JR East and 6 other operators replace magnetic paper tickets with QR tickets

From spring 2027, paper tickets from the machines on seven Tokyo-area and Sendai operators will carry a QR code instead of a magnetic strip.

What changes

Keisei, Keikyu, Sendai Airport Transit, Tokyo Monorail, Tobu, JR East and Hokuso will replace magnetic tickets with QR-code tickets from spring 2027, on all of their lines and stations.

The new tickets are larger (57.5 × 85 mm).

You hold them over the ticket gate, and drop them in a collection box at the gate when you exit.

Stations without QR gates will use a staffed window.

Who it affects

Anyone who buys paper tickets from machines on these seven operators.

When

Announced 13 October 2026; the switch starts in spring 2027 (no exact date yet).

Where

Tokyo area

Official source

Joint press release by the 7 operators, 13 Oct 2026 (Keisei) ↗ Japanese

What to do

Nothing yet. An IC card such as Suica or PASMO, or the mobile versions, is the operators’ main way to ride. We’ll add the exact start date when it is announced.

Last checked against the official source: 21 October 2026. Spotted a change? Tell us.