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nimoca card (Fukuoka): price, refund and where it works

nimoca is an IC card used on buses and trains and for shopping, so you do not need to buy tickets or use coins to pay fares. A new nimoca costs 2,000 yen, made up of a 500 yen deposit and 1,500 yen of usable balance.

Updated

500yen deposit
20,000yen maximum balance

Where to buy nimoca

Station machines and counters, bus offices, some Lawson
nimoca is sold on some buses and trains (not Nishitetsu buses or trains), at station ticket machines and counters, and at some Lawson stores in Fukuoka and Oita.

Price, deposit and top-ups

Price from
2,000 yen
Deposit
500 yen, paid back on return
Max balance
20,000 yen
Price
A new nimoca costs 2,000 yen, made up of a 500 yen deposit and 1,500 yen of usable balance.
Deposit
A nimoca has a 500 yen deposit. It is paid back when you cancel the card and hand it in.
Maximum balance
A nimoca card can hold up to 20,000 yen.
Top-ups
You can top up a nimoca with the on-board machine on buses, at charge machines and IC ticket machines in stations, and at convenience stores and ATMs.
Top-ups
At the charge machine near the ticket gates, you can top up a nimoca with cash in units of 1,000 yen.
Points
You do not earn points when you shop at other cards' member shops or use a nimoca in another card's area.

Where you can use nimoca

Other areas
With one nimoca you can ride buses and trains in the nimoca area and in the Kitaca, PASMO, Suica, manaca, TOICA, PiTaPa, ICOCA, Hayakaken and SUGOCA areas.
Watch out
A nimoca cannot be used for a trip that crosses from one IC card area into another, except on the SUGOCA and Hayakaken through-service section and a few others.
Trains and buses
On a train, touch the nimoca on the ticket gate reader for 1 second. A nimoca cannot be used at fare adjustment machines.

nimoca on your phone

App
The nimoca balance inquiry app lets you check the balance and history of your nimoca on a smartphone.

Refunds, expiry and lost cards

Refund
At a station counter or bus office that handles nimoca, a nimoca is refunded as the balance minus a 220 yen fee, plus the 500 yen deposit. The card is collected.
Refund
A nimoca refund costs a 220 yen fee. Refunds are not available at the Fukuoka Airport International Terminal bus counter.
Refund
Outside the nimoca area, reissue of a lost or broken nimoca and refunds of the card are handled only by the company that issued the card.
Registered card
At a counter you can register for free to change a nimoca into a Star nimoca. A Star nimoca earns points and can be reissued if lost.

Cards for children

Valid until March 31 of the year the child turns 12
A child nimoca is valid until March 31 of the school year in which the child turns 12. Buying one needs an official ID that shows the child's date of birth.

The official wording

The issuer's own words, as published on its English pages.

The official wording
nimocaIC cards, nimoca can be used on buses, trains, and for shopping. … You do not need to buy tickets or use coins to pay fares!IC Card, nimoca
nimoca* A card can be loaded up to 20,000 yen.IC Card, nimoca
nimoca¥220 of refunding fee will be charged. … Refunds are not available at Fukuoka Airport International Terminal (Bus Counter).IC Card, nimoca

Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy a nimoca?

nimoca is sold on some buses and trains (not Nishitetsu buses or trains), at station ticket machines and counters, and at some Lawson stores in Fukuoka and Oita.

Is there a deposit on nimoca?

A nimoca has a 500 yen deposit. It is paid back when you cancel the card and hand it in.

How much does a nimoca cost?

A new nimoca costs 2,000 yen, made up of a 500 yen deposit and 1,500 yen of usable balance.

Can I get a refund on nimoca?

At a station counter or bus office that handles nimoca, a nimoca is refunded as the balance minus a 220 yen fee, plus the 500 yen deposit. The card is collected. A nimoca refund costs a 220 yen fee. Refunds are not available at the Fukuoka Airport International Terminal bus counter.

Can I use nimoca outside Kyushu?

With one nimoca you can ride buses and trains in the nimoca area and in the Kitaca, PASMO, Suica, manaca, TOICA, PiTaPa, ICOCA, Hayakaken and SUGOCA areas.

How do I top up nimoca?

You can top up a nimoca with the on-board machine on buses, at charge machines and IC ticket machines in stations, and at convenience stores and ATMs. At the charge machine near the ticket gates, you can top up a nimoca with cash in units of 1,000 yen.

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Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 5, 2026