Kids Web Japan

Paying at a convenience store with Suica (East Japan Railway Company)

As of August 2004, more than 9 million people are said to be using Suica cards. And users can now use the Suica not only to ride trains but also for shopping.

Shops inside train stations have recently become very popular, and they are collectively referred to as ekinaka (literally, "inside station"). In addition to the basic kiosks and convenience stores, ekinaka have come to include fancy cafes and delicious restaurants. By touching your card against the Suica reader at these outlets, you can pay for your shopping or your drinks and meals. Now you will hardly ever need to take out your wallet in the train station.

Shops that accept payments by Suica are spreading from the stations to the streets. It's gradually becoming possible to shop in the city with Suica at places like convenience stores, and life with Suica is getting more convenient by the day. (At present you can't shop with the ICOCA.)

Initially the Suica and ICOCA could only be used within their different areas. The Suica covered the Tokyo area and Sendai, while the ICOCA was valid only in the Kinki region. But since August 2004 it has become possible to use either card in the other's area. This means that you can travel around the Kinki, or Kansai, region with a Suica. A similar type of card issued by private railway companies in the Kansai area, called PiTaPa, will also join the alliance in the near future.

The areas in which these cards can be used are expected to continue expanding. Before long we will be able to travel anywhere with just one card.