In Japan, travel is mainly by public transport - everywhere, all the time. And once you have an IC transport card, buying fares is absolutely stress-free.

You don't worry about machines, zones or exact amounts - you just charge the amount you choose, attach the card and go.

And it doesn't matter if it's called Suica, ICOCA, manaca or otherwise - the principle works all over the country.

Find hotel prices in Japan

What is an IC card and why will you use it daily?

It's a prepaid card that works all over Japan, not just in transport.

You usually pay an advance amount 500 jpy, charge it with any credit that is gradually deducted.

The card can be reloaded anytime, anywhere if you run out of credit.

Where does the IC Card work?

• Almost all transport - metro, buses, often taxis, intercity and regional trains, trams, ferries, cable cars
• Family Mart, 7-Eleven, Lawson's, etc.
• drugstores, pharmacies and other small shops
• some restaurants (e.g. Starbucks, McDonald's, Yoshinoya, Sukiya, MOS Burger and others)
• some vending machines
• some luggage lockers
• admission to some sights (but beware, admission fees are often cash only)

👉 Tip: 10 things that surprised me while travelling in Japan

Where the IC card doesn't work?

• shinkansen
• some long-distance buses
• Many sights (especially historic temples outside Tokyo) - can only be paid for with cash
• more upmarket shops
• lots of restaurants

👉 Tip: Is it worth buying a JR-Pass?

One card for the whole of Japan: which IC card to buy depending on arrival

There are several IC cards and each has its own regional name, but the main thing for a tourist is that they work across the country.

The easiest one to take is the one you buy right at the airport where you arrive.

It just doesn't matter. I've used a card bought in Tokyo in Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe or even Sapporo without any problems.

All Japanese IC cards: a quick overview

Each region, city or even carrier issues its own card. You can't buy another one in that place.

The main thing for a tourist is that all national cards are compatible with each other.

Region / city	Card
Tokyo, Sendai, Niigata	Suica, Pasmo
Kansai (Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, ...) Hiroshima, Okayama, Matsuyama	ICOCA
Nagoya, Shizuoka	TOICA, manaca
Hokkaido (Sapporo)	Kitaca
Kyushu (Fukuoka, Nagasaki)	Sugoca, Nimoca, Hayakaken

At the same time, some regions issue cards only for their own transport systems that don't work elsewhere in Japan.

Examples of such cards are OKICA (Okinawa Island), IruCa (Takamatsu City) and other small cities.

👉 Hint: Read my personal experiences with traveling around cities:

• How to navigate the Tokyo subway
• Osaka - subways, trains and all-day fares
• Buses in Kyoto - the main form of transport
• Transportation from Hiroshima to Miyajima Island

Prices, validity, top-ups and deposits

Standard IC cards have a refundable deposit 500 jpy and are usually sold with a minimum initial charge (often for a total of 2 000 jpy).

There is also usually a maximum card charge limit of 20,000 yen.

Where and how to recharge the card?

All cards can be topped up anywhere in Japan.

So feel free to recharge your Tokyo Suica card in Kyoto or Hokkaido.

• Vending machines in all subway stations (all cities)
• Vending machines in all train stations
• 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson's, etc.

Attention. IC cards can only be topped up with cash.

Exceptions are those cards that also work as mobile apps, see below.

Where can I return the card and get my deposit back?

When you leave Japan, you can return the card and get back not only the deposit 500 jpy, but the unused credit.

The exception is the Welcome Suica tourist card, where this is not possible.

However, cards can usually only be returned in the regions where they are issued and only at ticket offices with physical service.

So, for example, the Suica card can only be returned in Tokyo and other cities within its area (Sendai, Niigata), but not in Nagoya, Osaka or Hiroshima.

You always pay an administration fee when returning 220 jpy.

👉 Tip: What are the prices of other services in Japan?

Transport cards for tourists only

In addition to standard IC cards, two issuers also offer special cards for tourists.

• Suica x Tourist Welcome Suica
  • Sold in Tokyo (valid throughout Japan) or in Apple Wallet (iPhone only)
  • Welcome Suica has no deposit of 500 yen
  • 👉 Which card to buy?
• ICOCA x Kansai Tourist One Pass
  • Sold in Osaka (valid throughout Japan)
  • Costs 3,000 yen but various discounts apply for entry to sights, sightseeing and other activities
  • 👉 Is the Kansai One Pass worth it?

Get eSIM for Japan - Internet on your mobile

IC card on your mobile: the easiest option

If you don't want to delay buying a physical card upon arrival and don't want to use cash at all, there are mobile app options for some cards.

You can download these cards to your mobile phone:

• Suica (or its tourist variant Welcome Suica) - available only for iPhone on the Apple Store
• ICOCA - only available for iPhone via Apple Wallet
• Pasmo - available on Apple Store / Google Play for Android

However, the Pasmo app often doesn't work on Android.

We recommend downloading the app before you travel to Japan to see if it will work for you.

If your phone is compatible with the app, you can then simply top up your money contactlessly, for example via Revolut.

Get Revolut with a bonus

FAQ: frequently asked questions (my experience)

What do you ask us very often?

Does Suica from Tokyo also work in Kyoto or Osaka?

• 💡 Yes, it works all over Japan. Just like all the other cards mentioned above

Do I need a new card in each city?

• 💡 No. Nationwide cards work everywhere in Japan.

Can I buy an IC card at the airport?

• 💡 Yes. Virtually all international airports have transport cards available for purchase.

Can multiple people use one IC card?

• 💡 No. The rule is 1 card = 1 person.

Can I return unused credit?

• 💡 Yes, you can with most cards.
• 💡 The exception is the Welcome Suica tourist card, where you have to use all the credit or it will be forfeited.
• 💡 Some cards have a fee 220 jpy for a refund

Do I need an IC card to ride the shinkansen?

• 💡 No, IC cards cannot be used for shinkansen

Can I top up my transport cards without cash?

• 💡 No. Recharging is only possible with cash, even at 7-Elevens.
• 💡 Only cards that work through mobile apps (usually only through Apple Wallet) can be recharged cashless, for example with Revolut.

Do I always have to use the IC card when I exit?

• 💡 Usually yes. Don't forget to "beep" (called "tap-out") even when getting off buses or trains
• 💡 If you don't have to beep when you get off, it is usually explicitly stated at the door