The Ultimate Japan IC Card Guide: Suica vs Pasmo And More

Suica and Pasmo are the two main IC prepaid cards used in Tokyo and throughout Japan.

Both work on trains, subways, buses, and at shops and vending machines across the country. For most travelers, the choice between them does not matter, as they are interchangeable for virtually every use case.

The main difference is who issues them: Suica is issued by JR East, while Pasmo is issued by the Tokyo Metro and private rail operators.

If you are arriving at Narita or Haneda airport, both cards are available and either will serve you well for your entire trip. This guide covers all IC cards available in Japan by region, the tourist-specific options including Welcome Suica and the new Welcome Suica Mobile app, and how to decide which card to get.

What is an IC card?

All Japanese IC cards in their respective region

An IC card in Japan, which stands for “integrated circuit,” is a prepaid card that lets you insert money into it. They are most commonly used to pass through ticket gates and make purchases by simply tapping your card onto an IC reader and the amount is automatically deducted.

The first IC card was Suica, and the widespread usage of them became popular for different Japan Railway (JR) companies, local lines, and city transportation.

Most foreigners traveling to Tokyo have heard about Suica or Pasmo. However other regions of Japan have their own IC prepaid card design. 

Previously, different IC cards were restricted to certain areas of Japan. For example, your Suica card in Tokyo could not be used in Osaka or Fukuoka. It wasn’t until 2013 that the Nationwide Mutual Usage Service for IC cards was introduced to allow users to use one IC card to ride any trains or buses and make cashless purchases anywhere. 

Tokyo IC card: Suica vs Pasmo

When you’re in Tokyo, there are two common IC cards for you to choose from: Suica and Pasmo. But what’s the difference?

Here’s the thing, they both are interchangeable. It doesn’t matter which one you choose. Both allow you to travel on trains, subways, and buses and make purchases. Especially after the Nationwide Mutual Usage Service was implemented. 

1. Suica card

The Suica card is distributed by JR East. It was the first IC card to be developed and is still in use today. It started in Tokyo but later expanded to accommodate the greater Tokyo areas as well as in Niigata and Sendai.

It is well known for its green accent color and penguin mascot.

Suica also offers a special foreign tourist IC card called Welcome Suica that is valid for 28 days from the date of first use and requires no deposit.

In March 2025, JR East launched the Welcome Suica Mobile app for iPhone and Apple Watch users, which issues a digital version of the Welcome Suica valid for 180 days. The mobile version can be set up and topped up before arriving in Japan using a credit card linked to Apple Pay and requires no trip to a vending machine.

Note: Physical Suica and Welcome Suica cards are now widely available again. Regular unnamed Suica cards resumed full sales on March 1, 2025, following a suspension caused by a global IC chip shortage in 2023. Welcome Suica cards are available at Narita and Haneda airports and at major JR East stations including Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Ueno.

2. Pasmo card

Pasmo is a cute pink prepaid IC card issued by the Tokyo Metro subway operator to cover the public and private train services and buses in Tokyo. 

You can obtain this card at any Tokyo station and use it throughout Japan.

Regular PASMO cards are now widely available again following the resumption of sales on March 1, 2025. Note that the PASMO PASSPORT, which was previously a tourist-specific version of the card, has been permanently discontinued. Visitors can purchase a standard PASMO card at stations of participating train companies throughout Tokyo.

Kansai IC cards

These cards are mainly found and used in the Kansai region of Japan such as Osaka and Kyoto, but can also be seen in the Chūbu and Chūgoku regions.

3. Icoca card

The Icoca card is a prepaid IC card from JR West for the Kansai area which includes Osaka and Kyoto, and it later spread to nearby regions in Chugoku and Hokuriku. Its mascot is a platypus, and the card is recognizable by its blue design.

There is a special version of the Icoca card called the Kansai One Pass that is only for foreign tourists and offers discounts at certain locations.

5. PiTaPa card

PiTaPa is an IC card issued by transport companies in the Kansai area of Osaka, but it can also be used in Nagoya, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe.

What makes PiTaPa unique is that it is a postpaid card, which means users have to have a registered bank account where fares and purchases are deducted from. While not easily available to foreign tourists, it is perfect for those living in Japan as you can get points and discounts when shopping.

Chubu IC card

These cards are mainly found in the great regions of Nagoya.

4. Toica card

Toica is a prepaid IC card distributed by JR Central and is mostly used in Nagoya. It’s most known for its cute small yellow chicks.

