Tobu
Valid Routes for the Kawagoe Discount Pass
One round-trip from Ikebukuro Station on Tobu Railways to Kawagoe Station or Kawagoeshi Station.
The premium version allows for the above, plus unlimited rides between Kawagoe Station and Kawagoeshi Station, although the walking distance between the two is about 15 minutes. It also covers some buses in the Kawagoe area.
Do note that when returning to Ikebukuro, ensure that your train terminates at Ikebukuro Station.
Trains that transfer to the Fukutoshin or Yurakucho Lines are not valid under the pass, as they arrive at the Tokyo Metro portion of Ikebukuro Station.
Duration and Cost of the Kawagoe Discount Pass
¥710
Train
¥1,050
Train + Bus
The pass is valid for a single round-trip within the same day. The pass can be issued up to one month in advance of the date of use.
The Kawagoe Discount Pass should cover the needs of most visitors, as most of the area is quite walkable without the need for taking a bus. Additionally, the waiting time for bus services might waste unnecessary time. There is also little benefit to unlimited rides between Kawagoe and Kawagoeshi Stations as there is little reason to travel between the two, and the distance is easily walkable.
A regular round-trip between Ikebukuro Station and Kawagoe Station would cost ¥982. Thus the pass would net you a saving of around ¥270.
Our Take and Review of Kawagoe Discount Pass
Recommended
If you're going to take a day trip from Tokyo to Kawagoe, there's no reason not to get the Kawagoe Discount Pass. Tobu Railways is the fastest and cheapest way to get from Tokyo to Kawagoe, taking only 30 mins by Tobu Railway, and around ¥980 for a round-trip fare.
Using the pass will net you ¥270 saving, which is almost 30% off the round-trip fare from Ikebukuro Station to Kawagoe Station by Tobu Railways. The pass is also easy to buy at the Tobu Tourist Information Center at Ikebukuro, and it also nets you a cool-looking ticket that makes for a great souvenir. Furthermore, if you bring the ticket back to the counter at the end of the day, you can claim an additional free gift from the Tobu Tourist Information Center.
Whether or not the Kawagoe Discount Pass Premium version is worth it or not really just depends on whether or not you plan to take the bus. The Kawagoe Discount Pass Premium costs ¥350 more than the Kawagoe Discount Pass, which means that as long as you take the bus twice (each bus ride is ¥200), you can earn back the difference. If you're too lazy to walk, or planning to take the bus from the Kawagoe Warehouse District (蔵造りの町並み, Kurazukuri no Machinami) to the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine (川越氷川神社, Kawagoe Hikawa Jinja), then the Kawagoe Discount Pass Premium is pretty good value.
That being said, the whole of Kawagoe is pretty walkable, from Kawagoe Station to the Kawagoe Warehouse District is around 20-30 minutes on foot, but it passes through a variety of shopping streets and things to see. So in general, we recommend that people walk, rather than take the bus, in order to fully take in the area.
Either way, the Kawagoe Discount Pass provides really good value for people taking a day trip from Tokyo to Kawagoe, and there's really no reason you should miss out on this amazing deal.
How to purchase the Kawagoe Discount Pass
The pass can be purchased at 5 different counters located in Ikebukuro Station. The easiest counter to locate would be the Tobu Tourist Information Center Ikebukuro, which might also have English support available.
Eligibility Criteria for the Kawagoe Discount Pass
Only foreigners (residents and tourists) are eligible for this pass, and a passport must be presented at time of purchase.
Change and Refund Policy of the Kawagoe Discount Pass
If the pass is still within the period of validity (one month from the date of issue), the pass can be refunded after deducting an administrative fee.
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