PiTaPa card (Kansai): how it works and who can get one

PiTaPa is a postpaid, multi-function IC payment service for trains, buses and shopping. What you use is debited later from the bank account you specify, so no advance charge is needed. A normal paper application takes 3 to 4 weeks, and an online application takes 2 weeks at the earliest, for the PiTaPa card to be delivered. PiTaPa says card issue involves a screening. PiTaPa Basic Card has no joining fee or annual fee. A maintenance fee of 1,100 yen including tax per member is charged if the card is not used for transit or shopping even once in a year.

Updated October 5, 2026

Can you buy PiTaPa now?

Apply online or by mail; 2 weeks at the earliest: A normal paper application takes 3 to 4 weeks, and an online application takes 2 weeks at the earliest, for the PiTaPa card to be delivered. PiTaPa says card issue involves a screening.
Membership screening; may be refused: PiTaPa says admission has a set screening, and card issue may be refused as a result of the screening.

Checked on the issuer's page on 5 October 2026. Sales and prices change: confirm before you travel.

Where to buy PiTaPa

Online application; bank account details needed: Because PiTaPa is postpaid, a payment account must be set up. Having the details of the bank account from which train fares and shopping payments will be debited makes the online application smooth.
Banks not set up online: form sent to a home address: For banks whose accounts cannot be set up online, a payment account form is sent to your home address later. You write your name, stamp it with the bank seal, and return it with a copy of an identity document.

Price, deposit and top-ups

Price: PiTaPa Basic Card has no joining fee or annual fee. A maintenance fee of 1,100 yen including tax per member is charged if the card is not used for transit or shopping even once in a year.
Top-ups: PiTaPa cards can be charged in cash and also have an auto-charge function that adds money automatically.

Where you can use PiTaPa

Main area: PiTaPa has areas where postpay (pay later) is possible and areas where the card must be charged. As of April 1, 2026, postpay can be used in the PiTaPa postpay area and in part of the JR West area.
Other areas: PiTaPa can also be used in the nationwide interoperable areas of other transport IC cards. In those areas, except the JR West postpay area, the card must be charged in advance, in cash at ticket machines at main JR stations or at some PiTaPa postpay area stations.
Other areas: PiTaPa's own page says ICOCA can be used on all lines in the PiTaPa postpay area. The ICOCA must be charged beforehand, and ICOCA cannot be used at PiTaPa shopping member stores.
Watch out: Money charged onto a PiTaPa card cannot be used for shopping or for fares in the PiTaPa postpay area. It cannot be refunded for the customer's own reasons, except when leaving PiTaPa.
Watch out: PiTaPa says that, as a rule, tickets, coupon tickets and commuter passes cannot be bought by postpay. Some bus routes cannot be used, and buses that accept PiTaPa carry the PiTaPa mark.
Shops: At JR West stations, PiTaPa cannot be used to pay at ICOCA member stores, and commuter pass sales, reissue and auto-charge for the card are not handled there.

Refunds, expiry and lost cards

Registered card: To apply as a main PiTaPa member you must be 18 or older, excluding high school students. Nobody other than the cardholder can use a PiTaPa card.
Refund: If you leave PiTaPa with money left on the card, the balance is returned to your designated bank account minus a refund fee of 550 yen including tax per card.

Frequently asked questions

Can you buy a PiTaPa now?

A normal paper application takes 3 to 4 weeks, and an online application takes 2 weeks at the earliest, for the PiTaPa card to be delivered. PiTaPa says card issue involves a screening. PiTaPa says admission has a set screening, and card issue may be refused as a result of the screening.

Where can I buy a PiTaPa?

Because PiTaPa is postpaid, a payment account must be set up. Having the details of the bank account from which train fares and shopping payments will be debited makes the online application smooth. For banks whose accounts cannot be set up online, a payment account form is sent to your home address later. You write your name, stamp it with the bank seal, and return it with a copy of an identity document.

How much does a PiTaPa cost?

PiTaPa Basic Card has no joining fee or annual fee. A maintenance fee of 1,100 yen including tax per member is charged if the card is not used for transit or shopping even once in a year.

Can I get a refund on PiTaPa?

If you leave PiTaPa with money left on the card, the balance is returned to your designated bank account minus a refund fee of 550 yen including tax per card.

Can I use PiTaPa outside Kansai?

PiTaPa can also be used in the nationwide interoperable areas of other transport IC cards. In those areas, except the JR West postpay area, the card must be charged in advance, in cash at ticket machines at main JR stations or at some PiTaPa postpay area stations. PiTaPa's own page says ICOCA can be used on all lines in the PiTaPa postpay area. The ICOCA must be charged beforehand, and ICOCA cannot be used at PiTaPa shopping member stores.

How do I top up PiTaPa?

PiTaPa cards can be charged in cash and also have an auto-charge function that adds money automatically.