Tokyo Transport Pass

[Mulboyne]

The Tourism Agency has come up with a new transport offer for foreign tourists. It seems foolish to look a gift horse in the mouth but I can't help wondering if it works out as much of a deal. The Tokyo Transport Pass (PDF) will be sold to foreign visitors at Narita and Haneda airports only. You can buy a 2 day pass for 2,500 yen, or a 3 day pass for 3,000 yen. It allows you unlimited travel on the Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway and JR lines in the central metropolitan area. You can't use it on the journeys in from either airport or any of the private railways (Tokyu, Odakyu etc) except where they run on subway lines. Taking the case of the two day pass, you will need to travel on routes worth 1,300 yen a day for the pass to make any sense. I find it difficult to see how too many ordinary travellers would be doing that in the course of a typical itinerary.

If you look at page 2 of that PDF link above, you'll find some suggested courses. I think they are barking mad. They have you fitting in eight journeys a day, which may not look much on the page but is a different matter in the field. I might be wrong, but it also looks like your pass is valid when you buy it at the airport so you'll need to get some value out of it on the day you arrive. I don't know many people who fancy taking a lot of short train journeys after stepping off a plane in Japan. I don't think anyone doubts that the nationwide Japan Rail Pass is a good deal for tourists but the Tokyo Transport Pass looks far less useful.

[wagyl]

I agree that anyone would be hard pressed to use that much JR + Metro + Toei subway or bus in a day. You would do more trainspotting than sightseeing.

Two interesting points to add:
1. The link says "Designate the date you will begin using the Pass when purchasing it" so it seems that you can indeed set it to start on a day other than the date of purchase.

2. Unlike the Japan Rail Pass there appears to be no visa restriction. All that is necessary is a foreign passport, so in the unlikely event that a foreign resident would like to buy it there is nothing stopping us.

[Coligny]

I agree that anyone would be hard pressed to use that much JR + Metro + Toei subway or bus in a day. You would do more trainspotting than sightseeing.

Two interesting points to add:
1. The link says "Designate the date you will begin using the Pass when purchasing it" so it seems that you can indeed set it to start on a day other than the date of purchase.

2. Unlike the Japan Rail Pass there appears to be no visa restriction. All that is necessary is a foreign passport, so in the unlikely event that a foreign resident would like to buy it there is nothing stopping us.

could be super interesting for my tokyoz shopping party trips... usually i stick to akihabara to avoid metro headaches and fees... but with carefully planned flight plan it could be da bomb...

[omae mona]

The Tourism Agency has come up with a new transport offer for foreign tourists. It seems foolish to look a gift horse in the mouth but I can't help wondering if it works out as much of a deal. The Tokyo Transport Pass (PDF) will be sold to foreign visitors at Narita and Haneda airports only. You can buy a 2 day pass for 2,500 yen, or a 3 day pass for 3,000 yen. It allows you unlimited travel on the Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway and JR lines in the central metropolitan area. You can't use it on the journeys in from either airport or any of the private railways (Tokyu, Odakyu etc) except where they run on subway lines. Taking the case of the two day pass, you will need to travel on routes worth 1,300 yen a day for the pass to make any sense. I find it difficult to see how too many ordinary travellers would be doing that in the course of a typical itinerary.

On top of that, considering the vast majority of tourists are going to stick to Tokyo Metro, they'd potentially be better off with the daily 710 yen one day Tokyo Metro pass. Or if they really need to ride one of the Toei subway lines too, they can use the 1000 yen one day Tokyo Metro + Toei Subway pass (still cheaper than the 2-day Tokyo Transport Pass).

I'm with you on the barking mad diagnosis.

OTOH, the Suica & N'EX deal, which we've discussed before, is still a great bargain. For 5500 yen, you can get a NEX round trip (worth 5880) plus 2000 yen worth of suica electronic cash! (well, actually 1500 yen of electronic cash plus a 500 yen deposit you can get back by returning your card).

[BigInJapan]

2. Unlike the Japan Rail Pass there appears to be no visa restriction. All that is necessary is a foreign passport, so in the unlikely event that a foreign resident would like to buy it there is nothing stopping us.

