Transport

How to use Suica, PASMO and IC cards in Japan

Choose a Suica, PASMO, visitor or mobile IC card, charge it, use trains and buses, and fix low balance or ticket-gate errors in Japan.

Last updated: September 3, 2026

10-second answer

What to do right now

Choose a physical, visitor or compatible mobile IC card, add Japanese yen and use the same card from entry to exit. If the gate stops you, do not tap repeatedly—read the error and ask staff.

1Choose the product that fits the trip
2Charge and tap the same card
3Fix the record before continuing

Show the Japanese phrase Open official help

Detailed steps

Follow these steps

Choose the product that fits the trip

Compare current availability, validity, deposit, balance-refund, child-card and phone-compatibility rules before buying.

Charge and tap the same card

Many physical cards are charged with Japanese cash. Keep the card separate and use it at every required reader from entry to exit.

Fix the record before continuing

For low balance, use an eligible fare-adjustment machine or ask staff. For another gate error, show the same card and explain the journey.

Useful Japanese phrase

This IC card did not work at the gate. Could you check it?

このICカードが改札で使えませんでした。確認してもらえますか？

Kono IC kādo ga kaisatsu de tsukaemasen deshita. Kakunin shite moraemasu ka?

An IC card pays each fare from stored yen

It is not an unlimited travel pass. Charge the card, tap at the required readers and use the same card from entry to exit.

Choose the right product

Regular card, visitor card or mobile card?

Regular IC cardUseful for longer stays or repeat visits

Cards such as Suica, PASMO and ICOCA commonly include a ¥500 deposit. Purchase and refund locations and lost-card protection depend on the card type.

Visitor IC cardSimple for a short trip

Welcome Suica and TOURIST PASMO are deposit-free and valid for 28 days. Remaining value is not refunded, so charge gradually.

Mobile IC cardConvenient only when compatible

Device, region, wallet and payment-card compatibility vary. Check the exact iPhone or Android requirements before relying on it, and keep another way to pay.

How to use it

Train, bus and shopping steps

1
Buy and charge
Use a compatible ticket machine, counter or official mobile service. Many physical-card machines accept Japanese cash; other payment methods vary.
2
Tap at the entrance
Touch the card flat to the reader until the gate or display confirms the tap. Do not stack it with another IC card.
3
Tap at the exit
The correct fare is deducted. If the balance is short or the gate shows an error, use a fare-adjustment machine or ask staff.
4
For a bus, follow its local system
You may tap when boarding, when leaving or both. Watch the door signs and other passengers instead of assuming every bus works the same way.

An IC card does not cover everything

Some rural lines, highway buses and local transport do not accept your card.
Do not cross between separate IC-card service areas on one tap journey unless the operator confirms it is supported.
Limited express and Shinkansen trips may require a separate base-fare or express/reserved-seat ticket and a linking procedure.
One physical card is for one traveler; you cannot tap several people through with one card.

Choose without guessing

Which IC option fits this trip?

Your situation	Start with	Check before choosing
Short visit and airport purchase	Visitor card if currently available	Sales location, 28-day validity, no balance refund and whether a child version is needed.
Longer stay or repeat visits	Regular physical card	Deposit, issuer-specific refund counter, registration options and current stock.
Compatible iPhone or Android	Mobile IC	Exact phone model, purchase region, wallet support and a payment card that can complete the charge.
Card unavailable or setup fails	Paper ticket	Buy the correct fare before boarding and ask staff about a physical card later. Do not block the gate while troubleshooting.

Stopped at the gate?

Use the error message to choose the next action

Balance is too low

Use a fare-adjustment machine that accepts the card or ask the staffed gate. JR East says Suica users can add value or make up the shortage at a fare-adjustment machine after entering.

The previous trip was not closed

Do not tap repeatedly or use a second card. Show the same card to station staff and explain where you entered or last used it so they can inspect the travel record.

You tapped two cards together

Remove the card from the wallet or phone case and tap only the card used at entry. One journey must normally be completed with the same IC card.

The route crosses service areas

Nationwide logos do not mean every cross-area journey can be completed by one tap. Ask staff to settle the trip, then buy the correct ticket for the remaining route.

Buying for a child?

Do not lend an adult card and expect a child fare. Buy the operator’s child product and carry the age document it requires. JR East states that its child card deducts the child fare; procedures and age evidence depend on the issuer.

Charging, balance and refunds

Charge a little at a time

Visitor-card balances are not refundable. Keep enough for the next trip, but avoid leaving a large unused amount.

Keep cash available

Cash remains the safest backup for charging a physical card and for transport that does not accept nationwide IC cards.

Lost cards differ

Anonymous and visitor cards generally cannot be reissued. Registered-card rules vary, so check the issuer immediately.

Shop only where accepted

Look for the transport IC logo at convenience stores, vending machines and other participating businesses.

Official JNTO, JR East and PASMO guidance checked on September 3, 2026. Product availability, sales locations, mobile compatibility, child-card documents and refund rules can change; confirm the issuer’s current page before purchase.

Useful links

Check current IC card information

Official resources come first. Links open in a new tab.

Official visitor guide IC travel cards in Japan JNTO explains interoperable cards, transport use, shopping and visitor products such as Welcome Suica and TOURIST PASMO. Read the official overview → Official JR East guide Welcome Suica for short stays Check the current purchase locations, 28-day validity, charging and area rules for the deposit-free visitor card. Check Welcome Suica → Optional booking service Affiliate link Reserve a Welcome Suica for airport pickup If the available airport, terminal and pickup date fit your trip, compare the total price and redemption details before booking. Official purchase information remains available above. Check pickup options → Official PASMO guide TOURIST PASMO for international visitors Check airport sales locations, 28-day validity, available values and the no-refund rule before buying. Check TOURIST PASMO → Official JR East guide Regular Suica card rules Review the deposit, refund conditions, validity and what to do if a card is lost. Check regular Suica →