Each person needs one. Pasmo/Suica is read when touching the IC card reader upon entering and exiting a gate, and the correct fare is deducted from the card. The same card cannot be read entering twice at the same station. Thank you for the quick response.

No, you cannot use a single Suica (or Pasmo) card for two people at the same time for train or bus travel. The Japanese transit system is based on an "entry and exit" logic where each individual card must be "tapped in" at the starting station and "tapped out" at the destination to calculate the correct fare. If you tap the card for one person and then try to hand it back to a second person, the gate will error out because it recognizes the card is already "in use" within the system. While it is technically possible to have multiple digital Suica cards on one iPhone, you would still need to manually switch between cards for each person at every single turnstile, which is highly impractical and will likely cause a major bottleneck for the commuters behind you. To ensure a smooth trip, every traveler must have their own individual card or mobile device.

No, two people cannot use a single Suica card simultaneously for travel.

Here’s a detailed explanation of why and the important rules to know:

The Core Rule: One Card, One Person

Suica (and all IC cards like Pasmo, ICOCA) are designed for individual use. The fare gate system reads and calculates the fare for one person per card per tap. If two people try to pass through a gate with one card, it will cause an error and the gate will close after the first person passes.

What You Should Do Instead:

1. Each Person Needs Their Own Card. This is the standard and correct method. Each traveler should have their own Suica (or Pasmo, etc.) card. You can easily purchase additional cards at ticket machines at any major station.

2. For Occasional Travel Together (e.g., a family with one cardholder):

   • The person with the Suica card taps in and goes through the gate.
   • The second person goes to a nearby ticket machine, purchases a single paper ticket for their journey, and uses that to pass through the same gate.
   • Both can then use the same Suica for other purposes like convenience store purchases.

Important Nuances and Exceptions:

• Children’s Cards: Children aged 6-11 require a Child Suica (or Child Pasmo), which charges child fares. They cannot use a regular adult Suica. A child must have their own card.
• “Welcome Suica” and “Pasmo Passport”: These are special short-term tourist cards that cannot be recharged. Each tourist needs their own.
• Mobile Suica on Phones: This is also tied to one person’s device (e.g., iPhone or Android) and cannot be shared for two simultaneous train rides.

What a Single Suica CAN Be Used For by a Group:

While you can’t use it for two people on transit, a single Suica card can be convenient for a group in these ways: Making Shared Purchases: You can use one Suica to pay at convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart), vending machines, many fast-food restaurants, and even some taxis. This can help manage group expenses if one person pays and others reimburse them in cash. Handing the Card to Someone Else: You can physically give your card to a companion to use after you have exited the train system. For example, you could exit a station, hand your card to your friend so they can enter and run an errand, and then get it back later. However, they cannot enter a station while you are still inside the system with the card.

In Summary:

For train, subway, and bus travel — each person must have their own IC card or ticket. Sharing a single card at the fare gate is not possible and will block the gate. The best practice for any trip with more than one person is to obtain a Suica (or Pasmo) card for each traveler upon arrival.

Pro Tip for Tourists: If regular Suica/Pasmo cards are temporarily unavailable due to chip shortages, look for the “Welcome Suica” (at Haneda/Narita airports) or ”Pasmo