Suica vs PASMO in Japan: which IC card should tourists buy? For most visitors, either one works well. Both are rechargeable transportation cards that let you tap through compatible train and subway gates, pay on participating buses, and make small purchases at shops displaying accepted IC-card logos. The main differences are the company issuing the card, the version available to you, and its refund or expiration rules.
Quick answer for first-time visitors
- Already have Suica or PASMO? Keep using it wherever the card is accepted; you usually do not need both.
- Arriving at Narita or Haneda and want a physical card? Check the current sales locations for Welcome Suica or TOURIST PASMO.
- Using a compatible iPhone? A mobile IC card may save you a stop at a ticket machine; setup and top-up depend on your device and payment card.
- Traveling beyond Tokyo? Suica and PASMO work in many, but not all, participating areas. Some trips still require separate tickets.
Below is a practical Suica and PASMO guide for tourists in 2026, covering which card to choose, where to buy it, how to recharge it, and how to avoid losing unused money. For the broader money picture, see our Money in Japan overview.
Suica vs PASMO: What Is the Difference?
Suica is issued by JR East, while PASMO is associated with participating railway and bus operators, including many in the Tokyo area. For an ordinary visitor riding local trains and making small purchases, their everyday functions are very similar. The more important choice is often which specific card product is available where you arrive.
| Option | Best for | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Suica / PASMO | Visitors who want a reusable physical card | Typically a ¥500 deposit; sales and refund arrangements depend on the issuer |
| Welcome Suica | Short-term visitors seeking a physical tourist card | 28 days; no deposit; unused value normally not refunded |
| TOURIST PASMO | Visitors buying a tourist card at Haneda or Narita | 28 days; no deposit; unused value not refunded |
| Welcome Suica Mobile | Travelers with a compatible Apple device | iOS app; 180-day validity; remaining value not refunded |
For most short visits, pick whichever suitable card is easy to obtain. You do not get a special discount on ordinary local train fares simply by choosing the Suica brand over PASMO.
Where to Buy Suica or PASMO in Japan in 2026
Welcome Suica: JR East locations
JR East sells physical Welcome Suica cards at selected travel service centers and ticket machines, including locations at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport Terminal 3 (Tokyo Monorail), and certain major stations. Exact counters, hours, and stock may change, so check JR East’s official Welcome Suica purchase information before arrival.
The card has no deposit and is valid for 28 days from purchase, including the purchase date. Normally, any money left on the card cannot be refunded, so avoid loading more than you are likely to use.
TOURIST PASMO: Haneda and Narita airports
TOURIST PASMO launched in 2026 and is sold at specified railway counters and machines at Haneda and Narita airports. The official PASMO site lists purchase amounts of ¥1,000–¥10,000 at designated Haneda machines and a ¥2,000 option at the listed Narita counters. Availability varies by location.
Like Welcome Suica, TOURIST PASMO has no deposit, is valid for 28 days, and does not refund unused value when you finish your trip. Check the official TOURIST PASMO guide for current outlets and conditions.
Regular Suica and PASMO
Regular physical cards may be available from the relevant railway operators. They are designed for longer-term use and commonly involve a refundable ¥500 deposit. Sales locations and card types vary. If you choose one, confirm whether it is a named or unnamed card and where a refund can be processed. The JR East Suica guide and PASMO’s official card guide explain the differences.
Can You Use Suica or PASMO on Your iPhone or Android?
On a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch, a mobile transit card can be convenient because there is no physical card to carry. JR East’s Welcome Suica Mobile is an iOS service designed for visitors. It supports issuing a card and topping up through eligible Apple Pay payment methods. Its validity period is 180 days, rather than the 28 days of the standard physical Welcome Suica.
On Android, compatibility is more limited for travelers using phones purchased outside Japan. Mobile PASMO’s official guidance warns that overseas-purchased Android devices generally are not compatible. If you are unsure, a physical IC card is the safer plan. Do not assume every overseas bank card will work for mobile top-ups.
Set up your preferred payment method before a busy travel day, and keep an alternative such as a physical card or cash available in case a mobile payment cannot be completed.
Where Can You Use Suica and PASMO?
In participating areas, you can tap at local railway and subway ticket gates and on supported buses. You can also pay at some convenience stores, vending machines, coin lockers, and other retailers displaying the appropriate transportation IC-card mark.
- Tokyo: many JR, subway, and private railway services accept both brands.
