Ride Trains with Your Credit Card: Guide to Tap to Ride Routes

Tap to Ride: Use Trains in Japan with Your Credit Card

Picture courtesy of PR TIMES

Japan is actively expanding contactless payment with credit cards for train rides. This is due to recent news reports about the discontinuation of sales for Japan's IC cards. Does this mean that only physical tickets or cash payments are available for taking the train in Japan?

Many subway, private rail, and bus operators now accept contactless payment methods.

As of the end of 2024, up to 140 transportation operators in Japan will be accepting credit card contactless payments. This number continues to grow as well. Moreover, credit and debit cards issued outside of Japan can be used for this service.

How to Tell if Your Credit Card Supports Contactless Payment

First, take your credit card and check if it has the radio wave symbol shown in the image above. If it does, it means that this card can be used for riding. If not, it cannot be used.

Supported Credit Card Brands

Currently, some operators' contactless machines do not support Mastercard contactless payments. It is recommended to use credit cards from brands like VISA, JCB, or American Express.

Be sure to check the supported credit card brands before placing your card on the reader to avoid being blocked at the automatic ticket gate.

How to Use Your Credit Card to Ride the Train

As shown in the image above, recent automatic ticket gates in Japan have been equipped with a credit card reader. The blue section on the top is for regular IC cards, while the lower section is specifically designed for credit card contactless payments. If you're using your phone, be sure not to place it on the wrong side!

By using a credit card, you can skip the hassle of buying a ticket and save time that would otherwise be spent queuing. Some transportation operators even set a maximum payment limit equivalent to the price of a day pass. Aside from being convenient, this allows you to enjoy the same benefits without having to purchase a special day ticket.

Main Transportation Operators Accepting Credit Card Payments

While many operators in Japan now accept credit card payments, it cannot be considered widespread yet. Even at stations that do allow credit card payments, only one or two automatic ticket machines may be equipped with contactless card readers.

In some cases, only specific stations within an operator's network have this setup. Therefore, be sure to check whether your destination station supports this payment method before your trip.

Kanto Region

Toei Subway (some stations), Keikyu Electric Railway, Tokyu Corporation, Seibu Railway, Keio Electric Railway, Enoshima Electric Railway, etc.

Tokai Region

Nagaragawa Railway, Fujikyu Bus, ALPICO Transportation, etc.

Kansai Region

Osaka Subway, Kintetsu Railway, Nankai Electric Railway, Hankyu Railway, Hanshin Electric Railway, Kobe City Subway, etc.

Chugoku and Shikoku Regions

Chugoku JR Bus, Hiroshima Electric Railway, etc.

Kyushu and Okinawa Regions

JR Kyushu, Kumamoto City Transportation Bureau, Kagoshima City Transportation Bureau, Nishi-Nippon Railroad, Fukuoka City Subway, etc.

List of Transportation Operators Accepting Credit Card Contactless Payments (Japanese)

In Conclusion

Whether for daily shopping or using transportation, contactless payment is becoming increasingly prevalent in Japan. With the World Expo 2025 being held in Osaka, many overseas travelers will be visiting Japan.

In the near future, using contactless credit card payments for transportation is expected to become the norm. We encourage you to try out this convenient payment option!