If this is your first time visiting Japan, one of the most important items you should get is IC card.
Japan has several prepaid contactless transportation cards (commonly called IC cards),
The most popular ones are Suica, PASMO, and ICOCA.
Without an IC card, many tourists struggle at train and subway ticket gates, wasting precious time – so I want everyone know before entering Japan.
Contents
What is Suica, PASMO, ICOCA?
SUICA, PASMO or ICOCA card are pre-payed & rechargeable IC cards that can be used to conveniently pay fares on public transportation and to make payments at many vending machines, convenience stores, shops and restaurants by simply touching the card on a reader.
In metropolitan areas, almost everyone in Japan uses a Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA card.
Difference between Suica, PASMO, ICOCA?
The function is all same.
The main difference is simply which company issues the card.
- SUICA : Issued by JR EAST(Japan Railway EAST ), the biggest train company’s group in Japan. →approx. 55% share rate
- PASMO : Issued by company PASMO Co., which is composed by several subway & bus companies in Tokyo →approx. 24% share rate
- ICOCA : Issued by JR WEST (Japan Railway WEST ) →approx. 17% share rate
Basic Rules
- One IC card per person
In principle, each person needs their own IC card. One card or One smartphone cannot be used for two people.
- There are Digital & Physical Version
There are two main ways to use IC cards in Japan: a digital version on your smartphone (or Apple Watch), and a physical card you buy and carry.
For adults with smartphone, Digital Suica is the easiest option.
You can quickly top up your balance using a credit card, making it very convenient.
However, for children who do not have a smartphone, you will need to buy a physical IC card for them to use.
- Enter and exit by tapping IC card
Just watch how locals do it, and you’ll understand right away.
- For Children (ages 6–11) : use a Child IC Card to receive child fares.
The card can be purchased at designated ticket counters by showing a passport to proof age.
(need to show actual passport at counter – Copy or Picture of ID would not be accepted! )
- Charging a physical IC card is generally cash only.
Credit cards can be used only with “Mobile Suica/Pasmo”.
How can tourists get it?
For tourist, those are available.
1, Download Welcome Suica Mobile (or Mobile Pasmo) in your Cellphone
Download App & set up on your Smartphone.
In case you could not set it up, let’s buy actual card. (↓go to no.2)
- New app for visitors “Welcome Suica Mobile” has been released for visitors from 2025 summer.
This is for short stay visitors, cause this Expires after 180 days (non-refundable).
→Welcome Suica Mobile URL : https://www.jreast.co.jp/en/multi/welcomesuicamobile/
- If you plan to visit Japan multiple times, we recommend getting a regular Suica card, the same one locals use.
It requires a ¥500 deposit when you purchase it, but the card is valid for 10 years and the deposit is refundable.
→Mobile Suica URL : https://www.jreast.co.jp/mobilesuica/
- Mobile PASMO URL : https://www.pasmo.co.jp/mp/
2, Get Physical IC card at the airportor or major station
When traveling, your phone battery can easily run out.
Having a physical Suica card gives you peace of mind, as you can still use trains and buses even when your phone is out of battery.
Once you landed in Japan, Get Suica or Pasmo at Airport.
That will save your time a lot from beginning in Japan, especially if you want to get IC card for kids aged 6-11.
(because hard to find ticket counter sells kids Suica/pasmo once you come to the city central )
IF you could not get it at airport, you can also buy at vending machine at major station.
But not kids card available at vending machine.
Where can I buy WELCOME SUICA (Official website)
3, If you or your friends have physical IC card at home by any chance, bring it to Japan
If your friends/relatives who had been to Japan before, try ask them if they still keep those IC card at home.
The regular IC card is rechargeable, and 10 years available.
Where can I get Physical IC card
1, At Airport
After arriving in Japan, we recommend allowing a little extra time at the airport to purchase a Welcome Suica card.
Getting it right away will make your trip much smoother and help you avoid stress later.
The best Airport/major station is huge – Please ask information desk or any other staffs “Where can I get WELCOME SUICA?”
*From March 27, 2025, Physical Welcome Suica will be sold at the following locations.
Where can I buy WELCOME SUICA (Official website)
2, At Major Station (in the city)
If you didn’t have time at the airport, you can also buy a Regular Suica or PASMO card from ticket machines at train stations.
Please note that these are regular IC cards used by locals, which require a ¥500 deposit, accept cash only, and are valid for 10 years with a refundable deposit.
- Welcome Suica is valid for 28 days and is non-refundable.
Please use up the remaining balance before leaving Japan.
(Regular Suica/PASMO cards are valid for up to 10 years)
How about child fare?
You can choose child fare when you purchase depends on kids age.
- 0-5years old (Pre-school kids) : Free (when accompanied by an adult)
Just pass through the ticket gate with parents.
*Except for bullet train seat usage - 6-11 years old (Elementary school kids) : Child fare (Half Price)
- 12 years and older : Adult fare
*JR Fares by Age (Link to “JR Tokai” official page )
*Fares According to Age (Link to “Tokyo Metro” official page )
*Need fare for special train like Shinkansen(Bullet train) or reserved bus/train for the seats.
For recharge?
You can recharge anytime at ticket vending machines at train/subway gate.
(Up to 20,000yen)
If I couldn’t get Suica/Pasmo ?
If you could not get them, you can buy ticket at train/subway gate every time.
Tokyo’s train/subway lines & fare are so complicated.
(JR map shows only their stations, Metro map does the same… No complete map exist so far. )
Please ask station staffs if you could not find the ticket fare.
Not only transportation but shopping
PASMO / SUICA can be also used for
・vending machines
・coin lockers
・convenience stores
・shops
・restaurants
・taxi
So useful in Japan.
FAQs
How many days can we use?
- Physical WELCOME SUICA is valid for28 days. (non-refundable)
- WELCOME SUICA mobile is valid for 180 days. (non-refundable)
- Regular SUICA, Pasmo is valid for 10years. (refundable) *but credit card valid date is important
Can we refunds?
If you bought Welcome Suica, No refunds are available.
So before leaving Japan, be sure to use the remaining balance at any stores or restaurants.
How about other 1day train pass?
Over 50 rail companies are exist in Tokyo area, they sells their original 1day pass, 3day, 7days pass which can be used only at their rail.
So I don’t think it’s good deal – I don’t recommend to buy those company-specific passes.
Can I use Suica in Osaka / Kyoto?
Yes!
Can I add money at convenience stores?
Yes.
You can recharge (top up) your IC card at most convenience stores in Japan, such as 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart.
Note: Physical IC cards can usually be recharged with cash only.
Can multiple people use one IC card?
No. Each person needs their own IC card. One card or one smartphone cannot be used for multiple people at the same time.
Summery
Tokyo’s train/subway lines’s maps & fares are so complicated as these are run by many different companies – If you don’t have Suica or Pasmo card, I’m afraid you would lose your valuable 5-10min every time at station in Tokyo.
With Pasmo/Suica, just a second to pass the train/subway gate.
That’s why we all Japanese have SUICA or PASMO.
Hope you will save time and enjoy Japan!!
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