WHAT IS AN IC CARD?
Charge it, then touch to ride
ICOCA is issued by JR West. Nationwide-compatible transport IC cards can be used on participating trains and buses, and at shops and vending machines displaying the IC mark.Prepaid balance
Load money onto the card before travel. In Japan, adding money is called ‘charging’.
One card, two touches
Touch the same card when boarding and leaving; the fare is deducted automatically.
Look for the IC mark
The card can also be used for payment at participating shops and vending machines.
HOW TO USE
Touch at both ends of the journey
Use the same card from entry to exit.Check the balance
Charge the card before travel. Some small stations do not have a charging machine.
Check both stations
Look for the IC mark at your boarding and arrival stations.
Touch when boarding
Touch the station reader, or the onboard reader where the line uses one.
Touch when leaving
Touch the exit reader and confirm the completion sound and display.
ONBOARD READERS
On the Sakai Line and IC-compatible buses, remember the colors
Hold the card over the reader until you hear the confirmation sound.Blue reader
Touch when boarding
Yellow reader
Touch when leaving
iAt stations with ticket gates, follow the IC mark on the gate. The blue/yellow rule applies to onboard readers on the JR Sakai Line and buses that accept IC cards.
SAN’IN AREA
Main JR sections where IC cards can be used
This is a traveller-friendly summary; always confirm the latest official area map.San’in Line: Tottori–Kurayoshi
All stations in this section accept ICOCA.
San’in Line: Hōki-Daisen–Izumoshi
Stations in the existing Matsue–Yonago IC area accept ICOCA.
Sakai Line: Yonago–Sakaiminato
Use the onboard readers: blue when boarding and yellow when leaving.
Hakubi Line
Hōki-Daisen, Neu and Shōyama are the principal IC-enabled stations in the project area.
UNSTAFFED → UNSTAFFED
Using an IC card between unstaffed stations
The location of the reader depends on the line.- 1
Find the boarding reader
Use the reader at the station or inside the train as shown by the signs.
- 2
Touch once
Wait for the normal confirmation sound and check the display.
- 3
Find the exit reader
At your destination, use the station reader or the exit reader inside the train.
- 4
Confirm completion
If an error sounds, use the intercom or ask staff before your next journey.
!Do not combine an IC touch with a paper ticket unless station staff instruct you to do so.
If either station is outside the IC area, use a paper ticket or the line’s numbered-ticket procedure.
See regular tickets →