Ultimate FAQ Guide to IC Cards in Japan
Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA? What's the difference?
There is no one single type of IC Card, instead different companies issue their own branded IC Cards. So what's on the inside is the same, is just the exterior design that is different. JR East issues Suica cards, Tokyo Metro issues Pasmo cards, JR West issues Icoca cards, and so on, but all of them function in the exact same way. There is no difference between which card you get, and you can use them throughout the country.
List of Questions
Q: So what are all the different types of IC Card available?Q: Are there really no differences between all the IC Cards?Q: So can I use my IC Card on all buses and trains in Japan?Q: So can I use my IC Card to buy things at any shop?Q: Is there a way I can use IC Cards on Apple Pay?Q: Can I use the Suica app in English?Q: Is there a way I can use IC Cards on Google Pay/Android?Q: Where can I buy a Suica/Pasmo or IC Card?Q: How much does a Suica/Pasmo or IC Card cost?Q: Can I refund my Suica/Pasmo or IC Card?Q: How long is my Suica/Pasmo or IC Card valid for?Q: Should I get the Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport Cards?Q: I read that Suica/Pasmo cards have stopped being sold since June 2023? Is this true?Q: Does my child need a Suica/Pasmo or IC Card too?
Q: So what are all the different types of IC Card available?
A: There are around 9 major IC Cards available throughout Japan, each issued by a different company.
These include:
- JR
- JR East (Kanto, Tohoku): Suica
- JR Central (Chubu): TOICA
- JR West (Kansai, Chugoku): Icoca
- JR Kyushu (Kyushu): Sugoca
- JR Hokkaido (Hokkaido): Kitaca
- Local Railway Companies
- Tokyo Area (e.g. Tokyo Metro): Pasmo
- Nagoya Area (e.g. Meitetsu): manaca
- Fukuoka Area (e.g. Fukuoka City Subway): Hayakaken
- Kyushu Area (e.g. Nishitetsu): nimoca
All of the major operators are part of the IC Card system and are interchangeable, and can be used throughout Japan.
Note that there are still some small local operators in rural parts of Japan that might use their own cards that are not considered part of the IC Card system.
One special exception is that IC Cards work on Osaka Metro's PiTaPa sytem. But foreign tourists cannot purchase the actual PiTaPa card due to it requiring a Japanese bank account. If you are in Osaka, get an ICOCA card instead.
(Image Credit: JR East)
Q: Are there really no differences between all the IC Cards?
A: In terms of everyday functionality, there is no difference between any of the IC Cards.
The only 1% difference would be for the administrative matters of the card. These are:
- Where to buy: You can only buy the card from the operator that issues it
- Where to exchange or refund: You can only exchange or refund the card from the operator that issues it
- Apple Pay: Only Suica, Pasmo, and ICOCA can be added to Apple Pay
- Refund Policy: Each IC Card has its own refund policy depending on operator. For example, Suica and ICOCA have a ¥220 refund processing fee, while Pasmo does not have any fees.
- For Japanese residents, each operator only issues commuter passes for their own IC Card (so JR East passes require a Suica, and Tokyo Metro passes require a Pasmo)
In general if you are using it to travel around Japan, and planning to keep the card, there are no differences between them.
Q: So can I use my IC Card on all buses and trains in Japan?
A: Yes, almost all trains in major urban areas will accept IC Cards. For buses, major bus companies in urban areas typically do accept IC Cards, unless they are cash-only operators.
Some of the major exceptions where you cannot use an IC Card include:
Shinkansen: IC Cards cannot be used as usal for the shinkansen (新幹線, Bullet train). You will usually need to purchase an additional ticket. Alternatively, there are ways to link your IC Card with a credit card for use on the shinkansen, but it is too complicated for the average tourist.
- Highway Buses: Typically you would buy the ticket for these online in advance.
- Cash-only Operators: Some local operators in the more rural parts of Japan take only cash. Buses would require to pay in cash, while trains would usually require you to buy a paper ticket first with cash.
