Tokyo Transportation Cards: Suica, Welcome Suica & PASMO
Tokyo Mate
💳 Confused about Tokyo transportation cards?
2025's latest info! Learn how to get iPhone Mobile Suica,
and choose between Welcome Suica and PASMO for Android users.
This complete guide will help you find the perfect card for your situation!
💳 Why is Getting a Tokyo Transportation Card So Confusing in 2025?
Travelers are confused because issuing policies have changed continuously over the past two years.
- 2023: Regular Suica and PASMO physical card issuance was completely suspended due to semiconductor shortages.
- 2024: Even the tourist-specific “PASMO Passport” (Sanrio card) alternative was discontinued.
- 2025 Current: New physical cards for travelers—“Welcome Suica” and “PASMO”—are now available.
Let me clarify this complex situation for your specific needs!
✅ Which Card is Right for Me? (Super Simple Selection Guide)
Confused? Just answer two questions.
Question 1. Do you have an iPhone? ⭕️ Yes (iPhone user) ➡️ Answer Question 2! ❌ No (Android user) ➡️ Go to [Guide B]!
Question 2. Do you use Apple Pay? ⭕️ Yes (Apple Pay + iPhone) ➡️ Go to [Guide A]! ❌ No (No Hyundai Card) ➡️ Go to [Guide B]!
[Guide A] iPhone + Apple Pay Users 📱 ‘Mobile Transportation Card’
If you have an iPhone and use Apple Pay, you’re eligible for the most convenient “mobile transportation card”!
- Unbeatable Convenience: Solve everything with your phone/Apple Watch without a physical card!
- Cost Savings: No 500 yen deposit required for physical cards.
- Permanent Use: No expiration limits like 28 days—use it on your next trip too.
- Easy Charging: Top up anytime, anywhere with credit card—no cash needed.
📌 Suica vs PASMO? For mobile cards, Suica and PASMO have 100% identical functions. Get whichever you see first—there’s absolutely no difference.
📱 Super Easy! How to Get iPhone Suica/PASMO
(※ No need to download separate ‘Suica’ or ‘PASMO’ apps—issuing via iPhone’s built-in ‘Wallet’ app is fastest.)
- Open iPhone ‘Wallet’ app.
- Tap ’+’ button in top right and select ‘Transit Card’.
- Choose ‘Suica’ or ‘PASMO’ from the Japan list.
- Select charge amount (from 1,000 yen).
- Pay with Apple Pay’s ‘Hyundai Card’ and issuance completes instantly!
✅ Charging Method 1. Apple Pay Charging (Hyundai Card Required) Currently, ‘Hyundai Card’ is the only card that can be registered with Apple Pay in Korea. Therefore, to issue and charge mobile Suica/PASMO with credit card, you need Hyundai Card registered with Apple Pay.
✅ Charging Method 2. Cash Charging (Solution When You Don’t Have Hyundai Card) If you don’t have a Hyundai Card, you can add Suica/PASMO to your Wallet app and charge with cash at JR stations, subway stations, or airport ticket machines! (Thanks to HuchuUnni for this tip🙏)
[Guide B] Android/No Apple Pay Users ‘Physical Transportation Card’
If you’re an Android user (Samsung Pay, etc.) or iPhone user without Apple Pay (Hyundai Card), you’ll need to get a physical transportation card.
As of 2025, physical cards available to travelers are ‘Welcome Suica’ and ‘PASMO’. These cards have completely different characteristics, so check the table below and choose the right card for you!
| Physical Card | Welcome Suica | PASMO |
|---|---|---|
| Validity Period | 28 days (short-term travel only) | 10 years (permanent use) |
| Deposit | 0 yen (no deposit) | 500 yen (refunded with balance!) |
| Balance Refund | Not available❌ (must spend to 0 yen) | Available⭕️ (deposit + balance refund) |
| Purchase Method | Credit card accepted | Cash only |
| Charging Method | Cash only | Cash only |
🚨 Final Verdict: Choose the Card That Fits Your Style!
1. Welcome Suica - ‘Convenience’ Priority
- “Don’t want to wait in refund lines at the airport on my last day!”
- “I’ll spend leftover yen at convenience stores as souvenirs!”
- “Don’t want to withdraw cash—want to issue easily with credit card!”
👍 For these travelers, we recommend the red cherry blossom design ‘Welcome Suica’.
2. PASMO - ‘Economic Value’ Priority
- “Hate wasting even 1 yen! (Refund essential!)”
- “Might visit Japan again later! (10-year validity)”
- “Using cash for issuance isn’t inconvenient!”
👍 For these travelers, we recommend ‘PASMO’.
⭐ Where to Buy Physical Cards at Airports?
Each card is sold by different companies, so be careful! Check the detailed issuance locations (JR stations vs private railway stations) by airport with photos in the guides below.
➡️ Narita Airport Arrival Guide (Including Suica/PASMO Issuance Locations)
➡️ Haneda Airport Arrival Guide (Including Suica/PASMO Issuance Locations)
💡 Do I Need a Transit Card If I Bought a Subway Pass?
Yes, these two cards have completely different roles! Using both together is the most economical combination.
1. Suica/PASMO (T-money Card)
- Role: Rechargeable multi-purpose card
- Usage: ⭕️ JR, ⭕️ Subway, ⭕️ Buses, ⭕️ Convenience stores/vending machines
- This is your ‘transportation wallet’ that works everywhere in Tokyo.
2. Tokyo Subway Ticket (Unlimited Subway Pass)
- Role: Unlimited subway ticket
- Usage: ⭕️ Subway (24/48/72 hours)
- ❌ Cannot use on JR, buses, or at convenience stores!
🚨 Conclusion: ‘Subway Pass + Suica’ Combination is the Answer!
If your travel itinerary includes 3-4+ subway rides per day, use ‘Tokyo Subway Ticket’ to save on transportation costs.
Then use ‘Suica (or PASMO)’ for JR lines not covered by subway pass or when buying drinks at convenience stores—this is the smartest combination!
⭐ Learn More About Tokyo Subway Pass
✅ Buy Tokyo Subway Pass (24/48/72-hour) on Klook
➡️ Tokyo Subway Pass (Tokyo Subway Ticket) Exchange Locations, Purchase & Usage Complete Guide
💡 Is There an Unlimited JR Pass? Yes!
For those who need it, there’s ‘JR Tokunai Pass (JR Tokyo Wide Pass 1-Day)’.
But whether ‘Tokyo Subway Ticket’ or ‘JR Tokunai Pass’ is better depends entirely on your accommodation and destinations!
Check the guide below for a perfect comparison of the two passes’ pros and cons, and choose the one that will give you the best value based on your itinerary!
➡️ Tokyo Subway Pass vs JR Tokunai Pass, Perfect Comparison!
Is Tokyo transportation card issuance, which was only confusing, now clearly resolved? I hope this guide has lightened your Tokyo travel preparations a bit.
Now that you’ve prepared your essential Tokyo travel item—the ’transportation card’—check out the most convenient way to get from the airport to downtown and shopping tips to use that card 200%!
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