JR Tokunai Pass Routes: 3 One-Day Tokyo Itineraries
Tokyo Mate
Are you spending more than 1,500 yen per day on Tokyo transportation?
For just 760 yen, you can explore Tokyo all day with the JR Tokunai Pass (JR 1-Day Pass)!
From beginner-friendly routes to the trendy 2026 hotspot Takanawa Gateway,
this guide has everything you need to plan your perfect Tokyo day trip.
📍 What is the Tokunai Pass and Why Should You Use It?
The Tokunai Pass (JR 1-Day Pass) is the most reliable flat-rate pass for managing transportation costs during your Tokyo trip.
It allows unlimited use of JR lines within Tokyo’s 23 wards for one day, significantly reducing your transportation expenses with the right itinerary.
- Official Name: Tokyo City Area Pass (都区内パス Tokunai Pass)
- Coverage: All JR lines within Tokyo's 23 wards
- Price: Adult 760 yen / Child 380 yen
- Where to Buy: JR station ticket machines & ticket offices (Korean language support ⭕)
✅ Lines You Can Use with This Pass
- Yamanotesen (JY): Green loop line (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, Ueno, etc.)
- Chuosen/Sobusen (JC/JB): Orange/Yellow cross lines (Ochanomizu, Akihabara, etc.)
- Keihin-Tohoku Line (JK): Blue north-south line (Shinagawa, Ueno, etc.)
- Plus Keiyo Line (Kasai Rinkai Park), Shonan-Shinjuku Line, and all other JR lines within Tokyo's 23 wards
📌 How to Break Even?
Since JR base fares are around 150-180 yen,
👉 If you take JR 5 or more times in a day, this pass is definitely worth it!
⚠️ Critical Things to Know Before Using
❌ No Subway: Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway are absolutely NOT included.
❌ No Private Railways: Odaiba (Yurikamome) and other private lines require separate fares.
❌ Extra Charges Outside Tokyo’s 23 Wards
⭕ JR Gates Only
⭕ Recommended Combo: Use Suica/PASMO for subway sections.
👉 In other words, JR-focused itineraries + days with many transfers are when this pass truly shines.
📍 3 Perfect One-Day Tokyo Itineraries with Tokunai Pass (JR 1-Day Pass Routes)
Choose from 3 difficulty levels based on your stamina and travel style. All routes cost zero extra yen beyond the pass.
✅ LEVEL 1. [Classic] Yamanotesen Full Loop｜Hit All Major Spots Without a Map
- Recommended for: First-time Tokyo visitors who want to hit famous spots without navigation stress
- Features: Just ride the JR Yamanotesen loop and you're done! (About 9 rides / Save 1,500+ yen)
| Route (JR Travel Time) | Key Attractions |
|---|---|
| Shinjuku → Ikebukuro (8 min) | Sunshine City, Animate Main Store Start your morning with shopping and anime culture! ➡️ Tokyo Ikebukuro Complete Guide |
| Ikebukuro → Sugamo (5 min) | Jizo-dori Shopping Street Known as "Grandma's Harajuku" - fun red underwear sightseeing 🤣 |
| Sugamo → Nippori (8 min) | Yanaka Ginza Cat town vibes + menchi-katsu street food ➡️ Tokyo Yanaka Ginza Menchi-katsu & Yuyake Dandan Review |
| Nippori → Ueno (4 min) | Ueno Park, Ameyoko Rest in the park or feel the market energy ➡️ Ueno Ameyoko Market to Ueno Park Guide |
| Ueno → Akihabara (3 min) | Electronics & Figures Anime pilgrimage site (gacha machines are a must) ➡️ Akihabara Figures, Gacha, Anime Pilgrimage Guide |
| Akihabara → Tokyo (4 min) | Tokyo Station Marunouchi Plaza, Character Street Photo op in front of the red brick station 📸 ➡️ Tokyo Station Character Street to Restaurants & Night Views |
| Tokyo → Takanawa GW (11 min) | Takanawa Gateway (or Shinagawa) Tokyo's hottest new landmark |
| Takanawa GW → Shibuya (15 min) | Scramble Crossing, Shibuya Sky Enjoy Tokyo's dazzling night views ➡️ Shibuya Sky Reservation to Shopping & Restaurants |
| Shibuya → Harajuku (2 min) | Takeshita Street, Omotesando (Walkable) Crepes and strolling ➡️ Harajuku Harry Potter Store to Takeshita Street Guide |
| Harajuku → Shinjuku (5 min) | Kabukicho, vibrant Shinjuku nightlife ➡️ Shinjuku Nightlife: Golden Gai vs Omoide Yokocho Complete Comparison |
📌 Tip. To manage your energy, you can skip either Sugamo or Nippori.
