Hi folks,
We are coming to Japan in a few days, and I still have some questions regarding the use of IC cards on regional trains (apologies if I’m using the wrong term for such trains).
We will primarily be staying in the Kansai area and will be traveling quite a lot for short distances, such as from Osaka to Kobe or Kyoto to Uji. For example, when I search on Google Maps for the Osaka to Kobe route, it shows me two options (excluding the Shinkansen): the Kobe Line and the Tokaido-Sanyo Line. Similarly, for Kyoto to Uji, it suggests starting on the Keihan Main Line and later switching to the Nara Line. In both cases, the fare is around ¥400. Since it’s a relatively small amount, am I correct in assuming that I can use an IC card for these lines?
Is there a guide available that explains if it’s possible to pay with an IC card on a specific line? I have checked different websites, such as JR West, but I couldn’t find a clear indication (or maybe I overlooked it). My assumption is that if a train only requires a basic fare, then I can use an IC card for it. Is this correct?
We will also be using some Kintetsu trains like Blue Symphony or Aoniyoshi, and I have booked tickets for them online. In the confirmation email, it states that I will need to have both the online booked tickets and a base fare ticket. Do you know if it will be possible to pay the base fare with an IC card?
4 comments
Keihan Main Line and all Kintetsu, Hanshin or Hankyu lines are usable with IC card.
See here for the area where you can use ICOCA as basic fare: https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/howto/icoca/area/
All non-JR trains in Kansai Area accept ICOCA at all stations. Rural JR West lines may not.
> Do you know if it will be possible to pay the base fare with an IC card?
Yes.
You are right to assume those are covered by IC cards, but for the wrong reason. They are covered because the station/railway have IC card reader installed in the stations. Especially the more densely area like Kansai and Tokyo are really well covered, while regions like Kyushu and Shikoku only have little IC card coverage. You can also do quite a long distances with an IC card, assuming you use local lines only.
Also instead of “regional train”, I think people would refer to Non-JR as private railway (even if technically JR is no longer a national railway). However, only if they are train company, subways are subways, tram are tram, etc.
But yeah, you are fine.
You can tap in and out on virtually all trains in Japan. If there’s no reader at the gate, then buy a ticket. And it’s likely you can pay for that ticket with a Suica too.