What is an IC card in Japan and which one should I get?

Understand how rechargeable transit cards such as Suica, Pasmo and Icoca work, why the brand matters less than you think, and which type suits a visitor.

Published October 20, 2026 at 6:11 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: An IC card is a rechargeable contactless card you tap at train gates, on buses and at many shops across Japan. Regional brands such as Suica, Pasmo and Icoca are mostly interchangeable for visitors, so the one sold where you arrive is usually fine. Visitors can also look for a short-term version such as Welcome Suica. Check the issuer's official page for current types.

What an IC card actually is

An IC card is a prepaid card with a small chip inside, used by tapping it on a reader. The national tourism organization describes IC cards as pre-paid cards for fast travel on trains, buses and boats that also work at some vending machines, convenience stores and taxis. You add money to the card in advance, and each ride deducts the exact fare, so there is no need to read a fare map or buy a paper ticket for every trip.

Suica, issued by East Japan Railway Company (JR East), describes itself as a prepaid electronic money card: the fare is deducted automatically at the ticket gate, and the same balance can be used for purchases at convenience stores, shopping malls, restaurants and some shops in station buildings. Pasmo, Icoca and others work in the same way.

Why there are so many brands

Japan's regions each have their own IC card, issued by the railway companies that serve them. Suica and Pasmo cover the Tokyo area, Icoca covers the Kansai area around Osaka and Kyoto, and other cards serve areas such as Nagoya, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Kyushu. The cards began as local systems and were later made to work together under a nationwide mutual-use arrangement.

For a visitor, that history matters less than the result. The Japan National Tourism Organization notes that most regions have their own card and that these cards can be used nationwide. Suica's official page lists the logos that it is accepted alongside, including Kitaca, Pasmo, manaca, Toica, Icoca, Hayakaken, Nimoca and Sugoca, and the west Japan railway company adds PiTaPa to the Icoca list. Look for the same logos on gates and shop terminals.

Which card to get in practice

For most visitors, the best card is simply the one that is easy to buy at your arrival point. If you land in Tokyo, that is usually a Suica or Pasmo variant, and if you land in Osaka, it is usually Icoca. Because the cards interoperate, a Suica bought in Tokyo can be tapped in Osaka and an Icoca can be tapped in Tokyo, within the limits explained below.

The decision then comes down to the type of card. A standard card typically includes a 500 yen deposit that is returned when you hand the card back at a station of the issuer. The visitor version of Suica, called Welcome Suica, is valid for 28 days and, according to JR East, requires no deposit. Pasmo's own visitor page says its visitor-only card has been withdrawn from sale and points longer-term visitors to the regular Pasmo, so older guides that mention a tourist version of Pasmo may be out of date. Choose a standard card if you might return to Japan, and a visitor card if you want a simple short-term option, and check which cards are on sale at your arrival point.

Visitor cards, deposits and refunds

Welcome Suica is described by JR East as a special 28-day card for visitors from abroad, and no deposit is needed to buy it. Visitor-only cards are generally not refunded for unused value, so it makes sense to load modest amounts and check JR East's current terms. Pasmo's visitor page says its visitor-only card is no longer available, so visitors who want a Pasmo buy the regular card, which carries a 500 yen deposit.

Standard Suica and Pasmo cards differ. The 500 yen deposit and the remaining balance are returned when you return the card, with a handling fee of 220 yen taken from the balance on a Suica, according to JR East. That makes a standard card better for people who plan to keep it for later trips, and visitor cards better for people who want a single clean trip.

What an IC card does and does not cover

An IC card pays for local and many regional rides on trains, subways, buses and monorails, and it works at stores that show the IC logos. It does not generally cover long-distance travel between different card areas. JR East's page says that Suica works only within each applicable area and cannot be used to travel between areas, and that limited express, express and Green Car rides need a separate ticket.

Shinkansen travel, in general, also needs its own ticket. If your trip involves a long ride, buy that ticket separately and use the IC card for the local legs on either end. Check the operator's English guidance for current rules, because boundaries and special services are updated from time to time.

Common mistakes

One mistake is expecting the IC card to be a pass with unlimited rides. It is a stored-value card, so each ride is charged. Another is leaving a large balance on a card you will not use again, since some visitor cards cannot be refunded. A third is assuming that a card issued by one brand can be returned anywhere: a JR East card, for instance, can be returned for a refund only at JR East stations. Plastic card sales can also be limited at times, so check availability on the issuer's page.

A final mistake is relying on a physical card as the only plan. Mobile versions exist for some devices, but they depend on device and region support. Having a backup, such as a visitor card or a paper ticket for the first ride, avoids an awkward start at the gate if one option is unavailable.

Planning tips and next steps

Before you travel, decide whether you prefer a physical card or a phone-based version, because that changes where you get it. Plan to load an amount that covers a few days of rides, then top up as needed, remembering that the maximum balance on the standard cards is 20,000 yen. Keep a small cash reserve for stations and shops that do not accept the card.

Official English pages describe each card's current types, prices, areas and refund rules, and they are updated when the systems change. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act. Once you have a card, tapping in and out becomes quick, and the card can save time at busy gates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all IC cards work in every part of Japan?

Most major cities and regions accept the nationwide mutual-use cards, but there are exceptions. Some rural areas have local systems that only accept a specific card, and some small stations have no reader. Cards also cannot be used for travel across different card areas. Check the issuer's coverage map for the places you plan to visit.

Can children use an IC card?

Child versions exist and are charged child fares. JR East's page says adult and child Suica cards are sold in the same amounts and differ only in the fare deducted. Children's rules, including the age limit, depend on the issuer, so check the official page for the card in question.

Can an IC card be used to pay at shops?

Yes, at many convenience stores, vending machines, shopping malls and other places that display the IC card logos. The balance on the card is used just as it is for rides. Some small shops, markets and restaurants only take cash, so a cash reserve is still useful.

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More guides from Tokyo Paul: Can I use one IC card across all of Japan?, Can I use a Suica card to pay in shops? and Sightseeing Buses in Tokyo: Route Buses, Open-Top Tours and Day Tours.