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Tokyo Metro has just announced a significant change to its ticket payment system, and it’s not alone – here’s what you need to know if you’re planning on traveling to Tokyo soon.
On July 24th 2025, the Tokyo Metro announced that as of Spring 2026, you’ll be able to tap on and off all of the stations in the metro system with a regular debit card, credit card or phone payment system – meaning you’ll no longer need a Suica – or other IC card – to make traveling on the Tokyo Metro easy.
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However, before you all rush off and cut up your Suica cards, there’s an important point to note. Currently, this ability to tap on with a standard card is limited to trains operated by Tokyo Metro. The announcement says that it hasn’t confirmed whether you can tap on/off if you switch to another line within Tokyo. And that’s kind of the point of having an IC card.
The Tokyo train system is pretty complicated – the lines are run by different companies, including Tokyo Metro, Toei Lines, Japan Railways, Tobu Line and more. The benefit of the current IC card system is that you don’t have to buy new tickets every time you swap between them, which, unless other lines follow suit, means you’ll still have to buy a paper ticket or use an IC card when you swap if the line you’re swapping to doesn’t accept tap and go payments.
The good news is that more of them do. The Toei and Keikyu lines, which run between many other tourist-friendly spots, including Asakusa and Haneda Airport, are also trialling the system of boarding with a credit or debit card. Twenty-one stations on the Seibu line that serve destinations like Ikebukuro and Toshimaen (where the Harry Potter Studio Tour is located) accept tap payments, and Tokyu Railways has trialled it on the Denentoshi Line – so, it looks as if many of the other companies are on board.
Admittedly, I couldn’t find an official announcement from Japan Railways, which runs the very popular Yamanote line that circles the city (although an unofficial one says this isn’t planned until 2028). So, as I say, don’t cut up your Suica card just yet!
What About Other Parts of Japan?
Some of these are ahead of Tokyo, with touch-and-go payments being accepted on some lines in Osaka and Kyoto, in Hakone, around Kyushu – and you can also tap on when using a lot of buses around Japan.
Here’s a current list of services/stations where you can tap on with your debit or credit card (you’ll need to use Google Translate to read it).
Note: If you have a Mastercard, please read the details carefully, as this is not yet compatible with every line. A list of which cards work on each individual line is pictured.
When Is This Happening?
The exact date of the launch hasn’t yet been announced. Tokyo Metro are currently updating the ticket gates at stations to allow the change to happen, but Spring 2026 is the expected date for the whole service to go live. Once they announce a firm date, I’ll update this post.
Will This Cost Foreign Customers Extra?
The train lines won’t charge more for a ticket bought via a foreign card, but your bank might charge a foreign transaction fee when you use your card to pay for things. Admittedly, this won’t add much. Most cards charge between 2-3 per cent, only putting a standard fare of 210 yen up by about 5 yen.
But make sure you’re aware of how much your card charges for transactions, and if there are any fees for going over a set amount of transactions, as then things could mount up. Ideally, look for a card with no transaction fees for tap and go payments abroad. Alternatively, consider a travel-specific card like Wise that doesn’t charge for tap and go purchases, and allows you to change currencies when rates are in your favour.
Key Points
• From Spring 2026, Tokyo Metro will accept direct tap payments using credit cards, debit cards, and phone payments
• This change initially only applies to Tokyo Metro lines, not necessarily other railway companies
• You should keep your IC card (like Suica) for now, as you’ll still need it for transfers to other lines
• Several other railway companies (including Toei, Keikyu, and some Seibu lines) are also implementing or trialling similar systems
• Foreign transaction fees may apply when using overseas cards – check with your bank.
So in conclusion, things are moving on in Tokyo, but the day of the Suica card and its cute little penguin aren’t over just yet.
