Make easy one-touch purchases at these retailers and services using an Icoca, Suica or Pasmo on your iPhone.
More than just train rides—use an IC card on your iPhone for cashless payments throughout your travels in Japan
Connecting an Icoca, Suica or Pasmo card to your iPhone via Apple Wallet is a convenient way to enable one-touch payments during your travels in Japan. Linking your physical card is a straightforward process.
You can use the digital IC card on your iPhone for local transport (buses, private lines, subways and local JR trains), vending machines, convenience stores, museums, shops, and restaurants, just to name a few places that accept IC payments.
Here are our favorite places to use digital IC payments, as well as the steps to follow to complete your purchases.
Note that you can also use a physical IC card (including Pasmo Passport and Welcome Suica) in the same way at all the places listed here.
JR Trains
You can use a digital IC card to pay for travel on local JR trains including unreserved seats on tokkyu express trains (but NOT on shinkansen). Skip the lines at the ticket machines and save yourself the mathematical troubles of calculating your fare by using the digital IC card your iPhone when entering the ticket gates.
Here are the steps:
- Tap in at the ticket gates
- Enjoy your ride
- Don't forget to tap out! Your fare is calculated automatically and deducted for your balance.
Skip the lines at the ticket machines and proceed right through the gates at JR lines using the IC card on your iPhone
Subway and Other Train Lines
More than just JR trains, you can use your digital IC for rides on local subway systems plus any other local train lines. Just tap in and tap out like on the JR lines.
Your Icoca on your iPhone can be used across the various rail networks in Japan
Vending Machines
Thirsty? Grab a quick beverage from one of Japan's 4 million vending machines. Follow these steps to purchase:
- Locate the card reader and tap your phone to begin the transaction
- Verify with Face ID, Touch ID or passcode
- Select your item of choice
- Tap again to confirm the charge
- Collect your beverage/item and enjoy!
Convenience Stores
How about a snack? All major convenience store chains accept digital IC payments for purchases, including Family Mart, 7-11, Lawson, Daily Yamazaki, and Mini Stop.
Simply bring your items to the till and indicate that you'll be paying via digital IC. Tap the card reader to pay then collect your items and receipt.
Restaurants
If it's a full meal you're after, most restaurants also gladly accept digital IC card payments.
Order and enjoy your meal as normal, then when you're done, proceed to the cashier for payment. Indicate you'll be paying via mobile phone and then tap the card reader to pay.
Itadakimasu! Pay for meals at most major restaurant chains using your digital IC card
Museums
Many museums and attractions accept IC card payment. At the ticket counter, indicate that you'd like to pay with your iPhone IC and tap the reader to complete payment. Then, collect your tickets and enjoy the attraction.
Coin Lockers
If you have a connection later in the day, or maybe you don't feel like carrying all your day's purchases, try storing your bags in a coin locker. Most train and subway stations offer coin lockers for you to lighten your load.
Place your goods in your chosen locker and initiate the rental at the terminal. Then when you return, pay for the balance using your iPhone at the payment terminal to complete the rental and claim your baggage.
Coin lockers are conveniently located in most major stations and accept IC card payment
Bus Fare
The fare for buses in Japan is based on the distance traveled, so make sure to tap your phone on the reader when boarding the bus via the back door. Enjoy your ride and push the indicator button when you're ready to disembark. Tap again when getting off the bus to complete the ride and pay your fare, which is automatically calculated for you.
Buses are a great way to cover ground beyond the train lines, especially when venturing off the beaten path
Taxi Rides
Even though Japan's public transit system is quite convenient, you may find yourself looking to get somewhere far from the nearest station. Or, if you're returning home after the last train, the next best option is taking a taxi.
Taxis in Japan are quite affordable, starting below 1000yen for flag drop. With white-gloved service, taxi drivers are courteous and helpful. Once you've arrived at your destination, tap your phone on the IC reader to complete payment.
Ubiquitous, courteous, and conveniently accepting IC card payments, Japan’s taxis are the complete package
Retail Stores, Grocery Stores, Drug Stores
Whether you are picking up some souvenirs for friends back home, or picking up some cough medicine for your little ones, you can complete your purchase using the digital IC card on your iPhone at most larger retailers.
When checking out, simply indicate that you will be paying via your iPhone, then tap the card reader to complete payment.
Whether it’s souvenirs or bandaids, use your IC card at most major retailers and drug stores
Don’t Forget To Recharge
After a long day traveling and shopping, don't forget to reload your digital IC balance so that you're never caught with insufficient funds. We've got the full step by step details on recharging your Icoca in Apple Pay using cash in this article here.
Don’t Have Your IC Card Linked To Your iPhone Yet?
Linking an Icoca, Suica or Pasmo to your iPhone is easy to do—check out our article here for step-by-step instructions on linking your physical IC card to your iPhone so you can start making one-touch purchases in Japan.
Author
Mike Rogers is a content creator who has lived on-and-off in Osaka for over 13 years. When not in Osaka, he’s travelling the world with his worldschooling family of four or building up his small homestead on Canada’s west coast. His adventures and exploits are documented on his website, Slowsteading.
Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Inside Osaka Google map:- Open the Osaka map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Osaka Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Osaka guide
- Check Osaka accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Osaka
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Osaka, Osaka to Kyoto and Osaka to Tokyo
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- View my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare flight prices and timings to find the best Japan flight deals
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
