How to Buy the ICOCA, an IC Card Popular in Osaka and Kyoto

About the ICOCA Card

ICOCA is an IC card issued by JR West, mainly used in Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and other cities in the Kansai, Chugoku, and Shikoku regions. As of 2013, the card can be used all over Japan.

It is convenient for those who plan to ride trains or subways in Osaka, Kyoto, or Kobe.

Where to Buy an ICOCA Card?

ICOCA can be purchased at vending machines in JR West stations.

The price is 2,000 yen. The refundable deposit is 500 yen, and 1,500 yen can be used to ride trains. It can also be purchased at stations of major private railroad companies in Kansai (Hankyu/Hanshin/Keihan/Nankai/Kintetsu) and subway stations in Osaka, Kyoto, or Kobe.

You can also buy your ICOCA online, and pick it up at an airport in the Kansai region or at a JR West station when you arrive in Japan.

How to Buy an ICOCA Card at the Station

It is easy to purchase an ICOCA card. First, look for a vending machine at a JR station in western Japan.

This is the default menu. The design may change, but it is basically the same procedure.

Touch the "buy ICOCA" button.

Touch the white "2000" button.

There will be an explanation of the deposit on the bottom half of the screen. Please note that ICOCA for children can be purchased only at the JR Ticket Office. After touching the button, the payment process will appear on the screen.

Insert the money in the slot below. The next step will appear on the screen.

Confirm the amount of money.

If the amount is correct, choose either "payment (print receipt)" or "payment (no receipt)," which will appear on the lower right-hand side of the screen. To stop the payment, touch the cancel button on the left.

Touch the "issue card" button, and the change will be dispensed with the card.

With a mobile version of ICOCA/Suica, users can ride trains with their smartphones. The details for iPhone and Android phones are introduced below. A Suica version, shown in the photograph above, is similar to an ICOCA version.

iPhone

To use a mobile ICOCA, the phone model must be newer than iPhone 8 and updated to iOS 16.

In the iPhone wallet, touch the "＋" button on the upper right-hand side and choose ICOCA. Follow the instructions on the screen, and input the amount of money, from 1,000 yen to 20,000 yen. The process will end by confirming the terms of service.

This virtual card can be linked to the Apple Pay credit card.

Android Phone

Mobile ICOCA for an Android phone is more complicated than an iPhone version.

The Osaifu-Keitai app must be used, along with a Wester account provided by JR West. A Wester app can only be downloaded from a Japanese Google Play store, and the application process page is written in Japanese.

It would be easier for Android phone users from abroad to purchase an ICOCA in Japan or book a card online.

How to Recharge an ICOCA

There are two ways to recharge IC cards, Suica or ICOCA, either at a train station or a convenience store.

At Train Stations

Touch the "to top" button on the right-hand side of the main menu, and various amounts will appear on the screen.

Choose an amount, and insert the money in the slot. Please note that the process may vary depending on the railway company.

At Convenience Stores

While ICOCA can be topped at stations, it may be easier to use the ATMs at convenience stores such as 7-Eleven.

Picture courtesy of JR East

Touch the "charge" button on the upper half of the screen and put the card under the reader. Several amounts will appear, so choose one and put the money in the slot. There is no extra fee, and it is easy to use.

If the process turns out to be difficult, ask the staff to recharge the card. Hand the card and money to the staff and ask them to "charge the card."

Convenience Stores with ATMs: 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson, Poplar, Ministop, Daily Yamazaki, etc.

Where Can the ICOCA Be Used?

ICOCA can be used all over Japan on JR, major private railroad companies, and buses. F

or details, please check the JR West official website (Japanese). The site also has information on other IC cards, such as PASMO and Suica.

How to Use

Picture courtesy of Pixta

While there may be slight differences for each railroad company, touch the card on the blue panel to go through the ticket gate, like the photo above. It is the same when exiting the gate.

How to Use the ICOCA as E-Money

ICOCA can also be used at various stores, including convenience stores; drugstores such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Daikoku, and Tsuruha; along with fast-food restaurants such as McDonald's, Matsuya (beef bowl chain), CoCo Ichibann-ya (curry), and Mos Burger.

For further information, please check the official ICOCA website (Japanese).

FAQs

Q1. Can I ride a bus with ICOCA?
A: ICOCA can be used if the bus has an IC card reader.

Q2. Can I ride an express train with ICOCA?
A: The normal fare can be paid with ICOCA, but certain limited express trains require an additional express fare and/or a reserved seat ticket. Make sure to purchase a limited express ticket at the station.

Q3. Can ICOCA be used in the entire Kansai region?
A: ICOCA cannot be used at stations that don't have IC card readers, so be sure to check in advance. If you find that ICOCA cannot be used after arriving at the destination, ask the station staff to erase the boarding record and pay the fare in cash.

Q4. What should I do if the balance isn't enough at the exit?
A: Look for an automated cashier near the ticket gate and recharge the card.

Q5. Can I return the card?
A: ICOCA can be returned at the JR West Ticket Office. The 500 yen deposit and the remaining balance, minus the handling fee, will be refunded.

Q6. Can ICOCA be used outside of the Kansai or Kanto regions?
A: Yes. Any transport system supported by an IC card reader will accept ICOCA.

Use the ICOCA for Transportation and Shopping in Kansai

ICOCA cards purchased in the Kansai region can also be used in Tokyo. The same applies to using PASMO or Suica cards in the Kansai region. Choose an IC card of your preference, and go on a tour across Japan.