How many people struggle to buy train tickets at stations?

If you have one of these cards, travelling around Japan becomes effortless.

What are ICOCA and Suica? 

ICOCA and Suica are rechargeable prepaid IC cards used for public transportation. You can use them for trains, buses, and even as 'electronic money' at convenience stores and vending machines.

  Tip: Suica is mainly for the Tokyo area, and ICOCA is for the Osaka/Kyoto (Kansai) area. However, they are interchangeable across most of Japan.

How to Buy One 

You can buy these cards at ticket machines in major train stations.

STEP 1.  Find a Ticket Machine: Look for a machine with the "ICOCA" or "Suica" logo.

STEP 2. Select English: Tap the "English" button on the top right of the screen.

STEP 3. Choose "Purchase New Card": Follow the on-screen instructions.

STEP 4. Pay the Deposit: You will usually need to pay 2,000 yen upfront. This includes a 500 yen deposit (which you get back when you return the card) and 1,500 yen of usable credit.

How to Use 

At the Station 

Just tap your card against the blue illuminated reader at the ticket gate. You don't need to insert it into the slot.

Recharging / Topping Up 

If your balance is low, you can 'charge' (add money to) your card at any ticket machine. Look for the 'Charge' button and insert cash.

Tips: You can also add these cards to your smartphone's digital wallet for extra convenience!

If you add it to your digital wallet, you can also top it up directly using your credit card.

Apple pay/Google pay