Using suica
Jan 29, 2015, 7:44 am
#31
formerly gohima
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 519
OP, IC cards are worth it. In Tokyo, you have the option of either PASMO or SUICA. For a visitor, there would be no difference, besides the issuer (PASMO is Tokyo Metro and SUICA is JR East). Both are valid across many railway companies and useful for vending machines and conbini purchases
Feb 1, 2015, 1:32 pm
#32
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 7,970
This alone makes it worth it. As a tourist, I find my pocket fills up with change at an annoying rate, and Suica helps keep this under control. Since it's a given I'll have one anyway for transport, it's a no-brainer to also use it for purchases where supported.
Feb 2, 2015, 8:42 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
OP, IC cards are worth it. In Tokyo, you have the option of either PASMO or SUICA. For a visitor, there would be no difference, besides the issuer (PASMO is Tokyo Metro and SUICA is JR East). Both are valid across many railway companies and useful for vending machines and conbini purchases
Feb 5, 2015, 6:44 pm
#38
Moderator, All Nippon Airways and Japan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: NH SFC (*G), JL JGP (OWE), AS MVP, WOH E, IHG SE
Posts: 3,908
The reader itself will look something like this:
Though there are sometimes multiple terminals for the various kinds of IC payment systems, when you ask to use Suica, the correct terminal will light up.
Feb 5, 2015, 8:26 pm
#39
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 71
Feb 7, 2015, 3:15 pm
#40
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 1,217
If you have an Android phone with NFC capability, do check out this Suica reader app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...careader&hl=en
Feb 9, 2015, 2:21 pm
#41
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
Regarding Hiroshima, PASPY and ICOCA are the only options for getting around town and on the airport bus, correct? I already have a PASMO card, but will need to buy an IC card upon arrival in Kyoto for my girlfriend, so wondering if I shouldn't pick an ICOCA up for myself as well to avoid the hassle of buying tickets for a short day trip.
Feb 9, 2015, 3:21 pm
#42
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SJC
Programs: AAdvantage 2MM+ Lifetime PLT; BA, CO, UA, US; SPG; HHonors Gold
Posts: 757
Using ICOCA in Tokyo?
Really? So if I get the Haruka/ICOCA combo for Kyoto/Osaka, I can keep the ICOCA and reload it in Tokyo? That would be very convenient!
Feb 10, 2015, 5:56 pm
#44
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781