Yes, travel to Gala-Yuzawa is covered by the JR Pass. Trains may not always go as far as Gala-Yuzawa but you can always travel to Echigo-Yuzawa and take local transport from there.
However, if you plan to spend all of your trip in and around Tokyo (or Kansai, for that matter), then you almost certainly don't need a national JR Pass. You might want a regional JR Pass, though (see below), or a single-use Shinkansen ticket. You can also connect to free wifi on an increasing number of Shinkansen.
You cannot use the Tokyo Subway Pass alone to enter the gates at Haneda Airport Station because that station is not a part of the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines. The Haneda Airport Keikyu train becomes part of the Toei Asakusa line at Sengakuji Station (A07). You do not need to exit the train at that station.
What is it? The Tokyo 1-Day Ticket allows unlimited rides on local and rapid JR East trains (excluding reserved seats) within the 23 Special Wards of Tokyo as well as on the subways, the Nippori-Toneri Liner, Tokyo Toei streetcars and the Toei Bus system.
Upon arrival in Japan, and to be able to use your JR Pass, you must validate and exchange your order for the actual pass, which must be made a maximum of 90 days after your purchase. Therefore, you should buy your Japan Rail Pass a maximum of 90 days before you exchange your order for the actual Japan Rail Pass.
Purchase in JapanPasses can purchased at Narita and Haneda Airports and other convinient locations. The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) is available for purchase by overseas visitors holding a non-Japanese passport who entered Japan as a Temporary Visitor.
The JR East Welcome Rail Pass can be purchased at selected major railway stations in the service area of JR East, including several major stations in Tokyo. A non-Japanese passport has to be presented at the time of purchase.
With your Japan Rail PassThe Hikari and Kodama trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen lines are covered by the Japan Rail Pass, and they can take you from Tokyo to Osaka in about 3 to 4 hours. In Tokyo, you can catch the Shinkansen either at Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station, and then arrive to Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka.
The JR TOKYO Wide Pass is a discounted pass for unlimited rides in Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto area. Valid for three days, the pass is good for unlimited rides using reserved seats on ordinary cars on Shinkansen, limited express and other trains in the valid use area.
At Tokyo station follow the signage for the Joetsu Shinkansen and take a Shinkansen to Gala! From the Yuzawa IC turn right onto R17. Gala Yuzawa station is the large white building to your left after 3 kilometers. Take a left at the large GALA Yuzawa sign which will lead you to the car parks.
Taking a train from Tokyo to Mount Fuji
- Take the Fuji Excursion Limited Express train from Shinjuku Station direct to Kawaguchiko Station.
- Take a JR Limited Express train (Azusa or Kaiji) from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki, then transfer to the Fujikyu Railway for Kawaguchiko.
Best Train Passes and Tourist Passes in Japan
- Suica. Getting Suica is a must in Japan.
- Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is one of the most popular and famous train passes in Japan.
- Tokyo Subway Ticket.
- Greater Tokyo Pass.
- ICOCA.
- Hankyu Tourist Pass (1-Day or 2-Day)
- JR-West Kansai Area Pass 1/2/3/4 Day Bus & Rail Pass.
- Kansai Thru Pass.
When visiting Tokyo, remember to explore these places, too!
- 15 Day Trip Destinations Near Tokyo. Upper-left photo by Pixta.
- Nikko. Picture from Highlights Of Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine, A UNESCO Site.
- Mt. Fuji.
- Hakone.
- Yokohama.
- Kamakura.
- Kawagoe.
- Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.
You can use the JR pass in Tokyo only for the Yamanote line and the Chuo line and you can use this pass to get to Narita Airport. Its value in Tokyo is therefore very limited. There are however a lot of sights near the train stations of the Yamanote line.
Karuizawa can be reached from Tokyo in 65-80 minutes by the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen. The one way journey costs about 5,500 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR Tokyo Wide Pass and several other JR passes. At 10,180 yen, the JR Tokyo Wide Pass, in particular, already pays off for a round trip.