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Suica & Pasmo IC Cards: Save Time and Money in Japan
IC cards like Suica and Pasmo make getting around Japan effortless. Here's how to get one, load it, and use it everywhere.
An IC card (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA) is the single most useful thing you'll get in Japan. Tap to ride trains, tap to buy from vending machines, tap to pay at convenience stores. No fumbling with coins, no figuring out ticket machines. Just tap and go.
Use our Japan Trip Cost Calculator to estimate your transport costs.
Suica vs Pasmo vs ICOCA — Which One?
It doesn't matter. They all work identically everywhere in Japan. The only difference is which company issues them:
- Suica: JR East (Tokyo area). The most well-known.
- Pasmo: Tokyo Metro and private railways.
- ICOCA: JR West (Osaka/Kyoto area).
Pick whichever is easiest to get when you arrive. They're all interchangeable nationwide.
How to Get One
Physical Card (if available)
Due to a global chip shortage, physical Suica/Pasmo cards have been limited since 2023. Check availability at airport JR ticket offices (Narita/Haneda) or major stations. Cost: ¥500 deposit + whatever you load.
Mobile IC Card (Recommended)
The easiest option in 2026: add a Suica or Pasmo to your iPhone's Apple Wallet or Android's Google Wallet. No deposit needed, instant setup, and you can reload anytime from your phone. This is what most travelers use now.
Where You Can Use It
- All trains and subways — JR, Metro, private lines, monorails
- Buses — city buses across Japan
- Convenience stores — 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart
- Vending machines — most accept IC cards
- Some restaurants and shops — look for the IC card symbol
- Coin lockers — at train stations
- Taxis — many accept IC payment
How Much to Load
For a typical week in Tokyo:
- Transport only: ¥5,000-8,000 ($35-55)
- Transport + small purchases: ¥10,000-15,000 ($70-105)
You can reload at any station ticket machine, convenience store, or on your phone. Maximum balance is ¥20,000.
Why IC Cards Save You Money
IC cards charge the exact fare (calculated to the yen), while paper tickets round up to the nearest ¥10. Over a week of heavy train use, you'll save a few hundred yen — not huge, but the convenience alone is worth it.
More importantly, you'll save time. No standing at ticket machines trying to figure out the fare map for each journey. Just tap in, tap out.
💳 Calculate Your Transport Budget
IC cards, bullet trains, day passes — get the full picture.
Try the Calculator →Planning intercity travel? Read our Tokyo to Kyoto bullet train guide and JR Pass guide.