and Haneda airports<\/a><\/li>\n
- JR lines between Osaka\/Kyoto and Kansai airport<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This pass<\/strong> is best for travelers looking for a unique route to Osaka through lesser-known cultural regions.<\/p>\n
![\"Buy](\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/hokuriku-arch-pass-cata-1.png\")
<\/div>Unlimited travel in the Hokuriku region<\/div><\/div><\/p>\nUnlimited 7-day access to JR trains in the Hokuriku region, containing cultural hubs such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, and rural delights such as the Japanese Alps and the ski resorts of Nagano.<\/p>\n
<\/div>Buy your Hokuriku Arch Pass<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n
JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass<\/span><\/h3>\n
This pass is ideal if you want to explore Japan\u2019s rugged northeastern coastline, visit local festivals, and discover hidden gems like Aomori and Hakodate<\/strong>. It covers most of Tohoku and southern Hokkaido, going all the way to Sapporo.<\/p>\n
Perfect if you want to explore Tohoku’s nature and culture and also reach Hokkaido’s gateway city of Hakodate. This pass keeps your journey flexible and affordable.<\/p>\n
Valid for 6 consecutive days, the pass covers:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Unlimited travel on applicable JR lines (all JR East in the Tohoku region, JR Hokkaido lines as far as Sapporo)<\/li>\n
- Tohoku and Hokkaido Shinkansen<\/li>\n
- Sendai Airport Transit Line<\/li>\n
- Access to major cities like Sendai, Aomori, Hakodate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This pass is ideal if you want to reach Hakodate while exploring Tohoku\u2019s cultural and natural beauty.<\/p>\n
JR East Pass (Tohoku Area)<\/span><\/h3>\n
Covering a vast area from Tokyo to Aomori<\/a>, this pass gives you access to regional treasures<\/strong> like Sendai\u2019s castle ruins, the Oirase Gorge, and Lake Tazawa. It’s one of the best options for travelers interested in exploring the Tohoku region in-depth.<\/p>\n
The 5 or 10 consecutive days<\/strong> pass includes:<\/p>\n
- \n
- All JR East lines in Tohoku and the Tokyo metropolitan area<\/li>\n
- Tohoku, Akita, Yamagata Shinkansen, and the Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen within the covered area<\/li>\n
- Tokyo Monorail (to Haneda Airport) and the Narita Express<\/li>\n
- Access to major cities like Tokyo, Sendai<\/a>, Aomori, Akita, Morioka, Fukushima, Yamagata<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This pass is great for travelers heading deep into the north of Honshu to discover cultural and natural highlights, but don\u2019t plan on going as far as Hokkaido<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata Area)<\/span><\/h3>\n
This pass is your ticket to Japan\u2019s mountain retreats. You can visit onsen towns, ski resorts, and cultural sites<\/strong> like Zenko-ji Temple and the Snow Monkey Park<\/a>. It\u2019s ideal for winter trips or scenic escapes from Tokyo.<\/p>\n
The 5 consecutive days pass includes:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Unlimited travel on applicable JR East lines in the Nagano<\/a> and Niigata regions, and certain parts of the Kanto region<\/li>\n
- Hokuriku and Joetsu Shinkansen<\/li>\n
- Tokyo Monorail (access to Haneda Airport) and the Narita Express<\/li>\n
- Access to major cities like Tokyo, Nagano, Niigata, Karuizawa, Matsumoto<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This pass suits travelers wanting alpine scenery, seasonal activities, and a quieter escape<\/strong> from Tokyo.<\/p>\n
JR East Passes Comparative Table<\/span><\/h3>\n
Use this table to quickly compare the major passes for travel across multiple prefectures:<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n Pass Name<\/strong><\/th>\n Validity<\/strong><\/th>\n Price (Adult)<\/strong><\/th>\n Major Cities Covered<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n \n JR East-South Hokkaido<\/td>\n 6 days<\/td>\n \u00a535,370<\/td>\n Tokyo, Sendai, Hakodate, Sapporo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Hokuriku Arch Pass<\/td>\n 7 days<\/td>\n \u00a530,000<\/td>\n Tokyo, Kanazawa, Osaka, Kyoto<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido<\/td>\n 6 days<\/td>\n \u00a530,640<\/td>\n Tokyo, Sendai, Aomori, Hakodate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n JR East Pass Tohoku<\/td>\n 5 or 10 days<\/td>\n \u00a530,000\/\u00a548,000<\/td>\n Tokyo, Sendai, Morioka, Aomori<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n JR East Pass Nagano Niigata<\/td>\n 5 days<\/td>\n \u00a527,000<\/td>\n Tokyo, Nagano, Niigata<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Tokyo Area Passes<\/span><\/h2>\n
These passes are ideal if you’re staying near Tokyo and want to take day trips to nearby cities, lakes, ski resorts, or hot springs. They offer great value for shorter stays<\/strong> and weekend breaks.<\/p>\n
![\"Cherry](\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/tokyo-imperial-palace-cherry-blossom-800x500.jpg\")
Cherry blossom in Tokyo Imperial Palace grounds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n JR Tokyo Wide Pass<\/span><\/h3>\n
The perfect pass for day trips and weekend escapes from Tokyo<\/strong>. You can explore popular spots like Mount Fuji, historic Nikko, and ski destinations like GALA Yuzawa<\/a>. It\u2019s designed for flexibility without leaving the Kanto region.<\/p>\n
The 3 consecutive days pass includes:<\/p>\n
- Unlimited travel on applicable JR East lines in the Nagano<\/a> and Niigata regions, and certain parts of the Kanto region<\/li>\n
- JR lines between Osaka\/Kyoto and Kansai airport<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Akita Shinkansen<\/a><\/li>\n
- 2.2<\/span> Tokyo 1-Day Ticket<\/a><\/li>
- 1.2<\/span> Hokuriku Arch Pass<\/a><\/li>
- 1.1<\/span> JR East – South Hokkaido Rail Pass<\/a><\/li>