Which card to get
Suica, Pasmo and ICOCA work on many compatible networks beyond their home region. For a classic Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka trip, one card usually covers local travel; choose the one easiest to obtain rather than collecting a card in every city.
Obtain a physical card
- 01Check the issuing operatorLook for an IC-card ticket machine or a staffed sales counter at a station. Availability depends on the card and location; check the operator's current sales information before arrival.
- 02Know which card you are buyingAn ordinary physical card and a visitor card can have different validity and refund rules. Welcome Suica is available at designated JR East airport and city counters or machines, not every station.
- 03Load and use itAt a compatible machine, insert or place the card, select the top-up amount, insert yen cash and confirm. Check the balance; tap at entry and exit on trains, and follow the operator's instructions on buses.
Put it on your phone
A mobile card is convenient only if your phone and payment method support it. Test the setup before relying on it for your first journey.
- 01Apple WalletCheck Apple's current device, account and eligible payment-card requirements. In Wallet, tap Add, then Transit Card, choose Suica, PASMO or ICOCA, select an amount and confirm. Open the card and choose Add Money when you need to top up.
- 02AndroidMobile IC payments require Japanese mobile-wallet/Osaifu-Keitai compatibility. NFC or Google Wallet alone is not enough: many phones bought outside Japan do not support this service. Check your exact model; use a physical card if it is incompatible.
- 03If payment failsBank-card acceptance differs between wallets, cards and devices. Keep yen cash for a physical-card top-up at a compatible machine. For a mobile card, ask staff about a cash top-up facility that accepts your device; otherwise buy a ticket rather than delaying your journey.
Where they work
- Subways, JR lines, private railways and most city buses.
- Convenience stores, vending machines, many cafés and station shops.
- Coin lockers at major stations — far easier than feeding in coins.
What they don't do
Interoperability does not mean you can make every continuous journey between separate IC areas: check the operator and buy the appropriate ticket for an unsupported route. IC credit alone is not a Shinkansen ticket or a rail pass. Some express services need an additional ticket, and rural buses or small operators may still require cash.
Remaining balance and refunds
Refunds depend on the card and issuer. An ordinary JR East Suica can be returned to JR East under its deposit, balance and handling-fee rules; do not assume you can return it to another region's operator. Physical Welcome Suica has a limited validity period and no ordinary refund of unused credit. Check your specific card before departure and use a small remaining balance for a compatible purchase where possible.
