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An IC card is the single most useful thing you’ll get in Japan. Tap it to ride any train, subway, or bus, and use it to pay at convenience stores, vending machines, and lots of shops. Here’s how Suica, Pasmo, and the tourist versions compare.
Suica vs Pasmo — what’s the difference?
Honestly, almost none. Both are rechargeable tap cards that work nationwide on nearly all transit and at the same shops. Suica is run by JR East, Pasmo by the private railways. Pick whichever you can get first.
Mobile Suica/Pasmo — the best option for many
If you have an iPhone (or Apple Watch), you can add a Suica or Pasmo straight into Apple Wallet and top it up with your credit card — no physical card, no queue, no deposit. This is often the easiest route for visitors. Some Android/Google Pay setups support it too, depending on region.
Physical cards for tourists
Due to a chip shortage, standard plastic Suica/Pasmo have had limited availability at times. Tourist versions to look for:
- Welcome Suica — no deposit, valid 28 days, for visitors.
- Pasmo Passport — similar tourist card.
You buy these at airport stations and major terminals. If mobile Suica works on your phone, though, you may not need a physical card at all.
How to use it
- Top up at any station machine (cash) or, on mobile, with your card.
- Tap in and out at train gates — it calculates the fare automatically.
- Pay at konbini by saying the card name and tapping.
Do you still need a rail pass?
IC cards handle city travel and short hops perfectly. For long-distance Shinkansen trips, that’s a separate decision — see whether the JR Pass is worth it. For everything else, an IC card plus an eSIM covers your day-to-day. New to Japan? Start with our first-timer tips.