JR TOKYO Wide Pass
Activity > Not area specific > Travel Tips
For 10,000 yen (about $100 US dollars), the "JR TOKYO Wide Pass" is one of the best deals you can get in Japan... if, you use it wisely. This pass lets you ride all the JR trains in Tokyo and all the surrounding prefectures around Tokyo (see map) for 3 days. Yes, you will be spending a lot of time on trains and hustling about but A.) The trains in Japan are super nice and a great place to spend time and watch the scenery go by and B.) You will be able to see the best attractions in the Kanto area for a third or even a fourth the price you'd pay for individual tickets. You can of course use this pass in and around the Tokyo metropolitan area but to really take advantage of the pass you should get out to the far countryside and hit 3 (or even 4) of some of Japan's famous destinations. In three days you can visit the Nikko area, the famous Onsen (Hot Springs) prefecture Gunma and the Hakone area. If you really want to hustle about you can even get to Kamakura or optionally the recently popular Kameiwa Cave in Chiba. A final cool thing with the JR TOKYO Wide Pass is that it allows you to ride the Bullet Train (Shinkansen) if you don't have the full blown JR Pass or haven't or wont have a chance to ride it any other way.
As for staying the night... that's up to you. Is is definitely possible to visit each of these places and come back to Tokyo the same day but you will have to plan your trains carefully and be prepared to be worn out. Well, at least you'll sleep like a rock until the next early morning when you'll be up and ready to go again. If you do decide to stay there are a variety of options from high-end $500-$1,000 a night to standard $150 a night to $30 for a room at an Airbnb.
Nikko Area
There is tons to do in Nikko and you'll have to pick and choose a few spots that really interest you. To see the whole area you would probably need three or four days but since we are on a mission with our JR TOKYO Wide Pass we'll have to be picky. We have two suggestions... A.) Hit Edo Wonderland in the morning and then the temples, shrines and bridge in Nikko in the afternoon or B.) Hit the temples, shrines and bridge in Nikko and then try to get up to Kegon Waterfall. We are partial to plan "A." and visiting Edo Wonderland because it's such a cool theme park but it does cost extra money to get in.
Gunma Prefecture
Gunma is the prefecture known for Onsen (Hot Springs). It is one of the most famous Onsen prefectures in Japan and has some really cool Ryokan (Japanese style Inns that have onsen baths). The four most famous Onsen areas within Gunma are Ikaho Onsen, Kusatsu Onsen, Minakami Onsen and Shima Onsen and our Hot Springs near Tokyo page gives more details on each. If possible, we highly recommend staying at one of these places... it could just be the best experience you have on your trip to Japan. You can relax for hours in beautiful scenery in the hot springs, drink sake and beer, sleep in a super soft futon and eat a huge meal the Ryokan will provide.
Hakone Area
The Hakone area is even more vast and more to do than the Nikko area so once again your going to have to pick a few destinations that really interest you. We suggest stopping in Odawara to see the Odawara castle before heading up to Hakone where you can get a great view of Mt. Fuji. Or... if your up to it you can climb Mt. Fuji if you like! There is also Fuji-Q Highland (a great theme park) and the Fuji Five Lakes area if that interests you more.
Important Notes
1.) This pass can only be bought and used by people with a foreign (not Japanese) passport. You must carry this passport along with the pass when you travel.
2.) YES! you can ride in the "Reserved" cars with a reserved seat BUT you must reserve before you board the train. Otherwise you have to sit in the normal "open seating" cars of any train.
3.) The pass does have various restrictions and rules that you need to read before planning your trains.
4.) Review the JR TOKYO Wide Pass official site for the pass details, restrictions and where you can buy it.
5.) This is your mission, if you wish to accept it. You have 3 days... ready, Go, START!
