Suica, PASMO or ICOCA? Choosing an IC card for Japan
You do not need to buy a different Suica, PASMO or ICOCA for every trip. They work much the same way on participating trains, buses and in shops. Start with a card that is easy to buy where you arrive, then compare validity and refund conditions.
Arrival points, length of stay and card types
| Card | Where to buy, validity and refunds |
|---|---|
| Regular Suica, PASMO or ICOCA | Suica is sold by JR East, PASMO by participating private railways and subway operators, and ICOCA at JR West sales points. These are separate from 28-day visitor cards. Refunds are subject to the issuing operator’s counters, fees and conditions. |
| Welcome Suica (physical card) | Available at JR stations at Narita Airport, the Tokyo Monorail station at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 and other listed locations. Valid for 28 days, including the purchase date. Unused balance is not refundable. |
| TOURIST PASMO | Available at Keikyu stations and information counters at Haneda, and Keisei information counters at Narita. Valid for 28 days from purchase. Unused balance is not refundable. |
For stays longer than 28 days, or if you want to keep a balance for a return visit, consider a regular card. With a short-term card, topping up a little at a time rather than adding a large amount before departure makes it easier to spend the remaining balance. Check each product’s official purchase guide for sales locations and counter hours.
Interoperability does not make refunds interchangeable between railway companies. For a regular physical ICOCA, JR West’s refund guide (Japanese) directs users to stations in its ICOCA area. If you buy it in Kansai and fly home from Tokyo, plan whether to spend the balance or deal with the issuer before leaving its area. Do not assume a Tokyo Suica counter will refund an ICOCA; visitor-card refund rules differ again.
Where one card works—and where it does not
Suica is issued by JR East, PASMO by private railways and buses in the Tokyo region, and ICOCA by JR West. Interoperability does not mean every route or highway bus accepts them. Look for the IC card symbol at stations, on vehicles and at stops.
Even an interoperable card may not cover a journey crossing separate IC service areas. You cannot, for example, travel from the Tokyo Suica area to the Sendai Suica area simply by tapping in and out. Buy a ticket suitable for the full long-distance journey.
Choosing a Shinkansen seat and booking is separate from buying an IC card. An IC card alone does not let you board a Shinkansen. Some services require a reservation and registration of your IC card. JR East’s Touch de Go! Shinkansen instead uses your stored balance after an initial activation. Routes and seats vary by service, so read the official guidance for your train.
Tapping in and out
On trains, touch one card to the reader at the ticket gate. Keeping several cards together in a wallet can cause a reading error. Buses may charge on boarding or alighting, depending on the region; some require a tap at both ends. If your balance is too low, use the station fare-adjustment machine or follow the driver’s instructions.
Topping up and using a phone
Many machines require cash to top up a physical card. Being able to buy a visitor card with a credit card does not necessarily mean you can use that card for later top-ups. Check your balance before boarding.
For phone-based cards, distinguish regular Mobile Suica, PASMO and ICOCA from Welcome Suica Mobile for visitors. Welcome Suica Mobile is for supported iPhones, and its validity and activation conditions differ from the physical Welcome Suica. Support on other devices, including Android, depends on the model, region and app. Check both device and payment compatibility before purchasing.
For boarding details, see how to ride local buses. For deciding when to use cash, see planning your payments in Japan.
Official sources
Information last checked: September 21, 2026
Last edited: September 30, 2026. Official sources checked for this update: JR East: buying and using Welcome Suica / PASMO: TOURIST PASMO / JR East: Welcome Suica Mobile
Photo credits
Ticket gates accepting transport IC cards at a Japanese station — Mr.ちゅらさん · Photo source · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Display may use cropping or brightness adjustments.)
