Japan’s public transit system is truly amazing, but when there are language and culture barriers to manage, it can be a lot to take in when dealing with jetlag and trying to keep your trip on schedule. With so much to see, it is going to be much easier to get your travel options in order beforehand.
Needless to say that trains and subways in Japan are extremely convenient and can take you to most of the major sightseeing spots. One of the major advantages of using an IC card is that you can use them to pay the bus fare. And it’s very useful to use the local buses in Tokyo city, in case you don’t want to use subways during rush hours.
What is an IC Card?
An IC (Integrated Circuit) card, or a prepaid train card, is a very handy tool to have alongside your Japan Rail Pass.
It can be used on trains, of course, but also is accepted for buses and other forms of public transport as well as several stores, restaurants, and vending machines as e-payment.
All you need to do to use one of these Japanese IC cards is charge it with cash. When using it for trains, all you must do is wave the IC card in front of the contactless reader when going through the gates.
Wherever you can use the card, you’ll see the IC card logo somewhere nearby. You can use it for a lot of things, especially in the vicinity of train stations. Japanese commuters make frequent use of them.
An IC card will make life easier when it comes to buying transfer tickets, which are often sold out of vending machines. Using it for other things can also make it easier when you’re in a hurry and need a snack or a bus ride. You’ll also get a small discount on train fares in Tokyo and a few other cities.
Where to buy an IC Card?
You can get an IC card from a ticket vending machines in train stations and major airports throughout Japan. You might want to pick one up as you’re waiting for your checked bags.
You’ll be able to charge the card at this machine at the same time as you buy it, as well as charge it more at other machines you find later.
What should you add to your IC card?
The initial purchase price is typically 2,000 yen, with 500 yen deducted as a deposit, leaving you with 1,500 yen on your card.
It’s typically a good idea to add between 1,000 yen and 2,000 yen depending on how much you want to use the card and you should be good for a day or two. If you think you’ll use the card for shopping and food, add more.
Fare is deducted upon use. The amount left is displayed on small screens next to contactless readers. When you are done using your card, take it to the ticketing booth of the issuing company to get back your deposit and any fund left on the cared, minus a handling fee of 220 yen.
Types of IC Cards in Japan
There are different IC cards in Japan. These are not regionally interoperable and you’ll need to get one for the area you’re going. Please note most of these IC cards can be used for subways, trains and buses in all over Japan that have the IC mark.
Here are the different IC cards or Smartcards you can find in Japan:
1. Suica
Issued by JR east, Suica is a green card with a penguin mascot, who gives you a friendly wave from the card. JR East is the biggest rail operator in Tokyo and much of Eastern Japan.
You can use a Suica IC card in Tokyo, Niigata, Sendai, Hokkaido, Western Japan, and Kyushu. You can’t use it to travel between areas, so you’ll have to exit the ticket gates and then reenter when using it at stations that border two areas.
Prices are the same for adults and children. The only difference between the two is that, for a children’s card, the child’s far is deducted, and adult cards have the adult’s fare deducted when used for trains. You cannot use the Suica to travel on the Shinkansen.
2. PASMO
PASMO is issued by Tokyo Metro and several other subway operators in the city. PASMO has a pink robot mascot and the card itself features a simple pink cartoon train and bus.
You can use it throughout Tokyo and the Kanto area. You can use it on buses, subways, and trains alike. It is largely interchangeable with Suica. Please note Pasmo can be used on JR trains!
PASMO IC card is usable for Sapporo (Capital of Hokkaido) city’s municipal transportation systems (subway and streetcar), JR Hokkaido Buses, Jotetsu Buses and Hokkaido Chuo Buses.
And if you are thinking of how to get to downtown Tokyo from Narita Airport very easily and quickly, I highly recommend you to purchase a Pasmo Card at Nartia International Airport and then just hop on Keisei Skyliner, the fastest train to reach Tokyo from the airport.
With a PASMO Card, you don’t have to pay cash and seat reservation process becomes less time consuming.
There is a special version of Pasmo, called PASMO Passport, is available only to foreign tourists. This special IC card can be used for travel and shopping all across Japan and it’s valid for 28 days only.
This page here shows the sales locations of PASMO Passport.
3. Icoca
This rechargeable plastic prepaid card is issued by JR West and is usable for JR trains in the Kansai (including Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe), Chugoku and Hokuriku regions (Okayama, and Hiroshima).
