Touch Payments Expansion
2025-06-16 05:51:48

Odakyu Group to Expand Touch Payment Services for Public Transit in 2025!

In a significant move to enhance the travel experience for its customers, the Odakyu Group, comprising six companies including Odakyu Electric Railway and Hakone Tozan Bus, is set to expand its touch payment services using credit and debit cards starting in the fall of 2025. The initiative will allow passengers to access Odakyu Line trains and various other transport services seamlessly, using their preferred payment methods without the need for traditional paper tickets.

Introduction of Touch Payment Services


Touch payment solutions, designed to offer convenience and efficiency, will be available on several transport systems such as the Odakyu Line, Hakone Tozan Train, Hakone Tozan Cable Car, and select routes of the Hakone Tozan Bus and Tokai Bus. Currently, passengers can already use touch payment methods on services like Enoden and the Hakone Ropeway.

This expansion is part of a broader strategy geared towards enhancing the travel experience, particularly for inbound tourists. With Japan witnessing a surge in international visitors, facilitating transactions through familiar credit and debit cards will significantly improve accessibility to popular destinations along the Odakyu Line. It is anticipated that the number of foreign tourists arriving in Japan will continue to rise, making the availability of convenient payment methods critical.

Collaborations and Technical Details


The touch payment service will leverage Mitsui Sumitomo Card's “STERA Transit” platform, enabling passengers to board without needing cash or to purchase a ticket in advance. Users can simply tap their compatible credit, debit, or prepaid cards, as well as smartphones equipped with these cards, on designated readers at ticket gates or bus entry points. Partners in this initiative include major financial institutions like Visa and Mastercard, ensuring widespread acceptance, thereby streamlining the payment process for all travelers.

Enhancing Inbound Tourism


In April 2025, Japan's government is projected to see over 3.9 million foreign visitors in a single month, exceeding prior records. The Odakyu area—including tourist hotspots like Hakone, Shonan (Fujisawa and Kamakura), and Oyama (Isehara)—is expected to attract around 53 million visitors annually. The expansion of touch payment services is expected to reduce reliance on cash in favor of digital transactions, making travel easier and more enjoyable for tourists and local users alike.

Moreover, multiple initiatives are already in place, such as the integration of touch payments at various tourist attractions, including Enoden and the Hakone Pirate Ship. These developments aim to enhance the welcome experience for international visitors, ensuring they can navigate the local transport system with ease.

Future Developments


The upcoming expansion will not only facilitate easier travel between destinations like Shinjuku, Hakone, Enoshima-Kamakura, and Oyama but will also ensure that public transportation systems in the area are prepared to accommodate a growing influx of tourists. Plans are also underway to outfit further stations with touch payment technologies and QR code recognition systems, expected to be implemented across Odakyu stations in conjunction with the new touch payment rollout. This will significantly enhance convenience, allowing faster and more efficient travel through access-controlled systems.

Conclusion


Odakyu Group is actively working with Mitsui Sumitomo Card and other strategic partners to formulate and deploy solutions aimed at ameliorating regional transport systems. The integration of touch payment capabilities not only beautifies and modernizes travel convenience but also addresses key regional concerns regarding tourism management and economic growth.

As we approach autumn 2025, further announcements detailing specific launch dates and operational capabilities will be made to the public, ensuring that customers have all the necessary information to fully leverage these exciting new services.


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Topics Travel)

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