Suica, Pasmo, Icoca: Which Japan IC Card Do You Need?

If you landed in Japan in 2026 and walked up to a JR East ticket machine expecting to buy a regular Suica card, you hit a wall. Physical Suica and PASMO cards with the standard JPY 500 deposit have been suspended since mid-2023 due to a global semiconductor shortage — and that suspension has carried into 2026 with no confirmed end date. Tourists who did zero research beforehand are standing at airport machines looking confused while a queue builds behind them. This guide cuts through that confusion. It explains exactly which IC card you can get right now, how to get it before you even land, and how to use it from the airport gate to a convenience store in rural Kyushu.

What Is an IC Card and How Does It Actually Work?

IC stands for Integrated Circuit. An IC card is a rechargeable smart card — or a digital version stored on your phone — that lets you pay for train rides, subway trips, buses, taxis, and purchases at thousands of shops across Japan with a single tap. There is no need to calculate fares, feed coins into a machine, or queue for a paper ticket every time you want to move Around a city.

The system works like this: you load yen onto the card in advance, then tap in at the entry gate and tap out at the exit gate. The correct fare is calculated automatically based on the distance you travelled, and that amount is deducted from your balance. The same card taps against a reader at a convenience store counter or a vending machine, and the purchase amount comes off your balance instantly.

Japan has ten major IC cards in total: Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, TOICA, Kitaca, manaca, PiTaPa, SUGOCA, nimoca, and Hayakaken. The good news is that all ten are interoperable for transport. You can walk into Osaka with a Tokyo-issued Suica and tap through every Osaka Metro gate without a second thought. You can use an ICOCA in Sapporo. For tourists, this interoperability means you only need one card for your entire trip — you do not need to swap cards when moving between regions.

What the cards are not designed for: long-distance Shinkansen bullet train journeys. Those require a separate reserved ticket purchased through Smart EX, JR East Train Reservation, or at a station counter. IC cards cover commuter trains, subways, local JR lines, many buses, and everyday purchases. Think of them as your daily transport wallet, not your Shinkansen booking tool.

Suica — The Tourist Default and How to Get One in 2026

Suica is issued by JR East and is the card most tourists default to because it works everywhere in Japan and is deeply integrated with Japan’s biggest rail network. The small green penguin mascot on the card has become genuinely iconic.

The complication in 2026 is that regular physical Suica cards — the ones that previously required a JPY 500 refundable deposit — remain suspended due to ongoing chip shortages. If someone online is telling you to “just buy a Suica at the station machine,” that advice is out of date.

Welcome Suica: The Physical Tourist Card

The physical option for tourists is the Welcome Suica. Key facts:

• No JPY 500 deposit required
• Valid for 28 days from the date of purchase
• Available at JR EAST Travel Service Centers at Narita Airport (NRT) and Haneda Airport (HND)
• Cannot be refunded at the end of your trip — any remaining balance is forfeited when it expires
• Cannot be topped up via mobile apps
• Load money at ticket machines or convenience stores

There is also a Suica Light, valid for six months rather than 28 days, which suits long-stay visitors or people making repeat trips.

Mobile Suica: The Smarter Option

For anyone with an iPhone or a compatible Android phone, Mobile Suica is the better choice and the one most people in Japan itself use day-to-day. There is no physical card at all — the Suica lives in your phone’s wallet, taps against readers just like a physical card, and can be topped up anywhere you have an internet connection.

How to set it up:

1. Download the “Suica” app from the App Store or Google Play, or add Suica directly through Apple Wallet on an iPhone.
2. Create a Suica card within the app or wallet.
3. Add money using a credit card. Foreign-issued Mastercard, JCB, and American Express cards generally work without problems. Visa cards have historically caused friction, though this has been improving through 2025–2026.

The major advantage beyond convenience: if your phone runs out of battery, most iPhones retain enough reserve power to complete one or two tap-in/tap-out transactions. Android behaviour varies by model.