Interestingly, you can obtain this card in different regions in Japan. For example, you can obtain a Toica card at Tokyo Station at the JR Tokai Ticket Office, near Yaesu North Exit. 

Making it a perfect Pasmo and Suica alternative.

6. Manaca card

Manaca is a prepaid IC card by Nagoya City and works with other transportation companies that are around. Its mascot is a yellow smiley face. 

Kyushu IC cards

There are 3 IC cards you can use in the Kyushu region in Japan.

7. Sugoca card

The Sugoca card is an IC card issued by JR Kyushu and can be used on trains and buses in the Kyushu region of Japan. So you can find this card in Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Oita, Nagasaki, and Kagoshima. The mascot is a pink frog.

You can also use this card to ride on the Fukuoka City subway, Nishitetsu trains, Nishitetsu buses, and other IC area cards.

8. Nimoca card

Nimoca is an IC card by Nishi-Nippon Railroad (Nishitetsu) for their trains and buses in Fukuoka, but it also works in the greater Fukuoka area and other cities in Kyushu. It has a cute ferret for its mascot. 

9. Hayakaken card

The Hayakaken card is an IC card issued by Fukuoka City for the Fukuoka Subway lines. Its mascot is a prairie dog.

Hokkaido IC card 

10. Kitaca card

The Kitaca card is issued by JR Hokkaido, a rail operator in Japan’s most northern island. The card works with Sapporo's subway, trams, and buses and can also be used around the greater Sapporo area.

Its mascot is a flying squirrel. 

Where can I get an IC card in Japan?

There are three main places where an IC card can be purchased. 

Airports

One of the easiest ways to get an IC card in Japan is at the airport you arrive at. The most common airports people travel to are Narita or Haneda airport where you can get a Suica or Pasmo card. But, you can get an IC card at most major Japanese airports.

Train stations

Most major train and subway stations in Japan have ticket vending machines where you can purchase an IC card. These card vendors are usually near the ticket gate and you can change the language to easily purchase an IC card.

Bus terminal

Some bus terminals offer IC cards. You can find the machine for one or ask for help from the service counter.

How much does an IC card cost in Japan?

A physical IC card requires 500 yen plus an initial starting amount to be charged to the card. For example, getting a Suica in Japan can cost 2000 yen, resulting in 1500 yen at the starting out charge on that IC card. This initial cost will vary throughout Japan.

The 500 yen deposit on a regular physical IC card is refundable when you return the card at a ticket counter of the issuing company. If you prefer not to pay a deposit at all, digital IC cards like the Welcome Suica and the Welcome Suica Mobile app both require no deposit. Note that any remaining balance on a Welcome Suica cannot be refunded, so it is best to use up the balance before leaving Japan.

How to use an IC card in Japan

Tap your IC card with the IC logo | Pasmo example

For transportation such as buses and trains, you can tap your IC card onthe scanner with the IC logo. 

When paying at the counter in a department store or restaurant, there will be signs about different payment methods from credit cards, QR code payments, and IC card payments. All you have to say is “ICカードで おねがいします(aishī kādo de onegaishimasu),” or just show the cashier your IC card and they will help you with the purchasing process.

Common cashless payments in Japan, including IC card payments | TokyoMK

You can even use your IC cards at vending machines. Tap the drink you want, tap your card on the machine, and your drink will come to you.

Can I use one IC card throughout Japan?

Thanks to the Nationwide Mutual Usage Service, many IC cards can be used throughout Japan. So you can use a Pasmo card from Tokyo in Osaka. However, there are specific cases where this method is not allowed. 

If you are entering a Suica station, then it is not possible to exit at a Toica station. This instance is highly unlikely as there are transfer areas where you tap the card when switching or exiting stations. But if this situation occurs, please ask for help from the station staff. 

Another situation is if you have a commuter IC card. You would have to pay the difference between where you got on in your commuter area and where you got off, which is not included.

Are there digital versions of the IC cards?

Digital versions of IC cards are available for Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, and several other cards.

For international visitors, the easiest option in 2026 is the Welcome Suica Mobile app, available on iPhone and Apple Watch. It was launched on March 6, 2025 specifically for overseas travelers, requires no deposit, is valid for 180 days, and can be set up and topped up before arriving in Japan using Apple Pay.

You can also add a regular Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA card to Apple Wallet on an iPhone, though some foreign-issued credit cards may not be accepted for top-ups.

For Android phones, Mobile Suica, Mobile PASMO, and Mobile ICOCA apps exist, but these are designed for residents of Japan with Japanese-market Android devices that support FeliCa NFC technology. Most Android phones purchased outside Japan do not support these apps. Android users visiting Japan are generally better served by a physical IC card.

