One card for all of Tokyo: Suica card now accepted in Kusatsu Onsen area

Tokyo can be described as a giant transportation maze, encompassing Japan Railways (JR), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Subway, Tokyo Metro, and various private railways, with an intricate web of train lines. Since these transportation systems began working together and integrating into the Suica system, getting around Tokyo has become quick and easy — just one card lets you smoothly enter and exit stations across the capital region. Starting April 1 this year, Suica can also be used in places like Kusatsu Onsen, making it even more convenient to explore Greater Tokyo.

Suica is a prepaid card introduced by Japan Railways (JR), combining the functions of a transit card and an electronic wallet. It’s a smart contactless card system that allows quick entry and exit at stations with just a simple tap. The cards are sold at ticket vending machines at JR stations, with a minimum top-up of 1,000 yen and a maximum balance of 20,000 yen.

Suica has also developed various lifestyle functions, similar to Taipei’s EasyCard which now includes shopping features, turning it into an all-purpose transit card. As long as a store displays the Suica acceptance logo, you can simply tap your Suica card on the reader next to the cashier to make payments. Even drink vending machines and coin lockers can be operated directly using Suica.

Starting April 1 this year, Suica can be used at 16 facilities in areas such as Kusatsu Onsen and Yubatake Onsen. These include the souvenir shops of 11 hotels and inns under Kusatsu Onsen and Yubatake Onsen, as well as five other facilities within Kusatsu Town such as the Kusatsu Sports Tea Garden Rest Area, the Kusatsu Kataoka Art Museum, and the Kusatsu International Ski Area. Local authorities in Kusatsu will also hold special commemorative events, giving away original Suica merchandise — penguin-shaped paper clips — to the first 2,000 visitors who use Suica to make purchases at the participating facilities.

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Read more: Stores where Suica can be used (provided by Tripass Attractions)