Official website: www.jreast.co.jp/suica/

PASMO — Tokyo’s Private Railway Card and Its Tourist Version

PASMO is issued by the private railways and subway operators in the Kanto region — Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, Keio, Odakyu, Tokyu, and others. If you are spending time on Tokyo’s private rail lines rather than just JR tracks, PASMO is the natural fit, although a Suica works on all those same private lines too. In daily practice, Suica and PASMO are functionally identical for a tourist in Tokyo.

Regular physical PASMO cards with a JPY 500 deposit are also suspended through 2026, matching the same semiconductor situation that hit Suica.

PASMO Passport: The Tourist Physical Card

The tourist-specific physical card is the PASMO Passport:

• No deposit required
• Valid for 28 days
• Available at select subway stations and at Tokyo’s main airports
• Like Welcome Suica, remaining balance is not refunded after expiry

Mobile PASMO

Mobile PASMO works on iOS (Apple Pay) and Android. Setup mirrors Mobile Suica — download the “PASMO” app or add via Apple Wallet, then load money using a compatible credit card. If you already have Mobile Suica on your phone, you do not need Mobile PASMO as well. They overlap almost completely for tourist purposes.

One scenario where PASMO specifically matters: if you are a long-term resident with a commuter pass on a private rail line. For tourists on a short trip, the distinction between Suica and PASMO is largely theoretical.

Official website: www.pasmo.co.jp/

ICOCA — The Kansai Card That Still Comes in Plastic

ICOCA is issued by JR West and is the dominant IC card in the Kansai region covering Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara. Unlike Suica and PASMO, regular physical ICOCA cards with a JPY 500 deposit are generally still available at JR West station ticket machines and ticket counters across the Kansai region. Chip supply issues have not hit ICOCA as hard, though availability can fluctuate and is not guaranteed everywhere.

There is no tourist-specific ICOCA card equivalent to Welcome Suica or PASMO Passport. You simply buy the standard card, pay the JPY 500 deposit, and reclaim it when you return the card at the end of your trip.

Mobile ICOCA

Mobile ICOCA exists for Android phones with Osaifu-Keitai (FeliCa NFC) support. As of 2026, iOS support has not been confirmed. If you have an iPhone and are starting your trip in Kansai, your practical options are: use a physical ICOCA, use Mobile Suica (which works perfectly on all Kansai transport), or use Mobile PASMO.

For Android users with a compatible device, Mobile ICOCA works well within the Kansai region. But given that Mobile Suica and Mobile PASMO both cover Kansai transport just as effectively, most tourists are better served sticking to whichever mobile card they already set up.

Official website: www.jr-odekake.net/icoca/

Which Card Should You Actually Get? A Decision Guide by Trip Type

Here is the practical breakdown. Stop overthinking the brand — all three cards work across Japan for transport. The real question is which format suits your device and your itinerary.

You Have an iPhone

Set up Mobile Suica or Mobile PASMO via Apple Wallet before you travel. Either works nationwide. Load money in advance. Done.

You Have a Compatible Android Phone (Osaifu-Keitai)

Set up Mobile Suica, Mobile PASMO, or Mobile ICOCA (if starting in Kansai). Check your phone’s spec sheet — Osaifu-Keitai is a hardware feature not present in all Android phones sold outside Japan.

You Have an Android Phone Without Osaifu-Keitai, or a Basic Phone

If arriving in Tokyo: get a Welcome Suica or PASMO Passport at the airport. If arriving in Osaka or Kyoto: get a physical ICOCA at a JR West ticket machine.

You Are Visiting Only Kansai

A physical ICOCA covers everything you need. If you have a compatible phone, Mobile Suica works equally well from the moment you land at Kansai International Airport (KIX).

You Are Doing a Full Japan Circuit (Tokyo + Kyoto/Osaka + Hiroshima or Beyond)

One card covers everything. Mobile Suica is the most flexible single option. You will tap in and out across every major rail network in the country with the same digital card.

Loading Money, Checking Balances, and Avoiding Zero-Balance Panic

Running out of money on your IC card mid-journey is one of those small disasters that derails an afternoon. The gate flashes red, you step back, the person behind you sighs. Here is how to avoid it.

