All Hail the IC Card!!

The "IC" in an IC card stands for Integrated Circuit. An IC card is a smart card similar to your Oyster card, but it can do much more. When I first dreamed of traveling to Japan and exploring its many wonders, I read about IC cards and learned they were essential for the trip.

There are several different types of IC cards, so it’s important to check which ones are accepted at the locations you plan to visit. You don’t want any unpleasant surprises during your holiday, such as needing a second card. In my prefecture, some transportation lines do not accept the IC card at all. I’ve also recently heard that Kumamoto is planning to discontinue the use of the card entirely.

What is an IC card, and why is it so important in Japanese life? Essentially, it is a prepaid card commonly used for travel purposes. It makes the experience of using buses much smoother, allowing you to simply tap in and out without the need for exchanging yen or fumbling with change.

I learned this firsthand when my card ran out of money, and I had to pay in yen for my bus journey. It was a frustrating reminder of how convenient the IC card is. Thankfully, this incident happened in Beppu, a city accustomed to tourists who often pay in cash. If you do need to pay in yen, be prepared to have the exact amount in change for your bus ride.

The IC card is much more than a standard Oyster card; it offers a variety of useful features. For instance, you can use the IC card at vending machines and make purchases at convenience stores. Additionally, it allows you to pay for parking and even rent lockers while you explore Japan on your adventures.

Where can you find one of these convenient golden tickets? Most railway stations offer them for a 500-yen deposit, but it's a good idea to check in advance, as some rural areas may not have this option. Additionally, there are apps available that allow you to use IC cards or load funds onto them, but keep in mind that these require a Google Play account set up from Japan.