[Question] Tokyo Wide Pass

[JinHockie]

I am planning to go Kawaguchiko with Tokyo Wide Pass. Tokyo Wide Pass include Narita Express and Fujikyu Railway.

My question is from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko, there are few options of trains, Fujisan View Express (Mt Fuji views, preferred), Fujisan Limited and Fujisan Rapid (Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko nonstop). Which one is free for Tokyo Wide Pass? How to get the ticket at Otsuki to board Fujisan train or just show Tokyo Wide Pass to board? Does online reservation required?

 

[saffronsatire]

I think only Fujisan view express not valid for tokyo wide pass. The others just flash your pass at the station to go to fuji bound platform. Got non-reserved sections.

 

[bluetwinkle]

I am planning to go Kawaguchiko with Tokyo Wide Pass. Tokyo Wide Pass include Narita Express and Fujikyu Railway.

My question is from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko, there are few options of trains, Fujisan View Express (Mt Fuji views, preferred), Fujisan Limited and Fujisan Rapid (Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko nonstop). Which one is free for Tokyo Wide Pass? How to get the ticket at Otsuki to board Fujisan train or just show Tokyo Wide Pass to board? Does online reservation required?

If you are considering to use Tokyo Wide Pass for just one way to/from Narita Airport and a round trip to Lake Kawaguchiko, you may be better off taking bus for round trip between Tokyo and Lake Kawaguchiko and paying for NEX separately. This arrangement is likely to cost below 10k JPY.

 

[JinHockie]

I think only Fujisan view express not valid for tokyo wide pass. The others just flash your pass at the station to go to fuji bound platform. Got non-reserved sections.

I don’t really understand how the non-reserved section work. Most of my search on hyperdia include reserved seat by default. Is it first come first serve basis?

 

[JinHockie]

If you are considering to use Tokyo Wide Pass for just one way to/from Narita Airport and a round trip to Lake Kawaguchiko, you may be better off taking bus for round trip between Tokyo and Lake Kawaguchiko and paying for NEX separately. This arrangement is likely to cost below 10k JPY.

Yeah you are right, I just found out that it’s more cost effective to take NEX one way + return bus (¥6620) vs train ride with Tokyo Wide pass. I’m in dilemma now.

 

[TonyDelPiero]

I don’t really understand how the non-reserved section work. Most of my search on hyperdia include reserved seat by default. Is it first come first serve basis?

non reserved seats are in a train car that is designed for non-reserved seats only.

Yes, it is first come first serve basis for non-reserved seats.

 

[JinHockie]

non reserved seats are in a train car that is designed for non-reserved seats only.

Yes, it is first come first serve basis for non-reserved seats.

I presume Tokyo Wide Pass doesn’t include reserved seat fee. Still need to top up at ticketing office right?

 

[saffronsatire]

I presume Tokyo Wide Pass doesn’t include reserved seat fee. Still need to top up at ticketing office right?

I recall reservation is free. I did reservations for my nikko trip.

 

[JinHockie]

I recall reservation is free. I did reservations for my nikko trip.

Did u reserve on site or online?

 

[bluetwinkle]

I presume Tokyo Wide Pass doesn’t include reserved seat fee. Still need to top up at ticketing office right?

Reserved seat fee is included in Tokyo Wide Pass and JR Pass. Other than the area of travel,the difference between Tokyo Wide Pass and JR Pass is the ability to travel on Pte Rail tracks and sometimes Pte Rail trains without additional fee topup. Some trains are fully reserved.

To make things simpler and to guarantee seats with travelling companions, I always reserve my seats. Since I mostly travel during the less peak periods and do not want to be rushing for trains, I reserved my seats about 30 min to an hour before setting off to the stations to take the reserved trains. In my recent Sat evening trip,I had to take the 2nd train as the earlier train requires my party of 4 to be split. (This is a bit of risk to take if not reserving earlier.)

Btw, all reservations are done onsite.

 

[JinHockie]

Reserved seat fee is included in Tokyo Wide Pass and JR Pass. Other than the area of travel,the difference between Tokyo Wide Pass and JR Pass is the ability to travel on Pte Rail tracks and sometimes Pte Rail trains without additional fee topup. Some trains are fully reserved.

To make things simpler and to guarantee seats with travelling companions, I always reserve my seats. Since I mostly travel during the less peak periods and do not want to be rushing for trains, I reserved my seats about 30 min to an hour before setting off to the stations to take the reserved trains. In my recent Sat evening trip,I had to take the 2nd train as the earlier train requires my party of 4 to be split. (This is a bit of risk to take if not reserving earlier.)

Btw, all reservations are done onsite.

Very clear explanation. Thx u.

For this part “I reserved my seats about 30 min to an hour before setting off to the stations to take the reserved trains.” Do u mean I can reserve at Shinjuku station for my route from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko? If not how u reserve 30 mins before reaching the station?

 

[bluetwinkle]

Very clear explanation. Thx u.

For this part “I reserved my seats about 30 min to an hour before setting off to the stations to take the reserved trains.” Do u mean I can reserve at Shinjuku station for my route from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko? If not how u reserve 30 mins before reaching the station?

It is possible to reserve seats for JR trains at any JR East office anytime. Only exception is the airport's JR offices which allow only same day reservation.

So using my example, when I need to set off from Shinjuku station to catch a reserved train at Ueno station, I will go to the office at Shinjuku to tell them I am ready to set off now to go XXX. The staff will plan the route from Shinjuku to Ueno and the earliest connecting train from Ueno to XXX for me when he reserved seat from Ueno to XXX. I literally booked like 30 min to an hour beforehand even though the 30 min to an hour is spent on travelling to the starting station of the reserved train.

Alternatively, if I know that 2 days from now I want to travel on reserved seats from XXX to YYY at a specific time, I can always make a reservation at Shinjuku JR office any time from now.

However, if a non JR train is involved, you may need to reserve a the non JR train office.

 

[dleodleo]

I presume Tokyo Wide Pass doesn’t include reserved seat fee. Still need to top up at ticketing office right?

I reserved my seats during the purchase of my Tokyo Wide pass at the counter. I was not charged on reservation of seat.

 

[dleodleo]

Very clear explanation. Thx u.

For this part “I reserved my seats about 30 min to an hour before setting off to the stations to take the reserved trains.” Do u mean I can reserve at Shinjuku station for my route from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko? If not how u reserve 30 mins before reaching the station?

Just reserve the seats when you buy the tickets. Reservation of seats on the day itself is risky, later no seats how?

If without seat reservations, you can sit in car 1 to 5 or 6 I think - these seats are free seating, first come first serve.

I know car 7 onwards is for those who reserved seats.