By Wei Ruyu, compiled and reported
Further to JR West Railroad’s introduction of the Kansai Area Pass and Sanyo Area Pass for overseas visitors, and Keikyu Electric Railway’s Keikyu-Haneda/Metro Joint Pass for one-day unlimited travel... After that, in order to facilitate the use of trains by foreign visitors to Japan, East Japan Railroad will also issue the JR Kanto Area Pass (Kanto Area Pass) on December 1. In the future, it will be more convenient to take the Narita Express or Tokyo Monorail from the airport to central Tokyo, and then transfer to nearby tourist spots such as Kawaguchiko, Izu, Kusatsu, Karuizawa, Nasu Highlands, and Nikko.
The JR Kanto Area Pass can also be used to take the Narita Express from the airport. (Image provided by Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, Taipei Office)
The sale period for this pass will begin on December 1, 2011, and last for one year. The usage period starts on January 1, 2012, and also lasts for one year. Travelers can purchase it at JR East Travel Service Centers (Narita Airport Station, Terminal 2, Haneda Airport International Terminal Station), as well as in Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ueno, and Yokohama. The adult ticket is 8,000 yen, and the child ticket is 4,000 yen, and it can be used continuously for 3 days.
Holders of this pass can freely board and alight from ordinary cars (reserved seats) on limited express trains (including Shinkansen), express, and local trains within the JR East Railroad service area, the entire Fuji Kyuko Line, the entire Izu Kyuko Line, the entire Tokyo Monorail Line, the entire Joshin Electric Railway Line, and the special express train between Omiya Station and the Railway Museum.
You can also visit some nearby Tokyo attractions with the JR Kanto Area Pass. Pictured is the Nasu Highlands. (Image provided by Mook Editorial Department)
This discounted ticket is only available to tourists holding foreign passports, so please present your passport when purchasing; those who buy the ticket at JR East Travel Service Centers (Narita Airport Station, Terminal 2, Haneda Airport International Terminal Station) will receive a special mobile phone charm, while supplies last.
JR East Railroad also launched the Tokyo Transport Pass (Tokyo Transfer Pass) on the same day, December 1. For more details, please visit the following websites: East Japan Railway Company www.jreast.co.jp/tc JR West Special Offers Information www.jr-odekake.net/global/tc/jwrp/link.html