- Local Card Operators: There are still a few small operators in rural Japan that use cards that don't work together with the nationwide IC Card system. For Limited Express trains, you would typically require an additional Limited Express ticket to ride it, on top of the fare you pay with your IC Card. Typically, you can find a machine selling those tickets at the platform, which you can also usually use an IC Card to pay for them. For the majority of tourists, this isn't a scenario that you would usually encounter. But if you are travelling long-distance or between cities, there is a chance that you may end up travelling from an IC Card supported zone, to/or through a zone that doesn't support IC Cards (typically the more rural areas). In such a case, you can typically inform the station staff about it, and they will help you with it, typically requiring you to pay your fare in cash. There are usually very large signs indicating that an area doesn't support IC Cards if you happen to end up in one. By and large, all major urban areas in Japan will accept IC Cards.
Q: So can I use my IC Card to buy things at any shop?
A: Not really. We would say that maybe only 30% of shops accept IC Cards as a payment option. Most shops still prefer credit cards or cash. It is best to not rely on IC Cards as your primary payment option.
The shops that are most likely to accept IC Cards for payments are:
- Convenience Stores
- Vending Machines in stations
- Restaurants and Shops in major stations
If you see the logos for IC Card payment at the cashier, then just tell them “Suica De” (スイカで lit. by Suica). Technically the correct term for IC Cards would be “Koutsu IC Kado De” (交通ICカードで lit. by transportation IC Card), but Suica is generally well-known across Japan and is easier to say and recognized by staff.
Do note that Osaka Metro's PiTaPa card is not part of the IC Card system, and you cannot use an IC Card for PiTaPa payments at shops.
Q: Is there a way I can use IC Cards on Apple Pay?
A: Yes. You can get a digital Suica, Pasmo, or Icoca card on Apple Pay for iPhones and Apple Watch. Any iPhone 8 or later, and Apple Watch Series 3 or later can get a virtual IC Card. These cards can be created internationally and issued via your iPhone or Apple Watch, and can also be topped up via Apple Pay.
Do note that purchasing and topping up your digital IC Card can be a bit finicky at times, as its designed more for the local Japanese market rather than for international cards.
Some of the tips to get it working include:
- Try to use a Mastercard or American Express card as opposed to Visa cards. Those tend to be more widely accepted.
- You cannot purchase or top-up IC Cards between 1am and 4am JST due to system maintenance
- Sometimes a card might fail for a digital Suica, but work for a digital Pasmo. So if you are having difficulty, you can try different cards.
Besides Apple Pay, you can also top-up your digital IC Card at 7/11 ATMs and Lawson ATMs with cash in Japan. Most ticketing machines only allow top-ups for physical cards, so it is more reliable to go to any 7/11 or Lawson to perform a cash top-up.
Here are the steps to set up a digital IC Card:
- Open the Wallet app
- Tap the
- icon
- Tap Transit Card
- Select Suica or Pasmo
- Choose Continue for a new IC Card, or Transfer Existing Card to import your physical card into Apple Pay.
If you are transferring your physical IC Card to a digital version, this process cannot be reversed. Your ¥500 deposit for the physical card should also be automatically added to your digital balance.
Q: Can I use the Suica app in English?
A: No. The Suica app is only offered in Japanese. If you are on an iPhone, you don't need the Suica app to manage your Mobile Suica card. Using the default Wallet app for Apple Pay, you can add a new Suica card or convert an existing physical Suica card. You can also top it up via Apple Pay. So for most foreigners, you will not need to use the Suica app.
Q: Is there a way I can use IC Cards on Google Pay/Android?
A: No. Only Android phones bought in Japan support digital Suica, Pasmo, or Icoca cards. The IC Card system runs on a form of contactless payment called FeliCa that is used mainly in Japan. iPhones include a special hardware chip for Felica, but Android phones outside of Japan do not. That is why any iPhone can use digital IC Cards, but Android phones are unable to. There is no way to bypass this problem as the Android phones lack the hardware to do so.
Q: Where can I buy a Suica/Pasmo or IC Card?
A: Generally, all automated ticket vending machines for operators that use IC Cards will also sell IC Cards. Basically, all JR East ticketing machines will sell the Suica card, and all Tokyo Metro ticketing machines will sell the Pasmo card. This applies for most operators in Japan. Some operators give you the option of adding on your own name to the card, the main benefit of this is that you can get the balance of your card back if you lose it.
(As on February 2024) Do note that there are some restrictions on Suica and Pasmo sales due to the global chip shortage. You can see this question for more info.
Q: How much does a Suica/Pasmo or IC Card cost?
