ICOCA is a transportation IC card issued by JR West in Japan, similar to the Suica card used in the western region of Japan. The name “ICOCA” stands for “IC Operating CArd,” and it also sounds like the Kansai dialect phrase “行こか！(Ikoka!)” meaning “Let’s go!” The card design features a light blue color scheme with a platypus character named “カモノハシのイコちゃん (Kamonohashi no Iko-chan)” instead of Suica’s penguin.

Like Suica, ICOCA can be used to pay fares for trains and subways, as well as for shopping at stores that accept transportation IC cards. When the card’s balance is low, it can be recharged at recharge machines available at stations.

If you’re starting your trip in Japan from Osaka, you can buy an ICOCA card there and use it in Tokyo.

Can I use ICOCA in Tokyo?

Yes, you can smoothly use ICOCA in Tokyo!

Just as Suica is used for transportation in cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe in the Kansai region, ICOCA can be used for trains and subways in Tokyo, Yokohama, and other cities in the Kanto region. Thanks to Japan’s “Kōtsūkei IC Kādo Zenkoku Sōgo Riyo Sābisu” (Nationwide Interoperability of Transportation IC Cards), ICOCA can also be used for transportation in Kyushu, Shikoku, and Hokkaido.

As of June 2023, Suica card sales were temporarily suspended due to chip shortages, but there is no such suspension for ICOCA cards in the Kansai region.

You may also want to read:

Must-Read for Travel in Osaka: Where to Get and Top-Up ICOCA Cards?

Using Suica in Osaka and the Kansai Area: What You Need to Know

Railways in Tokyo Area Where ICOCA Card Can Be Used

• JR East (except for some stations on the Kururi Line and Karasuyama Line)
• JR Tokai (limited to the Gotemba Line)

*However, if you board the train using ICOCA at JR East stations and exit at JR Tokai stations, you will need to purchase a separate ticket.

• Major Private Railway Companies (e.g., Tobu Line, Seibu Line, Keio Line, Odakyu Line, Tokyu Line, Keikyu Line, Keisei Electric Railway, Sotetsu Line)
• Tokyo Metro
• Toei Subway
• Toden Arakawa Line
• Nippori-Toneri Liner
• Tokyo Monorail
• Rinkai Line
• Yurikamome
• Tama Monorail
• Yokohama Municipal Subway
• Minatomirai Line
• Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden)
• Shonan Monorail
• Hakone Tozan Railway
• Izu Hakone Railway (limited to the Daiyūzan-sen Line)
• Tsukuba Express
• Saitama High-Speed Railway
• Kitasō Railway
• Disney Resort Line
• Chichibu Railway

And many more.

ICOCA Usage Tips in Tokyo

However, there are some important things to note when using ICOCA in Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto region.

ICOCA can NOT be purchased in Tokyo

If you want to get an ICOCA card, you must visit the Kansai region.

ICOCA is primarily a transportation card for the western region of Japan, such as Osaka and Kyoto, issued by JR West. Therefore, it is not possible to purchase ICOCA at JR East stations in the Suica area or PASMO area.

Similarly, Suica or PASMO cards are not available for purchase at JR West stations in the ICOCA area.

ICOCA can be recharged in Tokyo

If you already have an ICOCA card, you can easily recharge it in the Tokyo area. Recharge locations include JR East stations, certain subway stations, and convenience stores. Recharge machines are usually located near ticket counters and have user interfaces in multiple languages. Follow the instructions on the screen, place your ICOCA card on the designated area, select the recharge amount, and proceed with payment.

The recharge amount options are flexible, allowing you to adjust according to your needs, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand yen.

Not Available for purchasing Green Car tickets in Tokyo

ICOCA can be used for riding subways, buses, and regular train cars in Tokyo and its surrounding areas. However, it cannot be used to purchase Green Car tickets on JR East trains.

Green Car refers to the premium class cars offered by JR East, providing passengers with a more comfortable and high-quality travel experience. These tickets must be purchased through specific methods, and ICOCA is not included. To experience the Green Car service, buy special tickets at JR stations in Tokyo.

Not Available for creating commuter passes in Tokyo and the surrounding areas

ICOCA commuter passes can only be created in the ICOCA area, such as JR West. They cannot be created in the Suica or PASMO areas of JR East. This is because ICOCA and Suica/PASMO belong to different transportation card systems, and commuter passes for different regions are distinct.

ICOCA can NOT be used on certain trains in Tokyo and the surrounding areas

When planning your travel in Tokyo and its surrounding areas, be aware that certain trains do not accept ICOCA as a payment method. One example is the Chiba Monorail.

The Chiba Monorail is a light rail transit system in Chiba Prefecture, connecting various areas within Chiba City and providing convenient transportation options for local residents and visitors. However, ICOCA cannot be used as a payment method when riding the Chiba Monorail. Please be prepared with cash or use other applicable transportation cards.

ICOCA can NOT be used on Shinkansen trains

ICOCA cannot be used for Shinkansen travel, including JR East Shinkansen trains, the Tokaido Shinkansen in the JR Tokai region, and the Sanyo Shinkansen within the JR West region. For Shinkansen travel, consider services like JR East’s “Touch and Go! Shinkansen,” “Shinkansen e-Ticket,” or the “SmartEX Service” by JR Tokai, JR West, and JR Kyushu.

All the pictures are from：ICOCA：JRおでかけネット