Japan Suica Card Guide: IC Transit Card for Trains, Buses & Convenience Stores
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Suica and Pasmo?
Suica is issued by JR East; Pasmo is issued by Tokyo's private rail operators. Both are fully interoperable — you can use either card on JR lines, Tokyo Metro, private lines, and all IC card-compatible buses and retailers across Japan. For travelers, there is no practical difference. Choose whichever is easier to obtain at your point of arrival. Suica is more widely recognized nationally; Pasmo is also issued in the Kanto region.
Can I use Suica outside Tokyo?
Yes — Suica is accepted across Japan's nationwide IC card network. It works on JR trains and buses nationally, Osaka Metro, Kyoto city buses, Nagoya subway, Fukuoka subway, and IC card-compatible transit throughout the country. A few rural and heritage railway lines do not participate in the IC network and require paper tickets, but major transit in all large cities accepts Suica.
How much should I load on my Suica card?
For most trips within a city, ¥1,000–¥2,000 covers a full day of transit. For a week in Tokyo, loading ¥5,000–¥10,000 at the start is convenient. If you also use Suica at convenience stores and vending machines, load more. The maximum balance is ¥20,000. You can always top up at konbini or ticket machines, so there is no harm in starting conservatively and reloading as needed.
Does Suica work for the airport train to Tokyo?
Suica works on JR trains from Narita Airport (including the Narita Express N'EX) for the standard fare portion, but the Narita Express requires a reserved seat ticket purchased separately. For the cheaper Narita Line rapid service (no reservation required), Suica covers the entire fare. From Haneda Airport, Suica works on the Tokyo Monorail and the Keikyu Line without additional tickets required.
What happens if my Suica balance is too low to exit the gate?
The gate will beep and stay closed. Look for a fare adjustment machine (精算機, seisanki) near the exit gates — these are small kiosks that calculate how much additional fare you owe. Insert your Suica, add the required amount in cash (most machines also accept IC cards now), and the machine updates your card so you can exit. Station staff can also assist if needed.