Where to Top Up

• Ticket machines at any JR or subway station — multilingual interfaces, accepts cash and sometimes credit cards depending on the machine
• Convenience stores — 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson all have IC card charge counters; hand the card to the cashier and give them the amount you want loaded
• Mobile apps — for Mobile Suica and Mobile PASMO, top up directly from the app using a saved credit card, anywhere you have connectivity

How Much to Load

For a week in Tokyo with moderate movement, JPY 3,000 to JPY 5,000 is a reasonable starting load. A standard subway or JR commuter trip costs roughly JPY 180–300. Add in occasional purchases at convenience stores and vending machines, and JPY 5,000 lasts most tourists two to four days of active sightseeing before needing a top-up.

Checking Your Balance

Physical card users can check the balance on any ticket machine, or at the IC card reader near station exits (the small standalone reader that shows your remaining balance when you tap). Mobile card users see the balance in real time inside their app or wallet.

What Happens at a Gate If Your Balance Is Too Low

The gate rejects you and shows a red indicator. You need to use the “Fare Adjustment” machine (精算機, seisanki) near the exit gates. Insert your card, pay the difference in cash or by adding to the card, then pass through. Station staff are accustomed to helping tourists with this — it is not a penalty situation, just a top-up requirement.

Using IC Cards Beyond the Train Gate

One of the underrated pleasures of having a loaded Suica or ICOCA is the way it extends beyond transport. The tap-to-pay functionality works at a surprisingly wide range of places, and it is considerably faster than pulling out cash or a credit card.

Convenience Stores

Every 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson accepts IC cards. This covers hot food, coffee, snacks, toiletries, and drinks. The checkout process is nearly silent — you tap the reader on the counter, the amount is deducted, and you are done in under three seconds. The sound of a successful tap — a short, clean electronic tone — becomes oddly satisfying after a few days in Japan.

Vending Machines

Most vending machines in train stations and shopping areas have an IC card reader. A chilled green tea or canned coffee costs around JPY 130–160, and you tap rather than fumbling for coins.

Taxis

An increasing number of Tokyo and Osaka taxis accept IC cards — look for the IC logo sticker on the window or the payment terminal. This is useful for late-night rides when you have burned through your small change. The Go and JapanTaxi apps also handle payment digitally, so you can bypass cash entirely for hailing.

Some Restaurants and Cafes

Chain restaurants like Yoshinoya, Matsuya, and many ramen shops in train station buildings accept IC cards. Smaller independent restaurants, especially traditional ones and rural spots, typically do not — cash remains essential in those situations.

Coin Lockers

Station coin lockers in major JR and metro stations often accept IC card payment instead of coins. This is genuinely useful when you are carrying a heavy bag and need quick, contactless locker access.

2026 Budget Reality — What IC Card Transit Actually Costs

Japan’s public transport is efficient and generally good value compared to European or Australian equivalents, but costs add up quickly in a city like Tokyo if you are moving around all day.

Tokyo Subway and JR Commuter Lines

• Single subway ride (Tokyo Metro / Toei): approximately JPY 180–320 depending on distance
• Yamanote Line loop (any single journey): approximately JPY 150–210
• Airport Narita Express (N’EX) Tokyo to Shinjuku: approximately JPY 3,070 one way
• Keikyu Line HND to Shinagawa: approximately JPY 300–400

Tourist Day Pass Options (Budget vs. Value)

• Tokyo Subway Ticket (24-hour): JPY 800 — covers unlimited Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway rides; available at airports on presentation of a foreign passport
• Tokyo Subway Ticket (48-hour): JPY 1,200
• Tokyo Subway Ticket (72-hour): JPY 1,500
• Osaka Amazing Pass (1 day): includes unlimited Osaka Metro and bus rides plus free admission to numerous Osaka attractions

Tier Summary for a Week in Tokyo

• Budget traveller (staying in one or two neighbourhoods, minimal movement): JPY 1,500–2,500 total on IC card transit for the week
• Mid-range traveller (daily sightseeing across multiple districts): JPY 4,000–7,000 for the week
• Comfortable traveller (mixing trains with occasional taxis and airport transfers): JPY 8,000–15,000 for the week including airport links

Shinkansen Perspective

For context, a single Tokyo to Osaka Shinkansen journey on the Nozomi in a reserved ordinary seat runs approximately JPY 14,000–15,000. This is a separate ticket purchase, not covered by an IC card balance. The Japan Rail Pass remains an option for multi-city circuits, but following the October 2023 price increase it requires careful calculation to confirm it saves money over individual tickets for your specific itinerary. An additional surcharge is now required to ride Nozomi and Mizuho services even with a JR Pass.

