Suica and PASMO in 2026: How to Buy and Use IC Cards

Suica vs. PASMO: What is the Difference?

Suica is issued by JR East. PASMO is issued by Tokyo Metro and private railways. They are functionally identical — both work on every train line, bus, and IC card reader in Japan. Pick whichever is easier to get.

For this guide, “IC card” means either Suica or PASMO.

Option 1: Mobile Suica (Recommended)

The fastest and most convenient option. No physical card needed.

iPhone Setup (Apple Wallet)

1. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the + button, then select Transit Card.
3. Choose Suica.
4. Select an initial charge amount (minimum ¥1,000).
5. Pay with Apple Pay (credit or debit card).
6. Done. Hold your iPhone near the ticket gate reader to ride.

Requirements: iPhone 8 or later. Works with most international Visa, Mastercard, and Amex cards.

Android Setup (Google Pay)

1. Open the Google Wallet app.
2. Tap Transit then Add a transit pass.
3. Select Suica.
4. Choose a charge amount and pay with your linked card.
5. Hold the back of your phone to the ticket gate reader.

Requirements: Android phone with NFC and FeliCa support. Most phones sold in Japan support this. Some international Android phones lack FeliCa — check compatibility before relying on this.

Mobile Suica Advantages

• Charge anytime from your credit card (no need to find a machine).
• Auto-charge (オートチャージ) available with compatible cards.
• Never expires (physical cards expire after 10 years of non-use).
• Can view balance and history in the app.
• Works even when phone battery is low (iPhone only — “Express Transit” feature works in power reserve mode).

Option 2: Welcome Suica (Physical Card for Tourists)

If you prefer a physical card or your phone does not support Mobile Suica.

Where to Buy

• JR EAST Travel Service Centers at Narita Airport (Terminals 1, 2/3), Haneda Airport (Terminal 3), and Tokyo Station.
• Dedicated Welcome Suica machines at these locations (look for the red card design on screen).
• Some travel agencies (Klook, etc.) sell pre-loaded Welcome Suica cards online for pickup at the airport.

How to Buy (Step-by-Step)

1. Find the JR EAST Travel Service Center or a Welcome Suica vending machine.
2. Select your language (English available).
3. Choose the initial charge amount (¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥3,000, ¥5,000, or ¥10,000).
4. Pay with cash or credit card.
5. The machine dispenses a red Welcome Suica card.

Key Limitations

• Valid for 28 days from the date of purchase. After that, the card stops working.
• No deposit — you do not pay ¥500 upfront (unlike a regular Suica).
• No refund on remaining balance. Use it up before you leave, or spend the remaining balance at a convenience store.
• Cannot be converted to a regular Suica or transferred to Mobile Suica.

Option 3: PASMO Passport

An alternative to Welcome Suica, sold at Narita and Haneda airport kiosks operated by the subway companies.

• Same features as Welcome Suica: 28 days, no deposit, no refund.
• Available at automated machines in the airport — follow the English prompts.
• Functionally identical to Welcome Suica for all practical purposes.

Option 4: Regular PASMO Card

For longer stays, a regular PASMO card is available at some metro and private railway station ticket machines.

• ¥500 deposit (refundable when you return the card).
• No expiration (valid as long as you use it at least once every 10 years).
• Balance is refundable at metro station counters (minus ¥220 handling fee).

How to Charge (Top Up) Your IC Card

At a Station Ticket Machine

1. Insert your IC card into the machine (or place your phone on the reader for Mobile Suica).
2. Select “チャージ” (Charge) — English is usually available.
3. Choose the amount: ¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥3,000, ¥5,000, or ¥10,000.
4. Insert cash.
5. Take your card and receipt.

Maximum balance: ¥20,000. If your balance is already ¥19,500, you can only add ¥500.

In the Mobile Suica App

1. Open the Suica app or Wallet.
2. Select your Suica card.
3. Tap “Add Money” or “チャージ”.
4. Enter the amount and confirm with your linked credit card.
5. Balance updates instantly.

At a Convenience Store

Hand your card to the cashier and say “Charge onegaishimasu” (チャージお願いします). Tell them the amount. They will process it at the register. Cash only for convenience store charging.

Where You Can Use IC Cards

Transport (Nationwide)

• All JR lines, Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, private railways
• City buses, highway buses (some)
• Tokyo Monorail, Yurikamome, Rinkai Line
• Works in Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and most major cities

Shopping and Services

• Convenience stores: 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart
• Vending machines (look for the IC card symbol)
• Coin lockers at stations
• Some taxis, restaurants, and shops (look for the Suica/PASMO/IC logo)
• Airport shops at Narita and Haneda

Checking Your Balance

• At any ticket gate — The balance displays on the small screen when you tap.
• At a ticket machine — Insert your card and select “残高確認” (Balance Check).
• Mobile Suica app — Shows real-time balance and transaction history.
• At a convenience store — The register display shows your balance after each transaction.

Fare Adjustment (When Balance is Too Low)

If you try to exit a ticket gate and your balance is insufficient, the gate will not open. Do not panic.

1. Look for the yellow fare adjustment machine (精算機 / seisanki) near the ticket gates.
2. Insert your IC card.
3. The machine shows the shortfall amount.
4. Insert cash to cover the difference.
5. Take your card and exit through the gate normally.

Getting a Refund

Welcome Suica / PASMO Passport

No refund available. Spend the remaining balance at a convenience store or vending machine before your card expires.

Regular PASMO

Return to a metro station counter. You receive the remaining balance minus ¥220 handling fee, plus the ¥500 deposit back.

Regular Physical Suica (If You Have One)

Return at a JR East Midori-no-Madoguchi (みどりの窓口) counter. Remaining balance minus ¥220 handling fee, plus ¥500 deposit.

Mobile Suica

You cannot get a cash refund for Mobile Suica. You can transfer the balance to another service or spend it down to zero.

Troubleshooting

Card does not work at the gate? Visit the station office (改札窓口 / kaisatsu madoguchi). Common causes: entry/exit record mismatch (you tapped in but did not tap out somewhere), card damage, or card expired (Welcome Suica after 28 days).

Phone battery died and you are inside the gate? iPhone: Express Transit works in power reserve mode for several hours after the battery indicator shows empty. Android: if the phone is completely dead, visit the station office with your phone. They can look up the entry record and let you exit.

Card says “error” at a convenience store? Insufficient balance. Check your balance and charge first.

You entered the wrong station and want to exit immediately? Tell the station staff at the gate. They will cancel the entry without charge. Do not tap out — it will charge you the minimum fare.

Lost your IC card? Physical cards cannot be tracked. Mobile Suica can be suspended via the app or by calling JR East. If you set up Mobile Suica with an account, your balance is recoverable on a new device.

Back to Tokyo Transit Hub for the full transit overview.