Prepaid IC Cards for Japan

[Jurong640]

For sharing and discussions on the usage of Prepaid IC Cards for use in Japan, for transporation and more. Hope this will help those who are going Japan soon and getting some help with confused Singaporeans. I'm sharing as a traveller first time travelling to Japan in 2026.

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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. Dozens of train and bus operators across Japan have started issuing their own IC cards since 2001.

Instead of physical IC cards, it is possible to use digital versions of some of the cards on mobile phones; however, at present, oversea tourists can do this only if they own an Iphone.

 

[Jurong640]

There are different types of IC cards in Japan, depends on region you are, but all region cards are interoperable in other regions

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.

What are the ten major IC cards?​

Suica	Prepaid IC card by JR East for JR trains in the Greater Tokyo, Niigata and Sendai regions. A special version of Suica, called Welcome Suica, is available to foreign tourists. The special cards are valid for only four weeks, come without a deposit fee, but do not allow for refunds. An app version, Welcome Suica Mobile, is available for Iphones and is valid for 180 days instead of just four weeks.
Pasmo	Prepaid IC card of Tokyo's railway, subway and bus operators other than Japan Railways (JR). A "Tourist Pasmo" version, similar to Welcome Suica, will become available from sometime in May 2026, targeting international visitors.
Icoca	Prepaid IC card of JR West for JR trains in the Kansai (incl. Osaka and Kyoto), Chugoku and Hokuriku regions.
Pitapa	IC card of the Kansai Region's railway and subway operators other than JR. Unlike the other nine cards, Pitapa is a postpaid rather than prepaid card and not available to foreign tourists.
Manaca	Prepaid IC card of Nagoya's train, subway and bus operators other than JR and Kintetsu.
Kitaca	Prepaid IC card by JR Hokkaido for JR trains in the Greater Sapporo region, including Otaru, between Sapporo and Asahikawa, and between Hakodate and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, the city's shinkansen station. It can be used also on Sapporo's subways, buses and tram.
Sugoca	Prepaid IC card of JR Kyushu for JR trains in the Greater Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Oita and Nagasaki regions.
Nimoca	Prepaid IC card of Nishitetsu for Nishitetsu trains and buses in Greater Fukuoka and selected non-JR transportation in other cities on Kyushu and in Hakodate.
Hayakaken	Prepaid IC card of Fukuoka City for the Fukuoka Subway.

What is covered and what is not?​

The ten cards are valid on virtually all trains, subways and buses in most of Japan's major cities, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya and Fukuoka. But there are a few issues to keep in mind:

• Travel outside or between IC card areas
  It is not possible to travel outside IC card areas. Both, the origin and destination stations have to be located inside the IC card's coverage area. Furthermore, it is not possible to use an IC card to travel between disjoined IC card areas (except when using shinkansen trains; see details below). For example, you cannot use it to travel between Tokyo and Sendai.
• Shinkansen
  IC cards can be used on selected shinkansenlines, but need some set-up before use. There are currently three different systems:
  • On the Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen
    IC cards can be used on the Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen via the Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen Online Reservation Service (smartEX). In order to do so, one or more IC cards and a credit card have to be registered on the website. Afterwards, it is possible to purchase shinkansen tickets online and use the registered IC cards to pass through the shinkansen ticket gates. Fares are charged to the registered credit card rather than subtracted from the IC cards' balance.
  • On shinkansen in eastern and northern Japan
    It is possible to use regular IC cards on all shinkansen trains in eastern and northern Japan by purchasing e-tickets through JR East's reservation website (EkiNet). Fares are charged to the registered credit card rather than subtracted from the IC cards' balance.
  • On shinkansen operated by JR East
    Regular IC cards can be used on non-reserved seats along the Tohoku, Akita, Yamagata, Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen trains (Hokuriku Shinkansen only between Tokyo and Joetsu-Myoko stations). 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.
• Other trains requiring a supplement fee
  When riding other trains that require a supplement fee, e.g. limited express trains, travelers can use the IC card to pay the base fare when passing through the ticket gates, but the supplement ticket needs to be purchased separately at a ticket machine, office or online.
• Highway buses
  Many highway buses cannot be paid by IC card.

 

[Jurong640]

Where to get an IC card?​

IC cards can be purchased at ticket machines and ticket counters of the issuing railway companies. The initial cost consists of a refundable deposit of 500 yen plus an initial amount (typically 1500 yen) to be charged onto the card. For a surcharge, Suica and Pasmo cards can also be purchased and sent to you before the start of your trip through Japan Experience. Last but not least, Iphone users can add Suica, Pasmo and Icoca cards to Apple Pay.

Are there digital versions of the IC cards?​

Iphone 8 and later models can be set up to serve as Suica, Pasmo and Icoca cards by adding the cards to Apple Pay, but note that some credit cards issued outside of Japan cannot be used to charge your card. In addition, the "Welcome Suica Mobile" app is available for Iphones.

