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Suica, Japan's First IC Transit Card

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Re: Suica, Japan's First IC Transit Card

#271

Post by fendy3002 »

philipwhiuk wrote: post #239
makeitdouble wrote: post #132

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is a perhaps a trend of local payment means being less accessible to tourists. I haven't experienced it first hand but WeChat/Alipay are in the same boat as I understand, and PromptPay in Indonesia can be somewhat be used but needs preparation before making the trip. Now, if you're not a tourist passing by for 3 days, Suica has most of your gripes solved and is an incredibly useful general payment mean. I use t…

> There is a perhaps a trend of local payment means being less accessible to tourists. It's because you want to price differentiate tourists and local people. Tourists will pay more for travel than your electorate.

others have said KYC but the main reason is to keep the local currency flow domestically and to prevent money laundering.

Re: Suica, Japan's First IC Transit Card

#272

Post by juliansimioni »

MarkSweep wrote: post #185
juliansimioni wrote: post #117

I am literally on a flight to Japan right now, and one of my main goals is to add a Suica card to my collection of transit cards from around the world (currently 31 cards large). Sadly physical cards may only have a few years left, for the most part using tap-to-ride is superior. So I really have to get out there and grab them while I can.

A noble goal. Last I heard the best bet to gete a physical Suica card is to get the Welcome Suica. It is available at a few airports and a few large train stations: https://www.jreast.co.jp/en/multi/welcomesuica/welcomesuica....

I got both (because of course I did) with no problem. The welcome Suica came with a free notebook which I’m also using to collect the Japan Rail stamps

https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/eki-train-stamps

Re: Suica, Japan's First IC Transit Card

#273

Post by Tor3 »

TulliusCicero wrote: post #168
Tor3 wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are several types of QR code payments getting introduced, so it would be interesting to know the specifics. I'm only aware of using a QR code for Shinkansen tickets, which is something I have used and something a tourist can use as well. And then there's the new tickets slowly getting introduced in some areas, where the paper ticket has a QR code. I've not seen those yet, but it sounds like just an ordinary tic…

I mean general QR code payments as opposed to QR codes on tickets. First noticed them at convenience stores, but vending machines have them too, and I think some restaurants.

When you mention it I may have seen that too. I'll investigate when I get back again. Thanks!

Re: Suica, Japan's First IC Transit Card

#274

Post by bchasknga »

bebimbop wrote: post #241
kelnos wrote: post #232

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hardware/software-wise, yes, but putting money on the card is a problem if you don't have a credit/debit card issued by a Japanese bank (or perhaps a few others). That's fine for locals, of course, but not helpful for many foreign visitors.

I had no problem topping it up with apple pay while in Japan.

Correct. No Japanese CC needed.

Re: Suica, Japan's First IC Transit Card

#276

Post by spasmo »

disposedtrolley wrote: post #191
flaunf221 wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> People not in Japan/Singapore/Korea/China should experience what a proper transit card done looks like. In Prague city transit does not have limiting gates. If you bought unlimited ticket, you just walk in bus/tram/metro and that is it. No touching, scanning, showing, nothing. Maybe once a month (or even rarer) you might encounter a patrolling controller who would ask you to show your ticket, but that's it.

Same in Berlin. I think the reasoning is that it'd cost more money to fit ticket gates compared to loss of revenue from fare evaders. Makes for such a smooth journey as most people are doing the right thing.

In Germany you now just get the Deutschlandticket and take every bus, tram, metro or regional trains anywhere.
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