Here is the part most first-time visitors need to hear: you probably do not need to spend an hour deciding between Suica and PASMO.
For everyday transport and participating cashless payments, the cards overlap heavily. The bigger questions are whether you are a short-term visitor or a resident, whether you want physical or mobile, and whether you are okay with a balance that cannot be refunded when a tourist card expires.
Start here. Pick yourself from the list.
If you only remember one section, make it this one.
Both physical visitor cards are made for short stays and run for 28 days. Get the one that is easiest to buy. 1 4
Apple Wallet supports Suica and PASMO, and Welcome Suica Mobile gives visitors a 180-day mobile option. 5 6
Google Wallet PASMO requires an Osaifu-Keitai-compatible device. If you are unsure, buy a physical card and move on. 7
The “best” IC card is usually the one that fits your stay and is easiest to get. There is no prize for finding the most perfect penguin-shaped transport strategy.
Suica vs PASMO: the fight is mostly in your head.
Suica is issued by JR East. PASMO is issued through the PASMO network. But for normal day-to-day use, both let you tap through compatible train and bus gates and pay at many participating shops. PASMO explicitly notes that it works across participating networks around Japan — but not literally every railway or bus network. 1 2
Regular Suica includes a ¥500 deposit and can be refunded under JR East's rules.
Regular PASMO also has a ¥500 deposit and works across participating interoperable networks.
If you are standing at a station and one suitable card is available, buy it. Your Japan trip does not become better because you researched the logo for another 45 minutes.
The four physical cards people keep mixing up.
| Card | Best for | Deposit | Validity | Balance refund |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Suica | Residents / longer use | ¥500 | Not a 28-day tourist card | Yes, under JR East rules* |
| Regular PASMO | Residents / longer use | ¥500 | Not a 28-day tourist card | Yes, under PASMO rules* |
| Welcome Suica | Short-term visitors | None | 28 days | No |
| TOURIST PASMO | International visitors | None | 28 days | No |
*Refund handling fees and issuer-specific conditions can apply. See the official sources before returning a regular card.
Welcome Suica vs TOURIST PASMO: there is no dramatic winner.
For a short visitor who wants a physical card, the core proposition is extremely similar: no ¥500 deposit, 28-day validity, no refund of the remaining stored value, and use on compatible transport and cashless-payment networks. 1 4
If one is easier to buy, just take that one.The practical difference you are more likely to notice is availability. TOURIST PASMO is currently sold through locations at Haneda and Narita airports, while JR East lists physical Welcome Suica sales at those airports and several major stations such as Tokyo, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno and Yokohama. 1 4
Your phone changes the answer — especially if it is an iPhone.
Apple supports adding Suica, PASMO, ICOCA and TOICA on compatible devices. Welcome Suica Mobile is another visitor-focused iOS option and its Suica is valid for 180 days. 5 6
Google says PASMO in Google Wallet requires an Osaifu-Keitai-compatible device. If you brought an overseas Android phone and do not know whether it meets the requirement, a physical card is usually the simplest route. 7
Tokyo? Kyoto? Osaka? Usually yes — but “nationwide” has an asterisk.
Compatible IC cards can be used across many interoperable train and bus areas and at participating shops. That is why a Suica picked up around Tokyo can still be useful in many other parts of Japan. But interoperability does not mean every railway in the country accepts every card. 1
JR East warns that Welcome Suica cannot be used for one continuous rail journey that crosses separate IC service areas. Finish the journey in one area, exit, and re-enter when required. 8
Also remember that an IC card is not a magic “all trains included” pass. Limited express, Green Car and Shinkansen services can require separate tickets or specific linked services. JR East explicitly notes that extra tickets are needed for certain express/Green Car use with regular Suica. 2
The questions people ask five minutes before the gate.
How much should I put on the card first?
There is no universal perfect amount. As a practical starting point, ¥2,000–¥3,000 is reasonable for many visitors because you can top up later. With a non-refundable visitor card, avoid loading a huge amount unless you know you will use it.
Can two people use one IC card?
For ordinary travel through ticket gates, each traveler should have their own card. One card is not a group pass that you tap four times at the same gate.
What happens if I do not have enough balance?
Top up before exiting, or use the fare-adjustment facilities/station staff where available. Regular Suica guidance notes that you need to top up when the balance is insufficient. 2
Can I use it for Shinkansen?
Do not assume your normal stored balance automatically equals a Shinkansen ticket. Some services allow linked IC-card or mobile use, but Shinkansen travel has its own ticketing rules. Check the specific train/service before boarding.
Can I keep the tourist card as a souvenir?
TOURIST PASMO explicitly tells travelers they can take the card home as a souvenir after the trip. Just remember that remaining value is not refunded. 1
So. Which one should YOU get?
One or two weeks in Japan: Welcome Suica or TOURIST PASMO. Get whichever is convenient.
Visiting with an iPhone: consider a mobile IC card, especially if you do not want another physical card in your wallet.
Visiting with Android: check Osaifu-Keitai compatibility. If in doubt, buy a physical card.
Studying, working or living here: regular Suica or PASMO makes far more sense than a 28-day visitor product.
Traveling Tokyo + Kyoto + Osaka: stop worrying about whether the card says Suica or PASMO. Check the specific transport network when needed.
Japan's IC-card system looks more complicated than it feels in daily use. Choose the card that fits your stay, do not strand too much money on a non-refundable visitor card, and then stop thinking about it. Tap the gate and go enjoy Japan.
Where this guide comes from.
JBASE checked JR East, PASMO, Apple and Google documentation. Product availability and mobile compatibility can change, so check the operator page again before travel.
Official details on validity, airport sales, topping up and non-refundable balance.
www.pasmo.co.jp ↗Regular Suica deposit, refund, validity and transport use.
www.jreast.co.jp ↗Regular PASMO deposit and purchase information.
www.pasmo.co.jp ↗Physical Welcome Suica sales locations and visitor-card information.
www.jreast.co.jp ↗180-day mobile visitor Suica, app requirements and mobile features.
www.jreast.co.jp ↗Apple Wallet support for Suica, PASMO, ICOCA and TOICA.
support.apple.com ↗Android PASMO requirements, including Osaifu-Keitai compatibility.
support.google.com ↗Interoperable areas and the restriction on continuous travel between service areas.
www.jreast.co.jp ↗This is a plain-language practical guide, not a guarantee that every transport operator, device, station or payment card will work the same way. Always follow the latest operator instructions.