August 12, 2026, 10:27 a.m. (JST)
[Japan] Shinjuku Gyoen, a national park administered by the Ministry of the Environment(National Parks Association, a general incorporated association, Tokyo, Japan) announced that it will begin a pilot program for ticketless entry using credit cards starting August 12, 2026, and continuing through fiscal year 2026 (Reiwa 8) (scheduled). Terminals supporting contactless payments via credit cards and other methods will be installed at each entrance gate.This pilot program is reportedly the first instance in Japan where “stera transit” (commonly known as the “Credit Card Boarding” service)—a solution for public transportation provided by Sumitomo Mitsui Card—is being implemented by an entity other than a public transportation operator.
The service will be available only at Gate 1 of each entrance (Shinjuku Gate, Oki-do Gate, and Sendagaya Gate), and the accepted payment brand is Visa. The applicable fee is the general admission rate (500 yen).Based on the results of the pilot program, the park will consider expanding the number of participating gates and accepted payment brands, as well as extending eligibility to students (high school students and older) and visitors aged 65 and older (250 yen).
Shinjuku Gyoen has continued to set new records for visitor numbers every year from fiscal years 2023 to 2025, with the number of visitors exceeding 3 million for the first time in fiscal year 2025; it is estimated that approximately half of these visitors are international tourists.To address this increase in visitor numbers and the growing diversity of visitors, the park must not only improve the smooth flow of entry and diversify payment methods but also tackle operational challenges such as reducing wait times at ticket vending machines, streamlining cash management operations, and alleviating the burden of serving foreign visitors to Japan.To this end, the park will begin a pilot program to fully implement “credit card ticketless entry”—using contactless payments such as credit cards—in addition to the existing “touch-and-enter” system using IC card terminals installed at the entrance gates.
With this service, visitors will be able to enter the park smoothly simply by holding their contactless-enabled credit cards or similar cards up to dedicated terminals newly installed at the entrance gates.This eliminates the need to purchase or pre-charge a transportation IC card or buy an admission ticket, allowing not only domestic visitors but also foreign tourists visiting Japan who do not possess a transportation IC card to enter Shinjuku Gyoen, in addition to using it for everyday shopping and transportation.
Furthermore, the pilot project will explore the potential for analyzing visitor usage data based on contactless payments.
Regarding the roles of each company, the Shinjuku Gyoen Management Office will oversee the project; Takamizawa Cybernetics will install contactless credit card payment terminals at the entrance facilities and carry out the associated system modifications;QUADRAC will provide “Q-move,” a SaaS-based platform for payments and authentication; Sumitomo Mitsui Card will support the introduction of cashless payments and provide the stera platform (stera transit); and Visa will provide contactless payment solutions and conduct awareness campaigns. (paymentnavi Editorial Team)
