Limited-time giveaway with the Tokyo Transfer Pass!

Written/Compiled and Reported by Wei Ruiwei

JR East Japan Railway Company has specially issued the Tokyo Transport Pass to attract overseas travelers to Japan (Enjoy Yourself In Japan). All passengers who purchase the Tokyo Transport Pass will receive a cost-effective Visit Japan Card, as well as a specially made phone strap (limited quantity, while supplies last). The Visit Japan Card is a VIP card that can be used at approximately 1,200 accommodation facilities, tourist attractions, and commercial facilities within Tokyo, offering various benefits such as discounts and exclusive small gifts.

The Tokyo Transport Pass is available for purchase from December 1, 2011, to January 29, 2012 (adults 3,000 yen, children 1,500 yen); the two-day pass is available until January 30 (adults 2,500 yen, children 1,250 yen). Based on the regular one-day pass price of 1,580 yen, purchasing the three-day pass can save you 1,740 yen.

Foreign travelers can purchase the pass with their passport at the JR East Japan Travel Service Center located on the B1 floor of Terminal 1, B1 floor of Terminal 2, or the 2nd floor of the International Terminal at Haneda Airport. With this PASS, you can freely ride JR trains, Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, Toei Tram, Nippori-Toneri Liner, and Toei buses, and get on and off freely within the Tokyo area.

For seasoned travelers familiar with Tokyo, planning an itinerary with the Tokyo Transport Pass is effortless. For first-time visitors to Tokyo, JR East Japan Railway Company has also specially planned three fun routes for reference. If you can cover one route per day, the daily transportation cost is approximately 1,770–1,970 yen. In Japan, where transportation costs are quite high, using the Tokyo Transport Pass is a great value option. The three routes include:

1. Tokyo → Tsukiji Market → Tamachi → Ginza → Kasai Rinkai Park → Kiyosumi-Shirakawa → Tsukishima → Otemachi

2. Ueno → Oshiage → Asakusa → Ryogoku → Koishikawa Korakuen → Akihabara → Nihonbashi → Higashi-Ikebukuro 4-chome

3. Shinagawa → Otemachi → National Diet Building → Ebisu → Shibuya → Omotesando → Shinjuku → Roppongi

The annual Christmas and New Year holidays are just around the corner, and famous attractions across Tokyo are decking themselves out in festive decorations. Roppongi Hills' Christmas event — ARTELLIGENT CHRISTMAS — is also lighting up three spots: the Zelkova Avenue, 66 Plaza, and Mori Garden. For travelers planning to move around Tokyo, a Tokyo Transport Pass will eliminate the hassle of buying individual tickets and offer more freedom to get on and off as you please.