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IC Cards in Japan: Suica, PASMO and ICOCA Explained

How IC cards work, the main cards, mobile IC cards, what they cover and don't, and tips for visitors.

By JP360 editors · · 5 min read

IC Cards in Japan: Suica, PASMO and ICOCA Explained: minimal line art of a transit card in vermilion, indigo and sakura pink
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Rechargeable IC cards make getting around Japan simple: tap in and out at stations, ride buses and pay at convenience stores. Here's how Suica, PASMO, ICOCA and other cards work and how visitors can use them.

What an IC card is

An IC card is a contactless prepaid card. You add money (called charging) and tap it on gates and readers. The fare is deducted automatically, so you don't need to buy individual tickets.

The main cards

CardIssued by / regionNotes
SuicaJR East, Tokyo and eastern JapanThe best-known card
PASMOPrivate railways and subways, Tokyo areaWorks like Suica
ICOCAJR West, Osaka, Kyoto and western JapanCommon in Kansai
OthersRegional operators (for example Kitaca, TOICA, manaca, SUGOCA)Regional names, same idea

Most major IC cards work across each other's networks in big cities, so one card usually covers trains, subways and many buses nationwide. Some rural lines still don't accept IC cards.

Cards for visitors

Tourist versions such as Welcome Suica and PASMO PASSPORT have been offered for short-term visitors. Availability of physical cards has changed over recent years, so check the official operator websites before you travel.

Mobile IC cards

You can add Suica, PASMO or ICOCA to a compatible phone wallet, such as Apple Wallet on iPhone, and charge it with a card. Support on Android depends on the phone model. A mobile card is often the easiest option for visitors.

How to use it

  1. Charge at ticket machines or charge machines in stations (cash), or in your phone wallet.
  2. Tap in at the ticket gate when you enter the station.
  3. Tap out at your destination; the fare is deducted.
  4. On buses, follow the signs: some charge when you board, others when you leave.

What else you can pay for

  • Convenience stores and many shops and cafes.
  • Vending machines and lockers.
  • Some taxis.

What IC cards don't cover

  • Shinkansen (bullet trains) and limited express trains usually need a separate ticket or reservation, although some routes support IC or app-based ticketing.
  • Some rural areas.

Tips

  • Keep a little balance for unexpected trips; if your balance is too low, fare adjustment machines near the exit let you top up.
  • Don't keep two IC cards together in one wallet pocket when tapping; the reader may get confused.

For most visitors, an IC card or mobile IC card is the single most useful item for getting around Japan.

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