What this solves / who it's for

Japan's IC card system (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA, etc.) is the cleanest way to ride every train, bus, and most vending machines. But there are five overlapping products and they're not all available to non-residents. The "two Suica card types" confusion is real: there's a "Welcome Suica" sold to tourists (28-day expiry, no deposit), a regular physical Suica (no expiry, ¥500 deposit), a Mobile Suica (Apple Wallet, no expiry, requires Osaifu-Keitai-compatible iPhone 8+ or recent Android), and the Pasmo Passport (English-language interface, similar restrictions). This tool tells you which one fits your phone, your trip length, and your arrival airport. Best for: travelers who don't want to read five JR East press releases to figure out which card to tap.

Pick the right IC card

Phone type

Arrival airport

Trip length (days)

How to interpret the result

Each card type has different mechanics. Physical Suica and Pasmo have ¥500 deposit refundable at the same office you bought it. Mobile Suica in Apple Wallet is the cleanest for most iPhone 8+ users but requires registering a Japanese credit card or topping up at a station. Welcome Suica is sold only at certain airport counters (Narita, Haneda, KIX terminal 1) and has a 28-day hard expiry — perfect for short trips, useless for 30-day stays. The Pasmo Passport is sold to tourists with English interface — same 28-day limit. If your phone is iPhone XS or newer, you can simply add a Suica to Apple Wallet before you fly (no card needed) and use it on arrival.

Pro tips & common pitfalls

• Mobile Suica in Apple Wallet now works on iPhone 8 and newer, but the initial top-up still requires either a Japanese-issued card or a station kiosk visit.
• Welcome Suica has a 28-day expiry and is sold only at certain counters — if you arrive at a smaller airport, get a regular Suica instead.
• Physical Suica can be reloaded up to ¥20,000 at any ticket machine with the Suica logo.
• You can use your IC card at most vending machines, convenience stores, and many restaurants — not just trains.
• Lost physical Suica is hard to replace (you need the receipt and ID). Mobile Suica in Apple Wallet is tied to your Apple ID — recoverable but the balance can vanish.
• Don't try to use your IC card at highway buses that don't display the IC logo — they require exact change.

Frequently asked questions

Is Suica or Pasmo better?

Functionally identical across all of Japan's IC network — both work in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hokkaido, etc. The difference is who sells which and which design you prefer. JR East sells Suica; Pasmo is run by the Tokyo Metro / Toei consortium.

Can I use one card across multiple regions?

Yes. Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA, Kitaca, TOICA, and a half-dozen others are part of a nationwide mutual-use system. Buy one card in Tokyo and use it everywhere in the Kansai, Hokkaido, and Chubu regions.

What about my Apple Watch?

If your iPhone has Mobile Suica, your paired Apple Watch can also store and use the same Suica card. Same limitation: initial top-up requires a Japanese card or station kiosk.

Can I get my ¥500 deposit when leaving Japan?

Yes — return the card to any JR central ticket office. They refund the ¥500 minus a ¥220 handling fee. Welcome Suica has no deposit. Mobile Suica in Apple Wallet has no deposit either.

Should I get a Physical Card or Welcome Suica?

Welcome Suica if your trip is ≤ 28 days and you arrive at a major airport (Narita, Haneda, KIX). Physical Suica for longer stays or as a backup. Mobile Suica in Apple Wallet if you have iPhone 8+.

Known limitations

JR East and Pasmo change the rules on initial Mobile Suica funding periodically. As of 2024–2026, a non-Japanese credit card cannot add the very first balance; you need a station kiosk or a Japanese card. This tool doesn't model every edge case (e.g., SUICA commuter passes, Suica × Apple Watch complications). For multi-city travel with regional passes, IC cards and passes work together but you must tap the IC card on the way out separately from showing your pass to the inspector.