IC Cards For Getting Around Japan
Automated kiosks: You can buy IC cards at automated kiosks at major train stations. Kiosk instructions are available in English.
IC CARDS
OVERVIEW-WHAT IS AN IC CARD?
To help with the busy queues and rush hours of Japan trains and buses, smart money cards have been created to give smooth access to all lines in Tokyo and beyond. IC cards are rechargeable cards that can be used to conveniently pay fares on public transportation and to make payments at many vending machines, shops and restaurants by simply touching the card on a reader for about one second. Pasmo and Suica are the two types of Tokyo IC Cards available, while dozens of train and bus operators across Japan have started issuing their own IC cards since 2001.
IC cards in Japan are prepaid cards with a unique design that features a mascot from the region.
Suica, Pasmo, Icoca and seven more of Japan's most popular IC cards were made compatible with each other in 2013, making it possible to travel on almost all trains, subways and buses in most of Japan's largest cities with just a single of these cards.
PRICE
The Suica card initially costs ¥ 1 (US$ 0), of which 500 is credit and the other 500 goes as a deposit. This deposit is returned when you return the card to the Japan Rail (Suica).
The Pasmo card costs ¥ 500 (US$ 3.30), which is non-refundable, as well as the money you want to charge it with
USAGE
Both Suica and Pasmo Cards are specifically for short term visitors to Japan. Both cards can be used for most public transportation, including trains, buses, metros, and monorails. They can also be used as electronic wallets to pay for small purchases at convenience stores, vending machines, and more. These days you can pay in vending machines, shops, and some restaurants near the stations using these cards.
IC cards, such as Suica or Pasmo , can be used on selected shinkansen lines and need some set-up before use. There are currently three different systems:
Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen Online Reservation Service (smart EX)
The above-mentioned Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen Online Reservation Service allows users to register IC cards with the system and then use an IC card to ride the Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen. Fares are charged to a registered credit card rather than subtracted from the IC card's balance.
JR East Reservation System - for shinkansen trains in eastern Japan
In combination with the above-mentioned JR East Reservation System, it is possible to use IC cards to ride shinkansen trains in eastern and northern Japan. Fares are charged to a registered credit card rather than subtracted from the IC card's balance.
Touch de Go - for shinkansen trains in eastern Japan
Regular IC cards, including Suica, Pasmo and Icoca, can be used on non-reserved seats of shinkansen trains in the entire service area of JR East (see map above). Before you can use an IC card for this service, which is known as "Touch de Go", a one-time set-up procedure is required at a ticket machine. Fares will be subtracted from the IC card's balance.
BASIC USE
HOW TO USE IC CARDS ?
For buses, the card reader will be located at the vehicle's entrance or exit. Tap your IC card on the reader when you board the bus and when you exit.
When passing automatic ticket gates, touch the card onto the card reader for about one second (rather than inserting it into the ticket slot). The applicable fare will be automatically deducted when you exit through the ticket gate at your destination station. When riding buses, card readers are placed at the entrance and/or exit of the bus. A card cannot be shared by multiple travelers for the same ride. Each traveler needs a separate card.
WHERE TO BUY ?
You can buy a Pasmo or Suica card at the first train or metro station you use in Japan.
HOW TO BUY ?
On Buses: Tap your IC card against the blue screen next to the driver's seat.
TO BUY A CARD, YOU CAN :
Find a ticket machine that mentions Pasmo or Suica
Press the button that says "get a new IC card"
Choose how much money you want to put on the card
Pay a one-time 500 yen deposit
HOW TO RECHARGE
You can recharge your card at almost any ticket machine.
VALIDITY
Both cards are valid for 10 years. Cards become invalid if they are not used for ten years.
DEPOSIT
You can get your 500 yen deposit back if you return the card at the train station when you're finished with your trip.
IS THERE A DISCOUNT OVER REGUALR TICKETS
IC cards generally do not provide any discounts over regular tickets. But in Greater Tokyo, Niigata and Sendai, train fares can differ by a few yen depending on whether an IC card or a paper ticket is used. This is because fares are rounded to the nearest ten yen in case of paper tickets, but not rounded in case of IC cards. Around central Tokyo, payment by IC card is always cheaper than payment by paper ticket (by up to nine yen), but outside of central Tokyo, either ticket type can be up to five yen cheaper than the other.
HOW TO CHECK THE CURRENT BALANCE ?
The current credit balance is shown on a small display whenever you pass a ticket gate or make a payment at a store. Furthermore, the balance can be checked at ticket machines together with a usage history.
OTHER DETAILS
The Suica card is offered by JR East and features a penguin mascot. The Pasmo card is non-refundable.
If your stay in Japan is shorter than four weeks, you can consider buying a Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport instead. Sales of personalized Suica and PASMO cards were suspended due to a semiconductor shortage, but now that we expect to be able to secure sufficient semiconductors for the foreseeable future, we are putting these cards back on sale starting Sunday, September 1, 2024.
If your trip starts in Tokyo, you can get a Suica or Pasmo card. There is no difference between the two when it comes to usage, so you can get either one. If your trip would start in Osaka or elsewhere the card will be called different.
Can I give it to a family member or friend? Personalized PASMO cards are for use by the bearer only, so the name cannot be changed and they cannot be transferred to another person. Please return your PASMO for a refund in this case.
IC cards can be purchased at ticket machines and ticket counters of the issuing railway companies.
OTHER DISCOUNT TICKETS
Small discounts are available for set ticket ( kaisūken) and round trip tickets (ōfukuwaribiki) that are available for selected sections. Other tickets provide a discount when purchased in advance ( hayatoku). Discount ticket shops around major stations also sell shinkansen tickets at small discounts.
More substantial savings are provided by travel packages which have to be purchased in advance at travel agencies. Among them are the "Shinkansen Travel Packages" and "Shinkansen One-Way Trip" (also known as Platt-Kodama) for travel along the Tokaido Shinkansen (including Tokyo-Kyoto and Tokyo-Osaka), sold at JR Tokai Tours travel agencies.
JR West also offers discounted one-way tickets along the Sanyo Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen exclusively to overseas tourists. Prospective travelers will first receive a mobile voucher which can then be exchanged to the real ticket at a ticket machine.
RAIL PASSES
The Japan Rail Pass can be used on all shinkansen trains and covers all the fees involved (except for a supplement fee required for Nozomi and Mizuho trains). Seat reservations can be made for free at ticket machines and ticket offices. Pass holders will receive a seat reservation ticket that indicates the reserved seat. They need no tickets besides their rail pass when using non-reserved seats. Numerous regional passes also cover some shinkansen trains.