JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) is used for traveling around the Tokyo area, including Nagano and Niigata, but it does not reach Sendai or Aomori, which are covered by another pass called JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area), which extends as far as Aomori, Sendai, Aizu, and Nikko. If you need a smaller coverage area, there is also the JR TOKYO Wide Pass.
The JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) is a discount pass for travelers visiting the Nagano and Niigata areas of Japan. It allows unlimited rides on JR East trains within the pass's designated valid area, including services from Narita and Haneda airports. It also covers some non-JR local lines, such as those around Izu and Nikko.
* The new post-pandemic JR Pass format is no longer a paper booklet requiring you to go through a staffed gate. It now works like a regular ticket that can be inserted into automatic ticket gates — just remember to take it back from the machine.
The new format of the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) can be inserted into ticket gates just like a regular train ticket. Photo from klook.com
Price of the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)
| JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) | Adult (12 years and older) | ￥27,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Child (6-11 years) | ￥13,500 |
- To qualify for the child fare, the child must be between 6 and 11 years old on the date of purchase, according to their passport. Children under 6 do not need to buy a pass, but they will not be able to reserve a seat. If you want to reserve a seat for a child under 6, you will need to purchase a pass for them.
- You cannot buy a new pass while your current one is still valid. Each person may hold only one pass at a time.
How to Use
Once purchased, the pass is valid for 14 days from the date of purchase or the date you exchange it for the physical pass in Japan. Within that period, you can choose to travel on any 5 days (not necessarily consecutive). For example, if you exchange the pass for the physical version in Japan on August 1st, it will remain valid until August 14th, and you may choose any 5 days within that period to travel. You can use it on local, limited express, and express trains, as well as the Shinkansen (bullet train), as listed below:
- JR East Lines
- Izu Kyuko Line
- Hokuetsu Express
- Echigo TOKImeki Railway: Arai-Naoetsu.
- Tokyo Monorail
- Limited express trains operating between JR East lines and Tobu Railway lines, such as Nikko, SPACIA Nikko, Kinugawa, and SPACIA Kinugawa
- Local and rapid trains between Shimo-Imaichi and Tobu-Nikko/Kinugawa-Onsen, as well as trains between Kurihashi and Shimo-Imaichi Stations
Usage Restrictions
- You can ride the Tobu Railway line only when the origin or destination is a JR station.
- The pass cannot be used on the Tokaido Shinkansen.
- GALA Yuzawa Station is open only during winter and spring.
- The pass cannot be used on JR Bus services.
Sightseeing Spots Covered
- Matsumoto Castle
- Kamikochi
- Echigo-Yuzawa
- Tokamachi
- Karuizawa
- Kusatsu
- Izu
- Tokyo
- Others
Map
JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) route map
Other Passes Similar to the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)
The following travel passes are based in Tokyo, or use Tokyo as a starting or ending point:
- JR TOKYO WIDE PASS This pass covers the smallest area but still includes many major sightseeing spots around Tokyo, and it is the cheapest option.
- JR EAST NAGANO, NIIGATA This covers a slightly larger area, including Nagano and Niigata, as well as Matsumoto and Karuizawa.
- JR EAST TOHOKU This covers an even larger area, reaching Aomori and Sendai, as well as Yamagata and Aizu.
- JR East-South Hokkaido This covers the largest area, reaching as far as southern Hokkaido, including Hakodate and Sapporo, as well as New Chitose Airport and Hakodate Airport, but it is also the most expensive.
- JR Hokuriku Arch Pass This pass covers a route opposite to the four passes above. It loops north and west of Tokyo, passing through World Heritage areas, and ends in Osaka, forming an arch, as its name suggests.
[topic1]How to Purchase the Pass[/topic1]
You can purchase the pass both inside and outside Japan. Outside Japan, it can be bought through various Japan travel agencies, which will provide an Exchange Order. Once you arrive in Japan, bring the Exchange Order along with your passport to exchange it for the physical pass at a JR EAST Travel Service Center. Another option is to order online — after payment, print the Exchange Order and bring it to Japan to exchange for the physical pass.
You can also purchase the pass directly in Japan at JR EAST Travel Service Centers located at various JR stations.
Purchase and Exchange Locations
You can purchase the pass or exchange your Exchange Order at JR EAST Travel Service Centers located at various JR stations, such as Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, Haneda Airport International Terminal, Narita Airport Terminal 1, and Narita Airport Terminal 2·3.