A: Most operators will require you to purchase an IC Card for ¥1,000, with ¥500 being the deposit for the card, and ¥500 being the usable balance in the card. In other words, you don't actually have to pay any money to buy the IC Card. Part of it goes into a refundable deposit, and the other part is money that you can spend.
Q: Can I refund my Suica/Pasmo or IC Card?
A: Yes, you can typically get a refund of your IC Card from the same company that issues it. For example, you can go to JR East to get a refund for your Suica, or to Tokyo Metro to get a refund for your Pasmo. Do note that typically only large stations with ticketing offices offer this service, and you should check in advance which stations allow you to refund your card.
Your deposit of ¥500, as well as any balance in the card will be refunded to you. However, most operators will also charge you an admin fee for the refund. For example, JR East deducts ¥220 from your balance (not your deposit) to process the refund, which means if you have a balance of ¥0 in your card, you will still get the full ¥500 deposit back. For Pasmo, no admin fees are charged, and you can get the full amount back.
If you have converted your physical IC Card to a digital one, the ¥500 deposit should have been added to your balance. You cannot refund the card balance from a digital IC Card as a Japanese bank account is required.
Q: How long is my Suica/Pasmo or IC Card valid for?
A: 10 years from the date of last use. For example, if I bought a Suica in 2010, and then used it again in 2018, it would only expire if I do not use it before 2028. Depending on the operator, the policy for expired cards might be different. For JR East's Suica, the balance of expired Suica cards can be transferred to a new card, or the expired card could be refunded to you. There is thus very little reason why you should not keep your IC Card for the long term.
Q: Should I get the Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport Cards?
A: The only reason you should get the Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport IC Cards is if you like the design, and want to keep it as a souvenir. Unlike regular IC Cards, the Welcome Suica and Pasmo Passport cards are special short-term temporary IC Cards that only work for 28 days. The main benefit is that they typically don't come with a deposit requirement, and have a unique design: Red for the Welcome Suica, and Hello Kitty characters for the Pasmo Passport. The drawbacks are that they card are a one-time use product, and if you plan to come to Japan more than once, there is really no reason to get these cards.
Q: I read that Suica/Pasmo cards have stopped being sold since June 2023? Is this true?
A: Yes, due to the semiconductor shortage, sales of Suica and Pasmo cards have been stopped. This primarily affects those coming in via Tokyo. For those coming in by other parts of Japan, the other regions are still selling their IC Cards as per usual.
As of February 2024, JR East Travel Service Centers in Shinagawa (nearest to Haneda Airport), Ueno (nearest to Narita Airport by Keisei), Tokyo (nearest to Narita Airport by Narita Express and Airport Bus), Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro have Suica cards on sale. There is also a limit of one Suica card per person.
The alternative is to use the digital Suica or Pasmo cards if you have an iPhone or Apple Watch. There is also the above mentioned Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport that are on sale at Narita Airport and Haneda Airport (while stocks last).
Q: Does my child need a Suica/Pasmo or IC Card too?
A: It really depends on whether or not you want to buy a physical ticket for your child on every ride. If you're going to use an IC Card, it doesn't make much sense to still have to buy tickets for your child.
To be clear, most of Japan does offer a Child fare (for those under the age of 12), and an adult fare. At the ticketing machine, you can simply choose "Child" (子供, kodomo) when buying your ticket to get the child fare. For an IC card, you will need to purchase a "Child" IC Card in order to qualify for "Child" Fares.
In general, the process would require you to go down to a major ticketing counter for the operator of the IC Card. For example, for Suica, you would go to JR East's Ticket Office (みどりの窓口, Midori no Madoguchi) to buy the Child IC Card. What they would require from you is typically your passport to verify the age of your child. Children can use the card up to the age of 12 (and more precisely, it is up to the first March 31st after their 12th birthday).
The Child IC Card cannot be used on Mobile Suica (Apple Pay), as it does not allow for Child fares. However, once your child is past the age of 12, and pays adult fares, you can add that card to Apple Pay. Basically, Apple Pay only supports Adult fares and Adult Suica cards.
An alternative is to get a Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport that have a child version available. These can sometimes be purchased directly from a machine without having to go down to a ticket office. Do note that you can only use these up till the first March 31st after the child's 12th birthday, and a penalty might be imposed if it is found that this was violated. You will still need to provide a proof of identity for your child when you purchase it.
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