Suica, Pasmo or Welcome Suica: which IC card to get in Tokyo

Tokyo's train and subway network is run by many different companies, each with its own fares. An IC card is a rechargeable tap-and-go card that works across nearly all of them, so you don't need to work out a fare for every ride. Suica and Pasmo are the two best known cards. For a visitor the confusing part isn't how to use one, it's which one you can actually get, because the rules for tourists have changed several times.

Suica vs Pasmo: is there a difference?

For a visitor, no. Suica is issued by JR East and Pasmo by a group of private railways and bus operators, but the two have been interchangeable since 2007. Either one works on JR lines, the subway, private railways and most buses in the Tokyo area, and at vending machines and many shops and convenience stores. Don't pick one for its name; pick the one you can get.

Your options as a visitor

These details are what the operators and several travel sources report as of October 2026. Prices and availability change, so confirm at the airport or on the official site before you rely on any of them.

Welcome Suica: the simplest choice for most visitors

Welcome Suica is a prepaid IC card made for visitors. There is no deposit, you choose how much to load, and it works for 28 days from the day you buy it. The catch is that the remaining balance cannot be refunded, so loading a small amount and topping up later is safer than loading the maximum. Station machines accept common bills and the card holds a limited balance, so you can top up as you go.

At the airports, buy it from the JR East Travel Service Center or a Welcome Suica vending machine. At Haneda the machines are in the Terminal 3 arrivals hall, and at Narita there are machines as well as the service centers. If a queue is long, the machine is usually faster. Bring your passport in case you are asked for it.

What happened to Pasmo's tourist card?

This is where the information online disagrees. Pasmo's tourist card, PASMO PASSPORT, was officially discontinued on June 25, 2024. Some travel sites still list it as available, and one source reports a new "Tourist Pasmo" arriving in 2026. Because the official Pasmo visitor page doesn't confirm a replacement, we can't promise one is on sale. If you see a Pasmo counter at the airport selling a tourist card, it will work the same as Welcome Suica. If not, Welcome Suica is the safe choice.

Mobile Suica on an iPhone

If you have an iPhone, you can add a Suica card to Apple Wallet before you travel and top it up with a linked card. There is no card to collect at the airport, so you skip the queue, and the balance doesn't expire. Support depends on your phone and your payment card, so set it up and test a small top-up at home. Android users have fewer options, so most of them are better off with Welcome Suica.

Do you need an IC card at all?

Not strictly. You can buy a ticket for each ride, and you can pay cash in many places. For a short trip with only a few rides it can be fine. But in a city where every route crosses several operators, a tap-and-go card removes a lot of friction: no fare maps, no small change, and it works on buses and at vending machines too. If you plan to ride a lot, a visitor subway pass may be worth comparing as well, but for most travelers an IC card is the simplest all-round tool.

Getting from the airport with your card

Your IC card is useful as soon as you land, but some airport routes need an extra ticket on top, such as reserved-seat express trains. If you're still deciding how to get into the city, see Haneda vs Narita: which Tokyo airport is easier. If you arrive late, with a lot of luggage or with children, a pre-booked transfer is the easier start.

Tips for using an IC card in Tokyo

• Load a small amount first. You can always top up at station machines, but you can't get a Welcome Suica balance back.
• Spend the balance before you leave. Vending machines and convenience stores take the card, so use up what's left in your last days.
• Keep the card away from your phone case with other cards. Two cards stacked can confuse the gate reader.
• Tap in and tap out. On trains and subways you tap at both ends. On buses the rule varies, so watch what locals do.
• Check the 28 days. If your trip is longer, plan for a second card or a mobile Suica.

Frequently asked questions

Is Suica or Pasmo better for tourists?

For a visitor there is no real difference. Suica (JR East) and Pasmo (Tokyo's private railways and buses) have worked interchangeably on trains, buses and in shops since 2007. Choose whichever you can actually get. For most visitors that is Welcome Suica, because it is sold at both airports.

Where can I buy Welcome Suica at Haneda and Narita?

At the JR East Travel Service Centers in the airports, and from Welcome Suica vending machines at Narita and in the Terminal 3 arrivals hall at Haneda. Queues at the counters can be long at busy times, so the machines are often quicker. Bring your passport in case you are asked to show it.

Can I get a refund on a Welcome Suica?

No. Welcome Suica has no deposit, but it is valid for 28 days and any remaining balance cannot be refunded. Load a small amount first and top up as needed rather than loading the maximum on day one.

Do I need an IC card in Tokyo at all?

Not strictly. You can buy single tickets for each ride and pay cash in many places. But an IC card saves you working out fares at every station, works on trains, subways and buses, and can be used at vending machines and many convenience stores, so most visitors find it worth getting.

Can I use Suica on my iPhone as a visitor?

Often yes. You can add a Suica card to Apple Wallet and top it up with a linked card, and the balance does not expire. Support depends on your card and phone, and Android phones are more limited, so set it up and test it before you fly rather than at the airport.

Can I still buy a regular Suica or Pasmo card?

Sales of regular plastic Suica and Pasmo cards were suspended in 2023 because of a chip shortage, and the operators gave no end date for the suspension. Most visitors use Welcome Suica or a mobile Suica instead. Check the operators' sites close to your trip, because the situation has changed more than once.

Related reading

The short version

Suica and Pasmo are interchangeable, so get whichever you can. For most visitors that means Welcome Suica from Haneda or Narita, or a mobile Suica on an iPhone. Load a little at a time, remember the 28-day limit and no-refund rule, and install a Japan eSIM before you land so you can find your way from the first minute.