They're also accepted on subways in most major cities, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and more. Taxis: Some taxis in Japan also accept IC cards, although it's not as common as in other places.
People Also Ask
PASMO is a convenient prepaid transportation card that contains an integrated-circuit (IC) chip, allowing the user to enter the subway by simply placing the card over a PASMO card reader located on the fare gates. The card is rechargeable and can be used over and over.
An IC card can be used for almost any public transportation in Japan. Both JR and private railway companies use IC cards, subways use IC cards, and most buses accept IC cards. There are some buses in more rural areas that do not offer this payment method, but in larger cities they are widely used.
The JR pass is only worth it if you travel through different cities, if you are just travelling to Tokyo to Kyoto for example, I would just pay on the Suica. You can do the online calculator or just use google to calculate which trip is easier - paying individually on Suica or getting a JR Pass.
The likelihood that credit cards are accepted decreases in small cities and towns, and thus it is advisable to keep cash at hand when visiting rural areas. Cash is often the only way to pay for small entrance fees at tourist sights, smaller restaurants and small shops. Many lockers also require coins.
A Few Final Notes and LinksWhile credit cards are become more widely accepted in Japan, cash is still king in Japan. Don't assume that you can use a credit card in small stores, restaurants and accommodations, particularly “mom and pop” places. Always carry sufficient Japanese cash as a backup.
You can use Tokyo Monorail with transportation IC cards across the country including Suica and PASMO. *Kitaca is a registered trademark of JR HOKKAIDO. PASMO is a registered trademark of PASMO Co., ltd.. Suica is a registered trademark of JR EAST.
Each IC card costs 500 yen, which is nonrefundable, so if you are going to be purchasing a card for the first time, you should put at least 2,000 yen on it. That way, you will have 1500 yen in travel money already on your card when it is finished.
Just touch your IC card to the ticket gate and board the Shinkansen. A payment for the Shinkansen fare will be made from your registered credit card when making a reservation (not deducted from the balance of your IC card).
No visitor to Tokyo should be without a Suica card and no visitor to Japan should be without a JR Pass. The Suica card is convenient for intercity trains and buses while the JR Pass saves you time and money when traveling through the country.
Even if you have a JR Pass or other travel pass, an IC card is recommended because it can be used across transportation systems operated by many different transit companies, as well as for payment at convenience stores, restaurants, shops, vending machines, and other locations.
Suica is the prepaid IC card by JR East for JR trains in the Greater Tokyo, Niigata and Sendai regions. A special version of Suica, called Welcome Suica, is available to foreign tourists. The special cards are valid for only four weeks, come without a deposit fee, but do not allow for refunds.
Yes, it can. Suica cards can be used anywhere the Suica IC card logo is displayed. It can also be used in convenience stores and vending machines outside of the Tokyo area. You cannot use the Suica to travel between Tokyo and Osaka, but you can use it to travel within cities such as Osaka and Kyoto.
Every station has multilingual ticket machines where you can buy a one-way fare ticket, or you can use a rechargeable IC card to swipe in and out of the ticket gates. Tokyo Metro and Toei have teamed up to offer a subway pass for tourists that can save you some yen, as well as being super convenient.