[SUICA / PASMO] How to get IC Card in Tokyo April 2024 Updates 

Thank you for the update! Getting another comments that in Haneda there is no PASMO PASSPORT, I went to Haneda airport to check the situation on 6/18. The Keikyu staff told me they are out of stock and PASMO PASSPORT will be discontinued in August 2024. Anyway, please enjoy your stay in Japan. And if you have any question, please ask without hesitate here.

Thank you for your feedback❤️ This movie has caption. So please make it on, then it would be easier. I suppose it would be feasible to use auto-translation function.

I’m so glad to hear that my video makes your stay easier! Please enjoy😊

Thank you to keep watching😄

@@ExploreJapanWithLila No problem. As I am counting going on september to Japan and will begin in Osaka, your video helped me and will buy the icoca card and use after in Tokyo and Kyoto as it works eheh. I appreciatte the time you spent to explain because it takes time so arigato

@@nunocardoso4896 Good to know you fly in Osaka. Please enjoy planning where you visit! And hope your trip to Japan will be a great one!!

Yes, you are able to add on value ticket of subway on your PASMO.

Really??? That’s the shame of what JR east is doing…Hope the PASMO trick helps you.

Good to know! Please enjoy your trip. If you have any other question, please ask without hesitates.

Kevin, thank you so much for your update with the latest experience. Since I do not want my audience confused, I might need to make a new movie. Thank you again!!

@@ExploreJapanWithLila No problem. I thought it was the right thing to do. I was very pleasantly surprised at how easy and simple it was to get them. I am currently in Osaka and as stated the Icoca cards are easily obtainable. A new video would be great but I have to say your spreadsheet literally is a work of gold too, although I haven’t tried the one day ticket workaround since the standard cards are available currently with ease for tourists

Your Suica is valid until 2029. The expiration will be extended from the last use. So if you use it in 2024, then it can be used until 2034.

どういたしまして！ One IC Card is required for each person and cannot be used by two people. Therefore, if you have one now, you need to purchase another one.

The PASMO is definitely accepted in the western part of Japan. If you're flying into Osaka or Aichi, the easiest way to obtain an ICOCA (for Osaka and Kyoto) or TOICA (for Aichi) is through vending machines. Since they are not out of stock, purchasing one is convenient.

Thanks for the new information. I checked the situation and learnt that they are discontinuing PASMO PASSPORT and selling regular PASMO for the stations which running out of the stock of PASMO PASSPORT.

Suica is about the same as Pasmo. I think Suica is a bit more widely accepted, though, once you start going to more remote or very particular areas. I think the Enoden (Shonan area) stations, I was able to recharge some cards (Suica) but not others (Icoca). JR stations in the same areas were able to charge all of them. Oh, the visitor passes... They're Ok for maybe Tokyo JR and for vending machines, but outside Tokyo area the Pasmo Passport doesn't work for transportation reliably.

There is no difference between SUICA and PASMO in basic usage. I have been using only SUICA for over 20 years and have never had a problem. No matter where I shop or where I charge, there is no difference. There is one difference: you cannot add a subway Value Ticket to SUICA. You also cannot add a JR EAST Value Ticket to PASMO. However, Value Ticket can be bought with paper tickets, so this should not be a big problem.

So if Suica is better for Kyoto and Fuji area????

If your fly into Kansai Airport, ICOCA is the choice. You can buy it at the vending machine in Osaka/Kyoto. It can be used around Fuji area, too. (Usage on the bus is not sure...though)

お役に立ててよかったです！そうですよね、とても複雑になっているんです。駅旅コンシェルジュでも訪日客にSuicaを売っているのに、Welcome Suicaの販売は中止していますって張り紙があるし、知っていないと手に入らないのです。

@osamaalrobayan9443. If they accept SUICA, there are no difference between physical or digital one. SUICA is the main cashless payment method for my daily life. When they do not accept SUICA, at least they accept credit cards. I do not carry much cash recently. But please be careful, the entrance fee for temples are cash only. Many ramen shops accept only cash.

Yes. Your understanding is correct. The value ticket will expire the next day, but it works as standard PASMO.(the printing on the card is still showing the value ticket date.)

@@ExploreJapanWithLila very helpful this tip 🙏. Thank you.

Stopping by to confirm that this method of obtaining the Pasmo card works! Thank you very much. I've recorded a video of the entire process in case you're interested. After knowing this, I've identified many metro stations that sell the day ticket with Pasmo card, such as Ryogoku station.

Thanks for updating what you saw. I checked only within the circle of Yamanote line, so glad to know this info is effective for wider area.

