Kids Web Japan

A ticket machine allowing users to charge their cards

For many years now, people have been using prepaid fare cards that are sold for set prices, such as 3,000 yen or 5,000 yen. These cards allow the user to ride the trains until the amount on the card runs out. Examples include the IO Card (pronounced ee-oh card) issued by JR East and the Passnet Card, which can be used on most private railway and subway lines in the Tokyo area.

This type of fare card is expendable, however, meaning that it becomes useless once the set amount is fully spent. By contrast, Suica and ICOCA cards can be charged with more money. The data stored on the card is then renewed accordingly, so that the same card can be used continuously. In the same way, once the commuter pass function expires, the period can be extended by charging the card with more money. Since users don't have to keep discarding old cards, the Suica and ICOCA are both more economical and better for the environment than disposable cards.

A Suica-enabled ticket gate (East Japan Railway Company)

If you have an ordinary commuter pass but happen to take the train to a stop that is beyond your usual commuting route, you have to pay the extra fare before passing through the exit gate at your destination. But if your commuter pass is a Suica or ICOCA, you can go through the exit gate as usual, and the automatic ticket gate will do the calculation for you and withdraw the necessary amount from your card. With a Suica or ICOCA, you can ride the JR trains anywhere you like without hassle.

Passing through the ticket gate is also very simple. With a conventional fare card, you insert the card into a slot and retrieve it at the other end of the machine. But a Suica or ICOCA only needs to be placed against the scanner on the ticket gate, and you don't even need to take it out of your pass case. If you hear a short electronic chirp, you know the card has been successfully read. It's as easy as touch and go. Now passengers won't have to worry so much about missing their train. But don't rush for the door at the last minute; it's dangerous!