alex Posted August 19 Posted August 19 Hello, I will be travelling Japan from Hokkaido to Okinawa and I would like to know what IC card would be best for me? I would like to be able to use it for local transportation (metro, train etc) in each area. I will be arriving to Sapporo airport (via Haneda) and leaving from Okinawa. Visiting Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto area as well. I also need to be able to refill the card so is it possible to add money to a Suica card in Hokkaido and Okinawa? Or to Kitaca card in Tokyo and Osaka? Any information would be very helpful. Thanks ! Quote
Maria Fukuda Posted September 8 Posted September 8 Hello alex! For your trip from Hokkaido to Okinawa, I'd recommend getting a Suica card. It's widely accepted across Japan, and you'll be able to use it for local transportation (trains, buses, metro) in all the major areas you're visiting, including Sapporo, Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and even some places in Okinawa. The great thing about IC cards in Japan is that they are interoperable, meaning that most of the regional IC cards, like Suica (Tokyo), Kitaca (Hokkaido), Icoca (Osaka/Kyoto), and others, can be used across Japan. So, whether you choose Suica, Kitaca, or any other major card, you'll be able to use it in the cities you're visiting. Regarding refills: You can refill a Suica card in Hokkaido, Okinawa, and basically anywhere that supports IC cards (at JR stations, convenience stores, and ticket machines). The Kitaca card is mainly used in Hokkaido, but like Suica, it will work in Tokyo, Osaka, and other regions. However, Suica tends to be more popular and might be easier to manage for a trip that covers so many areas. So overall, any major IC card will work fine, but Suica might be the easiest for your journey since it's accepted everywhere you're traveling and can be refilled in all the places you're visiting. For more information visit Japan’s prepaid transportation cards – IC cards Safe travels and enjoy exploring Japan! Quote
