What is the difference between Suica and Pasmo?

Suica is run by JR East and Pasmo is run by private railways and buses in the Tokyo area. For a tourist, they work almost the same way. Both let you tap to ride trains, subways, and buses across most of Japan, and both can pay at convenience stores. Pick whichever you can get first.

Can I still buy a normal plastic Suica or Pasmo in 2026?

As of June 2026, sales of some plastic cards are still limited because of a chip shortage. The Welcome Suica (for tourists) and adding Suica or Pasmo to a phone are the most reliable options. Availability changes, so check at the station or the official site before you rely on a plastic card.

Where can I use a Suica or Pasmo?

You can use it on most trains, subways, and buses across major cities and many regions. You can also pay at convenience stores, vending machines, coin lockers, and many shops that show the IC mark. It does not work on every rural line, so carry some cash too.

Do I get my deposit and balance back when I leave Japan?

A normal Suica or Pasmo has a 500 yen deposit that can be refunded at a ticket office. The Welcome Suica has no deposit but also no refund of leftover balance, and it expires 28 days after issue. Mobile Suica or Pasmo has no deposit. Plan your top-ups so little is left at the end.

Can I add Suica or Pasmo to a foreign phone?

Many iPhones can add Suica or Pasmo through Apple Pay or the Suica app. Android support depends on the phone and region, and many foreign Android phones cannot add it. If your phone cannot, get a Welcome Suica or a plastic card at the station instead.

Suica & Pasmo for Tourists: How to Get and Use IC Cards

Which IC card should I get?

A Suica or Pasmo is a rechargeable card you tap to pay for trains, buses, and many shops. You do not need to buy a ticket for each ride. Use this quick guide to pick the right option for you.

Option	Best for	Where to get it	Notes (as of June 2026)
Welcome Suica	Short trips, no deposit wanted	Airports and major JR East stations in the Tokyo area	No deposit, expires 28 days after issue, no balance refund
Mobile Suica / Pasmo on phone	iPhone users, easy top-up	Add in Apple Pay or the app	No deposit, charge by card, works for many iPhones
Normal plastic Suica or Pasmo	Longer stays, want a refund later	Station machines and offices	500 yen deposit, refundable; supply is limited in 2026

For most visitors, the easiest path is a Welcome Suica from the airport, or Suica/Pasmo on an iPhone. If you have an Android phone bought outside Japan, check whether it can add the card before you rely on it.

How do I get each type, step by step?

The way you get the card depends on the type you choose.

Welcome Suica (plastic, for tourists):

Go to a JR East ticket office or a marked machine at the airport or a major Tokyo-area station.
Ask for a “Welcome Suica.” No passport is needed.
Pay cash to load a starting balance.
Start tapping. Remember it expires 28 days after issue.

Suica or Pasmo on a phone:

Open Apple Pay (Wallet) or the Suica app on your iPhone.
Add a new Suica or Pasmo card.
Charge it with a credit or debit card that the app accepts.
Tap your phone at the gate, just like a physical card.

Normal plastic Suica or Pasmo:

Use a ticket machine that sells IC cards at a station.
Choose to buy a new card and load a balance. A 500 yen deposit is included.
Keep the card; you can refund the deposit and balance later at a ticket office.

How do I charge (top up) the card?

You add money to the card with cash at machines, or with a card on a phone. As of June 2026:

Method	Where	Pays with	Notes
Ticket machine	Any station	Cash (yen)	Most machines take 1,000 yen notes and coins
Convenience store	7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson and others	Cash	Ask staff to “charge Suica”
Phone (Apple Pay / app)	Anywhere	Credit or debit card	Works for mobile Suica and Pasmo
Fare adjustment machine	Near ticket gates	Cash	Use if your balance is too low to exit

Keep your balance above the fare you expect. If the balance is too low when you try to exit a gate, use a fare adjustment (top-up) machine near the gate before leaving.

Where can I tap to pay?

The same card works for transport and for many small purchases. As of June 2026:

Place	Works?	Notes
JR and subway trains	Yes	Tap in and tap out at the gates
Buses (most cities)	Yes	Tap on boarding; some buses also tap on exit
Convenience stores	Yes	Look for the IC mark at the register
Vending machines	Many	Tap on the reader
Coin lockers	Many	Use the card to lock and unlock
Some rural lines	Not always	Carry cash as a backup

Always carry some cash. A few local trains, buses, and small shops still do not take IC cards, even in 2026.

How do I get my money back before I fly home?

What you can get back depends on the card type. As of June 2026:

Card type	Deposit refund	Balance refund	Where
Normal plastic Suica or Pasmo	500 yen returned	Yes, minus a small handling fee on the balance	JR East office (Suica) or Pasmo office
Welcome Suica	No deposit	No refund of leftover balance	Cannot refund balance
Mobile Suica or Pasmo	No deposit	Can be handled in the app	Follow the app’s steps

Because the Welcome Suica does not refund leftover balance, top it up in small amounts near the end of your trip. For a normal card, visit the matching company’s office at a major station before you head to the airport. Refund rules and card supply can change, so check the official JR East page before you travel.