Introduction:
For those planning a visit to Kamakura, this is a must-read news. Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden) is a vital train for tourism in Kamakura. It is the train that passengers take when heading towards Hase, Enoshima, and Fujisawa from Kamakura station. The famous Daibutsu in Hase, Kamakura is just a short walk from Enoshima Electric Railway’s Hase station. In a groundbreaking move, Enoshima Electric Railway has introduced a touch payment system, which is the first of its kind in the Japanese transportation system.
Enoshima Electric Railway Introduces Touch Payment System
Enoshima Electric Railway has introduced a touch payment system, which enables passengers to pay for their train ride without the need for prepaid cards such as SUICA or PASMO. The system was announced in February 2023 and was implemented on April 15, 2023, at all Enoshima Electric Railway stations.
Overview of the Touch Payment System
The touch payment system can be used with credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, and smartphones that are touch payment-enabled. Passengers can enter and exit through the gates by tapping their payment method on the gate or a pole beside the gate. The touch payment system supports major credit card brands such as Visa, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, and Discover, as well as smartphones that are touch payment-enabled. UnionPay and Mastercard will be added gradually. Passengers must enter their PIN or sign for payments exceeding a certain amount.
Benefits of the Touch Payment System
The system eliminates the need to prepare prepaid cards in advance, which makes it more convenient for tourists visiting Kamakura from overseas. The touch payment system is expected to spread to other transportation systems in the future, making it more convenient for passengers to travel without needing to worry about prepaid cards like SUICA or PASMO.
Conclusion:
Enoshima Electric Railway’s touch payment system is a game-changer for tourists visiting Kamakura, as it eliminates the need for prepaid cards like SUICA or PASMO. While the convenience is currently limited to Enoshima Electric Railway, it is expected to expand to other transportation systems in the future, making travel more accessible and convenient for passengers.