How do you pay for trains in Tokyo?

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.



In 2026, the primary way to pay for trains in Tokyo is via a contactless IC Card, such as Suica or Pasmo. While physical cards were limited in previous years due to chip shortages, they are now widely available again for tourists in the form of the "Welcome Suica" or "Pasmo Passport." However, the most convenient method for most is Mobile Suica or Mobile Pasmo; you can add these cards directly to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay on your smartphone and "top up" using your credit card instantly. When entering a station, you simply tap your phone or card on the blue sensor at the ticket gate—there is no need to select a destination or buy a paper ticket. The system automatically calculates the fare and deducts it when you tap out at your exit station. These cards are "interoperable," meaning a Suica card works on the Metro, the JR lines, and even buses and vending machines throughout Japan. For those planning to travel extensively within the city over 24-72 hours, a "Tokyo Subway Ticket" can be purchased as a QR code, which may be more cost-effective than using a per-ride IC card.

People Also Ask

The Suica is a prepaid e-money card for moving around and shopping. There is no more need to buy a ticket from a vending machine. Just touch your Suica to the ticket gate and the fare is automatically deducted from your Suica. The Suica can be used not only for JR East trains, but subways and buses as well.

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No, you do not. In fact, most Japanese people only buy tickets the day of or physically go to a station the day before. It's not scene as a formal way to travel like getting from here to there via plane in Japan so most people just turn up and ride.

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You can use Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA with Apple Pay to ride transit anywhere that you can use a physical Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA card, or where interoperable Integrated Circuit (IC), or prepaid, cards are accepted.

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Even though Japan is a cash-centric country, credit cards are usually accepted in most shops, restaurants and taxis in major cities. The weather in Japan can vary wildly depending on where you are traveling to. Find out the best times to visit and what to pack.

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You shouldn't have a problem paying admission at major attractions by card. Large tourist attractions within Japan will always accept credit cards, but places like shrines, temples, and off-the-beaten-track locations are usually cash-only.

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There are (A) credit card only machines and (B) machines that take either cash (ie, notes/coins) or credit card. All machines have an English button /often other languages too and you can easily select the train, seat etc if relevant, and pay.

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Where to buy a My Suica card? You can purchase a “My Suica” at any JR East station ticketing machine or booth, including the ones located at Narita and Haneda airport. You can also buy it at some tourist information centers.

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Where to Buy and How to Top-Up the Suica Card? Travellers flying in from Narita or Haneda International Airport can purchase a Suica card easily at JR East Travel Service Centers. You can also buy a prepaid Suica card from ticketing machines at major JR East train stations and JR Ticket Offices (Midori-no-madoguchi).

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While the metro lines do no accept the JR Pass, other IC Cards, such as the Pasmo and Suica, may be used. These cards give you access to almost any train or bus in Tokyo, and are a perfect complement to the JR Pass.

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Tokyo Furii Kippu (Tokyo 1-day Ticket) One-day pass for unlimited use on all Tokyo Metro subway and Toei subway lines, buses and trams as well as JR lines within Tokyo limits. Where to buy: Available at JR stations, major subway stations (Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza, etc.)

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