IC Cards (Suica, PASMO, etc.)

Transit IC cards are the most convenient way to pay for travel in Japan. However, the claim that "one card works everywhere in Japan" is no longer entirely accurate since 2024. It is important to understand the coverage areas and certain exceptions before you travel.

What is a Transit IC Card?

A transit IC card is a prepaid card that you "charge" (add money to) in advance. You simply tap the card on a reader at ticket gates or at store registers to pay. This allows you to move in and out of stations without buying individual tickets, and fares are calculated automatically.

The nationwide mutual usage service includes the following 10 cards: Kitaca, PASMO, Suica, manaca, TOICA, PiTaPa, ICOCA, Hayakaken, nimoca, and SUGOCA. If you have one of these, you can use it for trains and buses within the participating areas.

These cards are not just for transportation. You can use them as electronic money at convenience stores, vending machines, and many major retail chains. You can also check and print your balance and transaction history using the card itself.

Where to Buy a Card

Card Shortages Have Been Resolved

The suspension of sales due to IC chip shortages has ended. Here is the timeline of events:

The reason given for the resumption was announced as "a plan for procuring cards has been settled, and continued supply is now expected." As of August 2026, both registered and unregistered cards are available for purchase. If you see articles stating "Suica is currently unavailable," that information is over a year old.

Sales locations vary by provider. Note that PASMO in particular is handled differently depending on the railway or bus company, so please check the guidance of the operator you are using.

Cards for International Visitors

The PASMO PASSPORT has ended (the notice states that it "sold out due to its popularity"). As its successor, TOURIST PASMO has been available since May 2026 at limited counters in Haneda and Narita airports.

If you lose the card, it cannot be reissued. Since these can only be purchased at Haneda or Narita, if you are entering Japan through other airports (like Kansai), you will need to purchase a standard transit IC card.

JR East's Welcome Suica is also available (as of the February 2025 announcement). Since terms regarding validity and refunds can change, please check the official JR East website before purchasing.

• Welcome Suica (JR East)
• TOURIST PASMO

The Welcome Suica Mobile app was launched on March 6, 2025, exclusively for iPhone and Apple Watch (it is not compatible with Android). Unused balances will expire at the end of the validity period and cannot be refunded.

Where to Use Your Card

You can use your card for the following:

• Trains, subways, and buses within the nationwide mutual usage areas.
• Stores that display the transit electronic money symbol (convenience stores, vending machines, station kiosks, etc.).
• Checking and printing your balance and transaction history.

Common Pitfalls

Other exceptions to keep in mind:

• PiTaPa is not part of the nationwide mutual usage electronic money system (it is for transportation only).
• Kanto Railway only accepts PASMO and Suica; the other 8 types will not work.
• Auto-charge functions are limited to the PASMO area and specific Suica areas (Tokyo Metropolitan, Sendai, Niigata, Aomori, Morioka, and Akita).
• Refunds and reissuance for lost cards must be handled by the issuing provider in their specific region. For example, you cannot get a Suica refund in Osaka.

Not "Everywhere in Japan"

On November 15, 2024, five railway and bus companies in Kumamoto stopped accepting nationwide transit IC cards. The reason was reported to be that updating the equipment would cost around 1.2 billion yen. This marked the first time a provider has left the nationwide mutual usage framework. These five companies have been introducing credit card touch payments since around March 2025, and the local "Kumamon IC Card" is also in use.

When traveling to more remote or regional areas, it is wise to check which payment methods are supported in advance.

Recharging and Maximum Balance

Recharging is done with cash at station ticket machines, recharge stations, or on buses.

You can also recharge at the registers of some convenience stores. Hand the card to the clerk, say "charge," and tell them the amount you wish to add. Payment is cash only, and not all stores offer this service, so check the notice displayed in the store.

The maximum balance is 20,000 yen. You cannot charge the card beyond this limit. For TOURIST PASMO, recharging on a bus is limited to 1,000 yen bills, and the transaction will be rejected if the resulting balance would be 10,001 yen or more.

If you use Suica via Apple Wallet, you can recharge using a card registered to Apple Pay. However, JR East's FAQ for Apple Pay only states "Credit cards (with some exceptions)" and does not list specific brands. Since it is not publicly stated whether cards issued overseas can be used, always ensure you have a way to recharge with cash.

What to Do with Remaining Balance

Handling of remaining funds depends on the type of card:

• Standard Suica/PASMO: You can request a refund at the service counters of the issuing provider. Check their specific rules regarding fees and deposits.
• TOURIST PASMO: No refunds are provided. Any remaining balance will not be returned, so either use it all up or take the card home with you.
• Welcome Suica Mobile: Unused balances cannot be refunded and will expire once the validity period ends.

• Suica Usage Guide (JR East)
• PASMO Refunds

Upcoming Changes

A new code payment service called "teppay" has been announced for Suica and PASMO. As of August 2026, this service has not yet launched. Mobile Suica is scheduled to start in the fall of 2026, and Mobile PASMO in the spring of 2027, with specific dates to be announced.

With teppay, users will be able to make payments exceeding the 20,000 yen balance limit via code payment. Users will also be able to send balances to each other between Mobile Suica and Mobile PASMO users. However, you cannot transfer the actual transit IC balance itself, nor can you withdraw teppay balances into cash or bank accounts. Transit fares will continue to be deducted from your standard transit IC balance.

A Travel Essential

For information on etiquette in stations and vehicles, please see Japanese Public Manners. For emergency contact information, see In Case of Emergency.