Tokyo Metro installed a credit card/QR-code exclusive gate at Ginza Station in Tokyo on July 22, 2026. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)
TOKYO — Members of the U.S. military community visiting Japan’s capital have another way to pay for subway rides at two popular destinations, where experimental gates now accept contactless bank cards and QR codes instead of commonly used rechargeable passes.
Tokyo Metro has installed trial gates at Ginza and Ueno stations, both frequent destinations for visitors to the capital, according to a July 21 news release.
One specialized gate began operating on July 22 at Ginza Station, followed by another at Ueno Station on July 31. The experiment is slated to continue through February.
Ginza is one of Tokyo’s most upscale shopping districts, while Ueno features a popular city park, museums and cultural attractions.
The gates support Tokyo Metro’s tap-to-ride service, allowing passengers to enter and exit by tapping an eligible credit, debit or prepaid card or compatible smartphone. They also scan QR codes for eligible digital tickets, according to Tokyo Metro.
Unlike conventional gates, the two experiment entrances do not accept Suica and Pasmo, the rechargeable IC cards widely used to access trains and buses, a Tokyo Metro spokeswoman said by email Aug. 11.
Tokyo Metro began a trial at Ginza Station in Tokyo of a gate that accepts credit cards and QR codes on July 22, 2026. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)
Tokyo Metro designed the experimental gates to look noticeably different from conventional ones so passengers can identify which payment methods they accept.
The Ginza gate has a black-and-white design, while Ueno’s has a wood-pattern finish. The Ginza gate is scheduled to be replaced by a silver version in December.
“To ensure customers can easily identify the available lanes and readers, the dedicated gates will feature a different appearance from standard gates,” Tokyo Metro said in its release.
The trial will assess how frequently passengers use the gates, their usability and whether passengers can move smoothly through station entrances containing different types of gates, the spokeswoman said.
Some Japanese spokespeople must speak to the press on condition of anonymity.