The card is light blue and features its friendly platypus mascot.
You cannot use credit cards to purchase the Icoca IC card, instead you have to purchase it from JR-WEST station ticket vending machines or JR-WEST ticket offices.
Check out the usage area.
4. Kitaca
Kitaca IC Card is issued by JR Hokkaido, the rail operator for Japan’s northern island, Hokkaido. Kitaca IC card is for use on rail lines in and around Sapporo. It can also be used on Sapporo’s subways, buses and tram.
Their mascot is a cute little flying squirrel. The Kitaca card is mostly silver and features the mascot soaring over the outline of a forested horizon.
If you lose your Kitaca card, it can be reissued for a 510 yen handling fee and 500 yen deposit. You can Kitaca IC Card at any nationwide IC marked railroad, bus, convenience stores and so forth.
5. Toica (Tokai IC)
Issued by the JR Central (Central Japan Railway Company), Toica IC Card is very useful for those who are planning to travel around Tokai region of Japan.
JR Central operates the Shinkansen bullet train and the Toica IC card is good for rail lines in the Tokai region around Nagoya, Shizuoka, Izu Peninsula, Gifu and Mie Prefectures operated by JR Central.
The card’s mascot is a little yellow chick. The card itself has a wavy blue motif and features a pair of their mascots, one big and one small. You must spend at least 2,000 yen on this card, with a deposit of 500 yen.
Finally, this card cannot be used for some transportation companies in PASMO and PiTaPa area.
6. PiTaPa
You can use this card in Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, and a few other nearby areas. The IC card is a postpaid system, so you’ll have to register a bank account.
Fees will be deducted every month for use of the card. The card resembles a credit card, with its name very prominently and stylishly featured.
One downside of this IC Card is PiTaPa cannot be used as electronic money.
7. Manaca
Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture is one of the best places in Japan to live and work. It’s cheaper than Tokyo and you can easily make day trips to Japan’s 3 best historical towns- Kyoto, Nara and Hida Takayama.
Launched in February 11, 2011, Manoca IC Card is issued by the Transportation Bureau City of Nagoya. The Manaca mascot is a big yellow smiley face and the card features it prominently.
It can be used on Nagoya subways and buses as well as transport in the surrounding area. A tourist can use it for the Aonami Line, Yutorito Line, Meitetsu Trains and Buses, Toyotetsu Lines,and Linimo.
There are registered cards (can be reissued if lost), unregistered cards (cannot be reissued), a commuter pass for regular traveling between two locations, and a child card for those under 12.
8. Sugoca
Sugoca IC Card was introduced by JR Kyushu on 1 March 2009, which and can be used in Kyushu, the southernmost island of Japan. Their mascot is a friendly frog, who holds hands with a small clock cartoon on the card.
Sugoca IC Card covers all JR transport services for much of Kyushu region.
By considering this, If you plan on visiting Kyushu’s most popular sightseeing spots and want to be economic during your entire journey why not considering this IC card. Please find more info here.
9. Nimoca
On May 18, 2008, this IC card was introduced by Nishi-Nippon Railroad (Nishitetsu). It can be used on their trains and buses in Fukuoka Prefecture and all local buses in Saga Prefecture in Kyushu. Their mascot is a happy little ferret.
Their card features this ferret against a multi-colored background on one side as well as a more classical Japanese motif on the other.
To learn more about Nimoca IC Card, be sure to visit here. It helps you understand how it works, the places where you can use it and where to purchase it from.
10. Hayakaken
Hayakaken IC Card can be used for Fukuoka City’s subway. Their mascot a prairie dog. The card is light blue with the mascot’s face on it.
There are three kinds of Hayakaken IC Card. They are as follows:
Unregistered, Registered Hayakaken, and HAYAKAKEN Commuter Pass. For short term tourists, unregistered Hayakaken is highly recommended.
11. SAPICA
SAPICA is a Prepaid IC card you can use for Sapporo City’s subway, bus and streetcar tickets in the Sapporo area, the capital of Hokkaido.
The usage of this card is similar to the cards shown above in this post, for example, it’s rechargeable and you can also use it as electronic money at shops and vending machines bearing the SAPICA logo.
In Sapporo and outside the city, this IC Card allows you to travel easily by buses like JR Bus, Hokkaido Chuo Bus, and Jotetsu Bus.
