Quick Answer:
In 2025, travelers can confidently use either Suica or PASMO—they work almost identically across trains, subways, buses, convenience stores, and many lockers. Pick mobile (Apple/Google Wallet) for instant setup and Express Mode, or pick plastic: Welcome Suica (no deposit) or a standard Suica/PASMO (¥500 deposit). Confirm purchasing points on your arrival date. (Apple Support)
Most visitors want the same thing on Day 1 in Tokyo: tap through the gates without thinking. In 2025, that’s easy again. After the pandemic-era chip shortage, non-personalized Suica and PASMO resumed general sales on March 1, 2025, and Welcome Suica added more purchase locations from March 27, 2025. That means you can choose freely—mobile for convenience, or plastic if you like a card in your hand. (JR East)
What’s the actual difference?
Functionally, Suica (JR East’s card) and PASMO (private rail/subway consortium) are twins for visitors: both tap in/out on rail and bus networks around Greater Tokyo, and both work as e-money at shops, vending machines, and many station coin lockers. Coverage is broad and interoperable; the city DMO positions them as the default way to move around and pay on the go. (JR East)
Where the choice matters is form factor and purchase logistics:
- Mobile cards live in Apple Wallet (Suica or PASMO) or Google Wallet (PASMO; region/device rules apply). Express Mode on Apple lets you tap without waking your phone. Google documents PASMO setup and adding/convert options. (Apple Support)
- Plastic cards include Welcome Suica (aimed at visitors; no deposit) and standard Suica/PASMO (require a ¥500 deposit, refundable per issuer rules). Check the official Suica page for deposit/refund details and long-inactivity notes (10-year rule). (JR East)
Quick chooser: which one should you get?
- You carry iPhone/Apple Watch → Add Suica or PASMO in Apple Wallet before you land; Express Mode is on by default for the first transit card you add. You can recharge in-app or at machines. (Apple Support)
- You use Android → Add PASMO in Google Wallet (Japan availability and device support apply). You can also top up at machines. (Google Help)
- You want a physical card → At airport JR EAST Travel Service Centers or major stations, get Welcome Suica (no deposit, locations expanded Mar 27, 2025) or buy a standard Suica/PASMO (¥500 deposit). One card per person rules may apply at some counters. (JR East)
- You care about refunds → Standard Suica/PASMO allow deposit and balance refund at issuer counters (fees/conditions apply). Check Suica’s refund guidance; plan time at the correct counter on your last day. Welcome Suica has different terms (no deposit; review balance/refund notes on the official page). (JR East)
“ICcard charge.JPG,” licensed under
CC BY-SA 3.0.
Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Changes: resized/compressed to WebP. No endorsement implied.
Setup and buying: step-by-step
Mobile (Apple Wallet)
Open Wallet → “+” → Transit Card → Suica or PASMO. The first added transit card enables Express Mode, so you just tap the reader—no Face ID/Touch ID. If staff asks to check a card, you can place your device into Service Mode in Wallet. (Apple Support)
Mobile (Google Wallet)
In eligible regions/devices: Google Wallet → Add to Wallet → e-money → PASMO. Create a new card or convert a stored one from Osaifu-Keitai. Reload in-app or at machines. (Google notes Japan-only availability for PASMO in Wallet.) (Google Help)
Plastic (on arrival)
If you prefer a card, head to the clearly signed airport counters or major stations:
- Welcome Suica: official page lists where it’s sold from Mar 27, 2025 (airports and major JR EAST stations). No deposit, typically one per person at point of sale. (JR East)
- Standard Suica/PASMO: available at JR or private rail/subway ticket machines and counters; deposit ¥500. The resumption notice confirms general sales restarted Mar 1, 2025 after the shortage. (JR East)
Note on tourist variants: PASMO PASSPORT (the short-term visitor design) was formally abolished on Oct 12, 2024. In 2025, visitors should get standard PASMO or Welcome Suica, or go mobile. (Pasmo)
Using, topping up, and getting a refund
- Topping up:
- Mobile: add value inside Apple/Google Wallet, or at station machines that accept IC recharge.
- Plastic: top up at machines/counters with cash, and increasingly with credit at selected machines (varies by operator).
- Where it works: tap for rail, subway, and many buses; tap to pay at convenience stores, station kiosks, some restaurants, vending machines, and IC-enabled lockers—look for the IC symbol. PASMO’s visitor page and JR East’s Suica/Welcome Suica pages summarize non-transit use. (Pasmo)
- Refunds & expiries: standard Suica explains the deposit/balance refund (handling fee may apply) and that a card becomes invalid after 10 years of no use—you can still transfer balance or request a refund if you hold the card. For PASMO, follow issuer guidance at the operator counter. (JR East)
“EasyCard add-value machines in MRT Taipei Main Station 20130424.jpg,”
licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Changes: resized/compressed to WebP. No endorsement implied.
