The SUICA and ICOCA Cards are prepaid e-money cards that can be used for transportation and shopping (SUICA is sold by JR East and ICOCA is sold by JR West). Both cards work the same way, and can often be used interchangeably.

Suica and ICOCA are both "IC cards" (prepaid smart cards) used for transit and shopping in Japan, and for most travelers, they function exactly the same way. The main difference is the region of origin: Suica is issued by JR East (primarily in the Tokyo area), while ICOCA is issued by JR West (primarily in the Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe area). Thanks to nationwide interoperability, you can use a Suica in Osaka and an ICOCA in Tokyo for almost all trains, subways, and buses. However, there are two key differences: you can only get a refund for a Suica at a JR East station and for an ICOCA at a JR West station. Additionally, if you use the Apple Wallet or Google Pay versions, you might find that Suica has slightly better integration for international credit cards. For a standard tourist itinerary, it doesn't matter which one you have, as both are accepted at convenience stores and vending machines across the country.