ICOCA the same in all of Japan?
Feb 7, 2016 | 5:54 pm
#1
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ICOCA the same in all of Japan?
I have an ICOCA card from my previous trip to Osaka and Kyoto, can I use that in Tokyo as well? Is all of the Tokyo metro accessible using the ICOCA card?
Feb 7, 2016 | 7:36 pm
#2
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Feb 8, 2016 | 9:02 am
#4
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For a tourist there is no difference between a Suica and a Pasmo. I believe the only difference is if you need to get a season ticket but this is unlikely to be an issue for a tourist.
Feb 8, 2016 | 9:31 am
#5
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICOCA#Interoperation
Feb 8, 2016 | 10:39 am
#6
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I think there are minimal differences; they can be used 99% interchangeably, but ime, ICOCA is the most versatile -- it worked on the Hiroshima streetcar (and maybe also some places in Okayama) that didn't accept SUICA.
Feb 8, 2016 | 11:13 am
#7
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If you are in Osaka, you can use ICOCA (and Pitapa) on airport buses but Suica or Pasmo won't work.
I keep my Suica in an iPhone case and it works fine in and around Tokyo but when I was in Osaka recently I had to take the Suica card out of the case at subway stations as some of the scanners did not seem to read the IC chip as readily as in Tokyo.
I keep my Suica in an iPhone case and it works fine in and around Tokyo but when I was in Osaka recently I had to take the Suica card out of the case at subway stations as some of the scanners did not seem to read the IC chip as readily as in Tokyo.
Last edited by NewbieRunner; Feb 8, 2016 at 11:24 am
Feb 8, 2016 | 4:38 pm
#8
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Although it is in Japanese, this chart shows the relationship between each of the various IC cards and their interoperability:
Any systems inside the red/blue box allow full interoperability for transport fares and at e-money terminals (with some minor exceptions).
Any systems inside the red/blue box allow full interoperability for transport fares and at e-money terminals (with some minor exceptions).
Feb 8, 2016 | 5:19 pm
#9
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Actually I can't find my ICOCA anymore. I will have to pick up a Suica when I'm in Tokyo next month. I can pick those up at the JR East offices at NRT right? I was planning on getting the Y4000 RT ticket after arriving at NRT - does that ticket come on a Suica card, and if so, can I load more money onto it, or will the NEX ticket be on a separate card? If the NEX ticket does not come on a Suica card, I will be able to purchase a Suica card at the JR East office at NRT?
Feb 8, 2016 | 5:51 pm
#10
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I'm voting for itappy as the best name for a card 
Not sure about the situation at NRT specifically, but I think they try to make you buy Suica from a machine (vs. a person) - at least that's what happened to me at Shinjuku station last month.
Not sure about the situation at NRT specifically, but I think they try to make you buy Suica from a machine (vs. a person) - at least that's what happened to me at Shinjuku station last month.
Feb 8, 2016 | 6:45 pm
#11
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Actually I can't find my ICOCA anymore. I will have to pick up a Suica when I'm in Tokyo next month. I can pick those up at the JR East offices at NRT right? I was planning on getting the Y4000 RT ticket after arriving at NRT - does that ticket come on a Suica card, and if so, can I load more money onto it, or will the NEX ticket be on a separate card? If the NEX ticket does not come on a Suica card, I will be able to purchase a Suica card at the JR East office at NRT?
Feb 8, 2016 | 6:51 pm
#12
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I like ICOCA as a nice play on words (行こうか or ikou ka = shall we go/let's go)
Feb 8, 2016 | 6:54 pm
#13
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Feb 8, 2016 | 7:21 pm
#14
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