Karinoya Learning Room

Daily Life Lessons · Transportation

How to Ride the Train (Tickets and IC Cards)

Goal of this lesson

Be able to ride the train on your own (with tickets and IC cards) when you need to.

Explanation

You can ride trains with a paper ticket or a transit IC card (交通系ICカード) such as Suica, ICOCA, or PASMO. IC cards can be bought at station ticket machines and similar places. Add money to the card (this is called "charging"), then tap it at the ticket gate (改札), and the fare is deducted automatically. If your balance is not enough, charge it at a fare adjustment machine (精算機). If you use a ticket, check the fare chart to find the price to your destination and buy the ticket. If you ride past the station your ticket covers, pay the difference at the fare adjustment machine or the counter at the station where you get off.

Read in Easy Japanese (yasashii nihongo)

電車に 乗るときは、切符（きっぷ）か ICカードを 使います。

ICカード（Suica、ICOCAなど）は、駅の 機械で 買えます。お金を 入れて（チャージ）、改札に タッチします。お金は 自動で 引かれます。

切符は、行く駅までの お金を 見て 買います。

切符で 遠くまで 乗ったときは、精算機（せいさんき）で 足りない お金を 払います。

Check quiz

Q1

Where can you buy an IC card?

  1. Only at convenience stores
  2. At station ticket machines
  3. At the city office
  4. At a bank
AnswerB. At station ticket machines

You can buy one at station ticket machines or at the station counter.

Q2

What do you do with your IC card at the ticket gate?

  1. Show it
  2. Tap it
  3. Insert it
  4. Hand it to the station staff
AnswerB. Tap it

Tap it on the card reader.

Q3

What do you do if you ride past the station your ticket covers?

  1. Just walk out
  2. Pay the difference at the fare adjustment machine
  3. Pay the next day
  4. You don't need to pay
AnswerB. Pay the difference at the fare adjustment machine

Pay the difference at the fare adjustment machine or the counter at the station where you get off. With an IC card, the fare is deducted from your balance automatically (charge it if the balance is not enough).

Q4

What are priority seats?

  1. Anyone can sit there
  2. Seats you give up to people who need them
  3. Paid seats
  4. Women only
AnswerB. Seats you give up to people who need them

Give these seats to older people, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and others who need them.

Q5

What about phone calls on the train?

  1. Free to make
  2. Avoid them
  3. OK if you speak loudly
  4. Ask the station staff for permission
AnswerB. Avoid them

Avoid phone calls and set your phone to silent mode.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Can I use my IC card anywhere in Japan?

A. The major transit IC cards (Suica, ICOCA, PASMO, etc.) can be used interchangeably in many areas across Japan, but some train lines and buses do not accept them. Also, you may not be able to use them for trips that cross between different areas, so check the information at the station.

Q. What about fares for children?

A. On JR and many other lines, elementary school children (ages 6 to 11) pay the "child" fare, which is, as a rule, half the adult fare. Children who have not yet started elementary school usually ride free, up to 2 children per adult. Select "child" (こども) on the ticket machine. Rules may differ by railway company.

Q. I don't understand how to transfer.

A. A route-finding (transfer guide) app is helpful. It is also fine to ask the station staff.

Practice: answer the questions on this page

This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.

Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-09-28

This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original