Electronic Money Cards (aka IC Cards) in Japan

Recently Added: How to buy your IC Card in a train station!

Electronic money cards come in various types, such as ICOCA, SUICA, PITAPA, and more (see images). While the specific cards available for purchase vary by region, they are all compatible across different regions. These cards are awesome, since they work in nearly all trains, trams, buses, or whatever, even vending machines when you want a drink!

As a guide, I have a number of electronic money cards. This allows me to accept payment from guests for their transportation. We don't have to waste ten minutes each time we need to switch train lines or transit types, which happens quite frequently during many of my tours. (But if guests prefer to use ticket machines each time, or bring their own IC cards, that's fine. It's their time.)

Everyone needs their own IC card (or an app, but for iPhone ONLY), and you'll be using it over and over and over. (Make sure the kids don't spend all of theirs on drinks and snacks from vending machines, though!)

How to buy your IC Card in a train station!

IC Cards are mostly sold at train stations. JR in particular has them at almost every station. It is important to note that NOT all machines at the train stations issue these cards!

Most any ticket machine can charge up the cards you have (even IC cards issued somewhere else, with a different name and logo), but only a few are designated for issuing or refunding cards. You must first locate the correct machine in order to buy (or refund) electronic money cards.

• Look for a special ticket machine (at JR colored PINK), that says "IC CARDS/IC CHARGE" on the front. All the other ticket machines (JR: blue ones) will only say "IC CHARGE."

• Hit the "English" button to start, then select "Buy (local IC card name)*" (e.g. "Buy Suica Card" or "Buy ICOCA Card."

• Select how much CASH money to put on the card. (500 yen will become your deposit, the rest your usable balance)

However, for kids' cards you may have to buy them directly from station staff (again, I recommend JR) since there have been some adults using them to pay only half price!

If you can find the right machine at the end of your trip (or ask a JR train staff member to help you—other lines aren't as helpful), the card can be returned and almost all refunded. They only keep 180 yen per card, no matter how long it was in use, and they're valid for 10 years past the LAST time it was used. Keep it for your next Japanese trip, if you like!