First Thing to Do in Japan: Get a Transportation IC Card

When traveling in Japan, one of the most convenient items you can get is a transportation IC card. With just one card, you can ride trains, buses, and even shop at convenience stores or vending machines. Here’s everything you need to know about getting, using, and returning an IC card during your trip.

What is a Transportation IC Card?

A transportation IC card is a rechargeable prepaid smart card that allows you to pay for public transportation and shopping with just a tap.

Not only can you use it on trains and buses, but also in convenience stores, vending machines, coin lockers, some restaurants, and even taxis.

10 Major IC Cards in Japan

Although different railway companies issue their own cards, they are mutually usable across most of Japan. That means if you buy one card, you can use it almost everywhere from Hokkaido to Kyushu.

Here are the 10 most common IC cards and their main service areas:

Card Name	Issuing Company/Area	Where to Refund	Notes
Suica	JR East (Tokyo, Tohoku, Niigata), also valid in Sapporo Subway	JR East ticket offices (Midori no Madoguchi)	Refund deposit ¥500 + balance (minus ¥220 fee if you want full cash refund)
PASMO	Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, private railways in Tokyo area	PASMO service counters at Tokyo Metro/Toei/private stations	Same rules as Suica
Kitaca	JR Hokkaido	JR Hokkaido stations	Refundable
TOICA	JR Central (Nagoya, Shizuoka)	JR Central stations	Refundable
ICOCA	JR West (Kansai, Hiroshima)	JR West stations	Refundable
PiTaPa	Hankyu, Hanshin, Keihan, Kintetsu, Nankai, etc. (Kansai area)	Not refundable (credit-style card)	Not recommended for tourists
manaca	Nagoya Municipal Subway, Meitetsu	Nagoya Subway/Meitetsu counters	Refundable
SUGOCA	JR Kyushu	JR Kyushu stations	Refundable
Hayakaken	Fukuoka Subway	Fukuoka Subway stations	Refundable
nimoca	Nishitetsu (Fukuoka, Kyushu)	Nishitetsu/nimoca counters	Refundable

👉 You don’t need multiple cards. Just one is enough for almost all of Japan.

How to Get an IC Card

You can purchase IC cards at:

JR ticket machines (look for machines with the IC card logo)
Station ticket offices (Midori no Madoguchi for JR)
Subway stations (PASMO, manaca, etc.)
Airport train stations (Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Fukuoka, etc.)

Cost:

Usually ¥2,000 (includes ¥500 deposit + ¥1,500 stored balance).

How to Charge (Top-Up)

Ticket machines at stations
Convenience stores (ask the cashier or use a machine)
IC card charging machines inside stations

You can charge in units of ¥1,000. The maximum balance is usually ¥20,000.

💳 Credit Card Top-Up?

At ticket machines and convenience stores → cash only.
Mobile Suica (Apple Pay / Google Pay) → allows credit card top-up, but only some international cards work. Apple Pay is the easiest option for foreign visitors.
Special cases (like PiTaPa or Japanese credit cards with auto-charge) are mainly for residents, not short-term travelers.

How to Use

Trains/Buses: Touch the card to the gate reader when entering and exiting. The fare will be deducted automatically.
Shopping: Touch the reader at convenience stores, vending machines, taxis, etc.
Check Balance: Look at the ticket gate display or use a ticket machine.

How to Return or Keep the Card

If you don’t plan to keep your card, you can return it at the issuing company’s counter to get back your ¥500 deposit plus any remaining balance (minus a small fee).

However, many travelers prefer to keep the card:

As a souvenir from Japan (the card design is iconic).
To reuse it on your next visit (valid for 10 years after last use).

👉 Both options are fine — return it if you want your money back, or keep it for your next trip.

Mobile Suica (For Smartphones)

If you have an iPhone or Android with NFC, you can use Mobile Suica without a physical card.

Download the Suica app
Register with Apple Pay or Google Pay
Charge directly from your credit card

⚠️ Note: Some foreign-issued credit cards may not work. If that happens, it’s safer to get a physical card.

Why You Should Get an IC Card

No need to buy tickets every time
Works across Japan
Usable at shops, vending machines, taxis, coin lockers
Refundable if returned properly
Great as a souvenir or for your next trip

✈️ Pro Tip for Tourists:

Arriving in Tokyo → Get a Suica or PASMO at Narita or Haneda Airport

Arriving in Osaka → Get an ICOCA at Kansai Airport

Arriving in Fukuoka → Get SUGOCA, nimoca, or Hayakaken at the airport station

Arriving in Nagoya → Get a TOICA or manaca at Chubu Centrair Airport

Arriving in Sapporo → Get a Kitaca at New Chitose Airport

How to Use Taxis in Japan: Two Easy Ways for Tourists

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