HOW do you know which travel smart card works for you?
1) Check your routes 2) Check with a native
There are 2 kinds of train cards available:
ICOCA - for JR West trains. It is more expensive but you're able to re-charge / top up additional value to the card. Also, you're able to get a refund for your unused value in the card.
スルッとKANSAI (Kansai Suretto / Kansai Surutto) - Pre-paid cards for non-JR railways / subways. You're not able to add-on value to the card once it's depleted.
There are many different types of cards available in the スルッとKANSAI group. The names of cards differ from city/municipal to city/municipal within Kansai.
Eg: Rainbow Card for Osaka Subway ; La Gare Card for Itami City Department of Transportation (Hankyu)
Please refer to スルッとKANSAI for all the cards offered in different areas of Kansai. It also offers information on various pre-paid card values and the forms of transportation that the card is applicable to.
For short-term stayers / Tourists:
Both companies have unlimited ride passes for tourists. Please refer to the following sites for terms of services.
JR West Pass. You're able to make online reservations too from your home country. There's an IP tracking system so it won't work if you're already in Japan.
スルッとKANSAI - Kansai Thru Pass (for Non-JR trains)
Personally, I'll go for the JR Pass if I'm in Japan for a vacation. It'll save you a substantial amount especially if you intend to travel from Kanto to Kansai Region (Eg: Tokyo to Osaka to Hokkaido and back to Tokyo). However, this special pass for tourists must be purchased from a travel agent or Japan Tourism Board (JTB) outlet from your home country prior to arriving Japan. Collection is made upon arrival in Japan. You have to produce your passport and proof of purchase to collect it.
Japan Guide - Osaka Access & Orientation has details on the Railway and Subway networks. Furthermore, it provides information for Special Tickets for tourists.
If you prefer a more scenic route, there's also the Japan Bus Pass that must also be purchased in your home country and collect it when you arrive in Japan. The following links to Japan Guide will furnish you with more information.
Another scenic option: Driving in Japan - Japan Guide
Kanto Region
Note that a handling fee of ¥210 is deducted from the balance on the Suica Card (JR East). The remaining balance is combined with your deposit as your total refund. If there's no remaining balance, you won't be charge ¥210 and your deposit of ¥500 will be refunded. It's best to run your card down to nil unless you wanna keep it as a souvenir.
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