Suica, Pasmo and other IC Cards in Japan | Travel Tips | japan-guide.com

In this video, we will cover everything there is to know about IC Cards, what they are, how to use them and cover some of the issues you could encounter with them.

*IMPORTANT NOTICE:* Due to a shortage of IC chips, the sale of Suica and Pasmo cards is currently SUSPENDED until further notice. An exception is made at Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Ueno stations, where Suica cards can be purchased at the "JR East Travel Service Centers". Furthermore, "Welcome Suica" cards can be purchased at Narita and Haneda airports. Other IC cards, such as Icoca and Toica, are on sale as usual.

- Chapters -
00:00 Introduction
00:13 What are IC Cards?
00:58 Issues
01:40 How to use IC Cards
02:57 Mobile versions
03:15 Special IC Cards
04:06 IC Card on the shinkansen
05:00 Outro

- Video Credits -
Videographer: Charles Sabas
Produced by Stefan Schauwecker

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[japanguide]

*IMPORTANT NOTICE:* Due to a shortage of IC chips, the sale of Suica and Pasmo cards is currently SUSPENDED until further notice. An exception is made at Narita Airport, Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station, Shibuya Station, Shinjuku Station, Ikebukuro Station and Ueno Station, where Suica cards can be purchased at the "JR East Travel Service Centers".
Furthermore, "Welcome Suica" cards can be purchased at Haneda Airport. Other IC cards, such as Icoca and Toica, are on sale as usual.

[hoomanpowered]

I was there in Japan for the past 2 weeks and I was able to get a Suica card in Shinjuku East travel center

[gumerzambrano]

Having Suica on my phone made everything super easy. Especially when topping off. I saw lines of tourists at machines and felt sorry for them

[boxerblake]

Wife lost her Suica & went to the JR counter in Shibuya for one of the permanent ones.

[johnwick]

does Suica work in Osaka & Kyoto? I plan on installing Suica on my iPhone

[roger]

Again, this video needs updating as it contains information that is now INCORRECT as JR EAST, on their website, advised that from December 18, 2023, Welcome Suica will only be sold at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 (Tokyo Monorail) station, with all other sales, temporarily suspended at other locations.

[mawtravels]

Wait I used ICOCA in my 2019 trip covering Tokyo, Kansai, and Fukuoka

Edit: and in my 2023 trip, in Tokyo area

[Evox]

Hey I'm still a bit confused.
I'll start a 4 week trip in Sapporo will move to Kyoto and then to Tokyo.
Do I need a Welcome Suica for this or can I buy the Kitaca Card in Sapporo and still use it in Kyoto and Tokyo area?
Thanks in advance :)

[AP-hnwd]

FYI: mobile IC cards (iPhones) can also be recharged with cash at a station that has recharge machines. But easiest is through Apple pay if you have it set up.

[Elixir]

Ic card should be working countrywide 🤦‍♂️

[SyaoranLiClow]

Dumb enough to get mine until my thitd trip back in 2017. A blessing to use less Cash and only charge the card each day to pay for everything

[LizLenM]

I have an ICOCA exactly like the one at 3:41. It is good that it does not have an expiration. Yes it has discounts at certain establishments, but you will have to proactively present it to the staff to avail of the discount, so you have to know which establishments are included . We went to nunobiki herb garden and missed to present our ICOCA, so shame we did not get discount

[JulioLocatelli]

I wonder if there's an app to replace IC cards with your smartphone?

[ajtait]

I'm pretty sure you can use Smart EX to purchase reserved seats on the Tokaido Shinkansen and designate an IC card to be used at the fare gate too. This way you can avoid using a ticket machine and still have a reserved seat instead of using the touch de go for an unreserved seat.

[hariacc]

i have suica that i purchase around 10-12 years ago. the last time i used them are just before covid closed down in january 2020. can i still use them?

[cskillet]

It seems like the Welcome IC card will most likely cost more than the regular card. The deposit is only $3. I doubt I'd be able to plan my trips well enough to keep my remaining balance below $3.

[Lokkiism]

Really silly question do I need to get the IC physical card 1st before adding it to my iPhone?

[roger]

PASMO PASSPORT is being discontinued as of August 2024. Note, however, that some sales locations may stop offering the pass before August. You need to update this video ASAP….especially for foreign travellers who will no longer be able to use when the Passport ends August. Phone app won’t work for foreign phones…. Pretty dumb

[allenyamasaki]

Can use Suica card for Metro subway in Tokyo? Thanks

[weronikaniemczyk]

Hi. Do You know if I Can pay by suica for Hiroshima shuttle to the airport ? And as well for fujisan train, shinkansen to Kyoto ?
Thank You for replaying
Weronika