Suica & IC Cards in Japan: The Complete Guide (Mobile, Welcome Suica, Tourists & Residents)

Quick answer (30 seconds): An IC card (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA and friends) is the rechargeable tap card you'll use every day in Japan — for trains, buses, convenience stores, vending machines, and lockers. They're interoperable nationwide, so one card works almost everywhere. The smartest setup for most people is a Mobile Suica/PASMO on your phone (Apple Wallet / Google Wallet) — no plastic, top up from your phone. Tourists can grab a Welcome Suica at the airport (28 days, no deposit) or use Mobile; residents usually use Mobile or a regular card (¥500 refundable deposit).

ℹ️ Card availability, the deposit, and tourist-card options change over time — confirm current details with JR East / PASMO before you rely on a specific one.

What an IC card is and where it works

IC cards are prepaid, rechargeable tap cards. Touch the reader and you're through the gate or paid at the till. They work for:

• Trains and subways nationwide
• Buses in most cities
• Convenience stores, supermarkets, many shops
• Vending machines, coin lockers, some taxis

The major cards — Suica (JR East), PASMO (Tokyo private rail/bus), ICOCA (JR West) and others — are mutually compatible, so a Suica works in Osaka and an ICOCA works in Tokyo. You only need one.

Mobile vs. physical card

Mobile (recommended for most):

• Add Suica or PASMO to Apple Wallet (iPhone) or Google Wallet (Android), or use the Suica app.
• Top up from your phone with a card; no machines, no deposit, never "sold out."
• iPhones handle Suica especially smoothly.

Physical card:

• A plastic Suica/PASMO needs a ¥500 deposit (refundable) plus your charge balance.
• Buy and recharge at station machines (cash; some take cards).
• Good if your phone isn't compatible or you prefer plastic.

The 2023 IC-chip shortage paused sales of unnamed cards, but unnamed Suica and PASMO resumed normal sale on March 1, 2025, so physical cards are generally available again.

Tourists: Welcome Suica, Tourist Pasmo, or Mobile

If you're visiting short-term:

• Welcome Suica — a tourist Suica valid 28 days, no ¥500 deposit (but the remaining balance is not refundable). Sold at JR EAST Travel Service Centers at Narita/Haneda and major Tokyo JR stations.
• Tourist Pasmo — a similar visitor card (28 days, no deposit), available since May 2026.
• Mobile (often best) — the Welcome Suica Mobile app works on iPhone 8 and later with a 180-day validity, and it's unaffected by any card shortage. Add Suica to Apple Wallet and top up with a card.

Residents: which to use

• Mobile Suica/PASMO is the easiest — add to your phone and top up with a card.
• A regular physical card works too (¥500 refundable deposit).
• For a fixed commute, buy a commuter pass (teiki) loaded onto your Suica/PASMO for unlimited travel on your route.

Charging (topping up) and refunds

• Top up at station machines (cash), at convenience stores, or from your phone (card) on Mobile.
• Refund a physical card: return it at the issuing operator's station to get your ¥500 deposit back (a small handling fee may be deducted from any remaining balance, depending on the operator).
• Mobile has no deposit to refund; you can transfer or use up the balance.

FAQ

1. Do I need both Suica and PASMO? No. The cards are interoperable nationwide — one is enough for trains, buses, and shops across Japan.

2. Mobile or plastic card? Mobile is easiest (top up from your phone, no deposit, never sold out) if your phone supports it. Otherwise a physical card is fine.

3. Can tourists get a card now? Yes — Welcome Suica or Tourist Pasmo (28 days, no deposit) at the airport, or Mobile Suica (180 days) on a compatible iPhone.

4. How do I get my ¥500 deposit back? Return a physical card at the issuer's station; the deposit is refunded (a handling fee may apply to leftover balance).

5. Can I charge a card with a credit card? On Mobile, yes. Physical-card machines are mostly cash; some support cards.

Sources

• JR East — Suica / Welcome Suica & Mobile Suica (official): https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/suica/
• PASMO — IC card & Tourist Pasmo (official): https://www.pasmo.co.jp/
• Japan Travel by NAVITIME — Suica & Pasmo IC card guide (chip-shortage timeline & tourist options): https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/guide/NTJhowto0063-en/

Related guides

• First week in Japan checklist — set up transport, SIM, and bank
• Japan eSIM for tourists — get data the moment you land
• Pocket Wi-Fi for visitors — connectivity for groups
• Best credit cards for foreigners — for topping up Mobile Suica

Last updated: 2026-06-19