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From Tokyo to Karuizawa, Nagano and Nikko

homarcus
homarcus
almost 9 years ago
15 responses

We'll be in Tokyo for a week ad will stay in Shinjuku. In between, we'll stay 2 nights in Karuizawa and plan to visit Nagano and Nikko. Will a 3-day JR Kanto Area Pass cover these places that we want to go?

Thank you,
Marcus Ho

homarcus
homarcus
15 posts
almost 9 years ago

To make it more clear, my question is: can a JR Kanto Area Pass cover:

(1) from Tokyo to Karuizawa (where we'll stay for 2 nights) (2) from Karuizawa to Nagano (3) from Karuizawa to Nikko

Thank you.

Toraneko
Toraneko
1303 posts
almost 9 years ago

Hi,
The JR Kanto Area Pass covers Karuizawa and Nikko but not Nagano. It only goes as far as Komoro. You should look at the official page here.

Best of luck.

homarcus
homarcus
15 posts
almost 9 years ago

Appreciate your prompt response and thank you for the information.

Toraneko
Toraneko
1303 posts
almost 9 years ago

Not a problem - enjoy your trip. With a full week in Tokyo, you might also want to explore other nearby sights - there is Yokohama, Kamakura/Enoshima, Mt. Takao, and Izu.
You could spend a lot of time in Tokyo and still not see everything.
In Tokyo a few of the best places to see are the Tsukiji Fish Market, plus the site that every last tourist goes to see, the Sensoji Temple. If you are in Tokyo on a Sunday afternoon, be sure to go visit Harajuku to see the youth with their wild fashions. Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park are next to it and well worth seeing also. And be sure not to miss the Shibuya Hachiko intersection especially on a weekend when it looks like half the city is crossing the street at once.

homarcus
homarcus
15 posts
almost 9 years ago

Dear Toraneko,

Thanks very much for your advice on where to go while we're in Tokyo, your information is very helpful.

Can I order the JR Kanto Area Pass online or we have to purchase it when we arrive at Tokyo?

Thanks again,
Marcus Ho

Toraneko
Toraneko
1303 posts
almost 9 years ago

Hi,
Some travel agencies might offer to sell the pass voucher before you get to Japan, otherwise you can get it after you arrive at the JR ticket offices listed in the link I gave you above. Unlike some other regional passes there is no discount if you get it outside of Japan. Please read through the page and understand all the rules and other conditions of using it.

Enjoy your trip.

homarcus
homarcus
15 posts
almost 9 years ago

Dear Toraneko,

Thanks again for your valuable information.

Cheers,
Marcus Ho

homarcus
homarcus
15 posts
almost 9 years ago

Dear Toraneko-san,

Some more questions before we come to Tokyo on June 10 Wednesday.

(1) We'll stay in Shinjuku. Am I correct JR Kanto Area Pass does not cover from Shinjuku to Tokyo Station? (2) We'll use JR Kanto Area Pass going to Karuizawa and the starting point is Tokyo Station. What is the best or easiest JR route we should take from Shinjuku to Tokyo Station where we'll take Nagano Shinkansen to Karuizawa? (3) Should we use the same routes when coming back from Karuizawa to Shinjuku?

Many thanks,
Marcus Ho

Toraneko
Toraneko
1303 posts
almost 9 years ago

Hi,
You can use the JR Yamanote Line from Shinjuku Stn to Tokyo Stn., and the Kanto Area Pass covers it.

BTW, if you want a cheap way from Narita into Tokyo, look at the 1000 yen bus.

Have a good flight!

homarcus
homarcus
15 posts
almost 9 years ago

Thank you, you're great.
Just checked by taking JR Yamamote Line, it has to travel half the loop of the whole route. If to take JR Chuo Line, it only travels half of its distance, am I correct? Btw., how frequent is JR Chuo Line operating in the morning?

Thanks again,
Marcus Ho

homarcus
homarcus
15 posts
almost 9 years ago

I understand the Kanto Area Pass does not cover JR Chuo Line.

Toraneko
Toraneko
1303 posts
almost 9 years ago

Hi,
Actually you can take the JR Chuo Line and it takes less than 15 minutes - sorry I failed to mention that. There are frequent departures around every 10 minutes or so. But the morning crush may be dreadful for you.
If you want to look up rail schedules and normal fares, you can look them up on Hyperdia.

Good luck!

homarcus
homarcus
15 posts
almost 9 years ago

You're very helpful. Thank you.


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