knowledge about the IC Card Transportation Card from Every Region in Japan

Japan has many types of IC cards which are usually used as transportation cards. But actually this IC Card itself can be used for various transactions that will make life more practical. 

At this time, you can use IC Cards for payments at convenience stores, shops, department stores, and vending machines. This card will help you to be cashless while in Japan.

 As a transportation card, the advantage of using an IC Card over buying a ticket is to get a discounted price. Some IC cards even have a point system. 

There are many types of IC cards from each region in Japan. Of all the cards you have, there are cards that can be used in various regions in Japan and there are also those that can only be used in certain regions or cities.

For more details, the following details about several IC Cards that exist in each region and the benefits.

Suica (issued by JR East company)

Area: Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Yamanashi, Sendai, dan Niigata. 

Benefits to be gained: Points accumulation.

Suica

Kitaca (issued by JR Hokkaido company)

Area: Sapporo 

Benefits to be gained: None

Kitaca

PASMO (issued by Tokyo Metro company + other local train companies)     

Area: Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Yamanashi

Benefits to be gained: Points accumulation. 

BAND

ICOCA (issued by JR West company)

Area: Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Mie, Shiga, Wakayama, Toyama, Ishikawa, Okayama, Hiroshima

Benefits to be gained: Collection of points, discounted ticket for the Kansai-Airport Express HARUKA train ticket

COCA

PiTaPa (issued by Surutto KANSAI)             

Area: Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Mie, Shiga, Wakayama, Okayama, Nagoya, Shizuoka, Kanazawa, Toyama            

Benefits to be gained: Discounted prices for some services.

PiTaPa

Unlike other IC cards, the PiTaPa payment system is billed after usage (postpaid system). Therefore, it is necessary to register first for people who want to buy this card. Transaction bills will be withdrawn directly from the registered bank account. 

There are various types of cards offered, ranging from basic cards that function as transportation cards that can also be used to shop at places with the PiTaPa symbol, to cards that have a credit card function.

SUGOCA (produced by JR Kyushu)

Area: Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Miyazaki, Kagoshima

Benefits to be gained: Points accumulation.

SUGOCA

HAYAKAKEN (issued by Fukuoka City Transportation Bureau)

Area: Fukuoka City      

Benefits to be gained: Discounted prices on several services.

HAYAKAKEN

For the record, all cards can basically be used in all regions of Japan that have the card symbol. The "area" description above refers to the area where the card can be issued and the card benefit program is valid. 

Choose the IC card that suits your needs while in Japan.