Everything You Need To Know About Japan Transport Cards

IC cards are prepaid, rechargeable smart cards with an embedded IC (Integrated Circuit) that allow you to pay for public transportation and make touch payments at various stores in Japan.

The first IC cards were issued in 2000, mainly replacing paper-based tickets (which are still available). The greatest perks of these cards are that they’re easy to use (avoid fumbling around with loose change) and allow you to make electronic payments since you can tap as an alternative to cash or credit card. A bonus is that you can save some money as well as fares are slightly cheaper for touch payments.

In fact, you can save between 1-9 JPY each time (usually around 1-2 JPY on average). Given traveling one-way between most stations in Tokyo typically costs around 150-200 JPY, and you might spend about 1,000 JPY a day on public transport, it all adds up!

There are ten major IC cards available in Japan. There’s Tokyo’s popular Pasmo and Suica, but there’s also Icoca, PiTaPa, TOICA, Manaca, Kitaca, Sugoca, Nimoca, and Hayakaken.

These have been issued by different rail companies based in different regions, but don’t worry, you won’t need them all. These ten cards have been interchangeable since 2013, so you can use one where you would another. For example, you could use an Icoca where you would like a Pasmo card and vice versa.

Here’s some more information regarding the most popular IC cards (and the areas that are covered):

Pasmo

Pasmo is the prepaid IC card for Tokyo's railway, subway, and bus operators other than JR. The Pasmo Passport is a special version only available to visitors, which can be used for transport in the Kanto area as well as across Japan, where IC cards are accepted. You can also get discounts if you make electronic payments at participating stores.

Suica

The Suica card is available to use across Greater Tokyo, Niigata, and Sedai regions (JR East manages it). There’s also the Welcome Suica, launched in 2019, which is valid for four weeks and exclusively available for tourists. Just keep in mind you’ll need to carry a reference paper that you might need to show to a JR employee if requested.

Icoca

Icoca is issued by JR West for JR trains in the Kansai (including Kyoto and Osaka), Chugoku and Hokuriku regions. The Kansai One Pass is another tourist version of Icoca that additionally qualifies for discounts at various attractions in the Kansai Region. Read more here about the Icoca and how to get one.

Which IC card should I get?

If you’re planning a one-off trip to Japan or are unsure about the next time you’d be back, one of the short-term special IC card passes will do the trick.

If you’re a frequent visitor to Japan or if you’re a resident, it’s worth getting a regular Suica or Pasmo, so you don’t have to buy a new card each time.

You can purchase IC cards at information counters or ticketing machines at most stations, including Ueno, Shinjuku, and Shibuya, as well as at Narita and Haneda airport terminals. Keep in mind that cards can only be refunded in the areas they were issued in.  

Another handy option is booking a Suica or Icoca in advance with Rakuten Travel Experiences and picking it up when you arrive in Tokyo.

For example, you can book online, pay 2,400 JPY and get a pre-charged Suica card with 1,500 JPY. The fee includes a 500 JPY deposit, which you can get back by heading to any JR East green window ticketing office at the end of your trip. Head to pick-up points like the HIS Shinjuku Main Office to grab your Suica card.

The cards are super easy to use. Since the transport fare is automatically deducted from your card, you can pay as-you-go during your travels without having to go to the ticketing machine every time. For trains, look for the square blue screen that reads “IC” at the ticketing gate. Place your IC card over it for about one second and wait for the gate to beep and open as your cue to go through.

Similarly, when you arrive at your destination station, you’ll need to touch off. If you haven’t touched on properly, or if your card is out of cash, it will go red, and the gates won’t open. If you’re in a super busy area, it can actually hold other people up, but don’t worry too much, it happens! It’s a good idea to ensure you’re topped up; read more below for how to recharge.

For buses, tap on the blue screen next to the driver’s seat. Remember that not all buses will have an IC card reader, meaning you might need to pick up a paper ticket and pay in cash.

Since you’ll be taking the card in and out of your pocket or bag each time you travel, it might be worth getting a small case or strap (something quite common among Tokyoites). 

At most stations, there are ticketing machines next to or close to the ticketing gates that read チャージ (chāji). You can generally select the language (including English), either insert your IC card or place it on top of the blue reader, and add cash (notes or coins) to recharge. You can also get a receipt if you need it.

At a range of stores across cities in Japan, you’ll be able to make purchases using an IC card. For example, go to a fami-restaurant (family restaurant) or lunch spot in Shinjuku or any convenience store. You can choose to pay with an IC card (just look out for the relevant logos at the register).

The store person will either ask for your preferred mode of payment, or you might have the option of selecting “IC card” if you’re paying at a self-checkout.

You can generally see this pop up as you tap your card at the ticketing gate. If you’ve still got cash on your card by the end of your trip, you can get back any remaining balance, as well as the 500 JPY you might have paid for a deposit, by visiting a ticketing window of the issuing company. See this page for information on refunds for a Suica card.

Short-term visitor cards are only usable for the allocated period e.g. four weeks, but all other general IC cards will expire 10 years after the last use, so you won’t need to worry about expiry for a while!

Imagine you’re already at the train station when you realize you’ve forgotten your IC card… instead of purchasing another one, you can still buy a paper ticket. Just head to the ticketing machine that reads きっぷ (kippu) and select the amount required to get to your destination. To figure out how much cash to insert, you can have a look at the train map (usually above the ticketing machines) which shows the costs to each station on the train line.