Common Mistakes Tourists Make With IC Cards

These are the errors that actually cause problems on the ground — not hypothetical edge cases, but things that happen regularly at station gates and counters.

Trying to Buy a Regular Suica or PASMO Card

Regular deposit-based Suica and PASMO physical cards are not sold as of 2026. Do not waste time at ticket machines hunting for this option. Go straight to Welcome Suica or set up Mobile Suica before arrival.

Letting the 28-Day Welcome Suica or PASMO Passport Expire With Money On It

Unlike a regular deposit card, tourist cards do not offer a refund process for remaining balance. Load conservative amounts at a time — top up more frequently rather than loading a large amount upfront — so you are not forfeiting JPY 1,000 or more at the end of your trip.

Trying to Use an IC Card for Shinkansen Long-Distance Travel

IC card balances do not pay for reserved Shinkansen seats. You need a separate ticket from Smart EX, JR East Train Reservation, a station ticket machine, or the Midori-no-Madoguchi counter.

Tapping in and Not Tapping Out

The system requires both a tap-in and a tap-out. If you forget to tap out at your destination, the gate holds a maximum exit fare and your card may be flagged. Sort it at the station’s fare adjustment machine or with staff before leaving.

Assuming All Tokyo Metro Gates Accept Suica Without Checking

They do. Suica, PASMO, and ICOCA all work at Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, JR East, and private rail gates. There is no need to check compatibility at each gate — the interoperability across all ten major IC cards is consistent.

Not Knowing That IC Cards Work on Many Buses

Local city buses in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and other major cities accept IC cards. In Kyoto, tapping your Suica on the bus reader is standard — the city’s bus network is a primary way to reach temples and shrines that trains do not reach. Cycling is also excellent in Kyoto, with rental shops near major stations charging JPY 1,000–1,500 per day for a standard bicycle and slightly more for electric-assist models, but for rainy days the bus network with IC card payment is the backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Suica card in Osaka and Kyoto?

Yes. All ten major Japan IC cards, including Suica, PASMO, and ICOCA, are interoperable across the national transport network. You can tap through Osaka Metro gates, Kyoto city buses, and JR West commuter trains using a Suica loaded in Tokyo. There is no penalty or surcharge for using one region’s card in another.

Can I buy a physical Suica card in 2026?

Standard deposit-based physical Suica cards have been suspended since mid-2023 and that suspension continues in 2026. Tourists can get a Welcome Suica (no deposit, 28-day validity) at JR EAST Travel Service Centers at Narita and Haneda airports. The easier alternative for smartphone users is Mobile Suica via Apple Wallet or the Suica app.

Do IC cards work on Shinkansen bullet trains?

IC card balances cover local and commuter train rides but do not pay for long-distance Shinkansen journeys. Shinkansen travel requires a separate reserved ticket purchased through Smart EX, JR East Train Reservation, or at a station counter. Some booking platforms do link to your IC card for gate entry, but the fare is charged to your booking account, not your card balance.

What happens to the money left on my Welcome Suica when it expires?

Unlike standard deposit cards, the Welcome Suica and PASMO Passport are non-refundable. The remaining balance is forfeited when the 28-day validity period ends. To minimise losses, top up in smaller amounts throughout your trip rather than loading a large sum upfront at the airport when you first arrive.

Is an IC card better than buying individual paper tickets each time?

Significantly better for daily use. Individual paper tickets require you to check the fare map, find the correct amount, and queue at the machine before every journey. With an IC card, you tap in and tap out and the correct fare is deducted automatically. You also pay a slightly lower per-trip fare on IC card compared to paper tickets on some lines, making it both faster and marginally cheaper for frequent travel.

---

📷 Featured image by Jaden William on Unsplash.