IC Card Guide Japan 2026: Suica, Pasmo & ICOCA

By the Rebound Travel Team · Japan-based travel writers · Updated June 2026 · 8 min read

Key Takeaways

• One card does it all: Suica, Pasmo, and ICOCA are interchangeable and work nationwide on trains, subways, most buses, and at convenience stores.
• For tourists, Suica vs Pasmo doesn’t matter — they’re functionally identical. Pick whichever is convenient.
• Go mobile: Add Suica to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet with a foreign credit card — no Japanese phone number or physical card needed.
• Top up at the gate: If your balance runs short, use a fare-adjustment machine before exiting; no penalty for under-tapping.
• Refunds: Physical cards can be refunded at JR offices (minus a small fee, plus your deposit back).

Contents

What Is an IC Card?
Suica vs Pasmo vs ICOCA: Which Should I Get?
Mobile Suica (iPhone & Android)
Where to Buy a Physical IC Card
How to Top Up
How to Use It
Where IC Cards Are Accepted
Tips & Common Mistakes
FAQ

An IC card is the single most useful thing to set up on your first day in Japan. Load money once, tap at every train gate, bus, and convenience store, and never think about tickets again. This guide covers everything: which card to get, how to add it to your phone before you land, and how to use it across Japan.

1. What Is an IC Card?

IC cards (Integrated Circuit cards) are rechargeable prepaid smart cards used for public transport and payments across Japan. You load yen onto the card, tap at entry and exit gates, and the correct fare is automatically deducted. No calculating fares, no buying individual tickets.

All major IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA, Kitaca, manaca, etc.) are mutually compatible nationwide since 2013. A Suica bought in Tokyo works on Osaka Metro, Kyoto buses, and Fukuoka subway without any extra setup.

2. Suica vs Pasmo vs ICOCA: Which Should I Get?

For tourists, the practical differences are small. Here is what matters:

Card	Issued By	Home Region	Mobile Version	Best For
Suica	JR East	Tokyo / East Japan	✅ iPhone + Android	Most tourists — widest mobile support
Pasmo	Tokyo Metro etc.	Tokyo / Kanto	✅ iPhone + Android	Tokyo subway-focused travelers
ICOCA	JR West	Osaka / Kansai	✅ iPhone + Android	Arriving in Osaka/Kyoto first
Kitaca	JR Hokkaido	Hokkaido	❌	Hokkaido-only trips
manaca	Nagoya area	Chubu / Nagoya	❌	Nagoya-focused trips

Recommendation for most tourists: Get Suica as a Mobile Suica on your iPhone or Android before you fly. It works everywhere in Japan, you can top up by credit card, and there is no physical card to lose or return.

3. Mobile Suica (iPhone & Android)

Mobile Suica is a digital version of the Suica card stored in your phone's wallet app. You tap your phone (or Apple Watch) at the gate exactly like a physical card. No deposit required, top up by credit card, and you can set it up before you leave home.

iPhone (Apple Pay)

Open Wallet app → tap +
Select Transit Card
Choose Suica (or Pasmo/ICOCA)
Enter the amount to load → pay by Apple Pay credit card
Card appears in Wallet — ready to use immediately

Works on iPhone 7 and later. Works in Express Mode — phone does not need to be unlocked or Face ID confirmed to tap the gate.

Android (Google Wallet)

Open Google Wallet → tap Add to Wallet
Select Transit card
Choose Suica
Enter amount → pay by card saved in Google Wallet
Card is ready — tap at NFC gates

Requires NFC-enabled Android phone. Works on most Samsung, Google Pixel, and recent Android devices.

Important: Set up Mobile Suica at home on Wi-Fi before your trip. Once in Japan, airport and train station Wi-Fi can be patchy during the setup process. The card works offline once installed — no internet needed to tap gates.

4. Where to Buy a Physical IC Card

If you prefer a physical card (older phone, no NFC, or just more comfortable with plastic):

At the Airport (Easiest)

JR ticket vending machines at Narita, Haneda, Kansai, and most international airports sell Suica or ICOCA. Look for machines with an English option. Cost: ¥500 deposit + the amount you load (minimum ¥1,000 recommended). The ¥500 deposit is refunded when you return the card at any JR ticket office.

At Train Stations

Any JR East vending machine (green machines) sells Suica. Tokyo Metro machines sell Pasmo. Look for the IC card logo on the machine. English language option available at all major stations.

Tourist IC Cards (Limited Edition)

Suica for Tourists and Welcome Suica are special versions available at some airports. They have no deposit but also cannot be refundedand expire after 28 days. Only worth it if you are sure you will not return unused funds. Standard Suica with a ¥500 deposit is usually the better option.