The IC are you need to get depends on where you arrive at. All IC card works the same so, Please purchase either one. Hiroshima-Paspy Fukuoka-Hayakaken, nimoca, SUGICA Nagasaki-nimoca, SUGOCA Every IC card is compatible, and the balance remains 10 years from the last usage.

@@ExploreJapanWithLila thanks a lot for your reply.

Oh! This is a new trick to get a Welcome SUICA. Getting a SUICA without waiting in front of the vending machine is great!! I checked the Klook site. The 1 day pass costs 1,600 JPY= $10. So the price setting is reasonable. The 1 day pass covers only the arrival day. If you arrive at late night, and do not plan to go out actively on the day, it would be a bit costly. Since from Haneda to Tokyo station, one way ticket cost only 686 JPY =$4.2. Anyway, making line is just a waste of time. This is a smart option😀

@@ExploreJapanWithLila Yhanks, we just ordered 2 from Klook. Also ordered the Ninja portable wifi router 10GB a day for 14 days.

@SusanWeissberg-xq6mr Digital SUICA charges amount will not be refunded. If you are planning to come to Japan again, just use it next time and there will be no problem. If you don't have any plans for your next trip, I recommend you will not charge too much.

Thank you for watching the movie! If you lost your card(welcome Suica, PASMO passport, standard card without name), it would not be refund. If you purchase a standard PASMO or SUICA with name and phone number, then in case you lose it, you are able to stop the card and balance will be refund.

At Tokyo、Shinagawa and Shinyokohama station, they sell TOICA only with commuter pass. If you stay only in Tokyo, it is not feasible to get one at the stations. Another way is to purchase as used, sold in Yahoo Auction (page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/j1135780452) or Merucari(jp.mercari.com/item/m24076655812?source_location=share&). In both way, it takes time and most of the case the individual seller would have difficulties to communicate in English, I suppose.

@@ExploreJapanWithLila Thank you for the information. It’s too bad but at least the Suica penguin is still cute too!

What you can buy at Narita is PASMO PASSPORT only. At SHINAGAWA station, you are able to obtain Standard SUICA at JR East travel service center. Otherwise, you are able to get PASMO with value ticket at most of vending machine at subway station. Please refer to the pdf.drive.google.com/file/d/1ijzybONPG20paA0LW_uG-pHt1-ZlkY7I/view

Hi, I believe Suica Welcome is now only available from Haneda Airport and Pasmo Passport will cease in August 2024, which leaves foreign tourists(short term) with nothing much but paper tickets ......a huge backward step.......from where Japan was before. Where I come from(and many other countries) tourists can buy an unregistered, what you call an IC card, that can be used on public transport, topped up at transport hubs and some convenient stores.....so is there any plans to re-invent something like the Suica Welcome/Pasmo Passport IC card for foreign short term tourists. I know some say use/setup iPhone wallet for Suica but I'm lead to believe still a problem with overseas androids and foreign credit card accounts even with iPhone. We have used and recommended the Pasmo Passport in the past, which was so convenient and versatile in Tokyo and surrounds .........so easy and straight forward.........so paper tickets puts us back into the 20th century.......and even 21st century mobile phones systems can't cope...........you thoughts would be appreciated

There are Android apps, which activate a special IC on the phone called “Ferica”. Basically you need to check whether your phone is listed in the pdf here, which means the phone has the Ferica. msfaq.mobilesuica.com/usr/file/attachment/MhCKrc64DBpOCc6c.pdf?attachment_log=1&object_id=76&object_type=faq This is further info on Ferica. www.felicanetworks.co.jp/en/mfelica_pf.html

@@ExploreJapanWithLila thanks! will have a look.

Just get the ICOCA from a machine in Osaka, use the physical card for your trip. Definitely the lowest hassle option.

@@BenjaminBrillat thanks, are these located in the rail terminal floor at the airport or also in any JR station in osaka city I guess?

@@RaulLopez-fb1vu Osaka is still the old way, available easily from any ticket machine.

@misscswvts7992 Hello 😊Unfortunately this is true. WELCOME SUICA is only sold at Haneda airport. What you can purchase at Narita are two option. One is SUICA (at the JR East Travel center) or PASMO Passport(at Keisei Travel Center) If you arrive very late or early, they may not open. In this case, go to central Tokyo and purchase PASMO PASSPORT at Subway station would be easier.

Please refer to the list as below where to get IC card. drive.google.com/file/d/1ijzybONPG20paA0LW_uG-pHt1-ZlkY7I/view

@@ExploreJapanWithLila thank you so much for the info! This is very helpful 😊

It’s located located only at T3, since it is an international flight terminal.