Actually, this will be stopping you:
"Visitors holding a long-term visa (student or Working Holiday for instance) cannot benefit from the Japan Rail Pass."
(I tried years ago when my folks visited, had to pay full fare)

[Samurai_Jerk]

Actually, this will be stopping you:
"Visitors holding a long-term visa (student or Working Holiday for instance) cannot benefit from the Japan Rail Pass."
(I tried years ago when my folks visited, had to pay full fare)

Re-read what wagyl posted.

[IparryU]

Re-read what wagyl posted.

I had to scratch my head on that one... didn't know if he was trying to contradict him or he just didn't read it all the way through...

[matsuki]

Actually, this will be stopping you:
"Visitors holding a long-term visa (student or Working Holiday for instance) cannot benefit from the Japan Rail Pass."
(I tried years ago when my folks visited, had to pay full fare)

If one were so inclined to use the "We Japanese" prejudice against them, one might have their folks purchase a JR Pass for them and activate it in two different locations. Then one might use the JR Pass with the rest of the gaijin group...if one were so inclined that is.

BTW, That Suica and Next deal is pretty awesome! Thanks OM!!

[GomiGirl]

OTOH, the Suica & N'EX deal, which we've discussed before, is still a great bargain. For 5500 yen, you can get a NEX round trip (worth 5880) plus 2000 yen worth of suica electronic cash! (well, actually 1500 yen of electronic cash plus a 500 yen deposit you can get back by returning your card).

That is the cheapest way to get into town. I always suggest that visitors use this option.

I am guessing JR hope to not get the SUICA cards returned as they have pretty woodblock prints on them to encourage tourists to take them home as souvenirs.

There is a limousine bus + metro pass offer for either a single bus ticket plus a one day metro pass or a return bus ticket plus 2 day metro passes. Doesn't quite have the same appeal as a rechargeable SUICA card but not a bad deal saving a few bucks if you are on a budget.

Personally I always get the bus from the airport. I wish the train was as easy to access as the one from HK airport... but ah well, we can't have everything in this life now can we?

[matsuki]

That is the cheapest way to get into town. I always suggest that visitors use this option.

I am guessing JR hope to not get the SUICA cards returned as they have pretty woodblock prints on them to encourage tourists to take them home as souvenirs.

I wished I had known about it sooner!

Knowing the double standard that is Japan, the gaijin only SUICA might actually be worth selling on Yahoo Auctions haha.

[Doctor Stop]

The Tokyo Transport Pass (PDF) will be sold to foreign visitors at Narita and Haneda airports only.

At the top right of page one: "Special neck strap to be presented to the first buyers".



"Enjoy Yourself In Japan" indeed.

[matsuki]

OTOH, the Suica & N'EX deal, which we've discussed before, is still a great bargain. For 5500 yen, you can get a NEX round trip (worth 5880) plus 2000 yen worth of suica electronic cash! (well, actually 1500 yen of electronic cash plus a 500 yen deposit you can get back by returning your card).

3,500 yen for the N'EX + SUICA with 1,500 yen (the round trip deal is only worth it if you're leaving within 2 weeks as the return trip N'EX ticket will expire then) Just wanted to confirm they don't check Visa status, didn't even open my passport. (and the Gaijin SUICA is all the rage with the locals)

[waruta]

3,500 yen for the N'EX + SUICA with 1,500 yen (the round trip deal is only worth it if you're leaving within 2 weeks as the return trip N'EX ticket will expire then) Just wanted to confirm they don't check Visa status, didn't even open my passport. (and the Gaijin SUICA is all the rage with the locals)

Which Gaijin Suica? The Endless Japan one or the one with the three Geisha on them? I kinda want one too, but always coveted the KiTaCa one with the flying squirrel on it. Too cute.

Edit: Saw the train version on the website, also Google shows a Cherry Blossom/Tokyo Tower version which is pretty cool....

[matsuki]

Which Gaijin Suica? The Endless Japan one or the one with the three Geisha on them? I kinda want one too, but always coveted the KiTaCa one with the flying squirrel on it. Too cute.

Edit: Saw the train version on the website, also Google shows a Cherry Blossom/Tokyo Tower version which is pretty cool....

This is the one I got (left)...but they didn't give me any choice or anything. I wonder if the design will change every so often...