Exploring Japan’s transportation system is not an easy thing. But imagine being able to easily get around the bustling and colorful city of Osaka , as well as other cities in the Kansai region. With an ICOCA Card in hand, you can do that and much more!
In this guide, Klook will share more about the ICOCA Card, and how it will allow you to explore the Kansai region comfortably and easily.
Introducing: ICOCA Card
Traveling using Japanese public transportation may seem difficult, but the ICOCA Card simplifies your journey and increases your enjoyment. Additionally, you can use this card to pay at convenience stores, restaurants, vending machines, and coin lockers – truly a reliable travel companion in Japan !
What is ICOCA Card?
ICOCA Card is a refillable card that makes traveling using public transportation in Kansai and other areas in Japan easier. This card allows you to easily tap in and tap out on all trains, buses, and subways, so you no longer need to buy separate tickets for each ride.
Using the ICOCA Card is easy — just tap it to the card reader at the ticket gate or on the bus, and the fare will be automatically deducted from the card balance. This contactless payment system allows for fast travel, so you can enjoy your trip more.
The ICOCA Card can be purchased for ¥2,000, including a balance of ¥1,500 and a ¥500 deposit which you can get back when you return the card before you leave Japan. Please note that you will be charged a handling fee of ¥220 during the return process.
What you also need to prepare before leaving for Japan:
SIM Card/4G Wifi for Japan – Make sure you are always connected to the internet throughout Japan
JR Pass – Unlimited rides on various JR transportation modes! There is a JR Pass for all of Japan and a Regional Pass for more economical travel
Shinkansen & Limited Express Tickets – Don’t need a JR Pass? You can book one-way Shinkansen tickets on Klook!
Other transportation passes
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Suica IC Card – Refillable card that can be used to ride trains, buses, and even shopping in Tokyo, Niigata, Sendai, and other cities
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ICOCA IC Card – Refillable card that can be used to ride trains, buses, and even shopping in the Kansai area and other cities
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Tokyo Subway Ticket – Pass to ride unlimited Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway trains
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Osaka Metro Pass – Pass for unlimited bus and subway rides operated by OSAKA Metro, plus discounted entry to 30 popular tourist attractions!
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Osaka Amazing Pass – A pass that gives you access to 50 iconic tourist destinations in Osaka and unlimited subway, tramway and bus rides in Osaka
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Kansai Thru Pass – Travel pass that gives you unlimited access to trains, subways, buses and others in certain zones in the Kansai area, plus discounts on attractions and restaurants. Check out the areas covered here
Klook Pass in Japan – Get into many tourist attractions in Japan with just one pass? You can enjoy this privilege with Klook Pass!
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Klook Pass Tokyo
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Klook Pass Osaka
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Klook Pass Okinawa
Airport transportation
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Airport buses and trains
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Private airport transfer
Compatibility with Other IC Cards
ICOCA Card is compatible with other IC cards in Japan, such as PASMO and Suica Card. This means you can use the ICOCA Card in other areas of Japan that accept this prepaid card system, guaranteeing smooth and enjoyable travel throughout Japan.
This is especially beneficial for tourists who intend to visit different regions of Japan, as it eliminates the need to purchase different cards for each region.
How to use ICOCA Card
The ICOCA Card is your key to Japan’s extensive public transportation network, all with just one tap! Please note that each passenger requires their own card, as the same ICOCA Card cannot be used by several passengers for the same journey.
How to use the ICOCA Card to take trains and buses
Using the ICOCA Card at the ticket gate is very easy and efficient. When entering or exiting a station, simply tap your card to the card reader for about one second at the ticket gate. The fare will be automatically calculated and deducted from your card balance, allowing you to get through the gate with ease.
If you forget to attach your card when exiting, you will need to visit the station office to reactivate your ICOCA card. Remember to always check whether your card balance is sufficient to cover the travel fare before using it. If your balance is low, the gate will refuse you both entry and exit, so you must top up your card balance before continuing your journey.
What trains, subways and buses can be taken with the ICOCA Card?
You can use the ICOCA Card on all subway lines in Japan, as well as all JR West stations and several train, subway and private bus companies in the Kansai area.
Shop with ICOCA Card
ICOCA Card isn’t just for transportation! You can use this practical card to shop at minimarkets, restaurants and other shops marked IC or ICOCA. Not only that, ICOCA Cards are accepted in more than one million places throughout Japan, including vending machines and coin lockers.
To use an ICOCA Card for shopping, you simply tell the cashier that you want to pay using ICOCA or show the card. They will set up a card reader, and all you need to do is tap your card to the reader to complete the payment. This contactless payment method makes the shopping experience smoother.
Pay at Vending Machines and Coin Lockers with an ICOCA Card
You can also use your ICOCA Card at vending machines and coin lockers throughout Japan. To shop at a vending machine, simply tap your ICOCA Card to the IC card reader, and the transaction is complete.
