If you’re a newcomer to Japan, obtaining an IC card should be at the top of your to-do list. This is especially crucial when residing in bustling cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Waiting in long lines at ticket vending machines can be quite daunting, and having to request a ticket every time you board a public bus can become quite hassle.
PASMO and Suica are two popular contactless smart card systems widely utilized for transportation and various services in Japan. While they exist in both physical IC card and mobile app versions, it’s essential to note that, as of July 31st, JR East Japan has declared a temporary suspension of registered PASMO and Suica IC card sales for transportation purposes. This decision, effective from August 2nd 2023, has been attributed to the global semiconductor shortage. So, let’s focus on the mobile app versions of these cards for the time being.
If you would like to know how to add PASMO and Suica on your mobile, please find below articles.
Table of Contents
Quick Overview of Mobile PASMO and Mobile Suica
Comparison of two apps with the 5 elements below.
| CATEGORY | PASMO | SUICA |
|---|---|---|
|
Issuing Company |
Non-JP Lines, such as Tokyo Metro and Keikyu Electric Railway |
JR East |
|
Area |
Most of places across Japan |
Most of places across Japan |
|
Initial Cost |
None |
None |
|
Credit Card |
Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club |
Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, View Card, JR Tokai Express Card |
|
Additional Services |
Vending machines, Convenience stores, Some restaurants, Car parking, Storage lockers |
Vending machines, Convenience stores, Some restaurants, Car parking, Storage lockers |
The information is based on PASMO and Suica’s official pages.
- East Japan Railway Company, mobile Suica, August 2023, https://www.jreast.co.jp/mobilesuica/
- PASMO Co., Ltd, Apple PayのPASMO, August 2023, https://www.pasmo.co.jp/mp/app/
#1 Issuing company and Area to use
Despite being operated by different companies, it’s important to note that both PASMO and Suica cards are interoperable. This means that regardless of whether you have a PASMO or Suica card, you can use it on train lines and transportation services run by various operators across most of area in Japan. The convenience of this interoperability allows commuters to move seamlessly between different transit systems without the need for multiple cards, making them versatile choices for transportation in Japan.
#2 Initial Cost
Both Mobile PASMO and Suica come with the advantage of not having any registration or annual membership fees. Also not require any deposit, like the physical IC cards, which 500 yen deposit is required. This deposit serves as a deterrent against discarding the card and encourages users to return it if they no longer need it.
#3 Credit Card
When it comes to both Mobile PASMO and Suica, it’s important to be aware that only credit cards that support personal authentication services (3D Secure authentication) can be registered. These include Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, and Diners Club. For Mobile Suica, there’s an additional option to use View Card and JR Tokai Express Card.
It’s crucial to note that within Apple Pay (Wallet), some Visa brands issued in Japan and Diners Club cards (excluding Mastercard) have specific limitations. These cards cannot be used for charging Mobile PASMO or purchasing commuter passes due to the specifications of Apple Pay.
Furthermore, it’s essential to understand that, in principle, credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards issued overseas cannot be registered for use with Mobile PASMO and Suica.
#4 Additional Services
Both cards can be used for more than just transportation. You can use them for various purposes, including making purchases at vending machines, convenience stores, some restaurants, paying for car parking, and using storage lockers. Look for the sticker below to identify locations where these cards are accepted, making them convenient for a wide range of everyday transactions:
In conclusion, when it comes to their fundamental utility, these two apps show minimal differences. These IC cards play a pivotal role, not only in simplifying transportation but also in facilitating various cashless transactions, contributing significantly to Japan’s evolving cashless society.