Android phones can be used as IC cards through the "Mobile Suica", "Mobile Pasmo", "Mobile Icoca" and "Mobile Toica" apps; however, the apps are targeted at residents of Japan and difficult or impossible to use for visitors to Japan. Specifically, they require Osaifu Keitai compatibility, which is not provided by most phones sold outside of Japan, come in Japanese only, and require an address in Japan and possibly a credit card that has been issued in Japan.

Shall I get a regular Suica or Welcome Suica?​

The main advantage of Welcome Suica over regular Suica cards is that the 500 yen refundable deposit fee does not need to be paid. So, if you stay in Japan for less than four weeks*, won't return anytime soon, and want to skip the refund process at the end of your stay, then Welcome Suica can make sense to you. However, if you stay in Japan longer than four weeks, will be returning to Japan within ten years, and would rather not have your balance expire after four weeks*, the regular Suica card will be the better option. Regular Suica cards are also more widely sold than Welcome Suica cards, which are available only at limited locations.

How to recharge IC cards?​

IC cards can be recharged at ticket machines and special re-charging machines found in strategically meaningful locations. They can also be recharged at stations of companies other than the issuing company, e.g. Suica can also be recharged in Osaka. Furthermore, many convenience stores allow IC cards to be recharged at the cashier. The maximum amount to be charged onto a card is 20,000 yen.

Is there an expiry date?​

Cards become invalid if they are not used for ten years.

 

[Jurong640]

Personalised IC Card

You can get an IC Card personalised with your name. It is a registered prepaid card containing your name, gender, date of birth, and phone number. It is reissuable if lost, unlike standard anonymous IC cards, and can be purchased at major JR stations/airports.

 

[wongkc]

Just something to add on...

Sometimes there are limited edition IC cards that are only available to tourists... can only get them at specific stations... mostly those big stations or airport stations... need to show passports... in case you want to collect them as souvenirs... They are valid for 10yrs from the date of last use... not to be confused with those "Welcome Suica" or other Tourist Passport cards that can only be used for up to 1 month...

I have Hello Kitty... Astro Boy... Wind and Thunder Gods...

 

[Jurong640]

Just got back from my first trip to Japan a few weeks ago. I didn’t get a JR Pass—instead, I relied mostly on IC cards for getting around. The only pass I used was the Kintetsu Rail Pass, mainly for my daily trips to Suzuka for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix and for travel to Kyoto from Nagoya.

I landed at Nagoya (Central Japan International Airport) and headed straight to the train station connected to the airport to get my IC card. I didn’t initially notice the personalised card machine, but I came across it while going through the options to purchase an IC card.

The IC Card that was issued by Nagoya Airport Station was the yellow manaca card.

I opted for a personalised card with my name printed on it. At the ticket machine, you’ll see two options—personalised or non-personalised—and both cost the same. For the personalised one, you’ll need to enter your phone number and date of birth. The process is quick—once you input your details and select the top-up amount, the card is dispensed almost immediately.

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I’d recommend getting the personalised card—it makes a nice souvenir, and if you ever lose it, you can recover both the card and its stored value.

To add on before going on my first trip to Japan, i was about to get the Suica IC card from Shopee, please don't do it, it is way overpriced. Just get from the ticket machines after you landed. It is so much cheaper.

 

[Sauron]

Nice... Moi used my nimoca from Fukuoka in Tokyo

 

[Jurong640]

Last week, my friend updated me a post from Japan Guide Instagram that from next year 2027, Suica will be available for Android users on their phones (sold outside Japan)

For your reading:

 

[alex22]

Insofar, pasmo once gone virtual cannot become physical again unless u visit a branch.
Both cannot exist together.

Can't rem suica isit limited this way.
I'm holding pasmo unregistered from machine.

But if ur in big cities, paywave is almost possible for bus, train.

Can register Aupay maybe, not sure haven try!

If you're offshore then good luck.
Cash is king, or buy their pass or physical ticket.

 

[Jurong640]

Samsung Wallet、JR東日本と訪日旅行者が便利に使える「Welcome Suica Mobile・モバイルSuica」の協業を開始​

■今後の協業に関する取り組み​

• 海外で発売される「Samsung Galaxyスマートフォン」におけるSuica対応

2027年以降に海外で発売される「Samsung Galaxyスマートフォン」において、訪日旅行者向けのSuicaアプリケーション「Welcome Suica Mobile」でのSuica発行に対応

※発売地域や対応機種は、今後詳細が決まり次第お知らせします。​

• モバイルSuicaおよびWelcome Suica Mobileの「Samsung Pay」による決済サービスの開始

モバイルSuicaおよびWelcome Suica Mobileにおいて、チャージ、普通列車グリーン券、おトクなきっぷおよび定期券を購入する際に「Samsung Pay」を利用

 

[Andrew833]

IC card, if you are Iphone user, go to apple wallet, look for transport , Suica will be there. Don't need to download app, just add Suica to your apple wallet, can top up using Youtrip and use right away.
Can use for subway, airport train, tram etc.. I use until left 30 yen