Train tickets go QR: Keisei, Keikyu, Tokyo Monorail, JR East and 3 more switch from spring 2027
Published: 2026-10-22 · Last verified: 2026-10-20
Seven railways, including the airport lines Keisei, Keikyu and Tokyo Monorail plus JR East, announced on October 13, 2026 that paper tickets will be replaced by QR-code tickets from spring 2027. Here's what changes for travelers.
The short answer
| QR tickets | |
|---|---|
| When | From spring 2027 |
| Which railways | Seven companies: Keisei, Keikyu, Tokyo Monorail, JR East, Tobu, Hokuso and Sendai Airport Transit |
| What changes | Tickets from ticket machines will carry a QR code |
| How to use | Hold the ticket over the gate's QR reader to enter; when you leave, drop it in the collection box on the gate |
| Size | Larger tickets than today's |
| Suica and PASMO | Work as before (not affected) |
If you use Suica or PASMO (including Welcome Suica for visitors), nothing changes. The easiest way to ride is still an IC card.
What's changing?
Gates you tap with a QR codeInstead of feeding a ticket into the gate, you hold the QR code over a reader. The photo shows a gate at another railway's station that already uses QR tickets.- It covers every line and station of the seven railways, though how you use it can vary by station equipment.
- At stations without QR-ready gates, you go through a staffed window.
- Each company will announce detailed rules and changes to other tickets once they're decided.
What it means for travelers
- The airport lines (Keisei, Keikyu and Tokyo Monorail) are included. If you buy a paper ticket at Narita or Haneda, from spring 2027 it will be a QR ticket.
- Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway are not part of this announcement.
- Through-running onto other companies' lines is still being worked out between the railways.
- Getting into the city: "Narita and Haneda to central Tokyo". Riding trains: "How to ride trains in Tokyo".
Frequently asked questions
Will Suica and PASMO stop working?
No. This change is about paper tickets from ticket machines. The railways say they'll keep expanding IC cards, Mobile Suica and Mobile PASMO.
When does it start?
The seven railways say spring 2027. Check each company's announcements for exact dates.
Is the Tokyo subway changing too?
Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway are not among the seven railways in this announcement.
Official websites
Services can change. Check each railway's official site for the latest.
Read next
What to Do With Big Luggage in Tokyo: Coin Lockers, Luggage Storage and Hands-Free TravelSightseeing while dragging a big suitcase is no fun. Here's how to travel light in Tokyo, from station coin lockers and storage services to sending bags ahead to the airport or where you're staying.2026-10-06
Narita and Haneda to Central Tokyo: Which Train or Bus to TakeThe easiest way from each airport to Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa, Ueno, Ginza and Tokyo Station, plus tips on tickets and luggage.2026-10-04
Staying Online in Tokyo: eSIM vs SIM Card vs Pocket Wi-FiMaps, train routes, translation: you'll want mobile data from the moment you land. Here's how to choose, with a focus on the easiest option, eSIM, plus step-by-step setup.2026-10-05