For coin lockers, using an ICOCA Card is also easy. Open the locker of the size you need, put your things in, then close the door. Follow the on-screen instructions to lock your locker. Then, stick your ICOCA Card into the reader.
To open the locker, you need to tap your ICOCA Card again. The ICOCA card makes storing your belongings safe and easy, so you can focus on enjoying your trip in Japan.
Top up your ICOCA Card balance
To ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip, it is important to keep your ICOCA card loaded with sufficient balance so that you can manage your balance effectively. In this section, we will guide you on how to top up your ICOCA Card , monitor your balance, and receive a refund if necessary.
How to Refill ICOCA Card
Refilling an ICOCA Card is an easy process that can be done at special refilling machines with the ICOCA logo, or also at convenience stores or minimarkets. While you can’t top up your card online or through the app, these physical locations make it easy to keep your balance topped up while you’re traveling.
The ICOCA Card can hold a balance of up to ¥20,000, which should be enough for your daily transportation and shopping needs. Keeping the card topped up ensures you can travel and shop comfortably, without worrying about running out of balance.
Important: You can only top up your ICOCA Card balance with cash, not with a credit card
Checking Card Balance
Controlling your ICOCA Card balance is key to managing spending and ensuring hassle-free travel. Your card balance will be displayed on a small screen when you pass through the ticket gate or make payment at the store. Apart from that, you can check your balance and view usage history on the ticket machine.
How to return an ICOCA Card and get a refund
If you no longer need your ICOCA Card, all you need to do is look for a ticket counter at any JR West station and hand the card over to the station attendant. They can then return the remaining balance on the card as well as the remaining deposit after deducting a handling fee of ¥220 to process the refund.
Because the ICOCA Card is valid for 10 years, you can return the card and get a deposit at any time, making the process flexible and convenient.
While the ICOCA Card is great for local travel in the Kansai region, the benefits of having a JR Pass or Japan Rail Pass for long-distance train travel are also worth considering.
Benefits of having an ICOCA Card and JR Pass:
The ICOCA Card is primarily designed for riding various local transportation in the Kansai region, such as subways, buses, and trains. On the other hand, the JR Pass offers unlimited access to all Japan Railways trains throughout Japan, including Shinkansen bullet trains and limited express train services, during the pass’s active period. This makes the JR Pass ideal for long-distance travel and exploring different regions of Japan.
While both cards offer access to public transportation, their primary purpose is different. The ICOCA Card offers a convenient top-up card solution for local travel, while the JR Pass provides significant savings and unlimited travel for long-distance travel throughout Japan.
Travel with ICOCA and JR Pass
Enjoy smooth, cost-effective travel through the enchanting Kansai landscape by combining your travel skills with the ICOCA Card and JR West Pass . Enhance your adventure with the JR West Kansai Area Pass , JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass , or Kansai Thru Pass , which can be combined with an ICOCA card.
Access trains, buses and subways easily using the ICOCA Card , and get additional benefits such as discounted entry fees and exclusive promotions provided by the JR Pass.
Don’t miss the opportunity to optimize your travel comfort and savings — get ICOCA together with a JR Pass and make the most of your trip through the cultural heart of Japan.
Purchased ICOCA Card on Klook
Purchasing an ICOCA Card on Klook is easy and safe. You can buy it via the Klook website or app for ¥2,000, including ¥1,500 balance and ¥500 deposit. This card can later be picked up at the designated pick-up location.
You can also combine your ICOCA card purchase with a JR Pass or Kansai Thru Pass to get more benefits.
Pick up ICOCA Card at Kansai Airport
Taking an ICOCA Card at Kansai International Airport (KIX) is very easy. Just show your Klook voucher at the EASYGO Counter on the ground floor of the Arrival Hall/International/Domestic Arrivals Hall. This counter operates every day from 09.30 to 18.30.
The ICOCA Card is a very useful card for exploring the Kansai region and its surroundings. This card is easy to use, compatible with other IC cards, and can be used for transportation and shopping. With the ICOCA Card you can enjoy Japan more easily and more fun!
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between ICOCA and SUICA cards?
SUICA and ICOCA cards are both prepaid IC cards that can be used for transportation and shopping, but they are sold by different companies. SUICA is sold by JR East and ICOCA is sold by JR West, so in some cases, you may not be able to use one card in places where only the other card is accepted.
What are the uses of the ICOCA Card?
The ICOCA Card can be used to pay for bus, train travel and purchase goods at participating stores throughout Japan. This card is available at ticket vending machines and ticket counters at JR West stations.
Is the ICOCA Card worth buying?
The ICOCA Card is the right choice for travelers who want to explore the Kansai region comfortably and easily. This card is definitely worth it!
Yes, you can use the ICOCA Card for public transportation outside the Kansai region because this card is valid for all trains, subways, and buses.
Can I return my ICOCA Card in Tokyo and get a refund?
No, you can’t do that in Tokyo. The card return and refund process can only be done at the reservation ticket counter “JR-WEST Ticket Office” located inside the JR-WEST station.
