Japan IC card guide
Get an IC card for everyday travel—not every journey.
Most independent travelers benefit from one for participating local transport and stores.
It is stored value, not a money-saving pass, and it may not replace long-distance, limited-express, Shinkansen, or reservation products.
Choose your card type
Choose the IC card type you need
Pick one type to see the validity, refund, device and purchase conditions that apply to it.
Select one card type to see its current conditions.
Standard physical Suica or PASMO
A reusable physical card for this trip and a later visit.
- ValidityStandard Suica becomes invalid after 10 years without use. Standard PASMO becomes invalid after 10 years without use, replacement or top-up.
- Refund and reissueCheck the issuing company’s current balance refund and reissue rules.
- Where to get itUse the issuer’s current sales information; availability can change.
Welcome Suica or TOURIST PASMO
Separate short-stay physical products for visitors.
- ValidityEach is valid for 28 days from purchase.
- Deposit and refundThere is no deposit, and ordinary remaining value is not refunded.
- Where to get itYour starting airport or city can change which product is available. Do not assume every airport or station sells it or has live stock.
Standard IC card in Apple Wallet
Apple lists ordinary Suica, PASMO, ICOCA and TOICA for supported iPhone and Apple Watch models.
- Product typeThis is not the same product as Welcome Suica Mobile.
- DeviceCheck Apple’s current model and system requirements. Do not assume every Android or NFC phone is compatible.
- Validity and refundUse the selected issuer’s current card conditions before relying on stored value.
Welcome Suica Mobile
A separate visitor product for supported iPhone and Apple Watch models.
- ValidityIt is valid for 180 days from issuance.
- Balance at expiryThe balance expires and cannot be refunded after expiry.
- Device and appCheck the current JR East app, iOS, watchOS and Apple Pay conditions before relying on it.
Reviewed Aug 14, 2026. Issuer rules, sales locations and device requirements can change; check the selected official page before relying on a card.
Before a longer trip
Check where stored value stops and another ticket begins
- Within one participating areaTap only where your card and route are accepted.
- Between separate IC areasContinuous stored-value travel may not be allowed; check before entering.
- Limited express or ShinkansenAdd the required train, seat or reservation product instead of relying on stored value alone.
Reviewed Aug 12, 2026. Participating routes and ticket rules can change; verify the operator before entering.