Can you use Pasmo on Shinkansen?

The Pasmo card can be used to pay for journeys in Japan's main cities, from Tokyo to Osaka, on JR train lines, private train lines, in the Tokyo subway, as well as in any bus or taxi displaying the Pasmo logo. Please note that the Pasmo card does not work on express trains or Shinkansen bullet trains.



You cannot simply tap a physical or mobile Pasmo (or Suica) card at a Shinkansen gate to pay for your journey as you would on a local subway. The Shinkansen requires a separate "Limited Express" fare in addition to the "Basic Fare." However, in 2026, you can use Pasmo as your "boarding media" if you link it to a pre-purchased digital ticket. This is typically done through the Smart EX or Ekinet websites. Once you buy your ticket online and register your Pasmo card's 17-digit ID number to that ticket, you can tap your card at the Shinkansen gates. The gate will recognize the digital reservation and print a small "Seat Information" slip for you to keep. If you haven't pre-purchased a ticket online, you must go to a ticket machine or a "Midori no Madoguchi" (ticket office) to buy a physical ticket. Tapping a Pasmo card without a linked reservation will result in the gate closing, as the card itself does not have the authorization to charge the high-cost express fees automatically.

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Have a wonderful time in Japan with PASMO PASSPORT, a convenient IC card that can be used for travel and shopping all across the country.

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The JR Pass is valid on all Shinkansen services in all the Shinkansen lines, except for the Nozomi and Mizuho services on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines. You will not have access to the trains with the fewest stops on the Tokaido and Sanyo lines.

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The pass is valid on almost all trains operated on the nationwide network of JR (Japan Railways), including shinkansen, limited express, rapid and local trains. The map below shows the major train lines that are covered by the pass.

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Can it be used on trains and buses in other cities such as Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka and Nagoya? Yes, it can. Note that PASMO PASSPORT cannot be used in some areas, so make sure to ask the train and bus operators in each area.

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Can it be used on trains and buses in other cities such as Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka and Nagoya? Yes, it can. Note that PASMO PASSPORT cannot be used in some areas, so make sure to ask the train and bus operators in each area.

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There are no crowds on the intercity Shinkansen trains so free seats tend to be available. However, it is recommended to book a seat before boarding any train during the following peak seasons: April 27 to May 6. August 11-20.

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a PASMO PASSPORT. This is a special IC card with privileges only available to overseas travelers who are visiting Japan. It can be used for train and bus travel in the Kanto area and all across the country where IC cards are accepted, and for electronic payments when shopping.

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If you are planning to travel out of Tokyo even a day trip to Nikko or a little further to Kyoto, then JR pass is the way to go and select the JR line . Pasmo/Suica card is doable within Tokyo and is similar to tap and go card. You can load up whenever you need them (cash only for loading) .

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The only difference between PASMO and SUICA is who sells them. SUICA is from JR East, and PASMO is from Tokyo-area non-JR rail operators, including Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway. Wherever you can use SUICA, you can use PASMO, and vice versa. Same with charging with new amounts.

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You can use Icoca/Pasmo/Suica for all trains, subways and buses in Osaka. You can also use Icoca/Pasmo/Suica at many shops, especially convenience stores. You can use Icoca/Pasmo/Suica in other parts of Japan as well. Buy Icoca cards from vending machines at JR stations in Osaka.

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In addition to using your charged PASMO card to ride the subway or buses, you can use it to pay for items purchased at stores and vending machines. It can also be used for member shops of railways and buses nationwide where interoperability is offered.

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In Tokyo, you can catch the Shinkansen either at Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station, and then arrive to Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka. A one-way journey costs 13,620 yen (unreserved seat) or 14,340 yen (reserved seat), but with your JR Pass, you can avail of either without having to pay additional fees.

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