Starting on March 25th, 11 rail operators in the Tokyo area will allow use of credit cards directly at the station gate, eliminating the need to purchase a ticket or IC card such as SUICA and PASMO.
Most major brands such as Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club and Discover will be accepted.
The participating companies include the majority of big operators like Tokyo Metro, Toei, Keikyu and Odakyu but excludes JR East and Keisei which means rides involving Narita Airport are not subject to this new initiative.
Rides across multiple participating operators will be supported, so for example it will be possible to tap in at Omotesando (Tokyo Metro) and tap off at Hakone Yumoto (Hakone Tozan Railway) in the same way that existing IC cards work.
Based on how this program has already been rolled out in companies like Tokyu and Keio, only one of the station gates will be compatible with credit cards, usually the one near the staffed aisle.
JR East has invested heavily in developing and marketing its SUICA card service, so they are unlikely to be participating in this scheme, at least in the near future.