Japan’s prepaid transit IC cards make trains, subways, buses, and small purchases easier. In Tokyo, the best-known cards are Suica and PASMO. For most visitors, however, there is very little practical difference between them.
Choose the type of card first. Then choose the card that is easiest to get where you arrive.
The short answer: choose by card type
| If this describes you | Best choice |
|---|---|
| You have a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch and do not want a physical card | Mobile Suica or Mobile PASMO |
| You will stay for 28 days or less and do not need a refund at the end | Welcome Suica or TOURIST PASMO |
| You will stay 29 days or longer, or want to refund your remaining balance and deposit | A regular Suica or PASMO |
| A child needs a card | A physical child’s card |
| You begin your trip in Osaka or Kyoto | Buy ICOCA or another card that is easy to get in that region |
If you buy a Suica in Tokyo and later travel to Osaka, you normally do not need to buy ICOCA as well. If your trip begins in Osaka or Kyoto, there is no need to search for a Suica—ICOCA is enough.
There is little practical difference between Suica and PASMO
Suica is issued by JR East. PASMO is issued mainly by Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, and private railway companies.
In Tokyo, both work on most JR lines, subways, private railways, and buses. They can also be used at convenience stores, vending machines, and other shops that accept transit IC payments.
The meaningful differences are mostly:
- where you can buy the card;
- where you can get a refund; and
- whether your phone supports its mobile version.
You do not need to choose Suica because you use JR, or PASMO because you use the subway. Buy the one that is easiest for you to obtain.
Where to buy regular and visitor cards
| Card | Main places to buy it in central Tokyo | Main airport sales points | Visitor conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Suica | Ticket machines and counters at JR East stations that handle Suica | JR East stations such as Narita Airport Station and Airport Terminal 2 Station | ¥500 deposit; refundable |
| Regular PASMO | Ticket machines and counters at stations run by PASMO operators, including Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, and private railways | Check availability at stations operated by PASMO companies | ¥500 deposit; refundable |
| Welcome Suica | JR EAST Travel Service Centers at Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ueno, and other selected stations; JAPAN RAIL CAFE TOKYO; TAKANAWA GATEWAY Travel Service Center | Narita Airport Station, Airport Terminal 2 Station, and Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station | Valid for 28 days, including the date of purchase; no refunds, including unused balance |
| TOURIST PASMO | No official sales points in central Tokyo | Designated counters and traveler ticket machines at Narita and Haneda airports | Valid for 28 days, including the date of purchase; no refunds, including unused balance |
You can buy Welcome Suica at selected JR East service centers in central Tokyo, including Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and Ueno. If you forget to buy one at the airport, you do not need to make a special trip to another airport terminal or a distant station just to get a card.
TOURIST PASMO, by contrast, is sold at Narita and Haneda airports. Plan to buy it before leaving the airport, because it has no official sales point in central Tokyo.
Sales locations and hours can change, so check the official website before your trip.
Mobile, visitor, and regular cards
Mobile Suica and Mobile PASMO
With a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch, you can issue and use a card in Apple Wallet. You tap your phone or watch at the gate, so you do not need a physical card.
Most Android phones bought outside Japan do not support Japanese transit IC functionality. International payment cards may also fail when you try to add money. If you need the card straight after arrival, test it with a small top-up first.
Welcome Suica and TOURIST PASMO
These are physical cards for short-term international visitors. There is no deposit and no return process before departure.
Both are valid for 28 days, including the date of purchase. Any remaining balance cannot be refunded, so avoid adding more money than you are likely to use and try to spend the balance before you leave Japan.
With Welcome Suica, keep the reference paper supplied with the card. It shows information such as the card’s validity period.
Regular Suica and PASMO
Regular cards require a ¥500 deposit when you buy them. When you no longer need the card, you can return it and receive the deposit and remaining balance. A ¥220 handling fee is normally deducted from the balance.
Return a Suica issued by JR East at a designated JR East station in the Suica area. Return a PASMO at a PASMO-area station or bus office; not every counter can process refunds.
Regular cards are a good fit if you will stay more than 28 days or expect to use the card again on a future trip to Japan.
Children need their own card
An adult card cannot be shared between a parent and child. If a child will use public transport, get a child’s Suica or PASMO so child fares are charged.
Age rules for visitor cards and mobile cards vary. For a trip with children, a physical child’s card purchased at an airport or station counter is the most reliable option.
Can you use Suica and PASMO outside Tokyo? What about the Shinkansen?
Suica and PASMO work in Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and other areas where participating transit systems accept Japan’s interoperable transit IC cards.
They do not work on every transport service in Japan. You may need a separate ticket or reservation for:
- local railways or buses that do not participate in the interoperability scheme;
- long journeys that cross IC card service areas;
- the Shinkansen, limited express trains, Green Cars, and other services with extra fares; and
- some highway and airport buses.
Do not assume that stored value alone is enough for a Shinkansen or limited express train. Depending on the service, you may need a base-fare ticket, a limited express ticket, a seat reservation, or registration for a dedicated service.
If you are unsure, buy the card that is easiest to get first
For most visitors, Suica versus PASMO is not the important decision.
Use a mobile card if your phone supports it. Choose Welcome Suica or TOURIST PASMO for a short visit, and a regular card for a longer stay. If you are choosing between regular Suica and PASMO, buy whichever one is easiest to get at your first station.