How to Get an IC Card in Japan - Snow Monkey Resorts

Don't want to hassle with buying train tickets multiple times a day every time you want to go somewhere new? Public transportation is ubiquitous here in Japan and the trains in Tokyo alone are used by millions of locals and tourists alike every day. Find out here how to make this part of your trip a breeze and start moving around the country like a local. Here in Japan, IC cards are used for easy access for trains and contactless payment at stores and vending machines. They are rechargeable and should be high up on your list of things to do before coming here or right after landing. Here we will go through the different IC cards in Japan, how to get a physical IC card, and how to add them to your smartphone.

The Many Faces of IC Cards

There are many different IC cards all around Japan with different names or designs based on the region. There are also some local areas that have their own contactless IC card that is separate from the main providers. The three major IC cards you will see are Suica, PASMO, and ICOCA. If you are just visiting Japan, you will want to take a look at the *"Welcome Suica" IC card. This card does not require a ¥500 deposit that normal IC cards require, but it is only active for 28 days from the date of purchase. You can purchase Suica and PASMO in Tokyo and certain areas around it and to the north, while ICOCA is the card you will get when purchasing in Osaka and areas around it.

*the "Welcome Suica" card is only available at Haneda and Narita airport, select Tokyo train stations, and Sendai station as of the writing of this article

How to get an IC card

There are a few different ways to get your hands on a physical IC card, but the most convenient is purchasing it from a train station ticket machine. If you are taking the train from your arrival airport, there will be a machine to purchase it, or you can purchase it from their respective travel service centers.

Find a ticket machine that offers train tickets and commuter passes. Most, if not all, machines have multiple language option buttons at the top of the screen.
Select the "Purchase new Suica(PASMO, ICOCA, ect.)".
You can choose to get a normal blank card or one with your name etched on it. If your name is on your card, it makes it easier to find in the unfortunate case you lose it.
Finally, select how much you want to put on the card. If it is not the "Welcome Suica" card, all IC cards require a ¥500 deposit.
- To get your deposit back, return the IC card to an associated ticket counter inside of a train station. You can also receive the remaining balance as long as it is more than ¥220.

Adding IC card to your iPhone

If you have an iPhone 8, 8 plus, or Apple Watch series 3 or later *, you're in luck! You can purchase and use your IC card with your phone. A quick rundown of what to do to get the card on your phone is as follows:

Open your Apple Wallet app and click the 'Add' button
Select transit card
Choose your desired card
Choose the amount of money to load onto the card and click 'Add'
Then follow the steps on your screen

For more detailed instructions, check out the page about it on the Apple website here.

*Suica also works with iPhone 7 and Apple Watch series 2

Unfortunate Issues with Android Phones

Unfortunately, the only way to get an IC card on an Android phone is to have purchase an Android phone that was made for the Japanese market. Smartphones need to be compatible with "osaifu-keitai" in order to use an IC card, which requires a piece of hardware called a FeliCa chip. This is what Japan uses for NFC technology and is usually only included on phones sold in Japan.

Things to Do During Your Visit

Looking for tours or ideas for what to do during your stay in Japan? Look no further than here on the Snow Monkey Resorts website! Here you can find tours, activities, and information about all of the hotspots in Japan. Check out the pages on our tours, destinations around Japan, or browse the navigation bar at the top for our recommendations on things to do for specific activities.

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The Many Faces of IC Cards

How to get an IC card

Adding IC card to your iPhone

Unfortunate Issues with Android Phones

Things to Do During Your Visit

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