- Kyoto and Osaka: many major local rail and transit services participate in nationwide IC-card interoperability.
- Other regions: coverage is extensive but not universal; always check the operator and route.
- Shinkansen and long-distance trains: do not assume that a stored-value IC card by itself replaces the required bullet-train or limited-express ticket. Certain special ticketing services have their own rules.
Important: even if Suica works in two different regions, that does not mean you can always ride between those regions on a single IC-card tap. Long-distance crossings between IC-card service areas may require buying a separate ticket.
How to Recharge Suica or PASMO
- Find a compatible machine or counter. Look for an IC-card recharge option at a station or participating shop.
- Choose the recharge amount. A small addition is better than loading your entire trip budget at once.
- Pay using an accepted method. Physical tourist-card recharges generally use Japanese yen cash at supported machines; mobile cards may support eligible electronic payments.
- Check the updated balance. Save a receipt if you need it and top up again when necessary.
Tourist cards generally cannot hold more than ¥20,000 of stored value. Some buses or individual machines apply their own recharge limits. Be cautious about advice suggesting that any credit card can be used to top up any physical Suica or PASMO card.
How Much Should You Load onto an IC Card?
For an ordinary city sightseeing day, an initial ¥2,000–¥3,000 is a practical starting point, followed by small recharges as needed. If you expect to use trains extensively or make frequent small purchases, you may prefer a larger amount. This is a budgeting suggestion, not an official minimum.
Tourist-card balances are generally not refundable, so keep your remaining balance in mind during the last days of your trip. An IC card should complement—not replace—your cash and bank card. Read our Cash or Card in Japan guide or How Much Cash Do You Need for Japan? for planning tips.
Suica and PASMO for Children and Families
Children who qualify for child fares should use an eligible child IC card rather than an ordinary adult card. Physical child-card issuance usually requires age verification, such as a passport. The official Welcome Suica and TOURIST PASMO pages explain the relevant conditions and age cutoffs.
Do not assume every mobile app supports a child fare: some visitor-oriented mobile services require users to meet minimum-age requirements. For a family arriving with younger children, asking at the airport or station counter for an appropriate child card is often simplest.
Common Suica and PASMO Problems
- The gate does not open: check your balance and whether the operator accepts the card. Ask station staff if your journey may have crossed incompatible service areas.
- The card will not read: remove other cards from the same wallet or phone case and try again.
- You cannot top up: try a different supported machine or use cash where required.
- You have leftover money: spend it at participating shops before departing if you hold a non-refundable tourist card.
- You lost a tourist card: Welcome Suica and TOURIST PASMO generally cannot be reissued when lost. Keep it secure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Suica better than PASMO for tourists?
Not usually. Both work on many of the same local transit systems and at participating stores. Choose based on where you can buy the card, your device, and the version’s expiration and refund rules.
Can I use Suica or PASMO in Kyoto and Osaka?
Yes, on many participating lines and at supported shops. Coverage is not universal, so check the local operator for unusual routes, buses, or rural services.
Is Welcome Suica valid for 28 days?
The standard physical Welcome Suica is valid for 28 days from purchase. Welcome Suica Mobile has different conditions, including a 180-day validity period.
What is TOURIST PASMO?
It is a visitor-oriented physical IC card introduced in 2026 and sold at specified Haneda and Narita airport locations. It has no deposit, lasts 28 days, and does not refund remaining stored value.
Can I use an IC card to pay for the Shinkansen?
Do not assume a regular stored-value Suica or PASMO balance alone is enough. Bullet trains usually require a separate ticket or an applicable dedicated ticketing arrangement. Check the service before boarding.
Can I recharge a physical Suica or PASMO with a credit card?
Do not count on it. Cash top-up is widely supported for physical cards, while eligible mobile services may support credit-card charging. The details differ by card product and machine.
Final Verdict: Which IC Card Should You Choose?
For a first visit to Japan, Suica and PASMO are both good choices. A physical Welcome Suica or TOURIST PASMO may be convenient at the airport, while compatible Apple-device users may prefer a mobile card. Check availability before arrival, load only what you need, and keep some yen available for places where IC cards are not accepted.
Related Guides
- Money in Japan: Cash, Cards and ATMs
- Cash or Card in Japan?
- ATMs in Japan for Tourists
- How Much Cash Do You Need for a Japan Trip?
Last reviewed: October 17, 2026. Availability, service areas, app support, sales points, and refund rules may change. Check the official JR East and PASMO pages for the latest details.
