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To ask where you can add value to a transport IC card, say チャージはどこでできますか. At a machine or counter, choose or state the amount, complete the payment as instructed, and check the displayed balance before entering the gate. Machines, supported cards, amounts, and payment methods vary.
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Check the result before the gate
The gate shows a low-balance message before Maya begins her trip.
Maya残高が足りません。
The balance is insufficient.
She taps the card again, but the balance has not changed.
MayaMaybe one more tap will fix it.
A staff member points to the charge machine and asks how much she wants to add.
Staffいくらチャージしますか。
How much would you like to add?
Maya adds the selected amount and checks the new balance on screen.
Mayaチャージできました。
The top-up is complete.
Dialogue remains selectable HTML. The illustrations contain no dependable generated text.
Ask where to top up
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
チャージはどこでできますか | chāji wa doko de dekimasu ka | Where can I top up? | Ask at a station or store |
この機械でできますか | kono kikai de dekimasu ka | Can I do it at this machine? | Point to the machine |
このICカードは使えますか | kono aishī kādo wa tsukaemasu ka | Can this IC card be used? | Ask about the specific card |
英語の画面はありますか | eigo no gamen wa arimasu ka | Is there an English screen? | Ask for a language option |
Do not assume that every ticket machine, bus, or store supports every card. The official PASMO guidance, for example, notes that procedures and available amounts differ by operator and machine. Follow the labels on the actual equipment.
State the amount
At a staffed location, 千円チャージしてください is a direct polite request. At a machine, select the amount shown on the screen.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
千円チャージしてください | sen-en chāji shite kudasai | Please add 1,000 yen | State the amount at a staffed location |
二千円お願いします | ni-sen-en onegai shimasu | 2,000 yen, please | Short answer after the task is clear |
いくらチャージしますか | ikura chāji shimasu ka | How much will you add? | A likely staff question |
現金だけですか | genkin dake desu ka | Is it cash only? | Ask rather than assuming payment methods |
Avoid handing over cash until the staff member or machine is ready. If a machine returns money or shows an error, stop and read or show the message instead of repeating the same sequence rapidly.
Recognize a balance problem
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
残高が足りません | zandaka ga tarimasen | The balance is insufficient | A gate, farebox, or payment message |
残高はいくらですか | zandaka wa ikura desu ka | What is the balance? | Ask or check the screen |
エラーが出ました | erā ga demashita | An error appeared | Show the display to staff |
もう一度タッチしてください | mō ichido tacchi shite kudasai | Please touch the card again | Repeat only when instructed |
残高 is the stored balance. It does not by itself explain whether the issue is low value, an incomplete gate record, an unsupported card, or equipment trouble. Show the card and the exact display message to staff.
Confirm the transaction
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
チャージできましたか | chāji dekimashita ka | Did the top-up work? | Ask when the result is unclear |
できました | dekimashita | It worked / it is complete | A likely confirmation |
残高を確認してください | zandaka o kakunin shite kudasai | Please check the balance | An instruction from staff |
領収書は出ますか | ryōshūsho wa demasu ka | Does it issue a receipt? | Ask if you need proof of the transaction |
Check that the displayed new balance reflects the amount you intended to add. Do not use this lesson to infer refund rights or card-specific limits; those depend on the card and operator’s current rules.
Current-service boundary
Source check (July 12, 2026): the official PASMO visitor guide remains available and describes station, bus, and store top-ups while warning that available amounts differ by vendor and machine. Other card issuers and operators may use different procedures. Use the current card issuer and transport operator information for limits, refunds, and supported payment methods.
Top up and verify the new balance
- Ask where the specific card can be topped up.
- State or select an amount only when the machine or staff is ready.
- Treat a balance message and a general error as different problems.
- Check the new balance before entering the gate.
Carry amount confirmation into other payments
The amount-confirmation habit transfers beyond an IC card: state the method, listen for the amount or fee, and verify completion before moving away. Practice it next with store payments and a printed bill.
Street Check · 1–3 minutes
Try the real-world task
Add money to an IC card before beginning the next journey.
Ready means:
- I can ask where to charge the card.
- I can state the amount to add.
- I can recognize insufficient balance and confirm completion.
Build the route
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