Unlimited rides on JR Local Trains in the Tokyo Area
¥760
1 Day
The Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (or Tokunai Pass) is the JR alternative to the Tokyo Subway Ticket, covering JR lines in the central Tokyo area for ordinary cars and ordinary seats. It covers the entirety of the JR Yamanote Line, and other JR line that run through the centre of Tokyo and up to nearby suburbs.
Unlike Tokyo Subway Ticket though, for first time visitors to Japan, it might not be entirely clear which lines are valid and up till what point on the line. This pass is only recommended if you need to use JR lines for a particular reason.
Valid Routes for the Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokunai Pass)
All JR lines listed on the map, including the JR Yamanote Line, Chuo Line, Chuo-Sobu Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Saikyo Line, etc. As long as the destination station is within the listed route.
Note that shinkansen lines are not valid. Limited express trains and reserved seats are not covered under this pass, but can be used with a fare top-up.
Duration and Cost of the Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokunai Pass)
¥760
1 Day
The pass is valid for one calendar day.
Unless you have a pressing need to take JR Lines, the Tokyo Subway Ticket offers better coverage for slightly more for a 24 hour ticket, but vastly less for a 72 hour ticket.
Our Take and Review of Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokunai Pass)
Recommended
The Tokunai Pass is only useful if you have to go to multiple places on JR East lines that are not covered by Tokyo Metro. We would recommend the Tokyo Subway Ticket by default for most visitors.
While the single-day version of the Tokunai Pass is cheaper than the Tokyo Subway Ticket by ¥40, the 3 Day version of the Tokyo Subway Ticket is ¥260 cheaper per day.
If you are only planning to explore downtown Tokyo, of which, most locations are covered under Tokyo Metro or Toei Subway, you should get the Tokyo Subway Ticket.
You might be tempted to get this version simply to ride JR lines, like the Yamanote Line. However, if you only plan to take 1 or 2 rides on JR East lines, this pass would not pay itself off either. You have to take around 4 or more rides (depending on distance) on JR East lines in order for this pass to pay off.
If you plan to go multiple locations only covered by JR East lines, like Kasai Rinkai Park, Akabane, or Koiwa, then this pass might work out depending on the distance and fare.
Do also note that, this pass only covers JR East lines within downtown Tokyo (the 23 Wards of Tokyo), and so if you plan to go to further out places like Kichijoji, or Tachikawa, it is not covered under this pass.
In general, the Tokyo Subway Ticket is more versatile, more affordable, and has a higher density of lines in downtown Tokyo. There is very little reason why one should pick the Tokunai Pass unless you specifically need to take multiple JR East lines in downtown Tokyo within a single day. The pass is more targeted at locals, than it is a discount ticket for tourists.
How to purchase the Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokunai Pass)
You can purchase the pass at any automated ticket machines at JR stations within the pass' coverage area.
Eligibility Criteria for the Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokunai Pass)
Anyone is eligible to purchase this pass.
Change and Refund Policy of the Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokunai Pass)
You can change the start date of the validity period once.
Refunds are on a case-by-case basis, and must be made either during the validity period or before its use.