The expiration date is 10 year from the final use. So it depends on when was your final use date. If it is Dec 2023, the card still can be used. In case it is expired, still you are able to retrieve your deposited of ¥500.

That’s really sorry and I checked the latest availability in Yokohama., and noticed they no more have it. I will call them later and I learned I need to update the movie based on your infomation.

They have ICOCA. The function is the same with SUICA/PASMI. You are able to purchase at the vending machine. In Kansai, there is no shortage of IC card.

You are able to register your name on a card by a vending machine, however, you need to ask a station attendant for it. The JR East site tells "You can change your unregisteredSuica to a registered Suica (My Suica ) by asking a station attendant at a JR East station with a "multi-function ticket vending machine" within the Suica area or by visiting the nearest Midori-no-Madoguchi."

@@ExploreJapanWithLila MANY thanks for your kind reply! I will probably reach the Shimbashi Station first during my upcoming trip to Japan, I can understand that there are both a JR ticket office and some "multi function ticket vending machines" there, but I am not sure if there is also a dedicated support office or that the "Midori-no-Madoguchi" it is the same as "JR Ticket Office" ....

​@@axios101 Oh, sorry for cause your confusion. Yes. Midori-no-madoguchi means JR ticket office. I suppose when you request for the MY SUICA registration, a station staff input the special secret keyword to the vending machine, then the registration function comes out. This is the same way when I bought a commuter pass for my kids.

@@ExploreJapanWithLila ah thank You so much! I will try that as soon as I could once arrived at Shimbashi st. again thank You! I will follow your channel and partecipate if You don't mind! 👍

@axios101 Thank you to follow me.😊 Since I have just started this channel, I would appreciate if you would share with me what else you want to know before you arrive.

I need time to check the feasibility. When do you plan to come to Japan?

@@ExploreJapanWithLila I will be in 24 June in Tokyo , and leaving from Hiroshima airport at 4th July to okinawa

I checked the status. In Hiroshima, IC card(=PASMO, Suica) can be used until the end of March 2025. They will implement different system from April 2025. In Fuji area, Fujikyu accepts IC cards from February 2024. Thus, IC cards are OK during your travel!

If you used the card on 2019, the expiration comes on 2029. You are able to use it when you come again in this year.

@@ExploreJapanWithLila If I use it in 2024, will it expire in 2034?

Yes, your understanding is right. 😊

Yes, ICOCA works in Tokyo. If your last time use is within this 10 years, it would not be expired.

@@ExploreJapanWithLila Hi , I am really appreciated for your great hand in prompt reply.

@@ExploreJapanWithLila Hi, I wanna take a tour around at the end of June in Tokyo from Hong Kong, aim to one stop to go seeing Fuji Mt. By Fuji express train, should I buy another Suica card ? Thank you

@@sonnycook6485 which airport will you arrive at?

If Fuji Express is your MUST choice, it would be better to get an IC card, since you need to change train lines a lot. If it is not a Must, I recommend to take a high way bus from Shinjuku. The site tells you details. www.bushikaku.net/bus/1648907/?fromPref=tokyo&toPref=yamanashi

It’s really unfortunate that the cards supply have been limited. To get Metro Card(=PASMO with value ticket) you can minimize waiting time in lines. Anyway, I hope you enjoy your trip to Japan.

Yes, you are able to get regular one. Please check the following PDF for the detail which station they deal with the regular suica. drive.google.com/file/d/1ijzybONPG20paA0LW_uG-pHt1-ZlkY7I/view

@@ExploreJapanWithLila thanks for fast reply!

At Haneda, you can buy Welcome Suica by vending machine after waiting at the long line. At Keikyu counter, you need to line at the counter, but the line is far shorter than WELCOME SUICA. And please be noted what you can buy at Keikyu is not PASMO PASSPORT. It is a standard PASMO with 500 yen deposite.

@@ExploreJapanWithLila thank you very much

Are you living in Kansai? If you need a Teiki for an adult(I mean, not for a student), you are able to top up Teiki on your ICOCA by a vending machine.

A Suica works on Osaka and Kyoto same as ICOCA.

I don’t has Suica card ,I only has Pasmo card ,I want to know can pasmo can use in Osaka,?

Suica and Pasmo work the same. You can use PASMO in Osaka without any problem.

No, there isn’t unfortunately. You need to make line for the counter in person.

@@ExploreJapanWithLila thanks. Where is the counter located

So can you get Suica card from the counter in Narita??

There are two counter.s in Narita. Both are located near to the train gate. The shop name is “JR East travel center”. Please refer to the details as below. www.jreast.co.jp/multi/customer_support/service_center.html

Thank you so much for the directions 👍

Thank you for your feedback! I’m glad to know this movie is useful☺️