Please get “Train Rail Pass (SUICA or PASMO or ICOCA)” – First thing you should do in Japan

[ UPDATED INFO as of 2025 Jan ]

Sales of personalized Suica and PASMO cards, which had been suspended due to a semiconductor shortage,
resumed at major stations like Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station.

If this is your first time to come Japan, one of the most important items are SUICA or PASMO card.
(or ICOCA in West area )

Without knowing it, many of my clients were struggling at train/subway ticket gate in Tokyo – so I want everyone know before entering central Tokyo.

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.

I can say no Japanese people exist who don’t have SUICA/PASMO/ICOCA in Metropolitan area.

What’s the deference?

The function is all same. It’s just issued company difference.

SUICA : Issued by JR EAST(Japan Railway EAST ), which is the biggest train company’s group in Japan.
PASMO : Issued by company PASMO Co., which is composed by several subway & bus companies.
ICOCA : Issued by JR WEST (Japan Railway WEST ), sold in the west of Japan – includes Kyoto and Osaka.

Private guide in Tokyo

How can tourists get it?

For tourist, those are available.

1, Download Mobile Suica (or PASMO) in your Cellphone or smart watch

Mobile Suica URL : https://www.jreast.co.jp/mobilesuica/
Mobile PASMO URL : https://www.pasmo.co.jp/mp/

Best to download & set up on your smartphone.
But some of my clients smartphone couldn’t use the App somehow. (Android ? )
So in case you could not set it up, let’s buy actual card at airport. (↓go to no.2)

2, Get WELCOME SUICA at the airport or major station (actual card)

Once you landed in Japan, Please get “WELCOME SUICA” at Narita airport or Haneda airport.

IF you could not, it is currently available at JR East Travel Service Centers of Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station, Shibuya Station, Shinjuku Station, Ikebukuro Station, Ueno Station.

3, If you or your friends have it at home by any chance, bring it to Japan (actual card)

If your friends/relatives who had been to Japan before, try ask them if they still keep those IC card at home.

The IC card is rechargeable, and 10 years available.

*For who are visiting after 2025 Spring

New APP “Welcome Suica Mobile” will be released for visitors.
Let’s use it if you are visiting in 2025!

Where can I get WELCOME SUICA?

Currently, at the AIRPORT & several major stations.

Airport/major station is huge – Please ask information desk or any other staffs “Where can I get WELCOME SUICA?”

Where to buy WELCOME SUICA
(Link to official website)
WELCOME SUICA (Official website)

*PASMO PASSPORT is no longer available as of June 25, 2024!
FYI: PASMO PASSPORT (Official press release )

Not only transportation but shopping

PASMO / SUICA can be also used for vending machines, coin lockers, convenience stores, shops, and restaurants.
So useful in Japan.

How about child fare?

You can choose child fare when you purchase depends on kids age.

0-6years old (Pre-school kids) : No charge for public transportation (train/subway/bus).
Just pass through the ticket gate with parents.
*Except for bullet train seat usage
6-12 years old (Elementary school kids) : Half Price
13 years and older : Same as adult

*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 it ?

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.

How many days can we use?

Both WELCOME SUICA is valid for 28 days, including the date of purchase.

Can we refunds?

No refunds are available, regardless of the validity period status or balance loaded on your card.
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 selfish ticket.

Summery

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.

Tokyo’s train/subway lines’s maps & fares are so complicated as these are run by many different companies – That’s why we all Japanese have SUICA or PASMO.

Hope you will utilize it passing train gate in a second!!