Suica & Pasmo Card (2026) – Tokyo Transport Guide (Buy, Top Up & Use)

Use this block as the standard “Related” section for Japan transport / planning articles.

• 🗺️ Japan Family Itinerary (10–12 Days): Tokyo + Kyoto + Osaka
• 🚄 Shinkansen Guide (Tickets, seats & tips)
• 🎫 JR Pass: When it’s worth it
• 🏙️ Asakusa & Sensō-ji Guide
• 🗼 Tokyo Skytree Guide
• 🎨 teamLab Planets Tokyo
• 🎢 Tokyo Disney (Planning & tickets)
• 🎡 Universal Studios Japan (Osaka)
• 🚌 ICOCA Card (Osaka/Kyoto transport)

Suica (JR East) and Pasmo (private rail/bus operators) are prepaid IC cards. For most visitors, they’re functionally similar: you load money onto the card and tap to pay for transport instead of buying single tickets for every ride.

• Use on: Tokyo subways, JR lines, private trains, and many buses.
• Also works at: convenience stores, vending machines, some cafés/shops (IC accepted).
• Best for: city days with multiple rides + quick transfers.

Bottom line: pick whichever is easiest to get at your arrival point.

• Major stations: ticket machines and counters at JR / metro stations.
• Airports: often available at transport counters/machines at Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT) (availability can vary).
• Typical starter amount: about 2,000 JPY (often includes a 500 JPY refundable deposit + stored value).

Planning tip: buy your IC card on day 1 and keep it in the same spot (wallet pocket) so you don’t slow down at gates.

• 🚇 Trains/subways: tap at the gate on the way in and on the way out.
• 🚌 Buses: tap when boarding (and tap again when alighting if the system requires it).
• ☕ Shops/vending: tap on the reader where IC payment is accepted.
• 🔄 Top-ups: station machines or many convenience stores (keep a buffer so you don’t run out mid-trip).

Common mistake: keeping the card behind a thick wallet layer with multiple cards can cause a “double read”. If a gate fails, take the IC card out and tap again.

• No service fee per ride: the fare is simply deducted from your balance.
• Max stored value: commonly up to around 20,000 JPY (depends on card system).
• Refunds: deposit is usually refundable when returning the card to the issuing operator’s counter (handling fees may apply).

If you’re heading to Kansai (Osaka/Kyoto), consider the regional IC option too: ICOCA Card guide.

In Tokyo, an IC card is the default choice for most travelers. Consider special passes only if you have a very pass-heavy plan.

• Use Suica/Pasmo if you want “tap and go” simplicity and mixed routes.
• Use a pass if your itinerary is extremely concentrated on a specific network and you’ll ride it many times in one day.
• Intercity travel? Compare JR Pass / Shinkansen options: JR Pass and Shinkansen guide.

Keep these links at the end of Japan transport/planning articles to help readers continue building their trip.

• 🗺️ Japan Family Itinerary (10–12 Days): Tokyo + Kyoto + Osaka
• 🚆 JR Pass Guide: when it’s worth it
• 🚄 Shinkansen Guide: tickets, seats & tips
• 💳 ICOCA Card (Osaka/Kyoto transport)
• 📍 Asakusa & Sensō-ji Guide
• 🗼 Tokyo Skytree Guide
• 🗼 Tokyo Tower Guide
• 🌸 Fushimi Inari (Kyoto) Guide
• 🏯 Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) Guide
• 🎋 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Guide
• 🎢 Tokyo Disney (Planning & tickets)
• 🎡 Universal Studios Japan (Osaka)
• 🎠 Fuji-Q Highland Guide
• 🎨 teamLab Planets Tokyo
• 🛍️ Akihabara Guide
• 🐕 Hachikō Statue (Shibuya) Guide

If you want the easiest Tokyo experience, start with Suica or Pasmo, keep a small balance buffer, and tap your way through trains/subways/buses without thinking about ticket types. Then build your days around your Tripmoo Japan plan: Japan Family Itinerary (10–12 Days).