Suica vs Pasmo Explained: Why You Need an IC Card for Trains in Tokyo

If you're planning a trip to Japan, one of the smartest moves you can make is grabbing an IC card like Suica or Pasmo as soon as you land. These contactless prepaid cards are absolute lifesavers for navigating public transportation — and they do way more than just get you from point A to B.

But which one should you get: Suica or Pasmo? What's the difference? Can tourists get one? Where can you buy them? We’ll break it all down in this comprehensive guide.

✅ What Is an IC Card (Suica or Pasmo)?

An IC card is a rechargeable smart card used to pay fares on trains, buses, subways, and even at convenience stores, vending machines, and select restaurants across Japan. Think of it like Japan’s version of Apple Pay — but for everything.

Two of the most popular IC cards are:

• Suica: Issued by JR East (Japan Railways)

• Pasmo: Issued by Tokyo Metro and private railways

Both cards function exactly the same in most situations. They're interchangeable on almost all forms of transport in Tokyo and across Japan, thanks to nationwide IC card compatibility.

🔍 Suica vs Pasmo: What's the Difference?

Feature	Suica	Pasmo
Issuer	JR East	Tokyo Metro / Private Lines
Where to Buy	JR East stations, Airports	Metro stations, Airports
Visitor Card	Yes, Suica Welcome Card	Yes, Pasmo Passport
Design Options	Welcome penguin or beautiful cherry blossoms for Welcome Suica Card	Pasmo Robot 🤖 for Pasmo Passport or special designs	PASMO Passport offers special discounts at shops, attractions, and more
Deposit Refund	Yes (¥500) Deposit NOT necessary for Suica Welcome Card (valid 28 days)	Yes (¥500) Deposit NOT necessary for Suica Welcome Card (valid 28 days)
Usable Outside Tokyo	Yes	Yes
Personalization	Yes	Yes
Digital	via AppleWallet*	via AppleWallet*

💡 Bottom Line:

Functionally, there's no major difference. Pick whichever is most convenient to get at your arrival station or airport. Want the adorable Suica penguin on your card? Go Suica — especially with the Suica Welcome Card, made just for tourists. Prefer the cute Pasmo robot design? Choose Pasmo, or its tourist-friendly version, the Pasmo Passport. Both are nearly identical in usage, so you can’t go wrong.

Digital IC Card Supported iPhones:

• iPhone 8 or later

• Must be set to the Japan region (in settings)

• iOS 13 or later recommended

• Unfortunately, most U.S.-sold Android phones do not support the mobile Suica/Pasmo system. This is because:

  • It relies on Osaifu-Keitai, a Japan-specific mobile payment standard

  • U.S. Androids usually don’t have the necessary FeliCa chip support

Payment processing can sometimes be finicky on the app it is primarily built for people living in Japan and optimized in such way. For paying with credit card, try Mastercard as opposed to VISA.

🧳 IC Cards for Visitors: Suica Welcome

If you're visiting Japan short-term, you can get tourist-only versions of Suica. These don’t require a deposit, but they expire after a set number of days (28 days, verify). You also can't get any remaining funds back, so you need to be as exact as possible with your spending.

🎫 Suica Welcome Card

• Available only for foreign visitors

• Valid for 28 days* *verify

• No deposit required

• Can be bought at Narita/Haneda Airports and major JR stations such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro station.

  
  

🎫 Pasmo Passport

• Also valid for 28 days

• No deposit required

• Includes some tourist discounts at shops and attractions

• Available at Haneda Airport, and some major stations

  
  

👉 Pro Tip: If you’re staying longer than a month or want a refundable card, go with the standard Suica or Pasmo (requires ¥500 deposit). There is a small fee to get any remaining funds back. The deposit is fully returned.

👛 How to Buy a Suica or Pasmo Card

Here are the easiest places to grab your IC card:

🛬 Airports:

• Narita Airport: JR East Travel Service Center (Suica), Keisei Line counters (Pasmo)

• Haneda Airport: Tokyo Monorail JR East counter (Suica), Keikyu Line counter (Pasmo)

🚉 Train Stations:

• Any major JR East station for Suica such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, or Tokyo Station.

• Metro/private stations like Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ikebukuro for Pasmo

🖥️ Online:

You can also pre-order a Suica or Pasmo card online and have it delivered to your hotel or pick it up at the airport. This is perfect for skipping lines.

🔄 Recharging Your IC Card

IC cards can be recharged at:

• Ticket machines (English available)

• Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart)

• Some bus terminals

Minimum charge is usually ¥1,000. Max balance is ¥20,000.

A good re-up is 2,000 - 3,000 yen, if you still have a couple of days in the city.

If you exceed your limit and get stopped at the exit, look for a machine on the side and you can charge your card there.

💰 How to Get Your Deposit Back (For Standard Suica/Pasmo)

If you purchased a standard Suica or Pasmo with a deposit, you can get your ¥500 back by returning the card at:

• Suica: Any JR East station

• Pasmo: Any Pasmo issuing railway company station (e.g. Tokyo Metro, Keio, Odakyu)

  Airport exits usually have machines specifically for returning back the cards. When you return a standard (non-tourist) Suica or Pasmo card, you are eligible to get:

  • ¥500 deposit refunded in full, if the card has no remaining balance

  • If there is still money on the card (e.g. ¥300), that balance is also refunded minus a ¥220 handling fee

Note: Tourist versions (Suica Welcome & Pasmo Passport) are non-refundable and non-rechargeable after 28 days.

🏪 Where Else Can You Use IC Cards?

IC cards aren’t just for transport! You can also use them at:

• Vending machines

• Convenience stores

• Coin lockers

• Some cafes & restaurants

• Taxis (especially in Tokyo)

Not always accepted so not to be taken as a reliable way to always be able to pay.

🧠 Final Tips: Suica or Pasmo?

• Pick Suica if you're near JR stations

• Pick Pasmo if you're closer to Tokyo Metro

• Tourist? Choose the Suica Welcome or Pasmo Passport. You will need your passport when purchasing the card.

• Staying long-term? Get a standard card with deposit. You can choose to have your name printed on the card or not.

Whichever one you choose, having an IC card in Japan is a game-changer. It’ll save you time, hassle, and make you feel like a local from day one.

🎟️ Coming Up Next: Do You Still Need Other Tickets?

While IC cards are awesome, they don’t cover everything — especially if you're:

• Traveling to other regions of Japan

• Using the Shinkansen (bullet train)

• Riding limited express or sightseeing trains

➡️ Next Post: What IC Cards Don't Cover in Japan — and How to Ride the Shinkansen Like a Pro

📌 Save This Post for Later

Pin, bookmark, or print this post so you’re not scrambling when you land in Japan.