With ICOCA card, you don't have to prepare the fare every time you use the bus, subway, or JR train. Simply tap your card on the reader when you exit a city bus, or hold it over the ticket gate when boarding the subway or JR trains. While you can't check your balance on the bus, rest assured that the balance will be displayed at the ticket gate for subways and JR. For added convenience, there's a smartphone app available that allows you to check the balance of any IC card, making it a must-have for your travels.
You can easily purchase an ICOCA card at vending machines located in JR stations. If you're getting an ICOCA card for a child, just remember to bring their passport to the counter. For adults, the card costs 2,000 yen, with a 500 yen refund available upon return, meaning you'll start with a balance of 1,500 yen. You can return the card at vending machines or even at Tokyo Station, regardless of where you purchased it.
Please note that purchases and recharges can only be made with cash—credit cards are not accepted. You can conveniently recharge your ICOCA card at vending machines in subway stations or JR lines.
Fun fact: the name "ICOCA" translates to "Shall we go?" in Japanese. So, when you say "Kyoto ICOCA?", you're essentially asking, "Shall we go to Kyoto?" Give it a try!