✅ LEVEL 2. [Trendy] Chuosen Shortcut Route｜Trendy Hotspots & Shopping in One Go
- Recommended for: Couples in their 20s-30s, Instagrammers, anyone wanting unique photos
- Features: Use the Chuosen (central line) to cut across and save time, hitting only the hottest spots! (About 9 rides)
| Route (JR Travel Time) | Key Attractions |
|---|---|
| Shinjuku → Ochanomizu (9 min) | Hijiribashi Bridge "Suzume no Tojimari" pilgrimage site (3 trains crossing) |
| Ochanomizu → Ryogoku (6 min) | Ryogoku Kokugikan, Sumida River Riverside walk with Skytree views |
| Ryogoku → Akihabara (4 min) | Electronics District Browse figures/games and find your inner child ➡️ Akihabara Figures, Gacha, Anime Pilgrimage Guide |
| Akihabara → Nippori (8 min) | Yanaka Ginza & Yuyake Dandan Showa-era town vibes, Tokyo's famous shaved ice ➡️ Tokyo Yanaka Ginza Menchi-katsu & Yuyake Dandan Review |
| Nippori → Ueno (4 min) | Ueno Park, Ameyoko Museums & park stroll ➡️ Ueno Ameyoko Market to Ueno Park Guide |
| Ueno → Tokyo (7 min) | KITTE Rooftop Garden, Character Street Free Tokyo Station views ➡️ Tokyo Station Character Street to Restaurants & Night Views |
| Tokyo → Takanawa GW (11 min) | Kengo Kuma Architecture Tour Admire the beautiful origami-shaped station |
| Takanawa GW → Shibuya (15 min) | Miyashita Park Rooftop park coffee break ➡️ Shibuya Sky Reservation to Shopping & Restaurants |
| Shibuya → Harajuku (2 min) | Cat Street Trendy select shops and cafes ➡️ Harajuku Harry Potter Store to Takeshita Street Guide |
| Harajuku → Ikebukuro (13 min) | Late-night Shopping & Gacha Don Quijote/Game centers open late ➡️ Tokyo Ikebukuro Complete Guide |
| Ikebukuro → Shinjuku (8 min) | Return to accommodation (Cheers with a beer! 🍺) ➡️ Shinjuku Nightlife: Golden Gai vs Omoide Yokocho Complete Comparison |
📌 Tip. Ikebukuro’s Animate main store closes at 9 PM. If your Harajuku schedule runs too late, skip Ikebukuro and head straight back to Shinjuku.
✅ LEVEL 3. [Ultimate] Tokunai Pass Maximum Challenge｜Tokyo Grand Traverse & Kasai Rinkai Park
- Recommended for: Energy champions, greedy travelers who want both the sea (Kasai Rinkai Park) and city night views
- Features: Go to the edge of the Tokunai Pass coverage and get 3x your money's worth!
| Route (JR Travel Time) | Key Attractions |
|---|---|
| Shinjuku → Ochanomizu (9 min) | Hijiribashi Bridge "Suzume no Tojimari" pilgrimage site (3 trains crossing) |
| Ochanomizu → Ryogoku (6 min) | Ryogoku Kokugikan & Sumida River Riverside walk with Skytree views |
| Ryogoku → Akihabara (4 min) | Electronics District Browse figures/games and find your inner child ➡️ Akihabara Figures, Gacha, Anime Pilgrimage Guide |
| Akihabara → Nippori (8 min) | Yanaka Ginza & Yuyake Dandan Cat town vibes + menchi-katsu street food ➡️ Tokyo Yanaka Ginza Menchi-katsu & Yuyake Dandan Review |
| Nippori → Ueno (4 min) | Ueno Park, Ameyoko Rest in the park or feel the market energy ➡️ Ueno Ameyoko Market to Ueno Park Guide |
| Ueno → Tokyo (7 min) | Tokyo Station Marunouchi Plaza, Character Street Photo op in front of the red brick station 📸 ➡️ Tokyo Station Character Street to Restaurants & Night Views |
| Tokyo → Kasai Rinkai Koen (13 min) | Ferris Wheel & Seaside Relaxation Transfer to Keiyo Line (red)! Ocean breeze and rest 🎡 |
| Kasai Rinkai Koen → Takanawa Gateway (22 min) | New Hotspot Night Views Must return to Tokyo Station and transfer to Yamanotesen |
| Takanawa Gateway → Shibuya (15 min) | Shibuya Yokocho Dinner in a bustling atmosphere ➡️ Shibuya Sky Reservation to Shopping & Restaurants |
| Shibuya → Harajuku (2 min) | Nighttime Omotesando Stroll the illuminated luxury street ➡️ Harajuku Harry Potter Store to Takeshita Street Guide |
| Harajuku → Ikebukuro (13 min) | Sunshine City & Don Quijote Burn your last shopping energy ➡️ Tokyo Ikebukuro Complete Guide |
| Ikebukuro → Shinjuku (8 min) | Epic journey complete! (Foot bath time required) ➡️ Shinjuku Nightlife: Golden Gai vs Omoide Yokocho Complete Comparison |
📌 Transfer Caution (Tokyo → Kasai Rinkai Park)
This section requires the red Keiyo Line. You’ll need to walk quite a bit inside Tokyo Station to reach the Keiyo Line platform (about 10-15 minutes), so comfortable shoes are a must!
📌 Return Route (Kasai Rinkai Park → Takanawa Gateway)
When returning from Kasai Rinkai Park to Takanawa Gateway, you must go back to Tokyo Station and transfer to the Yamanotesen for the pass to apply. (Taking the Rinkai Line or other private railways will incur extra charges!)
The Tokunai Pass is not just about riding as much as possible, but a JR 1-Day Pass that becomes more efficient the better you know the routes.
By choosing an itinerary that matches your travel style, you can reduce Tokyo transportation costs, simplify your movement routes, and definitely increase your stamina and satisfaction.
- Beginners? 👉 LEVEL 1 (Yamanotesen Loop)
- Couples/Friends? 👉 LEVEL 2 (Trendy & Vibes)
- Energy Champions? 👉 LEVEL 3 (Conquer the Sea)
Choose the route that fits your travel style and reduce transportation costs while maximizing satisfaction!
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