5. How to Top Up

Physical card — at vending machines

Any JR or subway ticket vending machine. Select “Charge Suica/IC”, insert card, choose amount (¥1,000 / 2,000 / 3,000 / 5,000 / 10,000), insert cash or credit card. Done in 30 seconds. Available 24 hours at major stations.

Physical card — at convenience stores

7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart can top up IC cards at the register. Say “Suica ni charge onegaishimasu” (“Please charge my Suica”) and hand over cash with the card. Useful if station machines are busy or you are in a rush.

Mobile Suica — in-app or Wallet

iPhone: tap your Suica card in Wallet → “Add Money” → choose amount → pay by Apple Pay. Instant. Android: open Google Wallet → tap Suica → “Add money”. You can top up anywhere with internet access, even before arriving at the station.

Balance limit: IC cards can hold a maximum of ¥20,000. Topping up by ¥3,000–5,000 at a time is usually sufficient for a week of city transport.

6. How to Use Your IC Card

At train / subway gates

Tap the IC card sensor (usually marked with the IC logo or a wave symbol) as you enter and again as you exit. The gate opens, your fare is deducted, and the remaining balance is shown on a small display. Always tap out — if you forget, you will be charged the maximum fare for that line.

On buses

On front-entry buses (flat fare, common in Kyoto), tap when boarding. On rear-entry buses (distance-based fare), take a numbered ticket when boarding and tap the IC reader at the front when exiting — the correct fare is deducted automatically.

At shops and vending machines

Look for the IC or Suica logo at the register or on the machine. Tap the reader to pay. Works at 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart, most vending machines, McDonald's, many restaurants, and even some shrines and parking lots.

JR Pass holders

Keep your Suica for subway and city bus rides. Use your JR Pass at staffed gates for JR lines. Do not tap your Suica at JR gates if you want those rides covered by your JR Pass — use the staffed gate and show your pass instead.

7. Where IC Cards Are Accepted

✅ Accepted Everywhere

JR trains nationwide
Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway
Osaka Metro
Most private railways
Most city buses
7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart
Most vending machines
Many restaurants (McDonald's, Starbucks, etc.)
Coin lockers at major stations

❌ Not Accepted

Some rural bus routes (use cash)
Taxis (use cash or credit card)
Nozomi / Mizuho Shinkansen reserved seats
Some temple admission fees
Luggage forwarding (Yamato)
Highway buses (book in advance)

8. Tips & Common Mistakes

Always tap out: Forgetting to tap the exit gate charges you the maximum fare for the line. If this happens, go to the station attendant window and explain — they can usually fix it.
Keep some yen as backup: Rural buses, small restaurants, and some attractions are cash-only. Do not rely on your IC card as your only payment method.
Do not hold two IC cards together: If you have both a physical and mobile Suica, or two IC cards in the same wallet, gates may misread. Separate them before tapping.
Refund your physical card: If you have balance remaining at the end of your trip, go to a JR ticket counter and request a refund (チャージ払い戻し). You get back the remaining balance minus a ¥220 processing fee, plus the ¥500 deposit.
Mobile Suica works in Airplane Mode: Once set up, Mobile Suica does not need internet. You can tap gates and pay at shops even with Wi-Fi and data turned off.
Suica cannot be used on all Shinkansen: IC cards pay for local and limited express trains but not Shinkansen reserved seats. Buy Shinkansen tickets separately or use a JR Pass.
Check balance before the last train: Running out of balance at a gate late at night is stressful. Top up to at least ¥1,000 before heading out for the evening.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Suica and Pasmo?

Functionally identical for tourists. Suica is issued by JR East; Pasmo by Tokyo Metro and private railways. Both work on all trains, subways, and buses nationwide. Suica has wider mobile support (including Android) and is the most commonly recommended for tourists.

Can I use my IC card outside Tokyo?

Yes. All major IC cards are mutually compatible and work nationwide on trains, subways, and most buses. A Suica bought in Tokyo works in Osaka, Kyoto, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and everywhere else.

What happens if my IC card balance runs out at the gate?

The gate will show an error and not open. Step aside, use a nearby fare adjustment machine or go to the attendant window. You can top up the exact difference needed and pass through.

Can I get a refund on unused IC card balance?

Yes. Take your physical card to any JR ticket office and request a refund. You get your remaining balance back minus a 220 yen handling fee, plus the 500 yen deposit. Mobile Suica: transfer the balance to another device or let it expire.

Do I need a Japanese phone number to set up Mobile Suica?

No. You can set up Suica in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet without a Japanese phone number or bank account. Just use your home country credit card.

Is there a minimum charge amount?

Yes, 1,000 yen minimum per top-up at vending machines. Mobile Suica allows smaller amounts in-app.

Can I use IC cards at convenience stores?

Yes. 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart all accept IC cards. Just tap the reader at the register. It is faster than cash and works for everything from onigiri to ATM transactions.