The Suica card and PASMO card (aka IC cards) are essential for an easy and smooth experience while traveling on the Tokyo municipal transportation system. With up to 30 different transportation companies operating lines that overlap and crisscross each other like a tangle of spider webs, it can be confusing and frustrating trying to navigate Tokyo transport on your own. That is where these cards come in. They enable you to skip buying tickets and proceed directly to the ticketing gate. This video explains what an IC card is, where to buy it, how to use it, where else it is accepted, how to recharge it, the difference between a regular card and one specifically designed for tourists (Welcome Suica, PASMO Passport), and lastly how to use up the balance. Enjoy!
Travel
31 Comments
Easy to follow 👍👍
Excellent 👍
Day two in Japan 🗾 this video was of great help :-)
Did you only use your ic card in Tokyo?
when you recharge a Pasmo Passport, is it cash only (I think it is but I figure you will know!)
VERY useful video, thanks!
Arigato. Traveling to Tokyo soon only for 7 days so will buy the Pasmo card to get around.
Thank you for all these tips! I'm sure they'll prove to be most useful of my trip to Japan next year 💯
Great video thank you, just had a question, i'm going with my wife should each get an ic card or can we use 1 card for both of us?
Can you use credit card to buy it at the machine ?
Thanks for the video. How do I find out the balance left in my card?
There is a shortage of IC chips, but Suica and Pasmo choose to waste them on tourist cards which have a lifespan of only 28 days. What a way to generate e-waste!
Get a Pasmo Passport at the airport if you can. I had to burrow down into the bowels of Shinjuku Station to get ours. I don't know why they make it a PITA to top up either. Cash is a nuisance.
Thank you so much 🙏🏻
So which card recommended for tourist passmo or suica ?
Thanks for taking the time to make this video we appreciate it very much! 🙏
Hello, firstly, thank you for your video! Are they still issuing these cards? I travel to Japan in March 2024. Wondering if I'll have to carry a cash bag for the change if they are not issuing the card! 🤣
Hi Travis… We are going to Osaka, Hiroshima and Tokyo… do i need 3 different cards for my travels?
Thanks for the tip though my question is why not just get rid of the tourist cards? If they kept the suica cards visitors can keep them and re use them if they ever decide to visit Japan again right? Also they could lend it to friends and family if they decide to visit as well. And it just sounds like a waste if it’s only usable for 28 days.
Learning about everything I will use for next month! thank you
I heard you can get discounts at certain places if you have the Pasmo, is this true? The website isn't very clear on where you get the discounts 🙂
Is there a discount for children for the Welcome Suica card?
I heard you can just download the card in your phone.
Why don't they just accept debit/credit pay wave cards, especially if they aren't going to make their own anymore?
We can only buy Suica/Pasmo cards and make top-ups with cash only? Can we use cards?
Should I just get a Icoca card instead of a Pasmo? Icoca can apparently work in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka – all of which I will be traveling to. Whereas Pasmo seems to only work in Tokyo?
Great video I would like to know which one can be used for the bullet train?
I like the approach you did to make this video so precise and straight to the point. Thank you
Can you purchase items more than the value of the card and pay the balance at the convenience stores?
Hello, Can i use those Cards to Narita Express or Bullet Train, Thanks
We had lent our cards (one Passmo and one ICOCA) to my wife’s sister and her daughter to use on their trip and forgot to get them back for our trip. Since we both have iPhones, I set up Apple Pay on mine with a Passmo and my wife’s with a SUICA. It took a couple of minutes to get the credit cards connected, as they seem rather fickle about what cards they take. But once accepted, it was easy to recharge on the go rather than constantly use a machine. No deposits to worry about.
Is there an option to add a welcome card to Android and update balance there?