What is the difference between welcome Pasmo and welcome Suica?

The Welcome Suica has no deposit but doesn't have associated discounts, while the Pasmo Passport has a ¥500 issuing fee but entitles you to discounts at participating businesses.



In 2026, the primary difference between Welcome Pasmo and Welcome Suica is the issuing company and the specific "souvenir" artwork, though they function identically for the traveler. Welcome Suica is issued by JR East and is typically available at Narita and Haneda airports; it features a red design with cherry blossoms. Welcome Pasmo (formerly Pasmo Passport) is issued by a consortium of private subways and buses and is available at major Tokyo Metro stations. Both cards are "tourist-only" versions that require no deposit and are valid for exactly 28 days, after which the balance is forfeited and the card becomes a "free" souvenir. A high-value peer tip for 2026: if you have an iPhone, you should bypass the physical cards entirely and add a "Digital Suica" to your Apple Wallet for free; it has no expiration date and can be topped up instantly. If you want the physical card for a scrapbook, choose the "Suica" for JR-heavy travel or "Pasmo" for more metro-heavy travel, but both are universally accepted across almost all Japanese transit.

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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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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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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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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.

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Pasmo is your alternative to the Suica card and functions in a very similar way. The only difference being the company that provides the cards. It can be purchased at Haneda and Narita airports as well as all participating private railway and subway stations. A returnable deposit is required when you purchase a Pasmo.

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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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CAN I KEEP MY CARD FOR MY NEXT TRIP TO JAPAN? Yes, you can. Pasmo and Suica cards do not expire for 10 years.

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Will a Suica card save me money over regular train tickets? Yes, but only a very little at a time. Within Tokyo, the fare for Suica (or any IC card) users is a couple of yen cheaper than the full fare price.

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Suica cards are managed by JR East, while Pasmo cards are managed by non-JR Lines, including Tokyo Metro and Keikyu Electric Railway. However both cards can be used on train lines run by other operators, e.g. you can use you Suica on a Tokyo Metro Line or your Pasmo on a JR Line without issue.

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The Suica can be loaded and used as many times as desired. The Suica can be loaded up to a maximum of 20,000 yen at Automatic Ticket Vending Machines and Fare Adjustment Machines displaying the Suica mark.

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Welcome Suica cards cannot be imported into Apple Pay. Season tickets cannot be added to Welcome Suica cards.

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Smart cards like Icoca, Suica and Pasmo are valid across Japan, so don't worry about which one you buy. You can use Icoca/Pasmo/Suica for all trains, subways and buses in Kyoto. You can also use Icoca/Pasmo/Suica at many shops, especially convenience stores. Buy Icoca cards from vending machines at JR Kyoto Station.

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The Suica card initially costs ¥ 1 ( US$ 0), of which 500 is credit and the other 500 goes as a deposit. This deposit is returned when you return the card to the Japan Rail (Suica). The Pasmo card costs ¥ 500 ( US$ 3.30), which is non-refundable, as well as the money you want to charge it with.

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Can we just swipe the same card 3 times while going thru the gate? You need 3 cards. Every individual needs their own cards to use train. Scanning the card three times to allow three people, or giving the card back so three people could use it would not work because of the design of the system.

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