Tradition
Suica, Pasmo and IC Cards in Japan: What Tourists Actually Need
A plain-English guide to Japan's tap-to-ride IC cards: how Suica, Pasmo and ICOCA relate to each other, why Welcome Suica Mobile is the easiest option for iPhone users, and what happens to your leftover balance.
Japan's trains, subways and buses can all be paid for with a single tap, and you almost never need to buy individual tickets or work out fares in advance. The tool that makes this possible is the IC card, a rechargeable prepaid card that also works at convenience stores and many vending machines.
The confusing part is the names. Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA and others all exist, and visitors often wonder which one to get. This guide explains how they relate and which option fits which traveler, using the operators' own published rules.
Table of Contents
What an IC card is
An IC card is a prepaid smart card. You load money onto it, tap it on the gate when you enter and leave a station, and the fare is deducted automatically. The same card pays for buses, and it is accepted at many convenience stores, vending machines and coin lockers that display the IC logo.
For a visitor, the main benefit is not saving money. It is removing friction. You never have to look up a fare, buy a ticket for each ride, or work out which zone you are in.
Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA: are they different?
They are issued by different railway companies, but for a tourist they behave almost identically. Suica is issued by JR East in the Tokyo area, Pasmo by Tokyo’s private railways and subways, and ICOCA by JR West around Osaka and Kyoto. JR East describes Suica as usable anywhere in Japan that displays the IC logo, so a card from one region works in another.
The practical takeaway: pick whichever is easiest for you to obtain, and do not worry about matching it to the city you are visiting.
Your three realistic options
1. Welcome Suica Mobile (iPhone and Apple Watch). Launched for overseas visitors, this app lets you issue and top up a Suica on your phone. According to JR East’s rules for the app:
- There is no deposit.
- The card is valid for 180 days from issuance.
- Balances expire with the card and cannot be refunded.
- You top up with a credit card registered in Apple Pay, and the card must be in your own name.
It works on the operating systems JR East lists, iOS and watchOS. If you have a compatible iPhone, this removes the airport queue entirely.
2. A physical Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport. These cards are designed for short stays. JR East lists Welcome Suica as valid for 28 days from purchase with no deposit, and unused balances are not refundable. You usually buy them at major airports or large stations, and lines can be long right after a big international arrival.
3. A standard IC card. A regular card does not expire as quickly, but it normally includes a refundable deposit. It is more useful if you plan to return to Japan.
Tips that save money and hassle
- Top up in small amounts. Since leftover balance on tourist cards usually cannot be refunded, load roughly what you expect to spend and add more later.
- Check your device first. If you rely on Android, plan on a physical card.
- Keep some cash anyway. An IC card does not replace cash everywhere, especially in small restaurants and rural areas.
- Do not confuse it with a rail pass. An IC card pays per ride. A rail pass is a separate product with its own rules, and which one saves money depends entirely on your route.
The bottom line
If you have an iPhone, set up Welcome Suica Mobile before you fly. If you do not, buy a physical tourist card at the airport and treat it as a convenience, not a discount. Either way, one card covers most of the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a different IC card for each city?
No. Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA and the other regional cards are largely interchangeable. A card bought in Tokyo generally works on trains and buses in other cities that show the IC logo, so one card is enough for most trips.
Is Welcome Suica Mobile available on Android?
The Welcome Suica Mobile app is built for iOS and Apple Watch. JR East's published rules list only iOS and watchOS, so Android users should look at a physical card instead.
Do I get my money back if there is a balance left?
Not with the tourist versions. JR East's rules for Welcome Suica Mobile state that expired balances cannot be refunded, so top up in small amounts rather than loading a large sum at once.
Can I use an IC card for the Shinkansen?
JR East says the Welcome Suica Mobile app can be used to board non-reserved seats on Shinkansen trains within the JR East area. For reserved seats or other regions, check the operator's current rules first.
Written by a native of Japan
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