S/ Naito Mika, NTV Reporter/ Passengers can pass through the ticket gates with a credit card to ride Keikyu and Toei trains.

Tokyo’s Keikyu and Toei Subway lines began trialing contactless payment at participating stations on December 21.

The move came as Japan continues to hold a reputation for being a cash-based country and in need to improve transportation from the airport by train. 

The introduction of contactless payment right at the ticket gate allows travelers to go from Haneda Airport to the city center without buying a separate ticket.

10 stations along the Keikyu Line and 26 stations along Toei Subway’s Asakusa Line and Oedo Line will be participating in the trial.

The Keikyu Line stops at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 while the Toei Subway lines provide easy access to popular destinations such as the Tokyo Skytree and Asakusa.

Passengers can use one credit card or debit card for transportation between the connected Keikyu Line and Toei Subway line that travels from the airport to the city center among other destinations.

Keikyu Corporation and the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation plans to make transportation more convenient for foreign tourists and position the city to accept more tourists by adding contactless payment to more stations.