Prices, deposits, and choices at a glance
USD shown at ≈ 1 USD = ¥{RATE}; check live rates.
| Option | Up-front cost | Deposit | Where to buy / set up | Top-up | Good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Suica (plastic) | Load only | None | JR EAST Travel Service Centers & listed stations (from Mar 27, 2025) | Machines/counters; some cards at shops | Short trips; skip deposit | One per person policy may apply; review refund/balance notes. (JR East) |
| Standard Suica (plastic) | Load + fees | ¥500 | JR machines/counters | Machines/counters; some credit accepted | Longer stays; easy refunds | Refund rules/fees and 10-year inactivity note on official page. (JR East) |
| Standard PASMO (plastic) | Load + fees | ¥500 | Private rail/subway machines & counters | Machines/counters | Same as Suica | Visitor PASMO PASSPORT ended Oct 12, 2024. (Pasmo) |
| Mobile Suica (Apple) | Load only | None | Apple Wallet on iPhone/Watch | In-app or machines | Apple users; seamless Express Mode | Express Transit works without unlocking. (Apple Support) |
| Mobile PASMO (Google/Apple) | Load only | None | Google Wallet (region/device rules) or Apple Wallet | In-app or machines | Android users; or iPhone users who prefer PASMO | Google Wallet PASMO is Japan-only per Google. (Google Help) |
Late-night travel and seasonal caveats
IC cards don’t extend service hours. If your flight arrives late, check the day-of timetables for the last trains on your route and consider bus/taxi backups. Around national holidays like Dec 27–Jan 5, 2025, rail patterns and crowding change—build extra time and hold a backup plan. (Timetables and notices are posted on each operator’s site.) (JR East)
Accessibility notes
- Gates and paths: Most stations have wide gates for wheelchairs, strollers, and bulky luggage. Staff can set gates to assistance mode and direct you to elevators. Apple’s Support pages also explain Service Mode for card checks without removing your device from Wallet. (Apple Support)
- On buses: board at the front (or center on some routes) and tap the reader; there are marked priority seats and spaces near the driver.
- Lockers: IC-enabled lockers reduce coin handling; confirm door clearance and screen reach before finalizing. (IC locker acceptance is called out on the Suica/Welcome Suica materials.) (JR East)
Common questions
Which one taps through more places—Suica or PASMO?
In practice, both cover the same use cases across Greater Tokyo and many regions nationwide, including rail, bus, and e-money purchases. Choose based on how you want to carry it (mobile vs plastic), not where it works. (Pasmo)
Is mobile faster at the gates?
With Express Mode on Apple, you tap without unlocking; Google Wallet supports PASMO on eligible devices. Performance is similar in daily use; the real advantage is not needing a separate card. (Apple Support)
I heard the cards were “sold out.” Is that still true?
The chip shortage period has passed for visitors: non-personalized Suica and PASMO resumed sales on Mar 1, 2025. Specific counters may still limit to one per person; check the notice and buy at your first opportunity. (JR East)
Is there a tourist PASMO in 2025?
The PASMO PASSPORT program was abolished on Oct 12, 2024. Visitors should use standard PASMO, Welcome Suica, or mobile. (Pasmo)
Which is better for refunds on my last day?
Standard Suica/PASMO include a ¥500 deposit that’s refundable (minus handling fees) at the issuing operator’s counter; Suica outlines the steps on its official page. If you choose Welcome Suica, review its balance/refund terms first since it’s deposit-free. (JR East)
Can I use the card for lockers and shopping?
Yes—both serve as e-money across many stores and coin lockers. Look for the IC symbol; the official pages list typical use cases. (Pasmo)
Can families set up cards for kids?
You can buy child Suica/PASMO in person with age confirmation, or set up mobile where supported. Check the operator counter for proof requirements and issuance steps on your dates. (Policies are on the Suica/PASMO sites.)
Key Takeaways
- Either card works for almost all visitor needs; decide on mobile vs plastic first. (Pasmo)
- Sales fully resumed: non-personalized Suica/PASMO since Mar 1, 2025; Welcome Suica locations expanded Mar 27, 2025. (JR East)
- Deposits differ: standard cards = ¥500 deposit (refundable); Welcome Suica = no deposit. (JR East)
- Mobile is seamless with Express Mode (Apple) and PASMO in Google Wallet (regional support). (Apple Support)
Title tag
Suica vs PASMO in 2025: The Clear Guide for Travelers
Meta description (≤155 chars)
Suica or PASMO in 2025? See mobile vs plastic, deposits, where to buy, refunds, and late-night tips—linked only to official operator pages.
Slug
/suica-vs-pasmo-2025
Sources used (official; clean URLs)
- JR East — Resumption of sales for non-personalized Suica & PASMO (Mar 1, 2025, press PDF): https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/press/pdf/0225_suica_en.pdf (JR East)
- JR East — Welcome Suica (purchase locations; from Mar 27, 2025): https://www.jreast.co.jp/en/multi/welcomesuica/purchase.html (JR East)
- JR East — Suica (about/terms; deposit/refund; inactivity): https://www.jreast.co.jp/en/multi/pass/suica.html (JR East)
- PASMO — Visitors site (what it is; usage scope): https://www.pasmo.co.jp/visitors/en/ (Pasmo)
- Apple Support — Add Suica/PASMO to Apple Wallet (Express Mode): https://support.apple.com/en-us/108772 (Apple Support)
- Apple Support — Express Mode overview: https://support.apple.com/en-us/105123 (Apple Support)
- Google Support — Add PASMO to Google Wallet (Japan only): https://support.google.com/wallet/answer/13315360 (Google Help)
Checked for accuracy on September 27, 2025. For travel on specific windows (e.g., Nov 1–30, 2025 foliage season), reconfirm counter hours and any temporary notices on the operator pages above before you go.
