📊 IC Card Comparison

All 10 major IC cards in Japan work on the same network — but they differ in where to buy, deposit, and tourist-specific features.

💡 Short answer: For most foreign tourists, get Welcome Suica (at Narita/Haneda airport, no deposit) or a regular Suica (if you want a refundable deposit). All cards work nationwide.

IC Card Comparison Table

Card	Issuer	Best Region	Deposit	Tourist Version	Digital
🔵 Suica	JR East	Kanto (Tokyo)	¥500	✅ Welcome Suica	✅ Apple/Google Pay
🟣 PASMO	Tokyo Metro etc.	Kanto (Tokyo)	¥500	✅ PASMO Passport (May 2026)	✅ Apple Pay
🟠 ICOCA	JR West	Kansai (Osaka/Kyoto)	¥500	❌ No tourist version	✅ Apple/Google Pay
🟡 TOICA	JR Central	Tokai (Nagoya)	¥500	❌ No tourist version	✅ Apple Pay
🔴 Kitaca	JR Hokkaido	Hokkaido	¥500	❌ No tourist version	❌
🟢 manaca	Nagoya subway	Nagoya area	¥500	❌ No tourist version	✅ Apple Pay

🔄 Mutual Compatibility

Since 2013, all 10 major IC cards are mutually compatible. You can use any IC card on any train, subway, or bus in Japan — no matter which card you have.

✅ All IC cards work for:

• All JR trains nationwide
• Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway
• Osaka Metro, Kyoto Subway
• Most city buses nationwide
• Convenience stores, vending machines

⚠️ Limited areas:

• Some rural buses (cash only)
• A few private railways in remote areas
• Taxis (some, not all)

❓ Which Card Should You Get?

❓

Arriving at Narita or Haneda (Tokyo area)

→ Welcome Suica at the airport — no deposit, immediate use

❓

Arriving at Kansai Airport (Osaka/Kyoto)

→ ICOCA at the JR counter in the airport

❓

Arriving at Chubu Centrair (Nagoya)

→ manaca or TOICA at any Meitetsu or JR counter

❓

Short trip (under 4 weeks)

→ Welcome Suica — no deposit to worry about

❓

Long trip (over 4 weeks)

→ Regular Suica or PASMO — refundable ¥500 deposit

❓

Using iPhone

→ Add Suica to Apple Wallet — most convenient option

💳

🎫 Use IC Card + JR Pass Together

Combine the JR Pass for Shinkansen and IC card for local trains. This is the optimal setup for most foreign tourists visiting multiple cities.

Buy JR Pass →

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