You can top up physical IC cards with cash at ticket machines at most train stations and at convenience stores including 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart. The Welcome Suica Mobile app is topped up via Apple Pay using a linked credit card.

Which is the best IC card in Japan?

All IC cards are identical in their purpose. The only difference is where you get one, so most people would buy one in the first Japanese city they arrive, Suica or Pasmo in Tokyo or Icoca in Osaka.

What’s the difference between these IC cards?

Both Pasmo and Suica are Tokyo's IC prepaid cards and can be used on public transportation and for cashless payments throughout Japan. For most travelers they are functionally identical. Here is how they compare directly:

Feature	Suica	Pasmo
Issued by	JR East	Tokyo Metro and private rail operators
Physical tourist card	Welcome Suica (28 days, no deposit)	No tourist-specific card (PASMO PASSPORT discontinued)
Digital tourist option	Welcome Suica Mobile app (iPhone only, 180 days, no deposit)	Mobile PASMO via Apple Wallet (iPhone, some foreign cards may not work)
Android support	Japanese-market devices only	Japanese-market devices only
Deposit on standard card	500 yen, refundable	500 yen, refundable
Nationwide coverage	Yes, via Nationwide Mutual Usage Service	Yes, via Nationwide Mutual Usage Service
Best for	Travelers arriving at JR East airports and stations, iPhone users wanting a tourist-specific app	Travelers using private rail lines as their primary transport

For most visitors, Suica is the more practical choice in 2026. The Welcome Suica (physical or mobile) is easier to obtain at airports and has no deposit requirement. If you already have a PASMO or arrive at a station where only PASMO is available, it works equally well everywhere in Japan.

Kitaca vs Suica

Both Kitaca and Suica cards are IC cards used in Hokkaido and Tokyo, respectively. The main difference is where they are distributed. Kitaca cards are distributed from JR Hokkaido stations in Hokkaido vs. the JR East line in Toyko, Niigata, and Sendai for Suica.

Suica vs Pasmo vs Icoca

Suica, Pasmo, and Icoca are all IC cards that can be used throughout Japan. Both Suica and Pasmo are found in Tokyo, while Icoca cards are seen through Osaka and the Kansai area.

Can I use my IC card to ride on the Shinkansen?

Yes, with some options depending on how you have set up your card.

For non-reserved seats on JR East Shinkansen lines including the Tohoku, Hokkaido, Akita, Yamagata, Joetsu, and Hokuriku Shinkansen, you can use the Touch de Go! Shinkansen service by activating it once at a ticket machine if using a physical Suica, or with no activation required if using the Welcome Suica Mobile app.

For reserved seats and limited express trains, users of the Welcome Suica Mobile app can now book directly within the app following an update in October 2025.

Smart EX is a separate app used primarily by residents with Japanese credit cards and is less practical for most foreign visitors.

Frequently asked questions

Which IC card should I buy in Japan?

The best IC card to buy is whichever is most convenient when you arrive. If you land at Narita or Haneda airport, get a Welcome Suica, a regular Suica, or a PASMO at the airport. If you have an iPhone, consider setting up the Welcome Suica Mobile app before you travel so you can skip the vending machine entirely. If you land at Fukuoka Airport, the Sugoca, Nimoca, or Hayakaken cards are available locally and work throughout Japan.

What is a good Suica alternative in 2026?

The chip shortage that limited Suica sales in 2023 and 2024 has ended. Regular Suica cards resumed full sales on March 1, 2025, and are now widely available at airports and major JR stations. If you prefer not to carry a physical card, the Welcome Suica Mobile app for iPhone is the recommended tourist option, valid for 180 days with no deposit. PASMO is also fully available again and works identically to Suica throughout Japan. Note that the PASMO PASSPORT tourist card has been permanently discontinued.

Is the PASMO PASSPORT still available?

No. The PASMO PASSPORT was permanently discontinued. Visitors who previously used the PASMO PASSPORT can use a standard PASMO card, a Welcome Suica physical card, or the Welcome Suica Mobile app for iPhone instead. All three work on trains, buses, and at shops throughout Japan.

In closing

An IC card is worth getting regardless of how long you are staying in Japan. Physical cards such as Suica and PASMO are widely available again at airports and major train stations as of March 2025. iPhone users can set up the Welcome Suica Mobile app before arriving to skip vending machine queues entirely. Whichever card you choose, it will work on trains, buses, vending machines, and at convenience stores across the country, making it one of the most practical things you can carry during any trip to Japan.